natural awakenings magazine october 2009

40
1 NaturalWestMichigan.com HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET feel good live simply laugh more FREE West Michigan Edition www.NaturalWestMichigan.com OCTOBER 2009 Step Up to BALLROOM DANCING For Fun & Fitness TEENS TURNING GREEN The New Eco-Aware Activists special edition THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE Tabletop Wonders Posh Squash

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Healthy Living Healthy Planet

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

1NaturalWestMichigancom

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

feel good

live simply

laugh more

FREEWest Michigan Edition

wwwNaturalWestMichigancom

OCTOBER 2009

Step Up to

BALLROOMDANCINGFor Fun amp Fitness

TEENS TURNING

GREENThe New Eco-Aware Activists

special edition

THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE

Tabletop WondersPosh Squash

2 October 2009

The Best In Massage Therapy

Mastersof Massage

3NaturalWestMichigancom

contents

5 newsbriefs

8 healthbriefs

10 globalbriefs

13 legislationwatch

14 healthykids

17 fitbody

20 consciouseating

26 healingways

28 naturalpet20

14

26

13 FOOD SAFETY How It Will Affect Local Farmers

by Aimee Witteman

14 TEENS TURNING GREEN by Kristin Bender

17 SHALL WE DANCE Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive by Lee Walker

19 MID-LIFE CHANGES Addressing Naturally by Karla Parkhurst DC

22 THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE by Brita Belli

28 ECO-FRIENDLY AQUARIUMS by Nina Shen Rastogi

31 SERENI-TEA Health and Harmony in a Tea Cup by Sharon Pisacreta

17

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

advertising amp submissions

NaturalWestMichigancom

22

How to AdvertiseTo advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication

News Briefs amp Article suBmissioNsEmail articles to PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Dead-line for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication Sub-mit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication

cAleNdAr suBmissioNsSubmit Calendar Events online at NaturalWestMichigancom Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication

wHere to PicK uP NAturAl AwAKeNiNGsIf you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email us at publisherNaturalWestMichigancom

and much more onlinemorehealthbriefs globalbriefs news articles archives calendar classifieds natural directory amp more

13

19

4 October 2009

letterfrompublishers

A couple of years ago Kyle and I bought a book called The Green Book The Everyday Guide

to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M Kostigen It was the best $1295 we ever spent

Kyle and I have devoted a good portion of our married life trying to do right by our environ-ment The Green Book provides us with more options that add to and expand upon what we were already doing for the environment Wersquore especially fond of the many small easy things

that we average Joes and Janes can readily do everyday without breaking a sweat We encourage everyone who cares about their environment to get your hands on this book Just Natural Awakenings-West Michiganrsquos 30000 plus readers alone consistently making incremental changes to better our world can add up to a major difference Teaching our children how to be good stewards of their environment will serve them well their whole life Our leading by example is of course the best teacher of all

Fall in Michigan brings home the preciousness of our particular region The refreshing temperatures and blazing autumn leaves is a piece of heaven on Earth We love the cool nights sitting around a backyard campfire The crackling wood soothes and nurtures beyond words The smell of the wood smoke on my clothes when I come inside unfailingly reminds me of the happiness of home

Autumn meditations bring up the fact that I am another year older and perhaps another year wiser This is the time of year that I take stock of where I have journeyed and what I have accomplished as well as what I need to do better next year Sometimes I am disappointed that I did not do all that I set out to do the previous year but other times I amaze myself with all I have accomplished Either way I keep striving to succeed in all that I do always looking forward to experiencing ever more good

Each morning that I awake each new year that I am on this glorious Earth is a blessing that is not to be wasted I appreciate the phi-losophy that beholds the evening as the start of a new day just so each fall begins an annual rebirth

Amy and Kyle

Subscriptions are availableby sending $30 (12 issues)

to the above address

copy 2009 by Natural Awakenings All rights reserved Although some parts of this publication may be repro-duced and reprinted we require that prior permission be obtained in writing

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed lo-cally 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 for 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

Natural Awakenings is printed on 100 recycled newsprint with soy based ink

PublishersKyle amp Amy Hass

EditorsMaryAnn LawrenceS Alison Chabonais

Linda Sechrist

Design amp ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterNewsweb

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr SEGrand Rapids MI 49508

Phone 616-656-9232

PublisherNaturalWestMichigancomwwwNaturalWestMichigancom

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Natural Awakeningsis locally owned and operated

contact us

5NaturalWestMichigancom

newsbriefs

Class Focuses on Breathwork to Relieve StressBusy work schedules the constant bombardment of informa-

tion and the mixed messages of society make us unsure and uncomfortable As a result we are becoming a tense nervous and anxious society One way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to learn to control our bodyrsquos reaction to stress To help accomplish this goal Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation from 7 to 8pm October 8 Led by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy this class teaches techniques to control the autonomic nervous system (ldquofight or flightrdquo response) to better process the stimulation we receive daily so we can feel more in control of our environment The class is free Harbor Health and Massage is located at 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 in Holland To register call 616-510-2155 Har-borHealthandMassagecom FullPotentialPTcom See ad page 2

Awaken to Souls Intentions and Access Innate CreativityTendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play will offer several

new 7-week sessions starting October 6 All classes are $20 per session ldquoWorking at the Wallrdquo will focus on core

themes expressed by using ones non-dom-inate hand to draw colors symbols and pictures This technique assists in discovering and revealing your subconscious draws out inner divine guidance and removes blockag-es ldquoLets get serious and Playrdquo is a meditative yet playful way to use a variety of mediums to

unleash the creative child within Examples include mask work self portraiture and metal sculpture ldquoStop Thinking and Paintrdquo is for groups of two or more who want to explore free form intuitive painting and drawing It is great for co-workers friends clubs and therapists and can be a one-time event Finally ldquoThe Young Picassorsquos Clubrdquo for children 6-13 will focus on art basics

Sessions available after school and weekends Tendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play is located at 617 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 MaryDawsonDe-signearthlinknet See ad page 37

Yoga Workshop to Heal Depression and Anxiety Amy Weintraub author and founder of the LifeForce Yoga

Healing Institute will lead a workshop on depression and anxiety October 23-25 at Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE in Grand Rapids ldquoThe new way to lift your mood is with the ancient practice of yogardquo says Weintraub ldquoFor thousands of years yogis have understood what current research in neurobiology is demonstrating that by working with a body and breath-based practice you can manage your moodsrdquo The author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo offers workshops and speaks at medical and psychological conferences around the world Included in the workshop will be yogic breath-ing techniques guided meditations and tools for managing mood including visualization toning and easy yoga postures suitable for all levels of practitioners Carol Hendershot of Expressions of Grace says she has received rave reviews on past workshops ldquoOur students say they leave Amyrsquos workshops feeling refreshed renewed and excitedrdquo She says it is significant to remember that no experi-ence is necessary and that new yoga students will benefit as well as advanced students health care professionals yoga teachers and psychotherapists looking for new techniques to help their clients focus and relax The three-day event can be attended as a whole or broken into smaller sessions throughout the weekend To register call Expressions of Grace at 616-361-8580 ExpressionsofGraceYogacom See ad page 16

Cedar-Rock Community Resource FairDollarville and Health Motion Physical Therapy invite

residents of the Cedar Springs and Rockford area to the first ever Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair at the Dollarville store October 10 from 10am to 2pm The event

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

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of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

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231-852-0849

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2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 2: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

2 October 2009

The Best In Massage Therapy

Mastersof Massage

3NaturalWestMichigancom

contents

5 newsbriefs

8 healthbriefs

10 globalbriefs

13 legislationwatch

14 healthykids

17 fitbody

20 consciouseating

26 healingways

28 naturalpet20

14

26

13 FOOD SAFETY How It Will Affect Local Farmers

by Aimee Witteman

14 TEENS TURNING GREEN by Kristin Bender

17 SHALL WE DANCE Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive by Lee Walker

19 MID-LIFE CHANGES Addressing Naturally by Karla Parkhurst DC

22 THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE by Brita Belli

28 ECO-FRIENDLY AQUARIUMS by Nina Shen Rastogi

31 SERENI-TEA Health and Harmony in a Tea Cup by Sharon Pisacreta

17

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

advertising amp submissions

NaturalWestMichigancom

22

How to AdvertiseTo advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication

News Briefs amp Article suBmissioNsEmail articles to PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Dead-line for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication Sub-mit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication

cAleNdAr suBmissioNsSubmit Calendar Events online at NaturalWestMichigancom Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication

wHere to PicK uP NAturAl AwAKeNiNGsIf you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email us at publisherNaturalWestMichigancom

and much more onlinemorehealthbriefs globalbriefs news articles archives calendar classifieds natural directory amp more

13

19

4 October 2009

letterfrompublishers

A couple of years ago Kyle and I bought a book called The Green Book The Everyday Guide

to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M Kostigen It was the best $1295 we ever spent

Kyle and I have devoted a good portion of our married life trying to do right by our environ-ment The Green Book provides us with more options that add to and expand upon what we were already doing for the environment Wersquore especially fond of the many small easy things

that we average Joes and Janes can readily do everyday without breaking a sweat We encourage everyone who cares about their environment to get your hands on this book Just Natural Awakenings-West Michiganrsquos 30000 plus readers alone consistently making incremental changes to better our world can add up to a major difference Teaching our children how to be good stewards of their environment will serve them well their whole life Our leading by example is of course the best teacher of all

Fall in Michigan brings home the preciousness of our particular region The refreshing temperatures and blazing autumn leaves is a piece of heaven on Earth We love the cool nights sitting around a backyard campfire The crackling wood soothes and nurtures beyond words The smell of the wood smoke on my clothes when I come inside unfailingly reminds me of the happiness of home

Autumn meditations bring up the fact that I am another year older and perhaps another year wiser This is the time of year that I take stock of where I have journeyed and what I have accomplished as well as what I need to do better next year Sometimes I am disappointed that I did not do all that I set out to do the previous year but other times I amaze myself with all I have accomplished Either way I keep striving to succeed in all that I do always looking forward to experiencing ever more good

Each morning that I awake each new year that I am on this glorious Earth is a blessing that is not to be wasted I appreciate the phi-losophy that beholds the evening as the start of a new day just so each fall begins an annual rebirth

Amy and Kyle

Subscriptions are availableby sending $30 (12 issues)

to the above address

copy 2009 by Natural Awakenings All rights reserved Although some parts of this publication may be repro-duced and reprinted we require that prior permission be obtained in writing

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed lo-cally 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 for 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

Natural Awakenings is printed on 100 recycled newsprint with soy based ink

PublishersKyle amp Amy Hass

EditorsMaryAnn LawrenceS Alison Chabonais

Linda Sechrist

Design amp ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterNewsweb

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr SEGrand Rapids MI 49508

Phone 616-656-9232

PublisherNaturalWestMichigancomwwwNaturalWestMichigancom

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Natural Awakeningsis locally owned and operated

contact us

5NaturalWestMichigancom

newsbriefs

Class Focuses on Breathwork to Relieve StressBusy work schedules the constant bombardment of informa-

tion and the mixed messages of society make us unsure and uncomfortable As a result we are becoming a tense nervous and anxious society One way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to learn to control our bodyrsquos reaction to stress To help accomplish this goal Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation from 7 to 8pm October 8 Led by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy this class teaches techniques to control the autonomic nervous system (ldquofight or flightrdquo response) to better process the stimulation we receive daily so we can feel more in control of our environment The class is free Harbor Health and Massage is located at 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 in Holland To register call 616-510-2155 Har-borHealthandMassagecom FullPotentialPTcom See ad page 2

Awaken to Souls Intentions and Access Innate CreativityTendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play will offer several

new 7-week sessions starting October 6 All classes are $20 per session ldquoWorking at the Wallrdquo will focus on core

themes expressed by using ones non-dom-inate hand to draw colors symbols and pictures This technique assists in discovering and revealing your subconscious draws out inner divine guidance and removes blockag-es ldquoLets get serious and Playrdquo is a meditative yet playful way to use a variety of mediums to

unleash the creative child within Examples include mask work self portraiture and metal sculpture ldquoStop Thinking and Paintrdquo is for groups of two or more who want to explore free form intuitive painting and drawing It is great for co-workers friends clubs and therapists and can be a one-time event Finally ldquoThe Young Picassorsquos Clubrdquo for children 6-13 will focus on art basics

Sessions available after school and weekends Tendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play is located at 617 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 MaryDawsonDe-signearthlinknet See ad page 37

Yoga Workshop to Heal Depression and Anxiety Amy Weintraub author and founder of the LifeForce Yoga

Healing Institute will lead a workshop on depression and anxiety October 23-25 at Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE in Grand Rapids ldquoThe new way to lift your mood is with the ancient practice of yogardquo says Weintraub ldquoFor thousands of years yogis have understood what current research in neurobiology is demonstrating that by working with a body and breath-based practice you can manage your moodsrdquo The author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo offers workshops and speaks at medical and psychological conferences around the world Included in the workshop will be yogic breath-ing techniques guided meditations and tools for managing mood including visualization toning and easy yoga postures suitable for all levels of practitioners Carol Hendershot of Expressions of Grace says she has received rave reviews on past workshops ldquoOur students say they leave Amyrsquos workshops feeling refreshed renewed and excitedrdquo She says it is significant to remember that no experi-ence is necessary and that new yoga students will benefit as well as advanced students health care professionals yoga teachers and psychotherapists looking for new techniques to help their clients focus and relax The three-day event can be attended as a whole or broken into smaller sessions throughout the weekend To register call Expressions of Grace at 616-361-8580 ExpressionsofGraceYogacom See ad page 16

Cedar-Rock Community Resource FairDollarville and Health Motion Physical Therapy invite

residents of the Cedar Springs and Rockford area to the first ever Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair at the Dollarville store October 10 from 10am to 2pm The event

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 3: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

3NaturalWestMichigancom

contents

5 newsbriefs

8 healthbriefs

10 globalbriefs

13 legislationwatch

14 healthykids

17 fitbody

20 consciouseating

26 healingways

28 naturalpet20

14

26

13 FOOD SAFETY How It Will Affect Local Farmers

by Aimee Witteman

14 TEENS TURNING GREEN by Kristin Bender

17 SHALL WE DANCE Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive by Lee Walker

19 MID-LIFE CHANGES Addressing Naturally by Karla Parkhurst DC

22 THE BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE by Brita Belli

28 ECO-FRIENDLY AQUARIUMS by Nina Shen Rastogi

31 SERENI-TEA Health and Harmony in a Tea Cup by Sharon Pisacreta

17

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

advertising amp submissions

NaturalWestMichigancom

22

How to AdvertiseTo advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for space reservation is the 12th of each month prior to publication

News Briefs amp Article suBmissioNsEmail articles to PublisherNaturalWestMichigancom Dead-line for articles is the 5th of the month prior to publication Sub-mit News Briefs online at NaturalWestMichigancom Deadline for news briefs is the 12th of the month prior to publication

cAleNdAr suBmissioNsSubmit Calendar Events online at NaturalWestMichigancom Calendar deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication

wHere to PicK uP NAturAl AwAKeNiNGsIf you enjoyed this magazine and would like to know where you can pick up a free copy in your area please contact us at 616-656-9232 or email us at publisherNaturalWestMichigancom

and much more onlinemorehealthbriefs globalbriefs news articles archives calendar classifieds natural directory amp more

13

19

4 October 2009

letterfrompublishers

A couple of years ago Kyle and I bought a book called The Green Book The Everyday Guide

to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M Kostigen It was the best $1295 we ever spent

Kyle and I have devoted a good portion of our married life trying to do right by our environ-ment The Green Book provides us with more options that add to and expand upon what we were already doing for the environment Wersquore especially fond of the many small easy things

that we average Joes and Janes can readily do everyday without breaking a sweat We encourage everyone who cares about their environment to get your hands on this book Just Natural Awakenings-West Michiganrsquos 30000 plus readers alone consistently making incremental changes to better our world can add up to a major difference Teaching our children how to be good stewards of their environment will serve them well their whole life Our leading by example is of course the best teacher of all

Fall in Michigan brings home the preciousness of our particular region The refreshing temperatures and blazing autumn leaves is a piece of heaven on Earth We love the cool nights sitting around a backyard campfire The crackling wood soothes and nurtures beyond words The smell of the wood smoke on my clothes when I come inside unfailingly reminds me of the happiness of home

Autumn meditations bring up the fact that I am another year older and perhaps another year wiser This is the time of year that I take stock of where I have journeyed and what I have accomplished as well as what I need to do better next year Sometimes I am disappointed that I did not do all that I set out to do the previous year but other times I amaze myself with all I have accomplished Either way I keep striving to succeed in all that I do always looking forward to experiencing ever more good

Each morning that I awake each new year that I am on this glorious Earth is a blessing that is not to be wasted I appreciate the phi-losophy that beholds the evening as the start of a new day just so each fall begins an annual rebirth

Amy and Kyle

Subscriptions are availableby sending $30 (12 issues)

to the above address

copy 2009 by Natural Awakenings All rights reserved Although some parts of this publication may be repro-duced and reprinted we require that prior permission be obtained in writing

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed lo-cally 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 for 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

Natural Awakenings is printed on 100 recycled newsprint with soy based ink

PublishersKyle amp Amy Hass

EditorsMaryAnn LawrenceS Alison Chabonais

Linda Sechrist

Design amp ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterNewsweb

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr SEGrand Rapids MI 49508

Phone 616-656-9232

PublisherNaturalWestMichigancomwwwNaturalWestMichigancom

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Natural Awakeningsis locally owned and operated

contact us

5NaturalWestMichigancom

newsbriefs

Class Focuses on Breathwork to Relieve StressBusy work schedules the constant bombardment of informa-

tion and the mixed messages of society make us unsure and uncomfortable As a result we are becoming a tense nervous and anxious society One way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to learn to control our bodyrsquos reaction to stress To help accomplish this goal Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation from 7 to 8pm October 8 Led by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy this class teaches techniques to control the autonomic nervous system (ldquofight or flightrdquo response) to better process the stimulation we receive daily so we can feel more in control of our environment The class is free Harbor Health and Massage is located at 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 in Holland To register call 616-510-2155 Har-borHealthandMassagecom FullPotentialPTcom See ad page 2

Awaken to Souls Intentions and Access Innate CreativityTendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play will offer several

new 7-week sessions starting October 6 All classes are $20 per session ldquoWorking at the Wallrdquo will focus on core

themes expressed by using ones non-dom-inate hand to draw colors symbols and pictures This technique assists in discovering and revealing your subconscious draws out inner divine guidance and removes blockag-es ldquoLets get serious and Playrdquo is a meditative yet playful way to use a variety of mediums to

unleash the creative child within Examples include mask work self portraiture and metal sculpture ldquoStop Thinking and Paintrdquo is for groups of two or more who want to explore free form intuitive painting and drawing It is great for co-workers friends clubs and therapists and can be a one-time event Finally ldquoThe Young Picassorsquos Clubrdquo for children 6-13 will focus on art basics

Sessions available after school and weekends Tendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play is located at 617 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 MaryDawsonDe-signearthlinknet See ad page 37

Yoga Workshop to Heal Depression and Anxiety Amy Weintraub author and founder of the LifeForce Yoga

Healing Institute will lead a workshop on depression and anxiety October 23-25 at Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE in Grand Rapids ldquoThe new way to lift your mood is with the ancient practice of yogardquo says Weintraub ldquoFor thousands of years yogis have understood what current research in neurobiology is demonstrating that by working with a body and breath-based practice you can manage your moodsrdquo The author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo offers workshops and speaks at medical and psychological conferences around the world Included in the workshop will be yogic breath-ing techniques guided meditations and tools for managing mood including visualization toning and easy yoga postures suitable for all levels of practitioners Carol Hendershot of Expressions of Grace says she has received rave reviews on past workshops ldquoOur students say they leave Amyrsquos workshops feeling refreshed renewed and excitedrdquo She says it is significant to remember that no experi-ence is necessary and that new yoga students will benefit as well as advanced students health care professionals yoga teachers and psychotherapists looking for new techniques to help their clients focus and relax The three-day event can be attended as a whole or broken into smaller sessions throughout the weekend To register call Expressions of Grace at 616-361-8580 ExpressionsofGraceYogacom See ad page 16

Cedar-Rock Community Resource FairDollarville and Health Motion Physical Therapy invite

residents of the Cedar Springs and Rockford area to the first ever Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair at the Dollarville store October 10 from 10am to 2pm The event

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

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(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

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Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

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You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

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16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

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231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 4: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

4 October 2009

letterfrompublishers

A couple of years ago Kyle and I bought a book called The Green Book The Everyday Guide

to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M Kostigen It was the best $1295 we ever spent

Kyle and I have devoted a good portion of our married life trying to do right by our environ-ment The Green Book provides us with more options that add to and expand upon what we were already doing for the environment Wersquore especially fond of the many small easy things

that we average Joes and Janes can readily do everyday without breaking a sweat We encourage everyone who cares about their environment to get your hands on this book Just Natural Awakenings-West Michiganrsquos 30000 plus readers alone consistently making incremental changes to better our world can add up to a major difference Teaching our children how to be good stewards of their environment will serve them well their whole life Our leading by example is of course the best teacher of all

Fall in Michigan brings home the preciousness of our particular region The refreshing temperatures and blazing autumn leaves is a piece of heaven on Earth We love the cool nights sitting around a backyard campfire The crackling wood soothes and nurtures beyond words The smell of the wood smoke on my clothes when I come inside unfailingly reminds me of the happiness of home

Autumn meditations bring up the fact that I am another year older and perhaps another year wiser This is the time of year that I take stock of where I have journeyed and what I have accomplished as well as what I need to do better next year Sometimes I am disappointed that I did not do all that I set out to do the previous year but other times I amaze myself with all I have accomplished Either way I keep striving to succeed in all that I do always looking forward to experiencing ever more good

Each morning that I awake each new year that I am on this glorious Earth is a blessing that is not to be wasted I appreciate the phi-losophy that beholds the evening as the start of a new day just so each fall begins an annual rebirth

Amy and Kyle

Subscriptions are availableby sending $30 (12 issues)

to the above address

copy 2009 by Natural Awakenings All rights reserved Although some parts of this publication may be repro-duced and reprinted we require that prior permission be obtained in writing

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed lo-cally 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 for 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

Natural Awakenings is printed on 100 recycled newsprint with soy based ink

PublishersKyle amp Amy Hass

EditorsMaryAnn LawrenceS Alison Chabonais

Linda Sechrist

Design amp ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterNewsweb

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr SEGrand Rapids MI 49508

Phone 616-656-9232

PublisherNaturalWestMichigancomwwwNaturalWestMichigancom

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Natural Awakeningsis locally owned and operated

contact us

5NaturalWestMichigancom

newsbriefs

Class Focuses on Breathwork to Relieve StressBusy work schedules the constant bombardment of informa-

tion and the mixed messages of society make us unsure and uncomfortable As a result we are becoming a tense nervous and anxious society One way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to learn to control our bodyrsquos reaction to stress To help accomplish this goal Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation from 7 to 8pm October 8 Led by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy this class teaches techniques to control the autonomic nervous system (ldquofight or flightrdquo response) to better process the stimulation we receive daily so we can feel more in control of our environment The class is free Harbor Health and Massage is located at 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 in Holland To register call 616-510-2155 Har-borHealthandMassagecom FullPotentialPTcom See ad page 2

Awaken to Souls Intentions and Access Innate CreativityTendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play will offer several

new 7-week sessions starting October 6 All classes are $20 per session ldquoWorking at the Wallrdquo will focus on core

themes expressed by using ones non-dom-inate hand to draw colors symbols and pictures This technique assists in discovering and revealing your subconscious draws out inner divine guidance and removes blockag-es ldquoLets get serious and Playrdquo is a meditative yet playful way to use a variety of mediums to

unleash the creative child within Examples include mask work self portraiture and metal sculpture ldquoStop Thinking and Paintrdquo is for groups of two or more who want to explore free form intuitive painting and drawing It is great for co-workers friends clubs and therapists and can be a one-time event Finally ldquoThe Young Picassorsquos Clubrdquo for children 6-13 will focus on art basics

Sessions available after school and weekends Tendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play is located at 617 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 MaryDawsonDe-signearthlinknet See ad page 37

Yoga Workshop to Heal Depression and Anxiety Amy Weintraub author and founder of the LifeForce Yoga

Healing Institute will lead a workshop on depression and anxiety October 23-25 at Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE in Grand Rapids ldquoThe new way to lift your mood is with the ancient practice of yogardquo says Weintraub ldquoFor thousands of years yogis have understood what current research in neurobiology is demonstrating that by working with a body and breath-based practice you can manage your moodsrdquo The author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo offers workshops and speaks at medical and psychological conferences around the world Included in the workshop will be yogic breath-ing techniques guided meditations and tools for managing mood including visualization toning and easy yoga postures suitable for all levels of practitioners Carol Hendershot of Expressions of Grace says she has received rave reviews on past workshops ldquoOur students say they leave Amyrsquos workshops feeling refreshed renewed and excitedrdquo She says it is significant to remember that no experi-ence is necessary and that new yoga students will benefit as well as advanced students health care professionals yoga teachers and psychotherapists looking for new techniques to help their clients focus and relax The three-day event can be attended as a whole or broken into smaller sessions throughout the weekend To register call Expressions of Grace at 616-361-8580 ExpressionsofGraceYogacom See ad page 16

Cedar-Rock Community Resource FairDollarville and Health Motion Physical Therapy invite

residents of the Cedar Springs and Rockford area to the first ever Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair at the Dollarville store October 10 from 10am to 2pm The event

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

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You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

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231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

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17NaturalWestMichigancom

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 5: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

5NaturalWestMichigancom

newsbriefs

Class Focuses on Breathwork to Relieve StressBusy work schedules the constant bombardment of informa-

tion and the mixed messages of society make us unsure and uncomfortable As a result we are becoming a tense nervous and anxious society One way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to learn to control our bodyrsquos reaction to stress To help accomplish this goal Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation from 7 to 8pm October 8 Led by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy this class teaches techniques to control the autonomic nervous system (ldquofight or flightrdquo response) to better process the stimulation we receive daily so we can feel more in control of our environment The class is free Harbor Health and Massage is located at 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 in Holland To register call 616-510-2155 Har-borHealthandMassagecom FullPotentialPTcom See ad page 2

Awaken to Souls Intentions and Access Innate CreativityTendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play will offer several

new 7-week sessions starting October 6 All classes are $20 per session ldquoWorking at the Wallrdquo will focus on core

themes expressed by using ones non-dom-inate hand to draw colors symbols and pictures This technique assists in discovering and revealing your subconscious draws out inner divine guidance and removes blockag-es ldquoLets get serious and Playrdquo is a meditative yet playful way to use a variety of mediums to

unleash the creative child within Examples include mask work self portraiture and metal sculpture ldquoStop Thinking and Paintrdquo is for groups of two or more who want to explore free form intuitive painting and drawing It is great for co-workers friends clubs and therapists and can be a one-time event Finally ldquoThe Young Picassorsquos Clubrdquo for children 6-13 will focus on art basics

Sessions available after school and weekends Tendressa Studio Art Therapy+Art Play is located at 617 Lyon NE in Grand Rapids 616-949-6234 MaryDawsonDe-signearthlinknet See ad page 37

Yoga Workshop to Heal Depression and Anxiety Amy Weintraub author and founder of the LifeForce Yoga

Healing Institute will lead a workshop on depression and anxiety October 23-25 at Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE in Grand Rapids ldquoThe new way to lift your mood is with the ancient practice of yogardquo says Weintraub ldquoFor thousands of years yogis have understood what current research in neurobiology is demonstrating that by working with a body and breath-based practice you can manage your moodsrdquo The author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo offers workshops and speaks at medical and psychological conferences around the world Included in the workshop will be yogic breath-ing techniques guided meditations and tools for managing mood including visualization toning and easy yoga postures suitable for all levels of practitioners Carol Hendershot of Expressions of Grace says she has received rave reviews on past workshops ldquoOur students say they leave Amyrsquos workshops feeling refreshed renewed and excitedrdquo She says it is significant to remember that no experi-ence is necessary and that new yoga students will benefit as well as advanced students health care professionals yoga teachers and psychotherapists looking for new techniques to help their clients focus and relax The three-day event can be attended as a whole or broken into smaller sessions throughout the weekend To register call Expressions of Grace at 616-361-8580 ExpressionsofGraceYogacom See ad page 16

Cedar-Rock Community Resource FairDollarville and Health Motion Physical Therapy invite

residents of the Cedar Springs and Rockford area to the first ever Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair at the Dollarville store October 10 from 10am to 2pm The event

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

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231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

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17NaturalWestMichigancom

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 6: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

6 October 2009

is free to the public and aims to promote family wellness solutions and to make residents aware of the many modern clean and healthy resources local organizations offer The following services will be availablebull Health screenings with a physical therapistbull Green solutions for home and lifebull Nutrition information and giveawaysbull Information on disease prevention and awarenessbull QampA with local professionalsbull Discounts from local food vendors and retail merchants Dollarville is located at the Cedar-Rock Mall 4330 14 Mile Road NE in Rockford Contact Andy at Health Motion Physical Therapy 616-554-0918

Radixreg TrainingComes to Grand Rapids

Good things come to Grand Rapids

In some ways Grand Rapids is an unlikely spot for a science dedi-

cated to the study of the life force and a training program fo-cused on how this force influences human behavior Yet after 40 years of being based in California Washington and New Mexico the Radix Institute is making this training available in West Michigan The word ldquoradixrdquo is derived from the Latin word meaning ldquorootrdquo and is used to denote the source or origin of some-thing So ldquoradixrdquo or ldquolife forcerdquo or ldquochirdquo is the source of the physical and psychological of action and feeling How we manage this life energy has a profound effect on our health and sense of well being The Radix Institute offers a powerful training program that teaches practitioners how to do deep life-changing therapeutic work with people to open up feelings clarify thinking and integrate body and mind This training program has only been available in an intensive 26-month program in the West This month Grand Rapids will be the venue for the debut of a new modular program that offers cutting-edge training to therapists in our community Contact John Weiks EdD at 616-942-9000 jcweiksmaccom or Nancy Jonker PhD at 616-443-9626 dr-jonkerintegrativehealingcentrecom or visit Radixorg

Guided Meditationand Healing CirclesHolistic Care Approach of Grand Rapids is now offering

guided meditation and healing circles the first Wednes-day of each month from 7-8 pm Led by Nancy OrsquoDonohue a licensed trainer for Healing in America the US affiliate of Britainrsquos National Federation of Spiritual Healers the Guided Meditation is especially designed to help escape stress and strains of life and discover an inner world of calm peace and joy At the end of the guided meditation a healing circle will take place in which energy healing will be given to each by Healing in America-trained healers This healing circle format originated in England by the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Europersquos largest healing organization It is offered in many UK hospitals and cancer clinics to help promote relaxation and support the bodyrsquos ability to self-heal Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Ct NE in Grand Rapids 616- 361-9221 Contact Nancy OrsquoDonohue at 269-929-6796 See ad page 2

Holiday Inn HostsRight to Life Benefit Dinner

Muskegon County Right to Life will host the

Focus on Life 2009 Annual Benefit Dinner October 8 from 630 to 9pm at Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 939 Third Street in Muskegon

The cost is $30 per person $20 per student or $240 per table of eight Bryan Kemper founder and president of Stand True Ministries will be the guest speaker Stand True is a Christ-Centered pro-life organization ldquodetermined to awaken the youth of this country and share the message of life and the Gospel of Christrdquo Muskegon County Right to Life is a nonprofit organization that supports life from conception to natural death focusing on education to protect innocent life at all stages Muskegon County Right to Life 231-733-6300 Muskegonrtlorg

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

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You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

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16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

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231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 7: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

7NaturalWestMichigancom

Nutritional Bailout PlanCash for CandyLocal dentist Kevin Flood says he will buy back Hal-

loween candy from GR area trick-or-treaters for $1 per pound This bold statement emphasizes Dr Floodrsquos belief in the importance of good nutrition and how it affects oral health he says Last year almost 400 children from Grand Rapids de-cided they would rather be paid for their Halloween candy than have decay This unique ldquotaking candy from babiesrdquo buy back will take place on November 1 from 2 to 4pm at Dr Floodrsquos Dental Health and Wellness Center 4990 Cascade Road SE in Grand Rapids Dr Flood will donate the candy to local charities such as Families in Transition which works with local families and children creating ginger bread houses for the Christmas holidays For more information contact Dental Health and Well-ness Center at 616-974-4990 or visit FloodtheDentistcom See ad page 40

Green Burial OptionsRecently Cook Fu-

neral amp Cremation Services held a seminar for those who have made a personal commitment to being more environmentally responsible The seminar brought to light how green burial options help us make sure that the footprint we leave in death is as light as the one we left during our lifetimes Ron Cook II discussed eco-friendly products and ser-vices and brought to light the many different green burial options that exist Some of these include burial shrouds made from cotton sea grass or willow caskets cornstarch EcoUrns shell urns made from recycled paper and cre-

mation memorials One such option is the Eternal Reef Memorial which becomes the foundation and new home for a variety of sea life Memorial services can take place at the funeral home places of worship or at a park ldquoA reception is a good addi-tion to the memorial service and provides time for family to reflect and gather with friends and relatives following the servicerdquo says Cook Reception services might utilize recycled paper products locally grown produce as well as natural and organic food alternatives Cook also offers a horse drawn hearse to travel to the cemetery Ron Zartman from Ridgeview Memorial Gardens says that his services have always operated as an environmen-tally friendly cemetery and those practices helped them achieve a Hybrid Cemetery certification They are proud to be the only Green Burial Certified Cemetery in West Michigan ldquoGreen forever continues your efforts of being a good steward to the environmentrdquo says Zartman Cook Funeral amp Cremation Services has locations in Byron Center Grandville amp Jenison 616-534-7619 InfoCookFuneralServicescom Ridgeview Memorial Gardens is located at 5151 8th Ave in Grandville 616-249-8439

KudosThe Business Review West Michigan Green Awards recognizes companies throughout our region for green initiatives and leader-ship Eden Environ-ments has received an award for best Green Small Business Kudos to Denise Hopkins owner of Eden Environments Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 See ad page 6

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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Chattanooga TNamp Knoxville TN

Nashville TN

WestchesterPutnam NY

Northeast PA

Greater OaklandMacomb MI amp

Greater Genesee MI

Charlotte NC

Morris County NJ

Central Missouri

Birmingham ALamp Huntsville AL

Become a new Natural Awakenings franchise publisher

in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

magazines currently for sale Atlanta GA Denver CO

Mobile AL Morris County NJ and New York City NY

for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 8: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

8 October 2009

healthbriefsin october Natural Awakenings recognizesbull Breast Cancer Awareness Month bull Celiac Awareness Monthbull Dental Hygiene Month bull Spinal Health Month

Natural Solutions to Living with Celiac Disease

A July 2009 Mayo Clinic study reports that celiac disease an immune system reaction to gluten

in the diet is four times more common today than it was 50 years ago Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat barley and rye and causes an inflammation of the intestinal lining Getting enough recommended grains in the diet can be challenging for those with the illness but awareness is growing of food alternatives that donrsquot trigger the problem Reading food labels is essential sources note that many products are made from gluten-free grains such as rice beans tapioca soy corn buckwheat millet and quinoa Oats too can sometimes be well

tolerated Herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow may soothe irritation while echinacea and goldenseal may help heal the intestinal lining Because people with celiac disease often have a vitamin or mineral defi-ciency they usually benefit from a daily multivitamin with the addition of extra B-vitamin complex calcium magnesium zinc and vitamins A and E When taking supplements it is important to keep onersquos doctor informed

For more information see Celiaccom CeliacCentralorg csaceliacsorg

Acupuncture Helps witH BreAst cAncer treAtmentNot only is acupuncture proving as effective as drug therapy in manag-ing debilitating side effects associ-ated with breast cancer treatment its benefits are longer-lasting It also enhances well-being imparts more energy and sometimes a higher sex drive Ultimately notes lead study author Dr Eleanor Walker of the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology in Detroit this makes acupuncture ldquomore cost-effective for insurance companiesrdquo

more reAson to Floss And BrusH A recent University of Buffalo study explored how gum or periodontal disease can play a significant role in developing heart disease The researchers found that two of the six types of common oral bacteria found in dental plaque indicated an increased risk for heart attack But more importantly they discovered that it is the total amount of germs present regardless of type which relates to heart health

cHiroprActic FAst FActs WebMDcom and MayoCliniccom report that some 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually Of these 77 million or 35 percent are seeking relief from back pain from various causes including accidents sports injuries and muscle strains Other complaints where chiropractic care may help include headaches and pain in the neck arms and legs

See the ads on pages 15 24 29 amp 37 for a local chiropractor

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

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wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 9: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

9NaturalWestMichigancom

Cleaner Air Pays OffResearch from Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health

now shows that the average life expectancy in 51 US cities has increased nearly three years over recent decades and that about five months of this new

lease on life can be linked to the fact that wersquore breath-ing cleaner air In the cities previously most polluted the cleaner air added about 10 months to the average

residentrsquos life ldquoSuch a significant increase in life expectancy

attributable to reducing air pollution is remarkablerdquo said C Arden Pope III a BYU epidemiologist and

lead author of the study Cleaning up our air and keeping it clean is providing a substantial return on investment it improves not only our environment but our health too

Anti-Aging RX for the MindParticipating in certain mental activities in

middle age and later in life may delay or prevent memory loss according to a recent study of individuals aged 70 to 89 with mild cognitive impairment or diagnosed memory loss The researchers found that reading books and magazines playing games doing crafts and engaging in computer activities in onersquos later years led to a 30 to 50 percent decrease in the risk of developing memory loss Those who watched less television in their later years were also less likely to suffer from these problems

Source American Academy of Neurology 2009

Swine FluUpdateThe H1N1 virus also known as the

swine flu virus remains a news-maker but not a dire one Accord-ing to informa-tion released in September by the Centers for Dis-ease Control and Prevention (CDC) the virus has not changed to be-come more deadly That means that al-though H1N1 may affect more people most will not become severely ill At this time the CDC recom-mends voluntary H1N1 vaccina-tions for all school children people with asthma diabetes lung or heart disease or neuromuscularneurologi-cal conditions and pregnant women (although current fast-track clinical trials do not include them) People 64 years of age and older are at less risk for swine flu and H1N1 vaccinations are not recommended for them To avoid contracting the virus fol-low the CDCrsquos common-sense advicebullCoveryournoseandmouthwitha tissue when you cough or sneezebullWashyourhandsoftenwithsoap and water or alcohol-based cleanersbullAvoidtouchingyoureyesnose or mouthbullTrytoavoidclosecontactwith sick people Dr Andrew Weilrsquos holistic sug-gestions include getting good nutrition and adequate sleep and taking a daily antioxidant multivitamin-mineral supplement He also recommends astragalus an immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu as well as mushroom-based immune modulator supplements If you do get the flu limit contact with others Visit your health profes-sional if the disease progresses

For issue updates visit cdcgovh1n1flu For discussion of vaccine safety and informed consent refer to the nonprofit National Vaccine Infor-mation Center an educational consum-er-driven organization at nvicorg

Swine Flu or No Flu Itrsquos Your Choice

Offering Health Coaching in use of Therapeutic Essential Oils Cleanses Pain Relief Hormone Issues as well

as Detoxing Foot Baths Body Balancing amp Biofeedback Scans

6166986148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

New to West Michigan AirPollution is turning

MotherNature

prematurely gray

Irv Kupcinet

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

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Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 10: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

10 October 2009

News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier stronger society that works for all

globalbriefs

Green HalloweenTricks for Earth-Friendly TreatsThe scariest aspects of Halloween are the unhealthy sugar overload and disposable waste in costumes deco-rations and pumpkins left to rot Ranking second only to Christmas as Americarsquos best-loved holiday in a FamilyFuncom poll Halloween started going green across the country last year with the help of a grassroots volunteer-run initiative on the Web at GreenHalloweenorg While the movement started in Seattle in 2007 spreading to New York City and Phoenix neighborhood school and community groups around the United States and Canada are now getting in on the act Founder Corey Colwell-Lipson is behind the move to get people to ldquothink outside the candy boxrdquo Thousands are logging on for start-to-finish ideas for staging local eco-Halloween festivities One twist is to substitute alternative keepsakes like yarn bracelets seed pack-ets polished stones organic fruit leathers and foreign stamps instead of candy A

2003 Yale University study found that nearly half of young trick-or-treaters picked a small toy over candy when given the choice

Another option is reverse trick-or-treating an initiative of Global Exchange where kids hand out free samples of fair trade chocolate with an informational card on the benefits of supporting fair practices in the cocoa

industry (search trick-or-treat at GlobalExchangeorg)

Europe LeadsInternational Support for Small Farmers and Artisans Although fair trade is still modest in scope given the factors of smart product design business strategies and economies of scale Europeans are proving that it can be a viable market even in recessionary times More than 70 percent of the British populace for ex-ample now recognizes the fair-trade mark while just 28 percent of US consumers do according to a recent survey by the Fairtrade Foundation More one in four UK shoppers now regularly buy several fair trade products while fewer than 6 percent of Americans could even name a fair-trade organization Fair trade is based on the principle of paying workers a fair price for sustain-able products Damien Sanfilippo a cotton project manager with the international Pesticide Action Network points out yet another benefit ldquoFair trade can provide a stepping stone for [Third World] farmers to convert to organic because itrsquos easier to become fair-trade certifiedrdquo he says ldquoOnce they have access [to higher fair-trade prices] they can decide to use the premium to finance the training that they need to move towards more sustainable practicesmdashall the way up to organicrdquo

Source The Christian Science Monitor

For more information about advertising and how

you can participate call

616-656-9232

Coming in November

Step back take a deep breath

and figure out what really matters

This November Natural Awakenings will show you how

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

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classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 11: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

11NaturalWestMichigancom

Climate TreatyWhy 350 is the Most Vital Number on EarthGrassroots activists around the globe will rally October 24 to try to convince negotiators wrapping up the United Nations global climate treaty this December to target 350 parts per million as the safe upper limit for greenhouse gases Itrsquos the number say leading scientists like James Hansen PhD and his col-leagues at NASA that humanity needs to cut back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change The 2008 atmospheric loading hit 387 ppm according to the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii Thatrsquos up almost 40 percent since the Industrial Revolution and the highest for at least the last 650000 years More than 1350 grassroots events in 98 countries are gearing up to make a meaningful statement on this Global Day of Climate Action Everyone is invited to join this necessary call to action to arrest Earthrsquos climate emergency

To find or schedule a local event on October 24 visit 350org

Population ControlFamily Planning Reduces Carbon FootprintStatisticians at Oregon State University have conclud-ed that in the United States the greenhouse effect carbon legacy of choosing not to have a child is almost 20 times more important than other environ-mentally sensitive practices people might employ during their entire lives Counting future de-scendants each child adds about 57 times the lifetime emissions for which on average an individual person is responsible The research makes clear that the potential carbon impacts vary dramati-cally across countries For example the average long-term carbon impact of a US child and his or her descen-dants is about 10407 tons more than 160 times the impact of a child born in Bangladesh The long-term impact of a child born in China is less than one-fifth the impact of one born in America The researchers are not advocating any particular position They say they simply want to make people aware of the environmental consequences of their reproductive choices

Source OregonStateedu

Savvy StudentsColleges Demonstrate Environmental LiteracyThe Princeton Reviewrsquos second annual ranking of ldquoGreen Col-legesrdquo shows that schools are responding to rising demand for eco-conscious academic environments This year 697 institutions of all sizes partici-pated in the green rankings from Ivy League universities to small private colleges David Soto the maga-zinersquos director of college rank-ings notes that while paying for college is a top worry for students and parents environ-mental concerns are right be-hind that A quarter of students and nearly a fifth of parents attest that an institutionrsquos com-mitment to the environment would ldquovery muchrdquo impact their choice of a college or university Comments Soto ldquoThey know they need these skills to get a job in the green economyrdquo Source GreenBizcom

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

to be a par tof this

exclusivedirectory

fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 12: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

12 October 2009

globalbriefs

Opt OutStop Junk Mail at its SourceThe average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail a year even though as Newsweek reports polls show that 89 percent of us prefer not to receive direct-marketing mail 44 percent of it is never opened Op-position from the US Postal Service and the Direct Marketing Association has so far helped defeat passage of any Do Not Mail legislative relief in 19 states Low-cost initiatives like 41Poundsorg ($41 for five years includes a $15 eco-cause donation) and StoptheJunkMailcom ($20 a year) are coming to citizensrsquo rescue with services that solve 80 to 95 percent of the problem for us Do-it-yourself types also can make it happen using how-to tips courtesy of The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse at Privacy-

Rightsorgfsfs4-junkhtm with an assist from OptOutPrescreencom and Cata-logChoiceorg Nationwide annual benefits of getting out from under junk mail include pre-venting production of greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of 9 million cars destruction of the 100 million trees and use of 28 million gallons of freshwater it takes to produce 4 million tons of junk mail $550 million in transportation costs paper waste comprising 40 percent of the US landfill load and $320 million in local taxes spent on junk mail disposal That is not to mention the estimated 350 hours each household spends sorting and shredding it to protect against identity theft and fraud

For more tips visit BigGreenPursecom and search ldquocontrol catalog overloadrdquo

Ancient Tool of the Bee Priestess

The Rhythmic Path of Self Transformation

Frame Drum workshop

with Layne Redmond author of

ldquoWhen the Drummers Were Womenrdquo

November 20-22 2009

bull Play rhythms of 108 time on Middle Eastern Tambourine and Tar bull Learn Yogic practices of the Bee Priestesses of India bull Create sacred space with frame drum and sacred sounds bull Intermediate level frame drum experience required bull Cost $27500 includes some meals

Workshops held in Twin Lake MI For more details and costs contact Barb Pitcher oakdrumearthlinknet 231-828-5666

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

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7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

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You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

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16 October 2009

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of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

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231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

Join our family of publishers

be your own boss and make a difference in your community

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for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

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ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 13: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

13NaturalWestMichigancom

legislationwatch

Congress has at last begun con-sidering reforming the nationrsquos food safety laws But family farm

and local food advocates oppose parts of the current proposed legislation especially its one-size-fits-all approach They argue that the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 (HR 2749) passed by the House of Representatives in July could impact Americansrsquo access to natural and organic foods The House bill critics say puts unreasonable burdens on small family farms jeopardizes local food system initiatives and fails to focus on the riskiest sectors of the food system The Senate will be discuss-ing its own version of the food safety bill this fall the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (S 510) There will be an opportunity to make further changes when these bills move on to a conference committee this fall

Pros and ConsE coli in bagged ready-to-eat spinach in 2006 and Salmonella linked to chili peppers in 2008 are among the recent highly publicized outbreaks of illness that have prompted Congress to take a more thorough look at the safety of fresh produce Until now fresh produce

Recent outbreaks of illness caused by food contami-nation associated with both peanuts and spinach indi-cate the US food

safety system is in need of serious

improvement

safety regulations have focused on after-harvest processing and handling steps because of their comparative risk The new proposals would impose manda-tory standards that extend all the way back to the farm Provisions would also increase the authority of the Food and Drug Admin-istration to regulate the production processing and importation of fresh pro-duce While family farm and local food

advocates agree that many of the steps are necessary and overdue they also say the devil rests in the details ldquoWe welcome stronger food safety regulations and were glad to see the final House bill provide the FDA mandatory recall authority when particular foods and food products are identified as causing health prob-lemsrdquo says Russell Libby executive director for the Maine Organic Farmers and

Gardeners Association ldquoBut there are some nuances that the bill gets wrong For instance it imposes a flat $500 an-nual fee for all farms that process their product and sell to wholesale and retail marketsrdquo Thus small-farm operations would pay the same fee per facility as large multinational corporations Many small producers also perform value-added processing to

NEW foodsAfetYLEGISLATION

COULD HELP OR HARM LOCAL

AND ORGANIC SUPPLIERS

by Aimee Witteman

increase farm income and to meet con-sumer demandmdashsuch as turning fruit into jam or maple sap into syrup Libby explains ldquoWe are concerned that a flat rather than graduated fee will cre-ate a disincentive for farmers to pursue value-added processingrdquo Small-farm advocates object to this registration fee for facilities which is not in the Senate bill Another concern is that neither the House nor Senate bill instructs the FDA to coordinate with the US Department of Agriculturersquos current National Or-ganic Program which already requires food safety measures for certified or-ganic producers Others point out that there is not enough distinction drawn between the food chain activities that are most risky

Keeping Food Safety in PerspectiveSome argue that in the midst of the de-bate over details we should not forget critical threats to the health and safety of our food system that is at the heart of the problemmdashthe industrialized global food system ldquoIrsquom concerned that the food safety debate is being limited by the parameters of the proposed legisla-tionrdquo remarks Jim Goodman a dairy farmer and a food and society policy fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy For example says Goodman ldquoThe number one source of E coli is grain-fed cattle If we want to prevent spinach from being contaminated by E coli we need to increase regulations to stop the factory-like conditions in which livestock are raised We need to increase incentives for farmers to move their livestock onto grass not simply put the onus on produce growers to keep manure from neighborsrsquo farms out of their fieldsrdquo

Call members of Congress through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell them to support a food safety bill that does not harm family farmers Visit mofgaorg for discussion and updates on the issue

Aimee Witteman is executive director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SustainableAgriculturenet)

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

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7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

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Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

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YOGA CLASSES

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wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

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check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 14: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

14 October 2009

For years Natalie Whalen stuck to one brand of eyeliner to accent her big brown eyes Until that is she found out that it contains formaldehyde the same chemical

she used in high school biology class to dissect frogs ldquoI was completely clueless about what was in the prod-uctsrdquo says this 18-year-old from Marin County California Formaldehyde is a probable cancer-causing chemical according to the US Environmental Protection Agency But because the federal Food and Drug Administration does not review or approve cosmetic ingredients it is also found in nail polish insect repellant liquid hand soap and sunscreen notes the Environmental Working Grouprsquos Cosmetic Safety Database A 2004 EWG report further found that one-third of all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients classified as possible carcinogens with links to birth defects cancer and reproductive harm

Cosmetics SavvyToday Whalen continues to be a committed cosmetics user but now shersquos a different kind of consumer Like most teens she says she used to routinely buy mascara eye shadows and skin care products from drug store racks and department store cosmetic counters without checking ingredient labels That has changed since she joined the nonprofit group Teens for Safe Cosmetics now called Teens Turning Green three years ago Whalen is now one of the grouprsquos 500-plus teens doing their bit to save Mother Earth Over the past few years they have launched chapters in Dallas New York City and Pitts-burgh Plans call for new chapters in Denver Toronto Rio de Janeiro and Australia The California-based organization inves-tigates chemicals in consumer products advocates for policy changes and educates youth and adults about how to buy products that donrsquot harm their bodies or the environment

As a result Whalenrsquos overall eco-consciousness now extends to everything from organic tomatoes to chemical-free face wash and recycled paper ldquoWhenever I buy new stuff I try to go as green as I canrsquorsquo she says ldquoEvery part of your life can be greenrdquo agrees Carly Wertheim 17 of Marin County who was using chemical-laden deodorant and mascara when she joined the local group three years ago and ldquoknew nothingrdquo She likes the fact that when teens like her get involved in this campaign they immediately start doing research and learning how to read ingredient labels ldquoNowrdquo she advises ldquoif I canrsquot pronounce it I donrsquot want to be using itrdquo Last year teens in Marin County and New York collabo-rated with several organic beauty companies to create and launch the first-ever line of organic skin and body care prod-ucts specifically for teens Named after the group the Teens Turning Green brand offers hand sanitizer face wash body lotion and other skin care products that contain no toxins or other chemicals believed to cause cancer or reproductive harm according to Executive Director Judi Shils Everything in the teen line is organic and packaged in glass jars without extra paper or cardboard packaging Initial sales have been good via the grouprsquos original distribution through Whole Foods Marketrsquos independent stores reports Shils Now the group is gearing up to provide their products through other outlets as well

Whole Life ChoicesTeens Turning Green recently added a whole new dimension with Project Green Dorm because ldquoWe have moved into all aspects of a teenrsquos lifestyle 247rsquorsquo says Shils To set up a prototype green dorm the group rented space in a Marin County shopping mall and convinced more than 100 eco-friendly companies nationwide to sell their

healthykids

turningteens

by Kristin Bender

green

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

to be a par tof this

exclusivedirectory

fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 15: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

15NaturalWestMichigancom

products at wholesale prices They opened their first retail shop this past July All items are made from either recycled or organic materials including glass containers (no plastic) for pack-ing a school lunch organic cotton bed sheets banana fiber notebook paper fair trade sports equipment and shirts made of silk harvested using sustainable methods Under the plan Teens Turning Green will keep 50 percent of the proceeds reports Shils Many of the items are also for sale online at Project-GreenDormorg along with back-to-school resource guides tips on going green illustrated product recommendations and other advice Shils notes that the grouprsquos basic ($50) and premium ($100) care packages provide what a college student needs to live a green life Members of Teens Turning Green say that along with living a greener life themselves they want to convince others to do so as well ldquoTo be able to help people change their lifestyles and have healthier options is really rewardingrdquo says a smiling Whalen ldquoWhen people appreciate what we are doing that is what drives me to continue the workrdquo

Kristin Bender is a San Francisco Bay Area freelance writer Connect at KristinBendercomcastnet

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

7610 Cottonwood Dr

107 Jenision MI 49428

(NE corner of Cottonwood amp Baldwin - behind supercuts)

616-667-9690 wwwTracysFacescom

Let us help you understand your skin with natural amp healthy products to promote

natural amp healthy skin

Free Teen Skin Care Class 101009 - 11am Bring a Friend amp Get Free Samples

20 off all product purchases over $50

You Deserve to be HealthyYour Partners in Wellness We Can Help With

Weight Loss Proper Nutrition Stress Reduction Healthy Aging

wwwlswellnesscentercom wwwparkhurstchiropracticcom372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland 6163929500 364 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

to be a par tof this

exclusivedirectory

fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 16: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

16 October 2009

YogaMasters

of

Call to be a part of this exclusive directory

6166569232

Rebecca Urickwwwsmilinglotusyogacom

231-852-0849

younglivingorgsmilinglotusyog825 Western Avenue

2316684181wwwMuskegonYogacom

Yoga amp Pilates ClassesFriday evening Partner Yoga workshop

Mindful Meditation tele-classesFeng-Shui workshop

Muskegon Yoga Center

wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom

5270 Northland Drive NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-361-8580

H E A LT H ~ S T R E N G T HB A L A N C E ~ S E R E N I T Y

New to Expressions of Grace Yoga Sign up for the September 28 session present this coupon and receive 30 off

New students only Cannot be combined with any other offer

30 OFF for New Students

YOGA CLASSES

Join NowOver 20 Classes offered per week and

Payment plans as low as $34 per month

wwwCascadeYogaStudiocom5060 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids MI 495466164641610

classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

classes 7 days a week -morning noon and evening

check our web site for our many fall workshop offerings

Awaken your mind restore your body

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

to be a par tof this

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fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 17: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

17NaturalWestMichigancom

Call6166569232

to be a par tof this

exclusivedirectory

fitbody

From the mamborsquos sultry hip shim-mies to the foxtrotrsquos long sweep-ing steps ballroom dancing has

captured todayrsquos fitness spotlight as a shining venue for shaping up improv-ing cardiovascular health and losing weight The renewed interest is espe-cially high among people 18 to 49 says Leslie Spearin a rhythm champion and traveling consultant for Arthur Murray International Inc Spearin is among those who attribute the dance formrsquos elevated popularity to recent Hollywood films and reality shows like ABCrsquos Danc-ing with the Stars It also helps that news from prominent medical research centers sup-ports ballroom danc-ingrsquos generous physical and mental benefits Participants see it as a fun path to overall fitness

All the Right MovesWhile dancers are moving to specific rhythms they are actually coordinat-ing their body and mind advises Judy Gantz founder

SHALL WE DANCE

Ballroomrsquos Health Benefits Can Be Addictive

by Lee Walker

and director of the Center for Move-ment Education and Research in Los Angeles ldquoThey look at each other and interact which are important social components Walking on a treadmill or exercising in front of a mirror doesnrsquot provide thatrdquo ldquoDancers are happy and have fun a winning combination for everyonerdquo adds Tara Christensen director of public relations for Arthur Murray ldquoWe see the benefits of ballroom dancing

in our studios every day as well as whenever our students and teachers gather for dance par-ties and competitionsrdquo

Exercise for Body and

BrainThanks to moves accentuated

with pivots turns bounces kicks sways quick steps

bends and rolling- hip motions

vigorous ballroom

dancing which

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

Join our family of publishers

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in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

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for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 18: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

18 October 2009

evates heart rate and oxygen consump-tion can burn as many as 400 calories per hour Studies by California State University at Long Beach show that beginning students can boost their heart rates to near-maximum training rates with just a five-minute warm-up and 20-minute polka cha-cha or swing Even moderate ballroom dance burns 250 to 300 calories an hour Whether dancing for health to prep for a wedding or prom or to spice up a marriage individuals and couples who get their groove on are reported to enjoy better bone health from this weight-bearing activity Plus they enjoy increased flexibility and core strength Gantz who specializes in dance kinesiology and Laban Movement Analysis a comprehensive system for understanding movement notes that dances requiring complex coordination also enhance mental acuity A 2003 study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine validates danc-ingrsquos ability to increase blood flow to the brain via mental challenges which may lower the risk of dementia and the effects of Alzheimerrsquos disease Pertinent activities include memorizing complex steps staying with the rhythm of music and working with a partner The same study also credited danc-ingrsquos social interaction with decreasing stress and depression As the Mayo Clinic has reported self-confidence and self-discipline jump right along with enhanced circulation muscle tone and coordination Angela Prince national public relations director of USA Dance Inc advises beginners that they can sign up for the group classes held by many lo-cal social groups churches and YMCAs as well as area dance studios ldquoWith everyone on the same level in these sessions inhibition and fear quickly dissipaterdquo notes Prince She encourages newcomers to quickly get beyond the idea that others are judging them ldquoOther beginners are too busy thinking about what they are doing to notice anyone elsersquos steps Before you know it you are learning to move be-yond your comfort zone and unleashing your creative selfrdquo

For more information visit USADanceorg

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

Join our family of publishers

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in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

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for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 19: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

19NaturalWestMichigancom

The crazy pace of life in todayrsquos society can take its toll on a womanrsquos health Not only in the dramatic increase in stress related conditions that range from headaches fatigue and

digestive disorders to chronic pain and insomnia but in the sig-nificant effects on moods sense of purpose and happiness levelsMany women find it hard to get motivated in the morning and run out of energy by mid-afternoon Often we find ourselves depending on caffeine or sweets to get through the day And after work we frequently run full blast taking care of the family until we fall into bed exhausted While we lay motionless our mind is on the fast track and we are unable to fall sleep Although at the early age of 38 a woman can find herself wondering what happened to the vivacious motivated and happy person that she used to be even women in their mid- 30s to mid-50s can feel like they are on the same treadmill without any effective solutions Add in lowered metabolism hormonal symptoms lack of sex drive inability to think clearly and possibly mild to moderate depression and overwhelm sets in

Help and answers are here now In recent years new research has given us a better un-derstanding of how neurotransmitters and hormones have an interdependent relationship Years ago it was thought that pharmaceutical intervention was the only way to correct these imbalances As our understanding of the roles of hormones neurotransmitters and blood sugar increase we have been able to find the means to restore balance to these systems with natural non-drug solutions

estrogen and progesterone imbalances arenrsquot the only culpritsThe cause of many of these symptoms are imbalances in es-trogen and progesteronemdashfactors in hot flashes irritability lowered metabolism difficult menstruation and lack of sex drivemdashhowever these two hormones do not stand alone They are closely related to the adrenal hormones DHEA and cortisol Therefore it is crucial that all of these hormones be evaluated before considering any type of hormone replacement therapy

A symphony of Hormones led by cortisolA way to illustrate how these hormones are related in both pre- and post-menopausal women is to look at what the body does under any kind of stressmdashemotional chemical or physical In high stress situations the body will produce higher quantities of cortisol High cortisol slows down metabolism causes fat storage and irritability as well as lower progesterone levels since cortisol is made from progesterone This is often why progester-one supplementation alone is not effective We now have the ability to test all of these hormones in their unbound state in one simple saliva test which is quite accurate and affordable It also gives us a complete picture of the hormone pathways

testing for neurotransmitter levelsTesting for levels of neurotransmitters in the body is now avail-

able using a simple urine test The key chemicals for this test are serotonin dopamine epinephrine norepinephrine and GABA which all play a crucial role in optimal metabolism healthy emotion restful sleep as well as a sense of vitality and well being As an example it is now understood that healthy levels of serotonin are needed for estrogen to work properly

correcting neurotransmitter imbalances with natural Amino Acid Therapy Low serotonin can cause depression headaches and insomnia as well as hormonal symptoms Most antidepressants target serotonin receptors but antidepressant medications do noth-ing to bring serotonin back to healthy levels The good news is that natural amino acid therapy can now be used to treat

neurotransmitter imbalances This has been shown to balance levels of neurotransmitters allowing them to function fully and in conjunction with their hor-monal partners

The role of Blood sugarA big piece of the puzzle for women dealing with mid-life changes is stable blood sugar Blood sugar has a direct effect on hormone and neurotransmitter levels This is often ignored in the treatment Busy women tend to put themselves last they prepare a

childrsquos breakfast but skip their own People that are under stress tend to crave sweets and caffeine which causes blood sugar to roller coaster

The easy answer to the roller coaster sugar rideEat small frequent protein-containing meals and snacks throughout the day so that the blood sugar level does not drop When blood sugar drops the body releases epinephrine and cortisol to stabilize blood sugar which can cause hot flashes headaches mood swings and effect your ability to sleep These are multi-faceted conditions that produce symptoms that are multifaceted can be caused by an imbalance in one or many of these chemicals in the body

identified imbalances can be remedied with natural solutionsThe great news is that we have the ability to evaluate all of these areas It is possible to test for hormone levels in saliva for neurotransmitter levels in the urine and to evaluate blood sugar fluctuations Once these imbalances are identified they can be remedied using safe non-drug solutions With sublin-gual bio-identical hormones amino acid therapy and glandular support along with minor diet and lifestyle changes we can restore balance to the body This process is safe affordable and usually achievable in 12 to 16 weeks People on this program have reported a significant improvement in the quality of their life they often say that they feel like themselves again at last

Karla Parkhurst DC Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland Michigan 616-392-9500 ParkhurstChiro-practiccom See ad page 15

Addressing WomenrsquosMid-Life Changes NaturallyNon-drug solutions to manage weight mood swings hot flashes and many other conditions

by Karla Parkhurst DC

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 20: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

20 October 2009

The most common types of winter squash are butternut acorn and spaghetti Others include buttercup banana Cushaw delicate Hubbard and turban A plentiful variety exists within each type of squash with a choice of sweetness color and size Winter squash differ from summer squash in part because they are kept on the vine to full maturity when the seeds are completely grown Winter squash tend to have a harder exterior that helps to maintain their freshness when stored in a cool place over the long winter months The most notable difference between winter and summer squash is that winter varieties are only served cooked while most summer squash can be eaten raw as well as cooked

The most unusual winter squash is the spaghetti squash When fully cooked the scooped-out flesh resembles spaghetti and can be used in place of noodles in a savory dish or sweetened up with a bit of honey cinnamon and butter for a sweet spiced treat Butternut squash with a more traditional texture is generally beige on the outside with rich orange flesh inside This squash makes for a tasty soup or may be simply split in half drizzled with honey or maple syrup and butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt and pepper and baked until soft Other varieties have a flesh similar to that of the butternut kind of like a pumpkin that is rich and creamy when cooked The many rich fall colors of winter squash add a pi-quant touch to any holiday table with little effort Treating the squash like a Halloween pumpkin by cutting a hole in the top and scraping out the majority of the flesh is the first step This flesh can be baked in a casserole cubed and added to stuffing creamed into a wonderful side dish or even made into soup More ideas on how to cook up squash turn up in an Internet search A vegetarian cookbook may also offer other innovative recipes A fun bonus comes in using the squash shells as soup bowls Save each squash top garnish the tasty winter soup and add the natural lid to surprise guests with the wonder-ful treat within Smaller varieties can be used as bowls for dips or as creative containers to serve salad dressing at the table For strictly decorative use winter squash make a long-lasting base for a seasonal flower arrangement either as a place accent or centerpiece Another special touch comes in carving small shapes into different-sized shells and plac-ing small glasses with tea lights in the bottoms To add extra sparkle press small crystals or other light-reflecting stones into the outer rind Now thatrsquos a posh squash

Anjela Boyd is a freelance writer based in Wrightwood CA Con-nect at Mail4Anjhotmailcom or AnjelaBoydcom

consciouseating

PoshSquashWhat vegetable may be round oblong or spherical smooth or bumpy and comes in a variety of rich autumn colors Hint It can sit prettily on the kitchen counter through March waiting for someone to figure out its full range of possibilities

The answer is winter squash

by Anjela Boyd

Home Spa and Wellness Expo Crowne Plaza Hotel

5700 28th St SE Grand Rapids MI 49546

Saturday November 14th 2009 10am-5pmVisit our Expo web site at

SpaandWellnessExpoblogspotcom

EXHIBTORS WANTED - OVER 100 BOOTHS Contact Cindy at spaandwellnessgryahoocom

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 21: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

21NaturalWestMichigancom

Sugar Pumpkin Pieby Judith Fertig

When small sugar or pie pumpkins come on the market around Halloween snap up a few to make a delicious pump-kin pie filling This seasonal Thanksgiving pie has a lighter and fresher flavor than a traditional pie If possible use a local honey Good spices matter too Buy a whole nutmeg and grate it into the filling and select Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon for the strongest flavor It even works to make and freeze the fresh pumpkin puree in 3-cup measurements ahead of time for quicker holiday preparation

Makes one 9-inch single-crust pie1 3-lb sugar or pie pumpkin1 cup crumbled cinnamon graham crackersfrac12 cup chopped pecans2 tsp canola oil or melted butter4 large eggs lightly beatenfrac34 cup wildflower clover or other amber-colored honey1 cup half-and-halffrac12 tsp freshly grated nutmegfrac12 tsp ground Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon1 tsp salt

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside

2 Cut the pumpkin into large chunks remove and discard the seeds and stringy matter Place the pumpkin pieces cut-side down on the baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork Let cool

3 Remove the rind with a sharp knife and place the cooked pump-kin in a food processor Puree until smooth Measure 3 cups of puree for the pie

4 When ready to bake preheat the oven to 375deg Combine the graham crackers and pecans in a food processor and process until the mixture has the consistency of fine crumbs Pour in the oil or melted butter and pulse until blended Pat this mixture into the bot-tom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan

5 In a bowl using a hand-held mixer beat the pumpkin puree with the eggs honey half-and-half spices and salt until smooth Pour the filling into the prepared pie pan Place the filled pie pan on a cookie or baking sheet

6 Bake the pie on the middle shelf of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the filling is glossy on top Let cool before cutting and serving

Judith Fertig is the author of the award-winning Prairie Home Cooking and All-American Desserts cookbooks

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 22: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

22 October 2009

Going green is not just a trendmdashitrsquos a full-scale shift thatrsquos taken place across the consumer landscape in every market In one recent study the Yale

School of Forestry amp Environmental Studies found that half of the survey respondents would ldquodefinitelyrdquo or ldquoprobablyrdquo pay more for eco-friendly laundry detergent or an auto-mobile Even those who described their financial situation as ldquofairrdquo or ldquopoorrdquo expressed their willingness to spend 15 percent more on environmentally friendly detergent and wood furniture As the market continuously shifts toward healthier optionsmdashboth for people and the planetmdashcompanies that produce everything from cars to cosmetics to clean energy systems are responding with greater options and lower prices

Organic and Local Food Research by Packaged Facts reports that organic food sales have continued to grow over the past year albeit at an annual rate closer to 6 percent compared to the 20 percent of better years The researchers found that ldquopremium cus-tomersrdquo those earning $75000 per year or more increased their organic purchases in the past year Also some 33 per-cent of those earning much less still seek out organic labels at the grocery store Organic foodies are committed to the healthfulness

promised by fruits veg-gies juices cereals meats and other food staples that arenrsquot produced or raised with harmful additives or toxic pesticides From Stop amp Shoprsquos Naturersquos Promise to Whole Foodsrsquo 365 Organic Everyday Value and Wegmansrsquo Food You Feel Good About supermarket brands now offer organic items ranging from crackers to butter and chicken at prices comparable to non-organic versions This emerging shift means we have a chance at making progress in restoring our land and water and better safeguard-ing life from the hazards of industrial agriculture in which pesticides and herbicides and in the case of meat antibiotics and hormones harm soil quality and contaminate our water supplies Demand for local foods from farmersrsquo markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs has seen an upswing too More buyers are expressing concern with ldquofood milesrdquomdashhow far food travels from farm to platemdashre-sulting in needless carbon doxide emissions during transport and reduced taste Says vegetarian cookbook author Deborah Madison ldquoI like everything about a farmersrsquo market Itrsquos vital itrsquos alive itrsquos the best-tasting foodrdquo

See ad pages 11 12 15 18 36 amp 38 for your local resources Con-tact Organic Consumers Association OrganicConsumersorg

The Bright green Future

by Brita Belli

Despite national economic challenges green industries are expanding and customers are committedhellip

LifeForce Yoga to Manage Your Moodwith AMY weintrAub bull OctOber 23 - 25 2009Join Amy author of ldquoYoga for Depressionrdquo and a leader in the field of yoga and mental health in one or all of these inspiring workshops You will learn breathing exercises guided meditations and many more yogic tools to bring balance to the emotional and physical body

Learn more at wwwexpressionsofgraceyogacom5270 northland Drive neGrand Rapids MI 49525

616-361-8580

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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Chattanooga TNamp Knoxville TN

Nashville TN

WestchesterPutnam NY

Northeast PA

Greater OaklandMacomb MI amp

Greater Genesee MI

Charlotte NC

Morris County NJ

Central Missouri

Birmingham ALamp Huntsville AL

Become a new Natural Awakenings franchise publisher

in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

magazines currently for sale Atlanta GA Denver CO

Mobile AL Morris County NJ and New York City NY

for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 23: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

23NaturalWestMichigancom

Green Building Buildings in the United States account for 38 percent of primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions mak-ing them a top contributor to global warming according to the Environmental Information Administration The green building movement now encompasses improved insulation and heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems energy-efficient windows and appliances low-flow commodes and showers use of recycled and more durable materials for roofs decks and countertops and paints free of volatile organic compounds According to McGraw-Hill Construc-tionrsquos Green Outlook 2009 the overall green building market is likely to more than double from todayrsquos $46 billion to $49 billion to $96 billion to $140 billion by 2013 Increasing awareness of the benefits of green building combined with a national push for healthier homes and green jobs has led to opportunities for homeowners Federal tax credits are available for up to 30 percent of the cost for various metal and asphalt roofs biomass stoves (used for heat or water heating) increased insulation and more energy-efficient windows doors air conditioners and water heaters Details are available at the governmentrsquos Energy Star website More the Federal Housing Administration is offering Energy Efficient Mortgages to new homebuyers who commit to significant energy-saving improvements or who purchase an Energy Star-rated home

Contact Energy Star green building tax credit information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo US Green Building Council usgbcorg

Renewable Energies Despite the poor economy the Solar Energy Indus-tries Association (SEIA) reported that 2008 was one of solar energyrsquos best years Here at home solar power connected to the electric grid was up 58 percent and solar water heating capacity grew 40 percent The research firm Clean Edge re-ports that worldwide solar is expected to grow from a $296 billion industry in 2008 to $806 billion by 2018 In 2008 the United States surpassed Germany to become the world leader in wind energy that industry is projected to expand from $514 billion in 2009 to $1391 billion in 2018 A host of other renewable energies promise bright futures too including geothermal hydropower and biofuels For those who want to convert their house to renewable energies cost is a factor Solar panels generally cost between $35000 to $72000 before rebates and tax incentives Solar water heaters are a universally cost-effective way to go at $2000 to $4000 for 80-100 gallons they can provide more than half a homersquos hot water needs Wrapping a water heater

in a space-age insulation blanket and hooking it up to its own timer at about $200 installed is another way to cut energy usage and utility bills Residential wind turbinesmdashas tall as 80 feet or moremdashdepend on a host of factors to make them feasible including unobstructed land building codes and cost considerations A 10-kW system will cost about $40000 For anyone building a new home a geothermal heat pump is one of the best long-term energy investments Pipes are buried in the ground outside the home where the tem-perature remains stable these move heat from the ground via encased fluid to the homersquos ductwork during cold months and reverse the process in hot months The overall system costs about $7500 more than a $4000 furnace and central air system but it requires little maintenance Payback can come in as little as two years Many incentives help A 30 percent tax credit is available through 2016 for home renewable energy systems (search the Energy Star website) Local utilities often offer further rebates and incentives (search Database of State Incentives for Re-newables amp Efficiency) For solar panels tap into a Residential Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where a customer pays a small upfront cost to a company such as SunRun to guarantee a set electricity rate for the next 18 years

Contact American Wind Energy Association aweaorg Database of State Incentives for Renewables amp Efficiency dsireusaorg Energy Star tax information EnergyStargov search ldquotax creditsrdquo Solarbuzz Solarbuzzcom SunRun SunRunHomecom Organic Clothing and Linens While major brands like Levi Gap and American Ap-parel have introduced organic clothing lines in the last few years organic and natural fiber fabrics including sustainable bamboo and hemp is still a niche market While people now better understand the health benefits of organic foods ldquoMost consumers donrsquot understand organichellip when it comes to clothingrdquo says Mark Messura executive vice president of Cotton Incorporated Patagonia makes all of its sportswear from 100 percent organic cotton a practice it began in 1996 Recently a more widespread advance in green standards for all consumer products has emerged from an unlikely source Walmart In July 2009 the retail giant announced that it is developing a universal rating system and ldquoeco labelrdquo that lets shoppers know the environmental impacts of the products they are buying from energy consumption to water use For cotton clothing and bedding pesticide and water use are major concerns Petra Kjell of the Environmental Justice Foundation reports for example that it requires 500

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 24: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

24 October 2009

gallons of water to produce one conventional cotton T-shirt Traditional cotton production continues to be tied to danger-ous levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides Eco fashion offers an eclectic mix from emerging designers They may use surplus designer fabric T-shirts made from bam-boo or fleece made from recycled soda bottles Vintage and consignment clothes work well while ldquorefashionrdquomdashlike dresses made from T-shirtsmdashare widely available on sites like Etsycom Sheets pillows and mattresses all come in organic varieties too More they are often superior in quality and durability to their cheaper conventional counterparts

Locally Visit Clothing Matters at 141 Diamond SE in Grand Rapids Contact Environmental Justice Foundation EJFoun-dationorg Etsycom Patagonia Patagoniacom

Cleaner Lawns and Gardens According to a fact sheet from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company sales of organic lawn and garden products in-creased by 64 percent between 2002 and 2006 and continue to grow Itrsquos no secret that Americans are enthusiastic about their perfectly manicured green lawns but theyrsquore also increasingly aware of the environmental impacts Some are rethinking lawns altogether switching to native ground cover and other plants as an alternative Lawn maintenance equipment is a major environmental problem with grass A traditional gas-powered mower notes the Environmental Protection Agency produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each driven 12000 miles 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend One alternative is the electric mower which produces no exhaust requires little maintenance and is much quieter and lighter than its gas-guzzling cousin Models from Black amp Decker Neuton Sunlawn and other companies come in corded and cordless varieties with charges that can last up to an hour Even more problematic a study by Purdue University confirms that 30 to 60 percent of all urban freshwater is used for

watering lawns which also entails 67 million pounds of pesti-cides that end up contaminating water systems as runoff Native plants on the other hand require nothing but rainfall to thrive Also more people are turning to rain barrels Placed under a homersquos downspout these can hold up to 100 gallons and have a spigot for attaching a hose An added benefit of using rainwater is that plants prefer it

Locally Contact Clean Air Lawn at (616) 328-5716 or natecleanairlawncom Care Contact Clean Air Gardening Clea-nAirGardeningcom

Natural Products The market research firm Packaged Facts reported in July 2009 that the natural health and beauty care market which grew 8 percent in 2008 and is approaching $7 billion is likely to reach sales of $12 billion by 2014 ldquoMany Ameri-cans fear the health consequences of using chemical-laden deodorant shampoo foundation and other personal care productsrdquo says Tatjana Meerman the research publisher Itrsquos easy to search for the contentmdashand safetymdashof preferred brand-name products at the Skin Deep online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group All of this is good news for the environment because the chemicals in personal care products find their way through bathing and disposal into the soil and water supplies where they can negatively impact aquatic life and potentially human health The same holds true for common household cleaners and chemical air fresheners which contribute to indoor air pollution and can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma One 2008 study published in the American Journal of Re-spiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that households that regularly used cleaning sprays had a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of experiencing asthma People are demanding healthier alternatives and the market is responding While neither beauty products nor cleaners generally disclose their harmful ingredients natural

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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MelbourneVero Beach FLJacksonville

St Augustine FLMiami amp

Florida KeysFt Lauderdale FL NaplesFt Myers FL Orlando FLNorth Central FL

Palm Beach FL

TampaSt Petersburg FLTallahassee FL Floridarsquos

Treasure CoastSarasota FL

Peace River FLamp Portland OR

Atlanta GALouisvilleMetro KY

Lexington KYNew Orleans LA

San Diego CA

Ann Arbor MI

Grand Rapids MI Wayne County MI Asheville NC RaleighDurhamChapel Hill NC Southern Coast NC

Monmouth ampOcean NJSomerset -

Middlesex NJ

New York City NYLong Island NY

RocklandOrange NYSanta Fe

Albuquerque NM

Oklahoma City OKCincinnati OH

Tulsa OK

Bucks County PA

Lehigh Valley PACharleston SC Rhode Island

East TexasRichmond VA Southwestern VA

Madison WI

Tucson AZ

Portland OR

Upstate SCColumbia SC ampGrand Strand SC

Austin TX

Houston TX San Antonio TXPuerto Rico Toronto Canada

Augusta GA

Chattanooga TNamp Knoxville TN

Nashville TN

WestchesterPutnam NY

Northeast PA

Greater OaklandMacomb MI amp

Greater Genesee MI

Charlotte NC

Morris County NJ

Central Missouri

Birmingham ALamp Huntsville AL

Become a new Natural Awakenings franchise publisher

in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

magazines currently for sale Atlanta GA Denver CO

Mobile AL Morris County NJ and New York City NY

for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 25: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

25NaturalWestMichigancom

and organic alternatives from companies like Seventh Gen-eration offer detailed labels Conscious shoppers are reading them as they look for plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of chemicals People can even make their own household cleaners such as distilled white vinegar and water to clean windows or baking soda lemon juice and salt to scrub grout These are safe for even the most sensitive family members

Contact Natural Products Association NaturalProductsAs-socorg Skin Deep CosmeticsDatabasecom

Efficient Autos and Going Car-Free The car market has taken a serious hit from the econ-omy hybrids included But while even the popular Toyota Prius saw sales drop 44 percent between December 2007 and December 2008 environmentally friendly vehicles are the declared future of the auto industry This yearrsquos North American International Auto Show in Detroit was all about electric models from the Cadil-lac Converj a more luxurious version of the Chevy Volt to the Toyota FT-EV city car expected in showrooms in 2012 Hybrid cars combine the gas engine with an electric motor and utilize a carrsquos braking energy making them both more fuel efficient and less polluting In the governmentrsquos 2009 Fuel Economy Guide the Hondarsquos Civic Hybrid was cited as a leader among compact cars delivering 40 miles per gallon in the city45 mpg on the highway Among midsized cars the Prius tops the list with 4845 mpg in the SUV class Fordrsquos Escape Hybrid gets a solid 3431 mpg Because they can cost $2000-plus more than gas-powered cars hybrids are a tough sell at the moment Several federal tax credits designed to ease the transition to hybrid electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles like diesels have come and gone the latest called Cash for Clunkersmdasha federal stimulus program that offered up to $4500 to anyone who traded an old gas-guzzler for a new more fuel-efficient car The discussion has many people seriously rethinking their transportation options At the same time the American Public Transportation Association reported a 4 percent increase in public transpor-tation ridership last yearmdashbringing it to its highest level in 52 years Bicycle sales are picking up too In the first quarter of 2009 US bicycle sales surpassed car sales Rising interest in bicycle riding has led many cities to open bike lanes National efforts to create safe paths for bike riders include the East Coast Greenway a 3000-mile traffic-free trail system between Canada and Florida thatrsquos 21 percent complete The San Francisco Bay Trail has devel-oped 300 miles of shoreline trails for bikers hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts over the past 20 years with an eventual

goal of 500 miles Todayrsquos evolving bicycle designs include folding models for commuters and a range of trailers carriers and attachments for those who want to start shopping by bike and bring the kids

Contact US Department of Energy FuelEconomygov East Coast Greenway Greenwayorg The San Francisco Bay Trail Project BayTrailabagcagov

Green Investing Jack Uldrich the author of Green Investing A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks says that despite the recession ldquoI still think cleantech is an out-standing long-term investment trendrdquo Still he cautions that green stocks should only comprise 5 percent to 10 percent of an investorrsquos portfolio Why He notes that renewable energy investments are particularly subject to outside forces such as government investment the availability of strong credit avail-able to fund solar panels and other energy systems and the rise and fall of gasoline prices But venture capitalists are still flocking to clean tech-nology ventures such as eSolar Inc the nationrsquos first solar tower energy facility in Pasadena California backed by the investment firm Idealab Ernst amp Young reported that invest-ments in cleantech startups jumped 73 percent in the second quarter last year Paul Deninger vice president of the invest-ment bank Jefferies amp Company notes that the most exciting opportunities may actually occur in the process of managing current energy use ldquoby happenstance being green rather than [in] managing the carbon footprint directlyrdquo Matthew Patsky a partner of the green fund group Winslow Management observes that in the future fossil fuel supplies will inevitably be supplanted by clean energy like solar wind and geothermal ldquoRenewable energy green building mass transit improving efficiencyhelliprdquo Patsky concludes ldquoItrsquos got to winrdquo

Contact Green Century Capital Management Inc Green-Centurycom Pax World Funds PaxWorldcom Winslow Management Company WinslowGreencom

Natural Awakenings readers across the country are among those already investing in a greener futuremdashwhether switch-ing to organic snacks and energy-efficient light bulbs sup-porting local green businesses or bicycling to work Collec-tively these incremental changes are beginning to add up and the markets are responding

Brita Belli is the editor of EThe Environmental Magazine and the author of The Complete Idiotrsquos Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home Connect at Britaemagazinecom

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 26: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

26 October 2009

healingways

Let the spine really rest while sleepingWhile yoursquore sleeping the structures in your spinal column that have worked hard all day finally have an opportu-nity to relax and rejuvenate Using the right mattress and pillow will support the spine allowing the muscles and ligaments to become stress-free and refreshed

Choose your shoes carefullyWhether walking for exercise or just to get where yoursquore going the shoes on your feet have a big effect on your back Shoes should be well-balanced flexible and comfortable Providing not only protection for the feet but a supportive base that helps the spine and body remain in alignment the right shoes plus inserts for added balance if needed can help avoid muscle strain and possible injury

Enjoy the benefits of a massage chairA massage feels good because it relaxes your muscles and relieves stress but therapeutic massage does more than

improve flexibility and decrease ten-sion Massage chairs also can improve blood flow and increase the level of endorphins natural chemicals in the body that make you feel good in your bloodstream While itrsquos not the same as experiencing treatment by a mas-sage therapist using a massage chair at home can be a practical easy way to feel some of the benefits of a Shiatsu or Swedish massage

Sit up straight with supportLoading on the discs in the lower spine is three times greater while sitting than standing so it follows that long peri-ods of sitting can create or aggravate a painful back condition Problems can also occur from sitting incorrectly or in an uncomfortable chair For example while sitting in an office chair many people slouch and lean forward this poor posture typically leads to muscle tension and pain in the lower back and legs That is why having the right office chair is key to promoting good pos-ture and supporting the backrsquos natural curves Because a prolonged static posture is stressful for the structures in the spine most experts recommend that

HAPPY BACK HAPPY BODYFive Ways to a Healthy Spine

by Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr

The spinersquos many nerves muscles and ligaments serve

as connections to areas throughout the body so keeping

your spine in top condition is one of the best things you

can do for both your back and overall health

you get up to stretch and walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Specifically exercise abs and backOne of the most important components of good spine health is exercise If back and abdominal muscles are not in good shape it puts additional pressure on the spine already under the stress of supporting the entire body Performing abdominal and back exercises (which donrsquot get much exercise from daily activities) as part of a daily routine will go far in maintaining a healthy spine When abdominal and back muscles are well-maintained they help support the spine and minimize the chance of injury

Dr Peter F Ullrich Jr is a practicing physician and the co-founder and medi-cal director of Spine-Health (Spine-Healthcom) a leading educational online resource for people with neck and back pain

Source copy 1999-2009 Spine-Healthcom all rights reserved Always seek the advice of your physician

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 27: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

27NaturalWestMichigancom

C3

CommunitySpotlight

by Sharon Pisacreta

For those searching for a dynamic alternative to organized religion look no farther than the village of Spring Lake Nestled near the shores of Lake Michigan Christ Commu-

nity Church (C3) takes both the lsquoChristrsquo and the lsquoCommunityrsquo parts of their name seriously C3 split off from the Reformed Church of America fourteen years ago in order to form a more inclusive and universal fellowship A leader of the Progressive Christian movement C3 embraces the essence of all great spiritual traditions and focuses on the search for truth rather than the certainty of established doctrineChrist Community Church has ten stated core values These in-clude an evolving religious journey the pursuit of social justice an eco-friendly present and future holistic health independent thinking interfaith harmony and the value of artistic expression In particular C3 celebrates the importance of both community and diversity welcoming those whose sexual preference gen-der or religious background might not be acceptable to more conservative churches Ian Lawton Executive Minister of Christ Community Church stated in a sermon earlier this year ldquoWhat the world needs is more humanity across the religions less attachment to religious particularity greater compassion and genuine inter-religious harmonyrdquo To that end C3 encourages its members to seek their inspiration in Jesus and peaceful social activists like Gandhi who challenged the status quo and sought both inner and global peaceServing the people from the surrounding cities of Spring Lake Grand Haven and Ferrysburg C3 also draws members from Grand Rapids SaugatuckDouglas and beyond For those un-able to attend the Sunday Gatherings C3 provides audio and video podcasts of church sermons and weekly prayers Each Sunday at 9am an Awakening Gathering is held in the chapel and is open to anyone who wishes to meditate pray or engage in guided visualization for forty minutes This is fol-lowed by a Community Gathering in the sanctuary at 10am The one-hour service may include readings from both the Bible and contemporary sources poetry dance song and a sermon that carries a unique progressive message Afterwards members are encouraged to engage in the weekly sermon talk-back session with the minister Nursery care is provided every Sunday morn-ing and a program for young children is held in the classrooms during the 10am GatheringA wide variety of programs classes and social events are available at C3 A Menrsquos Group meets every Tuesday evening to discuss issues relevant to their lives a Womenrsquos Wisdom group explores each womanrsquos spiritual journey on Monday There is also a Youth Program for grades 6-12 which allows young people to explore their spirituality and form meaning-ful friendships via service projects trips spiritual retreats and Sunday classroom meetings Innovative Big Mind workshops are offered at C3 Formulated in the 1990s the Big Mind process helps people become spiritu-ally enlightened via a melding of Zen Buddhism and Western psychology Rev Ian Lawton who is a trained facilitator of Big Mind occasionally conducts workshops in this unique

interactive exercise Another popular program at the church is ldquoDine With Ninerdquo a communal dinner which brings people together regardless of their relationship status Participants simply meet at the home of that nightrsquos host Bring a dish to share then relax and enjoy the food and conversation And for those who love to sing please attend the Singing with Spirit Workshop on October 24th where directors from the Golden Bridge Community Choir invite attendees to sing inspirational songs from a variety of cultures and traditions Beginners are welcome One of the choir directors will be Maggie Wheeler an actress that many will remember from her role of Janice on Friends Concern for the community is further demonstrated by two independent non-profit organizations located on the C3 cam-pus The Little Red House provides adult day care in a loving environment and The People Center offers food clothing and temporary shelter to those who are in need in the Tri-Cities area Support groups for those going through transition in their lives ndash ie divorce job loss death etc ndash are also available at C3The church has trained volunteers who serve as pastoral care associates visiting prisons hospitals and nursing homes And since one of C3rsquos core values is a holistic approach to health the independent practitioners of Community Wellness Asso-ciates offer psychotherapy nutritional counseling yoga and therapeutic massage in C3rsquos main buildingKeep in mind that C3 regards itself as a global community and many active members have never been to the Spring Lake church Indeed few other churches are so media savvy C3 spreads its message via Facebook Twitter lsquoYou Tubersquo e-zines and their website and podcasts In order to reach those people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious C3 has recently launched an online ministry called SBNR Check out Rev Ian Lawtonrsquos blog on SBNRorgFor those who would like a progressive Christian community in their immediate area C3 is helping people form satellite groups The first such community established in Benzie County Michigan is known as C3 NorthC3 is an interfaith community where a Buddhist is as likely to be found as a Christian Formed by C3 in 1998 The Center for Religion and Life is dedicated to interfaith harmony and dia-logue Religious and academic speakers are regularly brought in to engage in dialogue working to find common ground in the search for global harmony and peaceAll are welcome to visit Christ Community Church at 225 East Exchange Street in Spring Lake MI Membership in the church requires neither class attendance nor a belief in a particular creed but only a willingness to be part of the affirming and pro-gressive community that is C3 If you are interested in learning more about Christ Community Church visit their website Christ-Communitynet or call the church offices at 616-842-1985

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer who recently followed her bliss to the villages of SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom See Christ Community Church ad on page 5

Christ Community Church

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

Join our family of publishers

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 28: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

28 October 2009

naturalpet

The ideal eco-aquarium bal-anced and self-contained is a cherished concept of hobbyists

But research shows that energy usage for a typical home aquarium can vary widely depending on the setup According to a 1997 report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-ratory a small freshwater aquariummdashsay 10 gallons in sizemdashmight use as little as 90 to 120 kilowatt-hours a year to run its lights filters and aerators Thatrsquos about as much as a typical coffeemaker uses in a yearmdashhardly a major energy suck in the grand scheme of things With increasing size electricity costs naturally rise A big 55-gallon freshwater tank might use between 280 and 400 kilowatt-hours annually Adding plants further ups an aquariumrsquos energy appetite as it requires heavier-duty lighting to keep the plants alive Generally speaking saltwater tanks use more energy than freshwater ones due to the increased need for pumps and power heads to create water currents Marine aquariums can pull 230 kilowatt-hours a year for a

small tank and up to about 800 for a large tank Since the Berkeley Laboratory report came out a dozen years ago there have been a few advances in the efficiencies of aquarium equipment

Using LED lights can shave off a few kilowatt-hours and newer energy-

saving pumps and ballasts have come onto the market One

equipment salesperson estimated that the amount of electricity used by aquariums

today could be about 25 percent lower than

in 1997 with up-to-date equipment Aquariums can

also have hidden environ-mental costs upstream In some

parts of Southeast Asia where the vast majority of the worldrsquos saltwater ldquoorna-mentalrdquo organisms come from fish are caught using squirt bottles filled with cyanide which stuns the animals and makes them easier to extract from coral reefs But the chemical can also damage the coral as well as other organisms living in the reefsmdashnot to mention weakening the fish so that fewer of them survive transport Keep-ing fish healthy is more than an animal

rights issue itrsquos also an ecological con-cern because the fewer animals that survive the process the more intensive the harvesting becomes So when buying wild-caught fish look for those that have been captured with hand nets rather than chemicals Always avoid threatened and endan-gered species among both freshwater and saltwater fish The silvery black-striped Banggai cardinalfish only found in a few pock-ets off the coast of Indonesia for ex-ample has been labeled an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature largely due to overzealous harvesting for the aquarium trade The United Nationsrsquo environmental office noted in 2003 that less than 10 percent of marine orna-mental species were capable of being farm-cultured Fortunately sustainable collec-

tion is less of an issue with freshwater

aquarium spe-cies because 90 percent are farm-

raised Captive breeding helps reduce

pressure on wild animal populations although many conservationists argue that maintaining a sustainable trade

Not all aquariums are created equal when it comes to sustainability Energy used to run filters and lights is a major concern Where the fish originate is another as well as where they go at the end of the relationship

by Nina shen rastogi

AquariumsEco-Friendly

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

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our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 29: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

29NaturalWestMichigancom

in wild-caught organisms can be an environmentally friendly strategy if it provides economic incentives for fishermen to keep their local ecosys-tems healthy Before heading to the pet store do a bit of homework to find out where the desired fish comes from There are four Marine Aquarium Council-certi-fied retailers in the United Statesmdashin Florida Illinois Michigan and New Jerseymdashwhere saltwater fish have been verified to be sustainably col-lected or cultured and then properly handled throughout the supply chain A new licensing program should in-crease the number of stores supplying MAC-approved fish Reef Protection Internationalrsquos Reef Fish Guide (ReefProtectorgfish_guidehtm) further assesses popular marine species based on four criteria survivability in home aquar-ia abundance in the wild availabil-ity and potential for captive breeding and the collection methods used Local hobbyist groups can be other good sources of information and occasionally homebred fish stock Finally make sure any kids in the house donrsquot harbor a Finding Nemo fantasy Releasing non-native species into the wild can cause ecological problems particularly if those species become established populations Do not dump an unwanted fish in a pond or flush it down a toilet Instead find a new home for a fish that has worn out its welcome perhaps with a local pet store The best of all worlds is to avoid getting into such a situation in the first place Make sure to buy only fish species that wonrsquot grow too big for the designated aquarium and wonrsquot start turf wars with their tank-mates As with

any other purchase the greenest choice will be the one we

donrsquot have to replace

Nina Shen Rastogi writes a weekly envi-ronmental column at

Slatecom

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

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our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 30: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

30 October 2009

CommunitySpotlight by Julie Hurley

Walking through the screen door of Global Infusion in the East Hills Business District the pleasant and heady aroma

hits you right in the faceldquoItrsquos the chairdquo said co-owners Beth Grilley and Joana Hively at the same time smiling at each other when I asked what it wasThey make two to three gallons of house-made chai each day and sell at least one gallon a day to their loyal and local cus-tomer baseldquoItrsquos come to smell like home both to us and our customersrdquo Joana said ldquoOur intention was to offer this base to the communityrdquoAlso contributing to the aroma are the baskets soaps incense coffee medicinal herbs bulk teas spices and chocolate that this eclectic fair trade marketplace offersLocated in the back of the Blackport Building on Diamond Ave the main focus of Global Infusion is their extensive collection of fair trade handcrafted gifts home deacutecor jewelry clothing and more They also have an extensive tea and coffee bar and a sitting area with free wi-fi for customers wanting to linger for a while which is very easy to doThe idea seed for Global Infusion began with Bethrsquos desire to open up a little herb store in the area At the time Joana was living in Ohio managing a non-profit fair trade store The long-time friends decided to act upon their dreams and open a store together offering a wide range of fair trade items along with the herbs and teas Joana moved back up from Ohio and Global Infusion was birthed All products in the store are carefully selected based on their uniqueness and where they come from Most all items are fair trade when possibleldquoFair Trade isnrsquot just about wagesrdquo said Joana ldquoIt boils down to com-munity safe and healthy working conditions environmental stan-dards and long term relationships This betters lives in the long-termrdquoFrom there itrsquos a spiral effect More money becomes avail-able for education health care and micro lending Fair trade ensures that the farmers and artisans are paid up front and are not dependant on the world marketldquoCoffee is the second largest commodity in the world after oilrdquo said Beth ldquoIt also rises and falls with the world market and

doesnrsquot take into account the farmersrdquoldquoAs an example they are paid half whenever the order is placed from the wholesalerrdquo said Joana ldquoWhen the order is filled they are paid the remaining They have a direct say in what they are getting paid and how itrsquos happening Theyrsquore running their own co-op which respects their cultural identityldquoThough all products do not come with a fair trade certification like some of the herbs Joana and Beth seek out products that are ethically producedldquoSometimes the cost of the fair trade certification is too high for the farmers and artisans to justifyrdquo said Beth ldquoSo we donrsquot strictly seek out only products labeled lsquofair tradersquordquoThe fair trade community is a network of wholesale organiza-tions that can support small groups doing a lot of good things around the world Joana and Beth are always on the lookout for new and interesting productsldquoTen Thousand Villages and SERRV International are two of the larger groups that offer a wide variety of productsrdquo said Joana ldquoWe carry products from them in addition to seeking out smaller organizations to find items people havenrsquot seen beforerdquoGlobal Infusion is coming up on its five-year anniversary of being in business They opened on Nov 12 2004 within just a few days of their friends and neighbors Marie Catribrsquos an eclectic restaurant and delicatessenldquoItrsquos been neat to see more and more businesses come into the areardquo said JoanaThey estimate that about 70 percent of their customers are regulars and business has kept up steady through the downturn in the economy Because of that itrsquos more important now than ever to put your money with local businessesldquoPeople can feel good about the gifts that they buy hererdquo said Joana ldquoWersquore locally owned and all of our products are ethi-cally produced and selected with intentionrdquo

A married mother of two young children Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living She is also the Healthy Food Examiner for Examinercom Visit her page at httptinyurlcomhealthyfoodexaminer Visit Global Infusionrsquos Web site at wwwglobalinfusionnet See ad page 12

bull Nutrition amp Dietbull Disease Preventionbull Herbal Remediesbull Personal Training

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 31: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

31NaturalWestMichigancom

Sereni-TeaDuring his riotous tea party in Alice in Wonderland

the Mad Hatter announced ldquoItrsquos always tea-timerdquo If thatrsquos not true in your household it should be For thousands of years tea has been regarded as a source

of health and tranquility Over 700 billion cups of tea are drunk around the world every year and only water is consumed more Devoted tea drinkers include rock stars American presidents and of course Oprah So put down that cafeacute latte and discover the pleasures and benefits of tea Despite the ever-increasing brands of tea available on grocery shelves some are not tea at all Rooibos and herbal lsquoteasrsquo are actually tisanes True tea is derived from the leaves of the Camel-lia sinensis plant which is native to China and India The four types of tea are black oolong green and white differentiated by the amount of fermentation they have undergone Within each of these categories lie infinite varieties Name the ingredi-ent ndash nuts fruits spices flowers chocolate ndash and you can find a tea blend that includes itFor those concerned about caffeine intake tea is a much better choice than coffee An 8 oz cup of coffee contains on average 110-140 mg of caffeine a cup of black tea has approx 40-50 mg Even better oolong and green tea have just 25-30 mg while white tea comes in last with 10-20 mg of caffeine per cup Unlike coffee tea contains a secret weapon to counteract the negative side effects of caffeine Within minutes of sipping tea an amino acid called L-theanine is released into the blood sys-tem and brain Although the caffeine has had enough time to give you an energy boost the L-theanine follows right afterward and relaxes the effect You remain alert but not jumpy This amino acid -- found primarily in the Camellia sinensis plant -- appears to be a natural remedy for stress relief Australian researchers have discovered that L-theanine reduced anxiety better than Xanax L-theanine also works to fight infectionA Chinese proverb states ldquoDrinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecaryrdquo Modern research continues to demonstrate that regular tea drinkers enjoy impressive health benefits Studies show that tea boosts the immune system decreases kidney stones and provides cardiovas-cular protectionTearsquos real healing properties come from its flavonoids -- or poly-phenols -- which are powerful antioxidants Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatory agents relaxing blood vessels and helping to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol or LDL In a Dutch study high flavonoid consumption resulted in a 73 reduced risk of stroke black tea provided 70 of the flavonoids for research participants In fact tea is higher in flavonoids than many fruits and vegetablesAlthough all four types of tea contain epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) green and white tea contain greater amounts of this potent antioxidant EGCG lowers insulin and cholesterol lev-els and helps stave off the cognitive impairment that occurs with dementia and sleep apnea And while the caffeine in tea

stimulates the body to burn fat tearsquos added component of EGCG helps to prolong the fat-burning processTea is also a source of vitamins and fluoride A 2003 Pace Uni-versity study showed that tea reduced bad breath and plaque as well as fighting off the bacteria that causes both tooth decay and strep throat But before you start dosing yourself with tea to ward off illness consult your health practitioner Some medications or pre-existing conditions may react adversely with tearsquos components In addition to its health benefits tea simply tastes good To get the best results buy a higher quality tea Loose tea provides the finest flavor and can be purchased locally at Global Infusions 143 Diamond Ave in Grand Rapids (see ad page 18) or at a variety of online sources including Harney amp Sons Teavana and Adagio Many vendors also offer their product in special tea bags that allow the tea leaves to expand properly during the brewing processSince bottled and instant teas have far fewer antioxidants brew the tea yourself Water has been called the mother of tea so water quality is important If you donrsquot have filtered water run cold water from the tap for thirty seconds before filling the tea kettle Never use hot water to brew it results in flat tasting teaFor black and oolong tea let the water come to a boil then immediately pour it over the tea leaves or tea bag When water boils too long it becomes depleted of oxygen and affects the tearsquos flavor Steep black and oolong for 3-5 minutes If it steeps longer than five minutes the tea will taste bitter Only herbal tisanes benefit from a long steeping time Boiling water scalds both green and white tea Ideally the temperature of the water should be no hotter than 180 degrees Fahrenheit If you donrsquot have a thermometer simply remove the kettle after it has just reached boiling count for one minute and then pour over the tea Green tea should be steeped 1-3 minutes white tea for 5-8 minutes If yoursquore wondering how much tea to use the general rule is one teaspoon of loose tea -- or one tea bag ndash for every eight ounces of water For stronger flavor add more tea Tea degrades if exposed to heat light or humidity so store tea in a dry cool place An airtight tin or ceramic canister works best Stored correctly oolong and black loose tea retain their flavor for one to two years green and white for six months to a year Tea bags should also be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshnessWhether you prefer a steaming mug of Earl Grey a tall glass of iced chai or a cup of green matcha remember yoursquore not only quenching your thirst but also helping to replenish and relax your mind and body Millions of tea drinkers worldwide will be joining you including Oprah

Sharon Pisacreta is a long-time freelance writer ndash and tea drinker -- who recently moved to SaugatuckDouglas She may be contacted at spisacretatwmirrcom

by Sharon Pisacreta

How to find healthand harmony in a teacup

32 October 2009

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33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 32: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

32 October 2009

Join our family of publishers

be your own boss and make a difference in your community

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Chattanooga TNamp Knoxville TN

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Greater OaklandMacomb MI amp

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Birmingham ALamp Huntsville AL

Become a new Natural Awakenings franchise publisher

in the market of your choice or purchase one of the existing

magazines currently for sale Atlanta GA Denver CO

Mobile AL Morris County NJ and New York City NY

for more information call 239-530-1377 or visit us online at NaturalAwakeningsmagcom

As a Natural Awakenings publisher your magazine will help thousands of readers to make positive changes in their lives while promoting local practitioners and providers of natural earth-friendly lifestyles

You will be creating a healthier community while building your own financial security in the franchise market of your choice

Yoursquoll work for yourself but not by yourself We offer a complete training and support system designed to help you successfully publish your own magazine

our family tree is Growing strong

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 33: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

33NaturalWestMichigancom

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries All Calendar events must be submitted online by the 15th of the month prior to publication

tHursdAY octoBer 1Free Public Screening- 700pm Screening of new film ldquoSense of Wonderrdquo honoring Rachel Carson the woman who launched the modern environmental movement Loutit District Library 407 Columbus Ave Grand Haven

fridAY octoBer 2Kirtan with Vahana- 730-930pm Enjoy the sacred art of call and response chanting A portion of your donation goes to charity $5 Suggested Donation Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 3Mind Body Spirit Cleansing Retreat for Women- 100pm-1000pm Annual fall sweat lodge retreat designed for women who want to cleanse on all levels and connect with mother earth One is also available on Oct17 if this one fills up Limited to 8 women $50 Enchanted Lake 35 miles NE of Grand Rapids Contact DinahAwakened-potentialscom or 616-754- 9672 Ama Deus Energy Healing- 600-900pm Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Teen Open Gym- 700pm-900pm Teen Open Gym is open to all Teens 11 years and older Play for 2 hours on Gymcorsquos Trampolines Rope Swing Rock Wall Slam Dunk Basketball and much more Members $10 Nonmembers $15 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rap-ids 616-956-0586

suNdAY octoBer 4Ama Deus Energy Healing- 900-1100am on the 4th (1st level) 2nd level on the 4th starting at 1130-330 Ama Deus spiritual healing energy taps into Divine Love offering over 20 sacred symbols for soul level healing divided into 2 classes $100 Call to Register and for location Ama Deus International LLC 616-648-3354 Radiant You - Womenrsquos Retreat- 900am-400pm Living Strength Elegance amp Awareness Fun activities yoga lunch and Dare to Discover more about you ContactBarbcom $85 Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 616-638-5625Yoga on the Ball- 1 pm - Freedom amp Mobility in Hips amp Lower Back 3 pm -Ease amp Extension in Shoulders Necks Arms Taught by Katherine Florentine $30 each $50 for both Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

moNdAY octoBer 5How to Save the World-One Man One Cow One Planet- 7pm Toxic synthetic chemicals amp genetic modification are massively being rejected There are GMO-free zones Several farms are viewed $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176The Intuitive Demonstration- 700-900pm ldquoTrained Clairvoyant Laura Rose from New Mexico and Gifted Intuitive John Manilla join forces in a demonstration that will enlighten and fascinate you Registration is required Love offering Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616-929-4204

tuesdAY octoBer 6Home CareTrigger Point- 630-715pm Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life Free Parkhurst Chiropractic 364 Garden Ave Holland 616-392-9500

Introduction to Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 700-800pm Ginjah will briefly explain the eight limbs of yoga and the physical aspect of yoga She teaches Gentle Yoga and Level 1 Yoga Free Register at TheBody-Centerus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 7Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Court NE Grand Rapids 269-929-6796

tHursdAY octoBer 8Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner- 600pm Muskegon Right to Life will host the Focus on Life Annual Benefit Dinner with special guest speaker will be Bryan Kemper Founder and President of Stand True Ministries Call for more information Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor 231-733-6300 How Better Breathing Can Help You Control Your World ndash 700-800pm Harbor Health and Massage is offering a free presentation to learn to control your own bodyrsquos reaction to stress Presented by Vince Hanneken of Full Potential Physical Therapy Harbor Health and Massage 29 West Eighth Street Suite 200 Holland 616-510-2155Face Reading Introductory Class- 700-900pm Read Faces to learn how to improve relationships easily identify problems and increase your self-knowledge Reverend Laura Rose is a certified Personologist Reg-istration Required $39 Naturersquos Spiritual Connections 615 Lyon Street NE Grand Rapids 616- 929-4204Motherhood the Journey- 700pm Motherhood is the theme woven through this creative show A collabora-tion of local actors and musicians Light appetizers and dessert reception provided This is a fundraiser for MomsBloom $40 per ticket Wealthy Theatre 1130 Wealthy SE Grand Rapids 616- 828-1021

fridAY octoBer 9Free Concertndash 7pm Local singersongwriter Drew Nelson to perform $10 suggested donation 100 of donations go to The GR Coalition to End Homelessness Bethlehem Church Sanctuary 250 Commerce SW Grand Rapids 616-406-9655

sAturdAY octoBer 10Cedar-Rock Community Resource Fair- 1000am-200pm Family friendly and aims to promote health wellness and education Representatives will be providing ldquogreenrdquo solutions free health screenings and discounts to local food and retail merchants Free Dollarville 4330 14 Mile Rd Rockford 616-554-0918Free Bus Tour of Sustainable Homes amp Businesses- 1000am-400pm Park at the Library or at the Institute and ride the bus on a loop The bus will depart the library near the top of the hour The last bus leaves the Institute at 330pm Hastings Public Library 227 E State St and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 701 West Cloverdale Rd Hastings 269-945-4263 Free - Teen Skin Care Education ndash 1100am-1200pm Teens of all ages are welcome to come and learn how to take care of their skin with natural products and samples Please RSVP as seating is limited Free Visit Tracys-Facescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690Creating Sacred Space for Your Home Practice- 130-400pm Design a home yoga practice to support your

unique intention Taught by Mimi Ray $30 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580EcoBuns-Cloth Diapering with Kellie Rosenberg- 300-400pm 8000 diapers is the average number changed from birth to potty Learn how cloth diapering can save you money save the earth and save babyrsquos sensitive skin Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 630pm Gathering to discuss amp inform or out training programs in natural medicine For more information visit NaturopathicCol-legeofAnnArbornet or call 734-769-7794 1923 Geddes Ave Ann ArborGaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday OCTOBER 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making Advance reg-istration is required for this class Visit GaiaHerbalStudiesnet or call 734-769-7794

suNdAY octoBer 11Semi-Intense Saugatuck EcoTrek Fitness Session- 845am-1030am Semi-intense outdoor group workout with EcoTrek Fitness owner Cari Draft multitudes of dune climbs yoga and strength training rain or shine $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at Eco-trekFitnesscom Saugatuck State Park 6575 138th Ave Saugatuck 616-291-2851Eckankar Worship Servicendash 1000-1100am Come discuss ldquoCreativity Godrsquos Gift to Soulrdquo at this hour-long monthly ECK Worship Service Warmly open to all Free Meeting Room 76th amp 131-Motel 6 7625 Caterpillar Ct Grand Rapids 616-752-8460Authentic Communication- 1230pm-430pm This is a 4-hour experiential class based on principles and key distinctions in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) such as empathy amp honest expression $35 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386 Conversation with God Study Group- 100pm For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG Bring a friend $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Special 2 Year Anniversary EcoTrek Fitness Session- 545pm-700pm $1 person workout session celebrating the one year of Heather Lakersquos Series Leader status and two year anniversary of Coopersville EcoTrek Call to sign up Walker City Central Park North (park by bus yard) 4243 Remembrance Rd Walker 616-291-2851

moNdAY octoBer 12Swine Health- 7pm Animal advisor Don Brubaker reviews the management factors that must be employed to raise well-nourished stress free pigs A Fertrell film $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 13Headache Workshop- 615-715pm Hands on workshop for relief of migraines tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain Free Chirofit Wellness Center 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2348 Addressing Womenrsquos Mid-Life Changes Naturally- 630-730pm Learn effective solutions to safely and naturally overcome mid-life PMS or Menopausal symptoms utilizing bio-identical hormones Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center Howard Miller Community Center 14 S Church St Zeeland 616-392-9500Diabetes and Foot Health- 630-730pm Learn about issues that can affect your feet and how to avoid them Dr Paul Kushlak will be discussing podiatric treatments to keep your feet in tip-top shape Free Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341Fibromyalgia- 615pm Understanding a Misunderstood Condition This free workshop will uncover the reasons behind the onset of the condition and provide non-drug

calendarofevents

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 34: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

34 October 2009

solutions to a very distressing condition Includes light dinner Great Lakes Family Chiropractic 3138 Broadmoor Ave Kentwood 616-575-9105 Sagersquos Circle- 630pm An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask questions amp receive answers from the Sages Pre- registration required $10 Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

wedNesdAY octoBer 14Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers Donation Unity Church on the Lake-shore 41 S Washington St Douglas 269-857-8226

tHursdAY octoBer 15Be Green While You Clean- 600-730pm Our hands-on seminar teaches simple effective environmentally friendly cleaning methods Learn about everyday products and toxic ingredients to avoid and mix up your own green cleaning so-lutions $15 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 600pm Learn which foods are best healthy eating out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural life-long weight loss $20 Shoreline Natural Wellness 7527 Highland Rd Whitehall 231-750-2525 Mindful Meditation Tele-Class- 800pm-900pm Oct 15 22 amp 29 Learn develop and practice daily ldquomindfulrdquo practices which will reduce stress create inner peace and enrich your day to day experiences $45 for all 3 classes Comfort of your own home 616-638-5625

fridAY octoBer 16Fire of Transformation Practice- 630-830pm This chal-lenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students Taught by Mimi Ray Call for prerequisites $18 Expres-sions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 17Reiki I amp II Training Classndash 900am-500pm Learn this hands-on healing technique for relaxation and stress relief History and hand positions will be taught Textbook and lunch included $200 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144The Power of Contrast - 1000am-1230pm Backbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Well Being- 100-400pm Hands-on workshop explores top ten essential oils that enhance well being Taught by Linda Bayer of Bayer Essence $40 Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580Healthy Harvest Expo- 200pm Learn how to shop local and eat healthy at the Kent District Library in East Grand Rapids 616-784-2016The Magical Midline - 230-500pm Forwardbends (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

suNdAY octoBer 18Yoga to The Rescue for Neck amp Shouldersndash 1000-1230pm Standing poses and inversions (all levels) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642YIN Circles- 100pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 The Ego Surrenders to Gracendash 230-500pm Backbends

and arm balances (Intermediate level- able to kick up in handstand at the wall able to do backbend with straight arms unassisted) with Desireacutee Rumbaugh $45 From The Heart Yoga Center 714 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids 616-336-9642

moNdAY octoBer 19Reiki Share Group ndash 530-730pm For those trained in all levels of Reiki share experiences with Reiki and deepen their practice of Reiki Donation Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144EcoTrek Fitness Session celebrating Lorirsquos Birthday- 545-745pm Extra-long unique group workout session at no extra charge $1200 drop-in (discount for multiple sessions) Sign up at EcotrekFitnesscom Snug Harbor Scenic Drive North Muskegon Boat Launch amp Picnic Area park to the right by the restrooms Muskegon 616-291-2851Covering New Ground Wisconsinrsquos Sustainable Agriculture- 7pm 12 farm operations are featured ro-tational grazing sheep milk dairy and cheeses grain and crop rotation $7 regular $3 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 20Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 600pm Workshop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Intermediate Stretching to Good Health - 700-800pm Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress improve heart health balance flexibility and strength Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiroprac-tic Ultimate Fitness 91 Douglas Ave Ste 140 Holland 616-392-9500Nourishing Ways of West Michigan- 700pm Plan-ning meeting All are welcome 134 N Division Grand Rapids 616-532-6530 Shamanic Journey with Margret Bazany- 700-900pm Shamanic Practitioner and Reiki Master Margret Bazany will teach the process of shamanic journeying along with the history of shamanism and its basic concepts $20 Bring a blanket eye covering and wear comfortable clothes Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

wedNesdAY octoBer 21Artist of The Month- 200-400pm River Bank Brothers are a traditionalbluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River Join us Free Utopian Marketplace 8832 Water St Montague 231-894-9530

tHursdAY octoBer 22Pack a Healthy Lunch- 530-700pm We know we should but we just donrsquot Learn simple methods to save money and eat better$5 175 S Waverly Road Holland 616-394-3344Guided Meditation Prayer amp Healing Circle ndash 700-800pm Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers $5 Center for Unlimited Possibilities 14998 Cleveland St Spring Lake 269-929-6796Love isLiving an Opulent Vibrating Existence- 700-830pm Relationship Coach Barb VerCande will share how our emotions and thoughts allow or hinder us to vibrate attract and have love $35 Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 Prevent amp Reverse Disease Through Dietndash 700pm Dr Pam Popper PhD ND will discuss the connection between diet health and diseases This is a DVD of her appearance at GRCC Great information Free The

Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

fridAY octoBer 23The Spirit at Work Through Reikindash 900am-500pm For Reiki Masters to deepen your Reiki practice and to give new techniques to assist yourself and others $150 Jan Atwood LLC Atwood + Clark Place at American Seating Park 801 Broadway Ave NW Ste 436 Grand Rapids 616-915-4144Evening of Medical Intuitive Readings- 700pm-930pm Hay House author and internationally-known Medical Intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will be giving medical intuitive readings at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium $30 in advance $40 at the door Grand Valley State University DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium 401 W Fulton St Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Partner Yoga- 700-830pm A fun and interesting twist on Yoga Learn supported assisted and ldquoflyingrdquo yoga poses with your partner No yoga experience necessary Includes refreshments MuksegonYogacom $45couple Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181LifeForce Yoga- Oct 23-25 Beat the Blues with LifeForce Yoga a Workshop to Manage Your Mood with award winning author Amy Weintraub Call or visit Expres-sionsofGraceYogacom Expressions of Grace Yoga 5270 Northland Drive NE Grand Rapids 616-361-8580

sAturdAY octoBer 24Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461Book Exchange Extravaganza- 1000am-600pm Bring friends family to this fun day with roaming speakers intuitive readers aura photos book signings Indian Head Massage and much more Bring in your used books for more savings Cost varies by service Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298Inner Goddess Mask Making Workshop- 100-700pm In this fun sacred empowering workshop women will discover the goddess that they want to attract at this time in their life then make a mask to express the inner qualities of this Goddess $60 MaryDawsonDesignEarthlinknet Tendressa Studio 617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids 616-949-6234Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 200-300pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 Abrakadoodle - Green Kids in a Colorful World- 315-415pm Create like Jose Guadalupe Posada Bring your kids amp their friends 1- 6 grades to create imaginative skeletons with scrap mylar Theyrsquoll learn to help our en-vironment amp develop their creativity Call to sign up $10 Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000

suNdAY octoBer 25Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying- 930am-500pm Hay House author and medical intuitive Carol Ritberger PhD will teach a two-day workshop on near-death experiences and the death process as it relates to the body mind and soul $195 Holiday Inn Airport 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr Grand Rapids 530-350-7461

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 35: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

35NaturalWestMichigancom

ongoingevents

Taught by Carolyn Heines who has 31 years of experience $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga-Advanced- 545pm Must have completed Level 1amp2 to attend Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core Back bends inversions and arm balancing Using aware-ness of core organic amp muscular energy to deepen the poses amp strengthen core Invocation For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Lud-ington 231-852-0849

Sustainability Month Lecture Series- 630pm 106-Grand Rapids Art Museum-Environmental Architecture 1013- Local Future film and discus-sion-Money and Debt 1020-Author Tom Wilkin-son-Worm Composting in Institutions 1027-Local First-The Difference of $1 Hastings Public Library 227 E State St Hastings 269-945-4263

wednesdayCardio Tennis- 530-630am For tennis players and non-tennis players anybody can participate Will guarantee burn hundreds and hundreds of calories plus its FUN $10 for members $14 non-members Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Meditation at Noon ndash 1200-1245pm Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind When onersquos mind is calm there is clarity peace and the ability to live in the present moment $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Yoga After School- 415pm Back to Basics classes at a New time Particularly convenient for teachers amp first shift staff Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Menrsquos Yoga with Peter-530-645pm Find out why men need yoga too Ease back pain increase strength relieve stress amp tension amp much more $10class $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week) $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week) $78 monthly unlimited classes 10amp discount for students amp 65+ seniors Muskegon Yoga Center 825 Western Ave Muskegon 231-668-4181

Group Fitness Classes- 530pm Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 545-700pm

sundayAwakening ndash 900-945am Chanting to meditation and beyond Free Christ Community Church 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Christ Community Church ndash 1000am Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness Childcare available 225 E Exchange Spring Lake 616-842-1985

Sunday Servicendash 1000am Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere Your ministry grades 1-12 amp nursery Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

The Coptic Center Sunday Series ndash 600pm An ongoing series of inspirational speakers centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

mondayPilates at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm This class fo-cuses on postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Intermediate Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Medicinal Herb Study Group ndash 700-830pm Certification professional training home certifica-tion $8 Gaia School of Herbal Studies Ann Arbor Gaiaherbalstudiesnet 734-769-7794

Beginning Yoga- 715pm Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation and philosophy make this a complete yoga experience $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

tuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 745-900am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 915-1030am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Yoga- 1200pm-100pm Gentle approach to yoga modifying postures for individual needs

Note Visit wwwNaturalWestMichigancom for guidelines and to submit entries Events must be re-submitted each month by the 15th of the month Events subject to change please call ahead

Holistic Energy Care- 1230pm-215pm Learn practical natural tools for caring for your energy feel stronger and more centered Learn new skills in caring for yourself so that you have more vitality to enjoy life Free Fountain Street Church 24 Fountain St NE Grand Rapids 616-459-8386Circle of Crones Community Croning Ceremony- 200-430pm The Circle of Crones invites all women to attend this event to celebrate the lives of older women in our com-munity and to raise interest and awareness of the positive aspects of aging Free Dominican Center at Marywood Main Building Conference Room 10-11 2025 E Fulton SE Grand Rapids 616-285-7995

moNdAY octoBer 26Healerrsquos Rejuvenation Circle- 630pm This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity Through meditation discussion and support everyone will find a renewal of their own light amp energy $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 History Pre-History What Lies Ahead in the Near Future- 7pm Pearl Buck said ldquoto understand today we must search yesterdayrdquo Discussion led by Paul W Keiser $5 regular $2 students amp seniors SanChez Bistro 38 W Fulton Grand Rapids 616-677-6176

tuesdAY octoBer 27Feng Shui Basics for Home Owners- 600-730pm Learn basic Feng Shui tips amp green strategies to create a balanced environment that promotes healthy harmonious living Make positive adjustments amp enhance the quality of your life at home amp work Free Eden Environments 5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000 YIN Circles- 630pm This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives Only one group need be attended $10 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298 Meditation with Nichol- 700-800pm Please bring a blan-ket or pillow (yoga mats are provided) and wear comfortable clothing An hour of peace and relaxation awaits you Free Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596 The Engine 2 Dietndash 700pm Hear about the Texas fire-fighterrsquos 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that lowers choles-terol and burns away pounds See his appearance on TV news program Taste some of his recipes Free The Wellness Forum 830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids 616-942-7907

tHursdAY octoBer 29Reduce Toxins amp Lose Weight through Nutritional Cleansing- 600pm Have you asked yourself these ques-tionsmdashWhy am I tired and often need more energy Why do I crave sweets Why canrsquot I lose weight Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Professionals Free Peak Performance Chiropractic 4150 East Beltline Ste 4 Grand Rapids 616-447-9888 Bereavement Dreaming Seminar- 630pm What does it mean when I dream about my loved one who isnrsquot living A discussion of this will answer many questions if itrsquos real or our imagination and if we are becoming our own Medium $20 Registration required Indigorsquos And Mysticrsquos Book Exchange amp More 4485 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids 616-447-8298

fridAY octoBer 30Halloween Party- 630pm-830pm Trick or Treat Gymco Style Wear your Halloween costume at Gymcorsquos Halloween party Trampoline Obstacle Course Rock Wall and Much More Members $25 Nonmembers $30 Gymco 2306 Camelot Ridge Court SE Grand Rapids 616-956-0586

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 36: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

36 October 2009

Gentle Yoga is recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Aikido- 600-800pm Learn Aikido-the Japanese art of self defense Kids Classes also available $65month Visit ToyodaCentercom for more details 3808 South Division Ave Wyoming 616- 245-6370

Kickboxing Class- 630-730pm Get your fall started right with Ramblewoodrsquos most popular class taught by Ed Wrench $8 Ramblewood Tennis amp Health Club 4250 Spartan Industrial Drive SW Grandville 616-538-4600

Tai Chi Classes- 630-730pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordina-tion and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Wednesday Awakeningndash 700-830pm 107 - Spiri-tual Message 1014 - Sharing our Gifts 1021 - Life Stories 1028 - Spiritual Message Love offering Unity Church of Peace 6025 Ada Dr Ada 616-682-7812

General Anxiety Support Group ndash 700-830pm General Anxiety Support Group is open to individuals who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends amp family members Anxiety Resource Center 312 Grandville Ave Grand Rapids 616-356-1614

Beginning Yoga- 715-845pm Classical hatha yoga Postures with attention to alignment breathing awareness relaxation $14class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Yoga Level 1 with Ginjah Knuth-715-830pm Simple stretches for flexibility Standing poses for balance strength and energy along with much more Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Shambhala Meditation Group of Grand Rapids- 730pm Sitting and walking meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition followed by book study No need to read ahead All levels of practitioner welcome Instructions provided to beginners Free Sacred Space 58 E Beltline Grand Rapids 616- 452-2115

thursdayGroup Fitness Classes- 1000am Morea Chiro-practic introduces Group Fitness classes Zumba Back amp Abs 101010 and Yogilates Everyone welcome Classes are small and personalized Get more information at MoreaChirocom $7 class or

purchase a $50 punchcard good for 10 classes or six months Morea Chiropractic Wellness Center 388 N 3rd Ave Ste L Fruitport 231-865-7474

Pilates ndash Yoga Mix at Noon ndash 1200-1255pm Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong centered energized and focused $12 Cascade Yoga Studio 5060 Cascade Road Suite G Grand Rapids 616-464-1610

Green Drinks GR Network ndash 500-700pm 3rd Thursday Join other environmental enthusiasts for casual networking and drinks Grand Rapids Infolocation contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051

Beginning Yoga- 530-700pm Grand Rapids first yoga studio offers classical hatha yoga postures with attention to individual differences breathing awareness and relaxation $14class The Yoga Stu-dio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 530-620pm Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the bodyrsquos core (torso) All equipment needed for the class is provided for you Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Advanced Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 615-730pm Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiv-erYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle ndash 630-900pm Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery Love Offering 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW Grand Rapids 616-531-1339

fridayIonic Cleanse Foot Bathndash All Day Detoxing is important to the skin and body Every Friday in Oc-tober come in and detox for $20 Visit TracysFacescom or call Tracyrsquos Faces 7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison 616-667-9690

Yoga-Intermediate ndash 900am Learn the basics Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core Gentle back bends inversions and arm balancing introduced For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Belly Dancing with Alessandra- 600-700pm This class will help you tone your body while bringing out

all of your beauty from within good soul therapy Recommended to all ladies Dress comfortably and get ready to shimmy Walk-inrsquos welcome Register at TheBodyCenterus or The Body Center 650 Riley St Holland 616-834-2596

Donation Yoga- 700-815pm Friday Night Lite with Diana - This class invites you to explore the space within and connect with the beauty inside Celebrate the joy of movement with Yoga All lev-els welcome Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

saturdayMixed Level Yoga- 900-1000am Beginning and continuing students welcome at this class taught by Kat McKinney at Grand Rapids first yoga studio $12class The Yoga Studio 955 Cherry SE Grand Rapids 616-776-0836

Donation Yoga- 1000-1115am Seva Yoga - come move play and explore All levels of student wel-come to this special donation based class offering Suggested $12 donation Seva Yoga Studio 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220 East Grand Rapids 616-458-2541

Tai Chi Classes- 1000-1100am Also 1130am-1230pm Tai Chi can help relieve chronic pain improve balance and coordination and tone muscles Good for anyone regardless of age or abilities $50 for 8 session punch card Metro Health 2122 Health Dr Wyoming 616-252-7341

Yoga-Beginning ndash 900am This is where you start Learn the basic poses strengthen breath awareness and relax Focus on awareness and strengthening the core Modifications made for those with limitations For more information visit SmilingLotusYogacom or call Smiling Lotus Yoga 103 E Ludington Ave Ludington 231-852-0849

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 900-1015am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman ndash 1030-1145am Drop-ins welcome Visit WhiteRiverYogacom for more information Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio 8724 Ferry St Montague 231-740-6662

Need agood cleanser

Use plain yogurt The lactic acid and beneficial

enzymes help cleanse the skin Do a double wash

for added benefit The first time removes topical dirt and oils the second time

gets deeper into the pores ~Tracy Morales Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa

and Holistic Skin Care

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 37: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

37NaturalWestMichigancom

EMPLOYMENTOPPORTUNITIESAd Sales Consultants ndash Natural Awak-enings is now accepting resumes for full commission advertising consultants in select lakeshore and Grand Rapids ter-ritories Strong organizational skills sales and computerdatabase experi-ence Wersquore positive people looking for positive associates Flexible schedule with great earning potential Email cover letter and resume to publishernaturalwestmichigancom

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofwest micHiGANKirsten Stanton Dipl Ac3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids MI 49525616-855-7718wwwwmAcupuncturecom

Offering Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health Visit our web site for more information See ad page 21

sAmir rAJANi mdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S Washington Ste 130 Holland 616-396-1907wwwmmpccom

Medical acupuncture can be an effective treatment for many chronic conditions including pain fatigue depression and anxiety Samir Rajani MD is certified in medical acupuncture and practices at mmpc Internal Medicine

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue incNancy Despres RN MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids MI 49534616-453-4215wwwOutofTheBlueIncnet

Out of The Blue help others find alternative ways for achieving optimal health through the use of homeopathy enzyme therapy and nutritional supplements Ask about our Guaranteed Weight Loss Supplements

ART THERAPY ART PLAYmArY dAwsoN JAcKsoN ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon NE Grand Rapids616-949-6234marydawsondesignearthlinknet

You do not need to be an artist to access your soulrsquos innate creativity spontaneity and child like wonder through paint and pastels Sessions starting every 6 weeks Call for times and prices

thenaturaldirectoryconnecting you to the leaders in natural health and green living in West Michigan To find out how you can be included in The Natural Directory log-on to wwwNaturalWestMichigancomadvertising

BODYWORK

wHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic amp LaStone Massage Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner and a Certified Reflexologist See ad page 18

BOOKSTOREiNdiGorsquos ANd mYsticrsquos BooKeXcHANGe amp more4485 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids616-447-8298wwwIambemorecom

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth spirituality music handcrafted book accessories and other gift items There are also book groups classes amp seminars held monthly See ad page 30

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAmic fAmilY cHiroPrActicDr Ronson Dykstra amp Dr Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive Grandville616-531-6050

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

cleANiNG serviceNAturAl Home cleANiNG service llcEffective Environmentally Friendly Results Sherri Geysbeek616-887-1504

Residential and Commercial Green Cleaning Bonded and Insured Serving all of West Michigan

I am 66and not on any medication My

doctor wanted to put me on meds to lower my choles-

terol I went to the health food store

and bought 3 items Red Yeast Rice

ndash 600 mgCoQ10ndash 100 mgNiacinndash 500 mg

(get the ldquoflush freerdquo kindso you donrsquot get a reaction)I took one of each

twice a day and low-ered my cholesterol almost 50 points in 4

months from 281 down to 232 I now take one

of each every other day to maintain

~Valerie Johnstonndash Lowell Michigan

Tip

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 38: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

38 October 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D Manning CNCreg Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant ndash member AANC MI-CNHP NPA Nutritional counseling weight loss sports nutrition senior discounts Available for seminarslectures Select high quality vitamins and supplements

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852wwwHealthHuttnet

Natural amp organic foods vitamins amp herbs sports nutrition gluten free foods books natural body care and more Open 7 days a week See ad page 18

NAturersquos mArKet1013 S Washington Holland 616-394-5250 wwwNaturesMarketHollandcom

Full service natural food store with all naturalorganic deli Offering organic and natural groceries Gluten-free products Organic and local produce Supplements and natural body care products See ad page 12

utoPiAN mArKetPlAce8832 Water St Montague231-894-9530wwwUtopianMarketplacecom

Our friendly knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience We have a large selection of gluten-free foods clothing jewelry herbs supplements local foods gifts and more Open Mic events every month See ad page 15

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

Naturopathic Holistic Practitioners Licensed Physician Assistant Certified Natural Health Professionals Private consultations Counseling amp Classes Blood typing acupressure emotional release iridology homeopathy and more See ad page 11

coloN HYdrotHerAPYtHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Gentle effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption Get relief from bloating and constipation fatigue and arthritis pain Warm secure environment wwwTheBodyCenterus See ad page 21

triciA e GosliNGHolistic Care Approach3368 Beltline Ct NEGrand Rapids616-481-9074

Offering an advanced client-centered dimension of colonics gentle safe and effective Eliminate toxins and enhance well-being 13 years of experience Also offering Quantum Biofeedback sessions

couNseliNG

Holistic couNseliNG servicesDeborah Jandle LMSW346 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-862-3296wwwDeborahJandlecom

Providing services that emphasize balance in mind body and spirit in order to improve problems related to mental health family issues or addictions Insurance accepted including Priority Health

JANice de lANGe PHd1514 Wealthy St SE Grand Rapids616-451-3008JDelange06yahoocom

A mind-body-spirit approach for trauma and abuse recovery PTSD low sense of self-worth panic amp phobias anxiety depression relationships EMDR amp Energy interventions

PriscillA sANders The Body Center650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-836-1819 wwwLearnToStressLesscom

Licensed clinical master social worker specializing in stress management Workshops are offered at ldquoLearn To Stress Lessrdquo on site at the Body Center Studio Workshops focus on learning about and experiencing modalities that create relaxation and relieve stress

deNtistrY HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH amp wellNess ceNterDr Kevin P Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids616-974-4990wwwFloodTheDentistcom

Comprehensive Holistic Dental Services ndash Amalgam Removal amp Replacement Bio-Compatible metal-free materials Low-Dose Digital X-Rays Gentle Anesthesia See ad page 40

educAtioN clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794wwwNaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbornetwwwGaiaHerbalStudiesnet

Diploma programs and individual classes Naturopathy Massage Herbal Medicine Energy Medicine Dietary Healing On site lodging is available Beginning October 2009

eNerGY HeAliNGAmA deusregBeth Cosmos Grand Rapids 616-648-3354 wwwAma-Deusenergycom

Ama Deus healing energy method is a hand mediated technique aligned with love The energy helps to enhance onersquos own and others growth and awareness or physical and emotional healing See ad page 29

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClara Vander Zouwen616-698-6148wwwNaturalHealth4Todaycom

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils MASAJI whole food drink Organic meal replacement shakes Mineral make-up Services Ionic detoxing foot baths Physical and Emotional balancing biofeedback readings See ad page 9

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe wellNess forumSue Scharf Director830 Forest Hill Ave Grand Rapids616-942-7907wwwWellnessForumcom

An international organization committed to health and wellness through education Learn to make a healthy lifestyle easier through classes workshops and cooking demos

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

KiNesioloGYwHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services llcBarbara Zvirzdinis WK CMT616-581-3885wwwWKHealthServicescom

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

family informed active participation and lending dignity to women through their birthing experience

full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

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edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 39: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

39NaturalWestMichigancom

HomeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S Lincoln Ave Lakeview989-352-6500wwwTheHealingCenterOfLakeviewcom

A Physician assistant since 1976 specializing in naturopathic and homeopathic care Also certified Silva Method instructor See ad page 11

HYPNotHerAPYBranden wilson BAs cHt cPNlPCertified HypnotherapistAmerican Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP Society of NLP616-560-1482brandenwilsongmailcom

Your phobia gone in an hour or less or its FREE Eliminate unwanted habits and compulsions Resolve inner conflicts change your limiting beliefs and achieve your goals Transform guilt shame and grief

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Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist Certified Massage Therapist Reconnection Healing Practitioner Certified Herbalist Certified Acutonics Practitioner Certified Reflexologist Specializing in muscle testing massage energy medicine nutritional counseling lectures and classes See ad page 18

mAssAGetHe BodY ceNter-HollANdMarcy Clark CMMT CCHT650 Riley Street Ste AHolland MI 49424616-834-2596

Deep compression techniques are used in Ahiastusu Bar Therapy an ancient ayurvedic practice of foot pressure massage One of

several professional massage modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland 616-834-2596 TheBodyCenterus See ad page 2

midwiferYBirtH soNG midwiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144wwwBirthSongGRcom

Homebirth services since 1982 Committed to facilitating natural birth bonding strengthening the

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full circle midwiferYservice iNcPatrice Bobier CM CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 wwwFullCircleMidwiferycom

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth Over 1200 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

Home BirtH PArtNers llcSusan Wente CNM Dr PH231-652-3247wwwHomeBirthworkscomThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience ndash over 3000 births attended Providing pre-natal home birth and postpartum care Gynecological and Doula services available

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland 616-392-1138wwwReikiHauscomOffering quality Reiki classes amp treatments at affordable prices Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher amp Gendai Reiki Shihan All levels Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden Learn pure Japanese Reiki

sAloNAestHeticA imAGe GrouPSally Ann Loew2312 28th St SE Ste CGrand Rapids MI 49508616-299-1796

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

that uses only certified organic ingredients contains absolutely no ammonia yet still produces vibrant color while avoiding the itchy scalp and the toxic odors

sKiN cAretrAcYrsquos fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre7610 Cottonwood Dr Ste 107 Jenison MI 49428616-667-9690 or 616-204-3402wwwTracysFacescom

Tracyrsquos Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care amp hair removal from head to toe We offer Dermalogica amp Elina Elite product linesSee ad page 15

sustAiNABledesiGN ceNter

edeN eNviroNmeNtsDenise Hopkins AIA LEED AP5747 28th St SE Grand Rapids 616-956-5000wwwEdenEnvironmentscom

Enrich your home and work environment with beautiful and healthy design and products Make us your personal green experts to

create your very own Eden See ad page 6

40 October 2009

Page 40: Natural Awakenings Magazine October 2009

40 October 2009