natural awakenings march 2014

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March 2014 | South Jersey Edition | nasouthjersey.com FREE HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET feel good • live simply • laugh more FRESH FOOD TRENDS Natural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating GLUTEN-FREE ON THE GO Tips for Eating Away from Home BACKYARD AQUAPONICS Homegrown Fish and Veggies

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H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

FREE

H E A L T H Y

P L A N E T

feel good live simply laugh more

BACKYARD FRESH FOOD GLUTEN-FREEAQUAPONICS TRENDS ON THE GOHomegrown Fishand Veggies

Natural Trailblazersin Sustainable Eating

Tips for EatingAway from Home

March 2014 | South Jersey Edition | nasouthjersey.com

Fitness is morefun with friends.join in March and receive a

FREE personal trainingsession for you and a friendFriend does not have to be a member. Session is 30 minutes.

1 membership, 3 locationsVoorhees

The William G. Rohrer Center for HealthFitness 2309EveshamRd.856-325-5300

Sewell

The Center for HealthFitness Washington Township 239 Hurffville Crosskeys Rd., Ste. 100856-341-8111

Moorestown The Center for HealthFitness Moorestown 401YoungAve.856-291-8800

Passionate aboutYour Total Wellness

PSteven Horvitz, D.O.Board CertifiedFamily Practice

revention is the hallmark of goodhealthcare. As your proactive partner in health,I am devoted to helping you and your family stayhealthy. At The Institute for Medical Wellness, weintegrate traditional family care with holistic andcomplementary medicine to treat the whole personfor a healthy heart, mind and body. Our balanced,caring approach empowers you to tap into yourbodys natural ability to heal by addressing the rootcause of illness not just medicating symptoms.

We offer: Convenient, Same and Next dayappointments Compassionate, supportive,non-rushed Oce Visits Nutrition and Supplement Counseling Paleo Diet and Lifestyle Counseling Massage Therapy Network of private medical and holistichealth professionals

Services and Testing:

Food Sensitivity Testing Specialized Vascular PreventativeTesting VAP, Heart Scan Micronutrient Testing Alpha-stim for anxiety, depressionand insomnia Telomere Testing Omega-3 Testing Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) forautoimmune disease and theprevention of recurring cancers

Special interests in the Treatment of Inflammatory and Autoimmune diseases such as MS, Crohns, UlcerativeColitis, Thyroid Disease and more.

Affordable,Annual WellnessPlan Optionsfor every budget.

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South Jersey

856-231-0590 drhorvitz.com

Moorestown Office Center, 110 Marter Avenue, Suite 408, Moorestown, NJ 08057nasouthjersey.com

contents5 newsbriefs

10

1 0 healthbriefs

1 2 globalbriefs

20 consciousliving

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23 naturalways28 greenliving

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, morebalanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edgeinformation on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personalgrowth, green living, creative expression and the productsand services that support a healthy lifestyle.

16FRESH FOOD TRENDSNatural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating

16

by Melinda Hemmelgarn

19TWEET THOSE

FITNESS GOALS30 community Online Friends Help

spotlight

34 consciouseating35 greenalert36 inspiration

36

36 calendar

4 1 resourceguide

advertising & submissionshow to advertiseTo advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a mediakit, please contact us at 856-546-0945 or email [email protected]. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.Editorial submissionsEmail articles, news items and ideas to:[email protected]. Deadline for editorial:the 7th of the month.calendar submissionsEmail Calendar Events to: [email protected] for calendar: the 10th of the month.regional marketsAdvertise your products or services in multiple markets!Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growingfranchised family of locally owned magazines servingcommunities since 1994. To place your ad in othermarkets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunitiescall 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Us Stay on Track by Tamara Grand

22FROM WHY ME?

22

TO THANK YOU! Wayne Dyer on the Value of Hard Lessons by Linda Sechrist

24DOG SCOUTSOF AMERICA

Dog Troops Also Earn Badges and Go to Camp by Sandra Murphy

26POWERHOUSE HERBS

26

Four Backyard Plants Protect Against Diseaseby Kathleen Barnes

32ACTION PLAN

FOR PARENTS

Seven Signs of Food Sensitivities by Pamela Bond

36GARDENING AS

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Cycles of Growth Cultivate Our Divinity

32

by April Thompson

nasouthjersey.comnatural awakenings

March 2014

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letterfrompublisher

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contact usPublisher/EditorDon Moore306 7th Ave.Haddon Heights, NJ 08035Phone: 856-546-0945Fax: [email protected]

Assistant EditorsLinda SechristS. Alison ChabonaisDesign & ProductionKent ConstableStephen BlancettCreative DirectorMarilyn EppoliteMulti-Market Advertising239-449-8309 2012 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.Although some parts of this publication may bereproduced and reprinted, we require that priorpermission be obtained in writing.Natural Awakenings is a free publicationdistributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health andeducation centers, healing centers, public librariesand wherever free publications are generally seen.Please call to find a location near you or if you wouldlike copies placed at your business.We do not necessarily endorse the viewsexpressed in the articles and advertisements, norare we responsible for the products and servicesadvertised. We welcome your ideas, articles andfeedback.

arch, they say, comes in like a lion andgoes out like a lamb. Im not sure theold clich still applies given climatechanges. Still, my youngest son, Matthew, isgearing up with a catalog of heirloom seeds anticipating the vernal equinox and the first day ofspring. As always, I look forward to seeing whathe plants. I particularly want to help expand thisyears herb garden. There is no comparison to therush of harvesting homegrown veggies and thencollecting a bouquet of fresh herbs to accent thewholesome bounty. The fragrances alone producefeel-good endorphins as you snip off the branches.Eating healthfully is a choice we all have the opportunity to make severaltimes a day. We are endlessly bombarded with marketing messages pushingus toward processed convenience foods. Todays hurried lifestyles have longsupported the growth of the high-calorie, low-nutrition takeout food industriesin ways unprecedented in human history. Plus most are doused in chemicalpreservatives and other unhealthy additives. Who else has noticed that the frozen prepared foods section of the supermarket has spread to both sides of theaisle? It makes me flinch; its a worrying sign of our times that not in our bestinterests. Like me, you may have noticed how hard is it to find healthy optionsclose by when eating on the run.I remember watching local whole foods expert Christina Pirello about 20years ago when she first started her PBS show Christina Cooks, still on the airtoday. Cooking live organic foods based her show as well as her personalsurvival after being diagnosed with cancer. Her repeated lessonthat you getback the energy you put into preparing your food has stuck with me throughthe years. I dont see how its possible that we can receive that loving reciprocal energy when machines have done all the work. How many cooks otherthan family put love into every dish?Melinda Hemmelgarns feature article, Fresh Food Trends, on page 16,shares a hopeful glimpse of top food trends that support the health of peopleand the planet. More Americans are becoming aware of the vital importanceof eating healthy food and knowing where it comes from.The onslaught of adult diseases in our children sounds an alarmingwakeup call to us all (see Healthy Kids department, page 32). Geneticallymodified organism (GMO) crops and processed foods continue to gain groundat industrial farms and manufacturers and researchers believe such factorsmay be contributing to the rise in food sensitivities, with culprits ranging fromsynthetic additives like partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors and flavorsto artificial sweeteners.We all need to become nutritional detectives to rid our bodies of troublesome ingredients. Better understanding of the rights and wrongs of currentfood production will ultimately be a good thing for society. Every enlightenedconsciousness helps lead the way.To growing your own goodness,

SUBSCRIPTIONSSubscribe online to receive FREE monthlydigital magazine at nasouthjersey.com

Don Moore, Publisher

Natural Awakeningsis printed on recyclednewsprint with soybased ink.

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newsbriefsReiki and Counseling in Mount Laurel

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otus Guidance & Consultations, LLC, has opened a newoffice at 3804 Church Road, in Mount Laurel. Owned byMargaret Lafontant, the holistic privatepractice provides therapeutic Reiki andcounseling services for personal wellness,trauma and addictions.Counseling sessions at Lotus Guidance take a fresh approach by integratingtalk therapy with Reiki, a Japanese healing technique based on the idea that theuniversal healing energy can be transferredthrough the hands.Most of us have experienced pain atsome point in our lives that has affected our thoughts, moodand behavior in a negative way, comments Lafontant, a certified Reiki master and trained counselor with more than 11 yearsof experience. She holds a Master of Science degree in psychology and research and is currently a counseling psychologyPh.D. candidate. In the worst of cases, chronic pain can leadto depression, immobility and drug addiction. I want people tobecome aware that emotional issues and stress can manifest inthe body as chronic back pain, skin conditions and even fibromyalgia. Combining Reiki and counseling creates a synergeticbalance of mind and body that provides optimal healing.In addition to client visits, Lotus Guidance & Consultationsalso hosts workshops and seminars open to the community.

Wellness Services for Natural BalanceSpecialists in Thermography for Breast Health andComplex Regional Pain SyndromeNutrition CounselingStress ManagementWeight LossThermographyBiopunctureSmoking CessationReikiInfrared Detox Sauna

Philip Getson, D.O.Liesha Getson, BCTT100 Brick Road, Suite 206 Marlton, NJ 08053

(856) 596-5834www.HealthThroughAwareness.comMention this ad. Receive a $25 discount on your Thermogram.

For more information, 856-313-5686 or visit ReikiBodyMindSpirit.com.

Developing a Fit to Defend Mindset

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uarte Monteiro, a certified self-defense instructor and functional strength training coach with more than 30 years ofexperience, and his wife Kristen Monteirowill lead a Fit2Defend workshop at thenew Zen Martial Arts & Fitness studio, inSewell, at 9 a.m., each Saturday, beginning in March. The workshop providesuseful and purposeful knowledge that enables females to feel more confident abouttheir day-to-day personal safety whileimproving their overall physical fitness.From practical and easy-to-learnself-defense techniques to the latest on deep breathing exercises,these comprehensive, female-focused classes teach an array oftopics intended to further educate, empower and enlighten allparticipants. The instruction offers safe, functional conditioningroutines to increase core strength and improve healthy lifestyles.Location: 195 Center St., in Sewell. For registration andmore information, email [email protected] or visitZenMartialFit.com.natural awakenings

March 2014

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newsbriefsCourse on Homeopathy forPharmacists

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he Center for Education and Development of ClinicalHomeopathy is holding a course for U.S. pharmacistsand pharmacy technicians over two weekends, March 22 and 23and April 27 and 28, atthe New York Seminarand Conference Center,in New York City, NewYork. This practical, application-based, 30-hourcourse covers a varietyof topics on homeopathycurrent with the existingcontinuing educationprograms designed for physicians, physicians assistants,nurse practitioners, osteopathic doctors and midwives.Classes are limited to 40 students to preserve the qualityof interactivity and learning.The course is led by faculty member Dr. Gary Kracoff,a registered pharmacist with a doctorate in naturopathicmedicine practicing at Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center, in Waltham, Massachusetts. Attendees willparticipate in lectures, group interactions, games androle-playing.These programs are designed to address the lack ofquality information available to pharmacists and to educate them and their staff in acute care homeopathy, so thatthey can pass the information along to the general public, says Kracoff, an educator at the Academy of Integrative Medicine who frequently lectures at pharmacological,medical and health-oriented conferences.Location: 23rd St. Chelsea Center, 71 W. 23rd St., Ste. 515,New York. To register, visit cedhusa.org/pharmacist-training.For more information, call 866-550-2334 or visit [email protected].

Bliss Body Wellness CenterCelebrates InauguralAnniversary

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liss Body Wellness Center celebrates the inauguralanniversary of its opening, from noon to 5 p.m., March15, with special events. In the studio,attendees will find free classes inbelly dancing and yoga, as well as afree group healing session led by theowner, Lisa OBrien, and free lecturesby other practitioners. Next door inthe wellness center, participants canschedule appointments for discounted sessions of ayurvedicand chair massages, sound healing, soft tissue release, andchirology (hand analysis).In 2009, Bliss Body Studio opened its doors in Collingswood, offering yoga, drumming, meditation and all typesof personal growth classes. With the support of the community and great teachers and speakers, OBrien expanded in2013 to create Bliss Body Wellness Center to provide privatesessions of various types of massage, Reiki, sound healing,chirology, Light Grids healing and naprapathy.Location: 614-616 Collings Ave.,Collingswood, NJ 08107. For freestudio sessions, preregistration is requested because space is limited;walk-ins are welcome, but a spot cannot be guaranteed. DiscountedWellness Center sessions are by appointment only. For preregistrationand more information, call 856-261-0554 or visit BlissBodyNJ.com.

Zen Center Workshop onSustainable and FulfillingRelationships

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eijaku Roshi, the abbot of Jizo-an Monastery and Pine WindZen Center, will lead a seminar, The Zen of Creating Sustainable and Fulfilling Relationships, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March22, at the Moorestown Friends School and Meetinghouse.Intended to inspire and empower anyone, whether single ormarried, in love or out of love, the workshop explores how to

/RYH:RUNVCreating Sustainable &Fulfilling RelationshipsWe are hardwired for Loving, Fulfilling and Sustainable Relationships.Your task is not to go Searching for Love, but to discover anddismantle all the mental and emotional barriers whichprevent you from Experiencing it Here & Now.Awaken Your Power to Love & Be Loved!Come and Discover the Zen of Creating Sustainable & Fulfilling Relationships

Saturday March 22, 2014 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM $75

Friends Meeting House 118 E. Main Street Moorestown NJ 08057

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You are one of a kind and unique.Never forget that.~Richard Simmons

apply the simple laws of love to all our relationships. Relevanttopics include common myths and misunderstandings aboutlove and loving relationships, as well as how to know, reclaimand continually enjoy being in love. Even parents will gainsomething from the discussion.Contrary to modern opinion, loving and fulfilling relationships are sustainable, comments Roshi. Only our confused expectations and the myths which our society and culture lead usto believe about love have the power to undermine the possibilities relationships offer us. We will dismantle the various formsof fictitious love and examine how they differ from actual love.We will also explore how our childhood conditioning informsand defines for us the kind of relationships our stories permitsus to have. When we learn to approach relationships as spiritualpractice and allow ourselves and others to be truly known, thenlove is in the very air we breathe, and fulfilling relationships thatbring openness, joy and change become possible.Cost: $75 (donation). Location: 118 E. Main St., Moorestown.For preregistration (required) and more information, visitPineWind.org.

Brighter Days, Healthy Living forElderly Loved Ones

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lients of Brighter Days Senior Care, in Bellmawr, enjoymore active, alert and happy lives thanks to a comprehensive care system that includesmental stimulation, physicalactivity and an emphasis onproper nutrition, health andsafety. Instead of harsh chemicalcleaners that can adversely affectthe health of seniors, environmentally friendly products, such asvinegar and water, are used toabsorb odors and disinfect.Our goal is to keep yourloved one healthy, happy andsafe, says Donna Mandracchia,owner of Brighter Days Senior Care, where detailed mentalactivity programs are developed around the clients needs

1 Year Anniversary of Wellness Center!Join us March 15th, 12-5pm forFREE - Belly Dance Class, Yoga Class, Lectures and more!~Call to Pre-Register!~

and interests to keep them engaged and active. There isalways something that gets them juiced about life, aboutliving. We can inspire movement to a favorite song, engagedeep breathing exercises or teach simple yoga movementsto bring balance back to the body. We are more than justmedication reminders, passive company and housekeeping.We encourage and entice healthy living.For more information, call 856-816-4912, email [email protected] or visit BrighterDaysCare.com.

Halo Wellness Center andHimalayan Salt Room Opens

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alo Wellness Center celebrates its grand opening inMarlton in March. The center, at 968 Rte. 73 South,will be home to the only Himalayan salt room in SouthJersey. According toits proponents, salttherapy, also knownas halotherapy(derived from theGreek word halos,meaning salt) hasbeen used sinceancient times totreat a variety ofailments and mayparticularly benefit those suffering from respiratory ailments such as allergies and asthma, as well as skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.The Halo Wellness Centers designfrom the 10-foothigh living plant wall, which naturally purifies the air, tothe soft sounds of carefully selected music and the gentleeffects of aromatherapyis intended to induce a state ofrelaxation. Other holistic services available comprise massage therapy, health coaching, yoga and infrared sauna. Alltreatments can be personalized to meet individual clientsneeds and preferences.For more information, call 856-574-4433 or visitElevateYourHealth.com.

New Age Boutique

Yoga & MeditationDrummingReiki & MassageLaughter TherapyShiatsu & ReflexologySound & Energy HealingChirology (Hand Analysis)

Bliss Body Studio & Wellness Center614-616 Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08107

856.261.0554

www.blissbodynj.com

VISIT OUR NEW ONLINE STORE!http://shop.the-crystal-tree.comContact us to Learn More ~ [email protected] awakenings

March 2014

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newsbriefsProgram Helps Transition AfterSignificant Loss or Change

Yoga Therapist Teaches Vedic Chanting and Yoga atTemenos Center

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he Afterwards Program is an innovative, eight-week programthat blends therapy and life coaching for individuals that areone to five years out from a major loss or life transition such asdivorce, illness, loss of a job or a loved one, etc. Registration hasbegun for the April 10 through June 5 session. Each two-hour,highly interactive weekly workshop runs from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.and includes group coaching, self-exploration, sharing andindividual exercises designed to guide participants toward reclaiming and recreating their lives, purposefully and deliberately. Participants also receive one half hour of private, one-to-onecoaching to address their unique needs and situations.The Afterwards Program was developed by licensedclinical social worker and therapist Patricia Obst and certified life coach Sharon Roth-Lichtenfeld to address the lack ofspecialized resources available to help people get unstuckafter the first year and emotionally transition toward the nextchapter of their lives. The program provides a critical bridgebetween needing therapeutic support and gaining the skillsand ability to flourish. It helps individuals to take intentionalsteps to honor their losses by integrating them into their livesin a positive, life-affirming way so that they can move on.

oga therapist Linda Cope now offers individual yoga therapy sessions and group yoga classes at Temenos Center, inMoorestown. In addition, she teachesVedic chanting, sutra chanting andmeditation. Her Wednesday morningVedic chanting class and an afternoongroup yoga class begin in March.As a student of Dr. BishambharSharan, a retired professor of education for Benares Hindu University,Cope was introduced to asana, pranayama and meditation, particularlyemphasizing ones relationship to others and oneself, known asyama and niyama. Through her mentor, Dolphi Wertenbaker,M.D., she met T.K.V. Desikachar and studied therapeutic yoga inIndia at his clinic in Chennai. There, she observed that teachersused yoga as a complementary modality, designing unique practices and treating each person according to their individuality andwholeness. After completing four years as a student of Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation (KHYF) and two month-longinternships at Desikachars clinic, Cope was certified as a yogateacher and therapist.

For pre-registration (required) and more information, call 856270-2308 or 856-905-9343 or visit AfterwardsProgram.com.

Location: 720 E. Main St., #1A, Moorestown. For more information,call 856-722-9043 or email [email protected].

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Whole BodyD E N T I S T R Y

Experience the Difference ofBiological DentistryBiological dentists are concerned with the impactthat toxic materials have on the entire body.General and Cosmetic DentistryBiocompatible Materials TestingSafe Mercury RemovalTMJ and Chronic Headache-Facial Pain TreatmentSleep Apnea- Snoring TherapyHomeopathic Approach to DentistryDoctor-Patient Partnership

Scott Silver, DMD(856) 854-4354

621 White Horse PikeHaddon TownshipNJ 08107

BiologicalDentistsofNJ.com8

South Jersey

nasouthjersey.com

Habitat for Humanity ofBurlington County Relocates

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ince 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington Countyhas built 42 homes throughout Burlington County and theReStore has helpedto keep thousandsof materials fromlandfills. The affiliate has outgrown itshome in Cinnaminson and will relocateto 530 Route 38, inEast Maple Shade,this spring. Before the move, the Burlington County affiliatehopes to raise $2.5 million dollars. A moving sale is scheduled from March 17 to March 22. The current BurlingtonCounty location, offices and ReStore, will close from March27 to 31. Its tentative grand opening in its new location isscheduled on April 4 and 5.Mitchell Davis, the owner of Davis Enterprise andHabitats 2013 Volunteer of the Year, has been instrumentalwith the process of obtaining the building as well as raisingthe funds needed to move. Davis, who is providing Habitatwith an affordable new building, comments, The stability of

a home helps people to thrive, communities to grow and thelocal economy to flourish. Habitat for Humanity is a part ofour community, and my family and I believe it is important tosupport them as they grow into their new building.Anyone interested in donating or contributing to the moveshould call 856-303-8080, extension 214 or email [email protected]. For more information, call 856-303-8080 orvisit HabitatBCNJ.org.

Saddlers Woods Childrens HikeTeaches Water Quality

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risten Kwasek, the director of education and communityoutreach for Saddlers Woods Conservation Association(SWCA), will lead a Water QualityHike for children ages 6 to 8, from2 to 3:30 p.m., March 29, inSaddlers Woods. Through interactive, experiential education, hikerswill learn the importance offreshwater ecosystems for thesurvival of all life and explore thefunction of the watershed and waysto conserve and protect it.Participants will have theopportunity to test the quality ofthe water in Saddlers Run. The testassesses the chemistry of the water and identifies the aquaticcreatures that reside in the stream. A parent or guardian mustaccompany each child.SWCA is a nonprofit dedicated to education, restoration,and research involving Saddlers Woods. SWCA strives topromote the natural and cultural resources unique to the25-acre urban forest through programs, tours, hands-on restoration and field studies. Managed by a volunteer board ofdirectors, the organization achieves its goals through grantsand collaborations with community groups.Cost: $5. Location: 250 MacArthur Blvd., HaddonTownship. For event information and preregistration(required; limited to 15 registrants), call 856-869-7372 oremail [email protected]. For other informationabout SWCA, visit SaddlersWoods.org.

Dancing on the SchuylkillCommunity Dance Workshop

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ancing on the Schuylkill is a community dance workshopfor adults led by choreographer Alie Vidich, the producingdirector of INVISIBLE RIVER, a dance and music performancethat celebrates the Schuylkill River and the ability of live performance to unite communities in a way unlike any other. Workshop participants will learn a dance,combining modern dance techniquesand improvisation, to be performed thissummer on an island in the middle of theSchuylkill River. Classes run from 6:30 to8 p.m., Tuesdays, March 25 to July 8, atChrist Church Neighborhood House inOld City.No previous dance experienceis necessary, but participants must beages 14 or over. Dress rehearsals are scheduled for July 10and 11, and performances are July 12 and 13.Vidich comments, We want the community to experience the unmatched joy and excitement of live performance.This is an amazing opportunity for anyone to perform inINVISIBLE RIVER.A video of last years performance may be viewed atVimeo.com/69507024.Cost: $250 for entire workshop (includes costume); canbe paid in installments; discounts available for students,seniors and artists. Workshop location: 20 N. American St.Registration closes March 18. For more information andregistration, visit AlieAndTheBrigade.org.Servicesand ClassesFocused onBalancingMind, Bodyand Spirit Hypnosis Intuitive Guidance Massage Meditation Reiki Book/Gift Shop Nutritional Counseling And More

Come by to browse, chat, or raise your energy!

43 South Main St., Medford, NJ 08055

njbalancewellness.com

609.975.8379

[email protected]

Reiki MasterJanice Gilpin

Practitioner ~ Teacher ~ HealingLocations; Medford ~ Cherry Hill ~ Westmont

Relieve Stress ~ Balance Energy ~ Spiritual ElevationCrystals ~ Etheric Weaver & Sound enhance your session.

clear-light-reiki.com

natural awakenings

609.304.9625March 2014

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healthbriefs

ChemicalsDIY Projects Keep Seniors Moving Harm Pets, TooTT

he British Journal of SportsMedicine reports that a generallyactive daily life that includes do-ityourself activities and projects likegardening and car maintenance cancut the risks of heart attacks andstrokes by as much as 30 percent andprolong life among adults 60 andover. These routine activities may beas beneficial as exercising for olderadults because they decrease totalsedentary time, the researchers say.Scientists in Stockholm, Sweden, tracked more than 4,000 men and women for an average of 12.5 years, starting at age 60. At the start of the study, regardless of exercise habits, high levelsof other physical activity were associated with smaller waists and lower levels ofpotentially harmful blood fats in both sexes, and lower levels of glucose, insulinand clotting factor levels in men.Those with higher levels of other physical activity were also significantly lesslikely to experience metabolic syndrome, a first cardiovascular disease event, andearly mortality from any cause. The same was true for individuals that undertookhigh levels of formal exercise, even if it wasnt routine. Participants that both exercised regularly and were often physically active in their daily life had the lowestrisk profile of all.

Coconut Oil Manages Cholesterol,Shrinks Waistlines

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educed physical activity and increased consumption of carbohydrates andsaturated fats fuel increased rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease and insulinresistance, plus abnormal lipid content in the blood. Although coconut oil is a saturated fat, its chemical composition appears to prevent it from generating negativeeffects on lipid profiles, according to a growing body of research.In an earlier study published in Lipids, women that exhibited abdominal obesityconsumed supplements of either coconut oil or soybean oil. Throughout the 12-weektrial, both groups followed the same weight-loss diet. At the end, the coconut oilgroup presented a higher level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), orprotective cholesterol, and smaller waistlines, while the soybean oilgroup showed lower HDL levels and an increase in total cholesteroland low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plus a less desirable LDL-to-HDLratio. In a later study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of ClinicalNutrition, consumption of coconut oil was again associated with abeneficial lipid profile in pre-menopausal women.Researchers that conducted a concurrent pilotstudy with male and female subjects found thatmen also experienced shrinking waistlines whensupplementing with coconut oil. They explainthat coconut oil contains mainly medium-chainfatty acids, which rapidly convert into energy,thereby circumventing the cycle that makescholesterol and stores fat (Pharmacology).

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he nationwide health epidemicof chronic diseases afflicting thehuman population is also showing upamong companion animals. According to a report by the EnvironmentalWorking Group, pets, like a canary ina coal mine, may be the environmental sentinels that are now signalinga clear connection between diseaseand manmade chemicals.In a study that analyzed bloodsamples of dogs and cats, 48 of 70industrial chemicals and pollutantswere traced, many recording levelsthat were substantially higher thanpreviously reported in national studiesof humans. Dogs displayed double theconcentration of perfluorochemicals(used in stain-proof and grease-proofcoatings); cats evidenced 23 timesthe concentration of polybrominateddiphenyl ether (PBDE) fire retardantsand 5.4 times the amount of mercury.PBDE levels in hyperthyroid cats havebeen linked to eating canned cat foodand to the increased use of PBDEs inconsumer products during the past30 years. In humans, high levels offlame-retardant chemicals are implicated in endocrine disruption, Type 2diabetes and thyroid disease.Suggestions for minimizing exposure include avoiding chemical-laden household cleaners, furnishings andcarpet; drinking carbon-filtered water;steering clear of food and beveragecontainers made from or lined withplastic (including cans); and eatingorganic produce and free-range meat.

Legumes Improve BloodSugar, Blood Pressure

Coming Next Month

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cup of beans a day may keep the doctor away. In arandomized trial published in the Archives of InternalMedicine of 121 participants diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, daily consumption of approximately one cup of legumes (peas and beans)was found to improve glycemic control and reduce systolic blood pressure andheart rate, thereby reducing participants calculated risk score for coronary heartdisease (CHD).Body weight, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose and triglyceridelevels also decreased on the legume diet. Legumes appear to make dietary carbohydrates digest more slowly and with a lower glycemic index, which has been associated with reduced hypertension and fewer CHD events in pre-diabetic individuals.

Vitamin E Hope for Cancer Care

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lusive anti-cancer elements of vitamin E, natural tocopherols,have been identified by researchers at Ohio State University as being able to deactivate an enzyme essential for cancercell survival.Although both alpha and gamma forms of natural tocopherols worked, the gamma was the most potent in shuttingdown the troublesome enzyme. Through manipulating thestructure of the gamma molecule, the scientists were able to createan agent 20 times more effective than the original vitamin. In mice, this agentreduced the size of prostate cancer tumors.Over-the-counter vitamin E supplements are limited because many use synthetic forms that do not contain the natural gamma tocopherols. The studys authors,led by Ching-Shih Chen, Ph.D., note that the human body cannot absorb the highdosages of natural vitamin E required to achieve the anti-cancer effect; their goal isto develop a safe pill that could be taken daily for cancer prevention.

Superfoods DefendAgainst Radiation

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wo superfoods show promise for protectingpeople from radiation damagecruciferousvegetables and miso, a food paste made fromfermented soybeans. Scientists have identifieda specific chemical byproduct, 3,3diindolylmethane (DIM), derived from the digestion ofcruciferous vegetables and especially concentrated in broccoli, that is responsiblefor the defensive effect. The source of misos beneficial properties needs furtherinvestigation, but appears to stem from the fermentation process.Research led by Gary Firestone, Ph.D., of the University of California-Berkley,and physician Eliot Rosen, Ph.D., of Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.,concluded that administering supplemental DIM before or immediately followinglethal levels of radiation exposure protected rats from immediate death. If clinicaltrials with humans are successful, the compound could be used to minimize acuteradiation sickness.A comprehensive research review published in the Journal of ToxicologicPathology lends credence to misos shielding power. Mice that ate miso a weekbefore irradiation appeared to be protected from radiation injury.

GreenLivingStarts atHomeLocal natural-healthand sustainabilityadvocates showus how.

To advertise orparticipate in ourApril edition, call

856-546-0945

natural awakenings

March 2014

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coverartist

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

Self-Sufficiency

Americas Best Community Garden Cities

Spring Still LifeSusan NovakInspiration for the cover image, SpringStill Life, struck suddenly when artistSusan Novak came home with somepansies to plantbut decided to paintthem first. We have long winters inthe Midwest, and when the flowerscome out, we know its really spring,says Novak. When the season hits,Ill go to the garden center and buy uppeonies, lilacs and impatiens to paintin my backyard.In addition to still life compositions,Novak enjoys painting figures, portraitsand landscapes, especially capturing theland around the rivers, lakes and farmsin Minnesota and Wisconsin.Novak studied art at the University of Northern Iowa and worked asa commercial illustrator and graphicdesigner for many years. Yet it wasntuntil later in her career that shediscovered oil painting while takingclasses at the Corcoran School of Art,in Washington, D.C.Novak likes to paint alla prima,an oil painting method in which multiple layers of paint are applied weton wet, enabling her to complete awork in a single session. Her painting,Morning in Prague, currently adorns theMinnesota governors mansion in herhometown of Minneapolis.View more of the artists work atSusanNovakFineArt.com.12

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We dont have to live in a rural area or even the suburbsto be a farmer these days. According to the Trust for PublicLand, the 10 best cities for homegrown veggies from urbangardens are Seattle, Washington (a P-Patch program provides 68 gardens for residents throughout the city); Portland, Oregon (its Produce for People program donates freshproduce to local hunger agencies); Long Beach, California(growing anything from sugar cane and lemongrass to sunflowers and tomatoes); St.Paul, Minnesota (17 community gardenshalf run by nonprofits and half open torent); Honolulu, Hawaii (1,254 plots for public use); San Jose, California (19 community gardens on 35 acres); Baltimore, Maryland (community gardens cover 11acres throughout the city); Washington, D.C. (a Master Peace Farm program tendsarea gardens and mentors budding veggie growers at an adjoining middle school);Anchorage, Alaska (a city goal is enabling residents to work together in harmony);and Louisville, Kentucky (Brightsides community garden program, established 19years ago, currently manages 10 of Louisvilles 16 gardens).These gardens not only extol the virtues of fresh, local and often organicfoods, they also bring communities together. Some produce food for those in need,others have youth programs and some have even been credited with reducinglocal crime rates. Many community gardens accept new members in the fall; visitacga.LocalHarvest.org to find one nearby and reserve a space.Source: TheDailyGreen.com

Homegrown Access

Creative Paths for Local Food SourcingEntrepreneurs are creating novel ways to circumventthe commercial food system that ships food, in or out ofseason, for hundreds or thousands of miles at the cost ofquality and too often, accountability. Re:farm Denver, inColorado, for example, supplies families with everythingthey need for backyard gardens, from irrigation systems toseeds. In 2013, 200 families participated.Cottage food laws allow artisans to sell breads, jams, candy and other foodsmade in home kitchens. While specific restrictions vary, 42 states have some type ofcottage law. Beth-Ann Betz, who bakes sweets in her New Hampshire kitchen, says,It gives me the option to be independent and self-employed at 66.At the Community Thanksgiving Potluck, in Laguna Beach, California, dinneris shared, not served. For 25 years, those with homes and without, single people,families, city council members and the jobless have gathered to share food andcommunity for the holiday. Its a wonderful chaos, says Dawn Price, executivedirector of the nonprofit Friendship Shelter.At Bottles Liquor, in West Oakland, California, a banner reads Fresh Fruitsand Vegetables Available Here. Bottles is a member of the Healthy NeighborhoodStore Alliance, an effort of the nonprofit Mandela Marketplace to bring pesticide-free produce to corner stores throughout the neighborhood.Source: Yes magazine

Farm Relief

Bonnie Hart,

Stress-Relief SpecialistEcopsychologist

FDA Wakens to Local NeedsSmall farms, farmers markets, local food processorsand community food banks have been given a reprieve,because on December 19, the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) decided to take a second look atproposed new laws that would have put many of themout of business. The new rules, proposed under the FoodSafety and Modernization Act (FSMA), came under firefrom consumers, farmers and others with voices thatwere heard.The FDA said its thinking has evolved, andsignificant changes will be needed in key provisionsof the two proposed rules affecting small and large farmers. These provisions includewater quality standards and testing, standards for using raw manure and compost,certain provisions affecting mixed-use facilities and procedures for withdrawing thequalified exemption for certain farms.Source: TheDailyGreen.com

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One-on-one counseling to unravel thefears and worries of the mindand move into the wisdom of the heart.Knowledgeable and Caring GuidanceBonnie is full of wisdom and kindness;I always feel better after talking with her.For Information on Counseling,Yoga, or Guided [email protected] Yoga Studio at Health GoalsCrispin Square, 230 N. Maple Ave.Marlton NJ 08053

Mercury Mystery

How Sinking Organic Matter Plagues FishUniversity of Michigan and University of Hawaiiresearchers claim to have solved a long-standing scientific mystery of how mercury gets intoopen-water fish. Based on their study findings,published in the journal Nature Geoscience, theyalso project that mercury levels in Pacific fish willrise in the coming years.The researchers discovered that up to80 percent of the toxic form of mercury,methylmercury, is generated deep in the ocean, most likely by bacteria attachedto sinking pieces of organic matter. Mercury found in Pacific fish near Hawaiilikely traveled thousands of miles through the air before being deposited in theocean, the team concludes, blaming industrial nations such as China and Indiathat rely on coal-burning power plants. TheU.S. Food and Drug Administrationnotesthatlarge fish have the highest levels of methylmercury because they livelonger and have more time to accumulate it.

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Portland on Tap

City Voters Reject Fluoridation AgainPortland, Oregon, residents have rejected a plan tofluoridate city water for the fourth time since 1956,making it the largest city (pop. 900,000) in the United States without fluoride in its water supply. In the1950s, cities throughout the U.S. championed waterfluoridation as a way of fighting tooth decay, but theeffort backfired when a condition called fluorosisemerged, which ironically is characterized by toothenamel discoloration and erosion.Anti-fluoride forces say that water treatment is notthe key to better dental health for children. FluorideAction Network Executive Director Paul Connett, Ph.D., has a better idea. Weurge the legalization of dental therapists in Oregon who will treat the low-incomechildren dentists refuse to treat.

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natural awakenings

March 2014

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globalbriefsLooming Law

International Pact Could Lower Food ProtectionsThe Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is the largest global tradepact to be negotiated since the inception of the World TradeOrganization. Many details remain a mystery and negotiations are beingconductedin secret. Leaked drafts of its provisions indicate that the TPP would give multinational corporationsthe power to sue countries, states, counties or cities in order to negate laws specifically designed to protect citizens, such as banson growing genetically modifiedorganisms (GMO). Corporations would be allowed to resolve trade disputes inspecial international tribunals, effectively wiping out hundreds of domestic andinternational food sovereignty laws.The TPP wouldrequirecountries to accept food that meets only the lowestsafety standards of the collective participants. If enacted, consumers could soon beeating imported seafood, beef or chicken products that dont meet basic U.S. foodsafety standards, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would be powerlessto stop imports of such unsafe foods or ingredients. Plus, the labeling of productsas fair trade, organic, country-of-origin, animal welfare-approved or GMO-freecould bechallengedas barriers to trade.Opposition has grown, thanks to petitions by members of the Organic ConsumersAssociation and other groups. More than 400 organizations, representing 15 millionAmericans, have petitionedCongress to do away with accelerated acceptance of themeasure without full debate.For more information, visit OrganicConsumers.org and search TPP.

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Vanishing Whales

Illegal Hunting Continues toDecimate SpeciesWhales are still being killed, despitean international ban on commercialwhaling. According to Greenpeace,many whale species are down toaround 1 percent of their estimatedformer abundance before the days ofcommercial whaling.Fourteen whaling nations came together in 1946 to form the InternationalWhaling Commission (IWC) to managewhale stocks and recommend huntinglimits where appropriate, but the continuing decline of populations forcedthe IWC to call for an outright ban onall commercial whaling in 1986. YetJapan, Norway and Iceland continue todefy the ban, each harvesting hundredsof whales every year.Several green groups, including theNatural Resources Development Council (NRDC), recently petitioned theU.S. government to take action againstIceland under the Pelly Amendmentto the Fishermans Protective Act. TheAmendment allows the president to impose trade sanctions against a countrythat is diminishing the effectiveness ofa conservation agreementin Icelandscase, the whaling moratorium and another international treaty that prohibitstrade in endangered species, writes theNRDC. The petition names several Icelandic firmsincluding major seafoodcompanies with ties to the countryswhaling industryas potential targetsfor trade sanctions.To learn more, visit iwcoffice.org,Greenpeace.org and nrdc.org.

ecotipHealthy Food at the Front DoorA growing trend is the ringing of a doorbell heralding thearrival of healthy food.In addition to the convenienceand time savings, having a grocery delivery van makeroundtrips to and from multiple customers doorstepsgenerates far less emissions than traditional shopping. Home deliveries of local and organic freshfruits and vegetables have customers clamoringfor more.After serving most of the New York metroarea for more than a decade, online grocerFreshDirect (FreshDirect.com) began deliveringin the Philadelphia metro area in October 2012and expanded to other parts of Pennsylvania, plusNew Jersey and Delaware, last fall.Our hyper-local, farm-to-fork food systems result in healthy relationships between consumers, food and farmers,says David McInerney, co-founder of FreshDirect. The company also supportshunger organizations and provides nutritional counseling.Planet Organics (PlanetOrganics.com) serves the San Francisco Bayarea.Beginning last fall, Instacart partnered with Trader Joes, Whole Foods andCostco to begin delivering food to homesin 13 neighborhoods inChicago.Beginning in Colorado, where its based, Door to Door Organics (DoorToDoorOrganics.com) now provides its service in Michigan, plus metro areasof Kansas City, Chicago and New York. Green BEAN Delivery (GreenBeanDelivery.com), based in Indianapolis, now also delivers organic and sustainablefoods in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Louisville and Lexington,Kentucky; and most recently, St. Louis, Missouri. Irv & Shellys Fresh Picks (FreshPicks.com) taps into 100-plus farmerswithin a days drive of its Niles, Illinois, center, to serve the Chicago andMilwaukee metro areas. Were able to concentrate on reaching people of allincomes and get deep into the communities, says co-owner Shelly Herman.The eight-year-old company also partners with community groups, food pantries and schools.Going a step further, other companies are delivering preparedhealthymeals. In one example, Power Supply (MyPowerSupply.com) recently partnered with Mindful Chef to foster this connection with 50 yoga and other fitness facilities, as well as other businesses in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

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Fresh Food TrendsNatural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eatingby Melinda Hemmelgarn

Food experts have listed local, regional and sustainable foods amongthe top food trends for 2014. Consumers heightened environmentalawareness and their love for fresh flavors are responsible.

T

heres even a new term, hyperlocal, to describe produce harvested fresh from onsite gardens atrestaurants, schools, supermarkets andhospitalsall designed for sourcingtasty, nutrient-rich foods minus the fuel-guzzling transportation costs. Addingemphasis to the need to preserve vitallocal food sources, the United Nationshas designated 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming.Here are four thriving food trendsresulting from shifts in Americansthinking and our growing love for allthings local.

Foraging

What could be more entertaining andeconomical than searching for and gathering wild foods in their natural habitat?From paw paws and persimmons in Missouri to palmetto berries in Florida andseaweed in California, Mother Natureprovides a feast at her childrens feet.Commonly foraged foods include nuts,16

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mushrooms, greens, herbs, fruits andeven shellfish. To learn how to identifyregional native wild foods and cash inon some free nutritious meals, foragersneed to know where and when to harvest their bounty. Conservation departments and state and national parks oftenoffer helpful field guides and recipes.Jill Nussinow, also known as TheVeggie Queen, a registered dietitianand cookbook author in Santa Rosa,California, characterizes foraging asnatures treasure hunt. Nussinow saysshe forages for the thrill of it and because, It puts you very much in touchwith the seasons.On her typical foraging excursionsthrough forests and on beaches, Nussinow notes, You never know what youmight find: mushrooms, berries, minerslettuce, mustard pods or sea vegetables.Its free food, there for the picking.However, she warns, You have toknow what you are doing. Some wildfoods can be harmful.

For example, Nussinow advisesgetting to know about mushrooms beforeventuring forth to pick them. She recommends the book Mushrooms Demystified,by David Arora, as a learning tool, andchecking with local mycological associations for safe mushroom identification.She also likes the advice of WildmanSteve Brill, of New York City, who publishes educational articles at WildmanSteveBrill.com. He knows more aboutwild foods than anyone I know, she says.Vermont wildcrafter Nova Kimteaches her students not only how toidentify wild edibles, but also how toharvest them sustainably. Its critical tomake sure wild foods will be availablefor future generations.

Fermentation

Kefir, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkrautall owe their unique flavors to fermentation. Sandor Katz, author of The Art ofFermentation: An In-Depth Exploration ofEssential Concepts and Processes FromAround the World, is a self-describedfermentation revivalist. He explainshow microorganisms, such as lactic acidbacteria that are universally present onraw vegetables and in milk, transformfresh food into preserved sustenance.Katz recalls how his boyhood lovefor sour pickles grew to an obsessionwith all things fermented. An abundant garden crop of cabbage left himwondering, What are we going to dowith all that cabbage? The answercame naturally: Lets make sauerkraut.Subsequently, Katz has become an international expert on the art and scienceof fermentation from wine to brine andbeyond, collecting recipes and wisdomfrom past generations (WildFermentation.com). He observes, Every single cultureenjoys fermented foods.Increasing respect and reverence forfermented foods and related communitiesof beneficial microorganisms is a newfrontier in nutrition and medical sciences.For example, several researchers at theAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting last fall in Houston, Texas,described the connections between thetrillions of bacteria living in the humangut, known as the microbiota, andmental and physical health. Kelly Tappenden, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition andgastrointestinal physiology with the Uni-

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gene expression; supporting the immunesystem; and affecting body weight andsusceptibility to chronic disease.

Feed Matters

The popular adage, We are what weeat, applies to animals, as well. Newresearch from Washington State University shows that organic whole milkfrom pasture-fed cows contains62percent higher levels of heart-healthyomega-3 fatty acids compared toconventional, or non-organic, wholemilk. The striking difference is ac-

7 Childrens nutrition 8 Non-wheat noodles/pasta

counted for by the fact that the U.S.Department of Agricultures nationalorganic program legally requires thatorganic cows have access to pasturethroughout the grazing season. Themore time cows spend on high-quality pasture, which includes grass,legumes and hay, the more beneficialthe fats will be in their milk. On theother hand, when ruminant animals,designed to graze on pasture, are feda steady diet of corn and soy, boththeir milk and meat contain less beneficial fat.

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According to Captain JosephHibbeln, a lipid biochemist and physician at the National Institutes of Health,American diets have become deficientin omega-3 fatty acids over the past 100years, largely because of industrial agriculture. Hibbeln believes that consumingmore omega-3s may be one of the mostimportant dietary changes Americans canmake to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health and enhancechildrens brain and eye development,including boosting their IQs.Coldwater fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines provide excellentsources of omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, dairyand meat from animals raised on pasturecan improve our intake, as well.

Faith

How might eating with the creationin mind influence food and agriculture trends? Barbara Ross, director ofsocial services for Catholic Charities ofCentral and Northern Missouri, believes, Peoples common denominatoris that we are all part of and integralto the creation. She considers howFood, agriculture, environment andeconomy are bound together in a waythat requires we think, plan and actfor the dignity of each person and thecommon good of the human family.Ross explains that the choices we makein these vital areas affect the richness ofour soils, the purity of our air and waterand the health of all living things.

Hyperlocal SuperstarsFood Corps is a national nonprofitwith a mission to improve schoolfood and thus childrens healthand lifelong potential. Active in15 states, it places teams of youngteachers in limited-resource communities to establish school gardens, provide food-based nutritioneducation and supplement schoolmeals with garden fresh produce.Visit FoodCorps.org.Marie George, Ph.D., a professorof philosophy at St. Johns University, inQueens, New York, agrees, The seriousecological crises we see today stemfrom the way we think, and reveal anurgent moral need for a new solidarityto be better stewards of the Earth and itscreatures. For example, George sees itas contrary to human dignity to causeanimals to suffer; thats why she opposes gestation crates and the push forcheap food that exploits animals andthe environment in the process.Kelly Moltzen, a registered dietitianin Bronx, New York, shares a passion foraddressing food justice and sustainability from her faith-based perspective ofFranciscan spirituality. She believes that,When we connect our spirituality withthe daily act of eating, we can eat in a waythat leads to a right relationship with ourCreator. By bridging spirituality with nutrition and the food system, Moltzen hopes

to raise awareness of how people can carefor their body as a temple and live in rightrelationship with the Earth, which sheperceives as the larger house of God.Fred Bahnson, director of the Food,Faith and Religious Leadership Initiativeat Wake Forest Universitys School ofDivinity, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the author of Soil and Sacrament:A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith.His book takes the reader on a journeyto four different faith communitiesCatholic, Protestant, Pentecostal andJewishto explore connections betweenspiritual nourishment and the cultivationof food. Bahnson speaks about sacredsoil and the communities of mysticalmicroorganisms that lie within andcreate the foundation for sustenance.He also describes the special power ofcommunal gardens, which welcome alland provide nourishing food, yet cometo satisfy more than physical hunger.Regardless of religious denomination, Amanda Archibald, a registereddietitian in Boulder, Colorado, believes,We are in a new era of foodone thatembraces and honors food producersand food systems that respect soil, environment and humanity itself.Melinda Hemmelgarn, aka the foodsleuth, is a registered dietitian andaward-winning writer and radio hostat KOPN.org, in Columbia, MO([email protected]). Sheadvocates for organic farmers atEnduring-Image.blogspot.com.

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fitbody

friends with similar health and fitnessgoals. Follow links to motivationalphotos, low-calorie recipes and athome workouts. Tweeting when feelingthe urge to eat virtually guarantees thatwell receive a helpful response in aminute or two. Twitter chats are also afabulous way to connect with an established and helpful healthy living tribe.

Tweet thoseFitness Goals

Pinterest

Online Friends HelpUs Stay on Track

A visual smorgasbord of clean-eatingrecipes, at-home workouts and inspirational photos keeps spirits up. Pinterestaccesses photos throughout the Internetthat we can grab and pin to a personal online vision board. Its also possibleto create a visual cookbook, pinningrecipes to, for example, clean eating,Paleo, pumpkin and oatmeal themedboards. Its fun to connect with ourfavorite healthy living peeps and startfollowing their boards for continuousinjections of inspiration and motivation.

byTamara Grand

Instagram

H

umans are inherently socialcreatures. Most of us enjoy thecompany of othersand spend much of our waking timeengaging in social interactions withcolleagues, friends and family. Peoplethat spend a lot of time together oftenadopt one anothers eating and exercisehabitssometimes for the better, butoften for the worse.At least one positive side to wishing to conform socially is unexpected.Finding the right circle of friendsourown personal support groupcanmake sticking to an exercise scheduleor diet easier. Its a key factor in thepopularity of organized weight-lossgroups and exercise classes.Studies published in the Journalof Consulting and Clinical Psychologyand the Journal of Obesity demonstratethat just having a weight-loss orfitnesssupport systemin place results in betteradherence to diet and exercise withmore pounds shed and kept off over thelong term. Researchers believe that in

addition to the motivation and accountability supporters provide, benefits arealso enhanced by learning through observing; changing our behavior throughwatching the actions and outcomes ofothers behavior.If we dont have physical access toa local support group, we can accessone online or create our own, using oneof the following social media platforms.

Facebook

The leading social networking website includes thousands of communityand group pages devoted to weightloss, exercise and healthy living. Itssearch function helps find one that fitsour needs. Make an introduction andjoin the discussion. Participating in aspecial challenge helps everyone staymotivated.

Twitter

Love to take photos using a smartphone?Instagram provides a platform for sharingsnippets of our day via pictures. Fitnessfans regularlyInstagram their mealsand workouts, in part to remain accountable to their online followers, but also tohelp motivate themselves and others tomake healthy choices each day.

YouTube

Our go-to resource for music videos isalso home to hundreds of healthy livingchannels. Want to follow someones100-pound weight-loss journey, learnhow to cookquinoa or follow alongwith free, at-home workout videos? Thisis the place. Watch, share and comment on a favorite YouTube video tobecome part of its online community.The key to using social media toimprove our health and fitness is inherentin the name. Its a friendly way to interact, participate and engage with others.

This micro-blogging site is informal andfast-paced, providing nearly instantaneous feedback. Use Twitter to identify

Tamara Grand, Ph.D., is a certifiedpersonal trainer and a group fitness andindoor cycling instructor in Port Moody,British Columbia, in Canada. Her newbook is Ultimate Booty Workouts. Shecontributes to Life.Gaiam.com andblogs at FitKnitChick.com.

natural awakenings

March 2014

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consciousliving

Senior Living Options

W

by Linda Sechrist

hile the prospect of aging is auniversal one that no one canavoid, the challenges and issuesinvolved with reaching the average overalllife expectancy of 79.8 years and beyondcan be planned for in advance. For example, the issues of aging in place, living arrangements, transportation, and companionship with individuals of similar age canbe investigated and decisions made longbefore they become necessary considerations. As Natural Awakenings discovered,the result of researching the numerousoptions available and planning ahead canprovide priceless peace of mind for seniorsand their family members.

Aging in PlaceMost adults prefer to age in place. Infact, 90 percent of adults over the ageof 65 report that they would prefer tostay in their current residence as theyage. Aging in Placethe ability to livein ones own home and communitysafely, independently, and comfortablyregardless of age, income or ability levelhas been growing in popularity. Theconcept is celebrated October 15 to 21during National Aging in Place Weekand is encouraged by the National Aging in Place Council, which promotesolder adults having a choice in theircare and living arrangements.With a national housing recoveryunder way, according to a new reportfrom the Joint Center for Housing Studiesat Harvard University, remodeling to agein place has become a trend. Severalitems to consider for this remodelingpurpose include an open floor plan with20

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more clear floor space for easier maneuvering; a master suite on the mainfloor so that upstairs becomes guest orflex space; fewer wall cabinets and moredrawer storage in the kitchen along withappliances at comfortable heights; andno-threshold showers in bathrooms.

In-Home CareFrom picking up prescriptions, takingseniors grocery shopping, or just beinga friend to sit with on the patio, Homewatch CareGivers is about sustainingand maintaining your loved ones quality of life in their home, says WendyPester, Homewatch CareGivers community relations liaison.Home care provides the flexibility of professional caregivers, whocan be in the home from two hours to24 hours. Services provided includehelping with personal care such asbathing, dressing, oral care, toileting,ambulation and transferring in and outof bed, running errands such as groceryshopping and picking up prescriptions,preparing meals, household choressuch as vacuuming or doing laundry aswell as providing medication remindersand companionship and meaningful activities so that a loved one is not alone.We provide services or individualsof all agesfrom pediatrics to seniorsbut what sets us apart from other homecare services is that we specialize in dementia care, which involves working withindividuals who have very challengingbehaviors. This is why we provide specialongoing training for our caregivers aswell as support, notes Pester.

Types of Independent Living Facilities and Retirement HomesIndependent living is any housingarrangement designed exclusively forseniors age 55 and over. Senior livingcan vary widely from apartment-styleliving and apartment complexes forlow-income seniors, subsidized by theU.S. Department of Housing and UrbanDevelopment, to separate and more luxurious housing as well as freestandinghomes. In general, this type of housing isoften more compact with easier navigation and no maintenance or yard workto worry about.

The Key DifferenceThe key difference between independent living and other housing options isthe level of assistance offered for dailyliving activities. Individuals who requireround-the-clock help with eating, dressing, and using the bathroom, or regular medical assistance, may be bettersuited to other housing options such asnursing homes with a medical staff.

Independent LivingResidents, who live independently, withlittle or no assistance needed with theactivities of daily living, often enjoyaccess to amenities such as daily meals,basic housekeeping and laundry servicesas well as amenities such as recreationcenters or clubhouses. In such sharedspaces, intended to generate a sense ofcommunity, residents connect with peersand participate in community activitiessuch as holiday gatherings, arts, crafts,continuing education and movie nights.Independent living facilities may alsooffer facilities such as a swimming pool,fitness center, tennis courts, as well asa golf course or other clubs and interestgroups. Other services offered in independent living may include onsite spasas well as beauty and barber salons.Brandywine Senior Living at Voorhees provides premiere senior livingincluding independent, assisted living,and rehabilitation services. Oftenwhen adult children come to tour ourfacilities for their parents, they tell methat mom doesnt do things like playbingo, go to movies or socialize much.Then after mom moves in and the kids

and imagine themselves there, saysWillmann, whose services supportsseniors and their families through everaspect of the process including coordinating movers, packing, unpacking andmeticulously making sure everythingis in its right place. Byron Home alsoprovides assistance with disposition ofextra contents. An initial consultationis free.

come back to visit, they are shocked tofind that mom isnt even in the building; shes out having fun with her newfriends, quips Nicole Longo, directorof community relations.Longo also notes that one of thebiggest hurdles for a potential residentis to think beyond the downsizing oftheir home to move into a smallerpersonal residence. Now they haveto adjust to having a magnificent,94,000-square-foot building withweekly housekeeping services, a 24hour snack bar, all-day dining, therapypool, movie theatre, common arealiving rooms and a library for socializing as well as scheduled transportationto shopping, cultural events and otherplanned activities, she advises.

Help for Coping With a MoveDonna Willmann, who founded ByronHome in 1998, is very familiar with thestress that seniors feel when its time todeal with the daunting task of downsizing and moving from the familiar environment of a home that they have livedin for many years. Even when seniorsare looking forward to the increasedsocial opportunities and companionship offered by independent living, theymight still be saddened by giving up ahome filled with memories or a neighborhood filled with familiar faces, saysthe founding member of the NationalAssociation of Senior Move Managers(NASMM).We take much of the anxiety outof downsizing by measuring the piecesof their furniture and creating a layoutto scale of their new spaces so thatindividuals know what fits and whatdoesnt. This allows them to prioritizetheir choices, move the pieces around

Continuing Care RetirementCommunities (CCRCs)Individuals who are relatively healthynow, but anticipate significant healthproblems in the years to come, maywant to consider a CCRC. These facilities offer a spectrum of care from independent living to nursing home carein the same community so that whenresidents begin to need help with activities of daily living, they can transferfrom independent living to an assistedliving or skilled nursing facility on thesame site. The main benefit of a CCRCis that residents only need to relocateonce to a new environment and canmaintain their independence for as longas possible.

Hospice

(VA) so cost of care should not standas an obstacle to receiving help andsupport. A hospice team of caring experts provides medical, emotional, andnon-sectarian spiritual support for bothpatient and family. This team includes aphysician, nurse, social worker, homehealth aide, pastoral care counselor,and volunteer. In addition, hospice careincludes delivery of medicines andmedical equipment related to the hospice diagnosis to the place of care andoffers up to 13 months of bereavementsupport to surviving family members.Medicares eligibility standard forhospice care is that a patient is eligible, if in a doctors best judgment, thepatients prognosis is about six monthsor less if the disease follows its normalcourse. Sometimes patients are on theprogram for a longer length of stay.All too often, however, patients arereferred with only seven days or lessto live which deprives their families ofmuch-needed support, advises CarolPaprocki, Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice public relations manager.Many people believe hospice andpalliative carethe managing of painand symptoms associated with diseaseor injuryshould be reserved only forthe last few days of life. This mistakenbelief deprives them of the opportunityto live the last six months or more oflife to the fullest by taking advantageof the physical, emotional and spiritualcomfort that is available, says Paprocki.

Hospice is a family-centered philosophy of care, rather than a place. Thisphilosophy emphasizes humane andcompassionate care that comforts ratherthan seeks a cure for people in the lastphases of life-threatening illnesses.Most hospice care, appropriate for indi- The final segment in this three-partviduals of any age (including children),article will focus on caring for theis provided in a patients home, assisted caregivers.living facility or nursing home, but canalso be provided in a private hospiceLinda Sechrist is the Natural Awakeningsfacility or inpatient hospice center. Thesenior staff writer. Visit her website,patients home-centered care allowsItsAllAboutWe.com.families more involvement in theirloved ones care,more opportunitiesto make decisions,and greater time tospend together incomfortable surroundings. Move Coordination Packing Disposition ofHospice care Space Planning Unpacking/Settling Remaining Contentsis fully covered by Sorting/Organizing Staging the Home Realtor ReferralMedicare, Medicaid,most commercialPlease contact us for a Free Consultation at 856-573-7840 orinsurers and the [email protected] and visit us at www.byronhome.comerans Administrationnatural awakenings

March 2014

21

wisewordsFrom Why Me? to Thank You!

Wayne Dyer on theValue of Hard Lessonsby Linda Sechrist

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fter four decadesteaching self-development andempowerment andauthoring more than30 bestselling books,Wayne W. Dyer, Ph.D.,shares dozens of eventsfrom his life in his latestwork, I Can See ClearlyNow. In unflinchingdetail, he relates vividimpressions of encountering many forks in theroad, from his youth inDetroit to the presentday, and reflects onthese events from hiscurrent perspective, noting what lessonshe ultimately learned.

What has writing this booktaught you and how can ithelp others better understandtheir own lives?My biggest lesson was that our wholelife is like a checkerboard. When Ilooked back on my life, I began torealize this and gained an awarenessof the fact that theres something elsemoving all of the pieces around. Thekey to attracting this mystical guidanceinto your life is to start with awarenessthat all things are possible and to forgetabout yourself. When you get your egoout of the picture, your inner mantraisnt, Whats in it for me? and Howmuch more can I get? Instead, whenyour inner mantra is, How may I serveor what may I do for you? and youpractice consistently living this way,you attract this mystical guidance. Ihave found that the more I do this, the22

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more these miraclesshow up.There are 60 chapters in the book. Everytime I finished one, Iwould think: Now Ican see clearly why Ihad to go through allof these experiencesand learn all theselessons. As a result, Isuggest that wheneversomething happensthat leads you to ask,Why is this happeningto me? shift instead tothe awareness that allexperiences, no matterwhat, are gifts.

You describe the influentialpatterns and motivators inyour life as diamonds andstones; how would youcharacterize your childhoodyears in foster homes?I can now see that spending the betterpart of my first decade in a series offoster homes was all a part of Godsinfallible plan for me. I believe I was ina type of training camp for becoming ateacher of higher spiritual and commonsense principles. If I was going tospend my adult life teaching, lecturingand writing on self-reliance, then Iobviously needed to learn to rely uponmyself and be in a position to never bedissuaded from this awareness. Whatbetter training ground for teaching thisthan an early childhood that requireda sense of independence and needfor self-sufficiency? Now that I knowthat every encounter, challenge and

situation is a spectacular thread in atapestry, and that each represents anddefines my life, I am deeply grateful forthem all.Each of us has a mission of somekind to fulfill at the moment we makethe shift from nowhere to now here,from spirit to form. Ive seen firsthandhow this universe has a creative sourceof energy supporting it that is literallythe matrix of all matter. Nothing occursby happenstance anywhere, becausethis universal mind is perpetually oncall, going about its miraculous ways interms of infinite possibilities.

What can you see clearlyabout your role as a parent?Ive watched my eight children show upfrom birth with their unique personalities and blossom into their own awakenings. I know for certain that the oneDivine mind that is responsible for allof creation has a hand in this engagingmystery. Same parents, same environment, same culture and yet eightindividuals, with their own distinctivecharacter traits. Khalil Gibran stated itperfectly in The Prophet: Your childrenare not your children. They are the sonsand daughters of Lifes longing for itself.They come through you but not fromyou, and though they are with you yetthey belong not to you.Each of my children had theirblueprint from God. My job has been toguide, then step aside and let whateveris inside them that is their own uniqueness steer the course of their lives.

What has your life taught youabout prayer?I feel that the prayer of Saint Francis ofAssisi says it best: Lord, make me aninstrument of your peace. Where thereis hatred, let me sow love. Where thereis darkness, let me bring light. Wherethere is sadness, let me bring joy. Themasters Ive studied pray to becomemore godly, more like where we originally came from.My prayer is always, Help me toremind myself to get rid of this ego andto be like You are. Help me to be myhighest self, the place within that is God.Linda Sechrist is a Natural Awakeningssenior staff writer. Visit ItsAllAboutWe.com for the extended interview.

naturalways

Childbirth: The Power of the Doulaby Gerri Mahn

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oulas are trained birth assistantsthat coach new mothers inpregnancy, labor and nursing.Acting as a partner, they guide womenthrough what can be an overwhelmingphysical and emotional experience. Adoula is not a midwife, nurse or doctor.They do not deliver babies; their solepurpose is to help pregnant womenhave a positive and healthy experience.The birth of a child is a landmark occasion. Yet the experience can be complicated. New mothers that choose a holisticlifestyle are sometimes inundated withcontradictory advice from natural healthpractitioners and medical doctors. Doulascan help bridge that gap, allowing women

to make informed choices utilizing bothnatural and medical healthcare professionals in order to ensure the best possibleoutcomes for mother and child.Research has shown that: The use of doulas is more likely toresult in natural birth (decreasing theneed for C-sections). Doula-assisted at-risk mothers havebetter birth outcomes. Doula-assisted mothers are less likelyto have babies with low birth weights. Doula-assisted mothers are morelikely to breast feed. Doulas help overcome cultural communication barriers between mothersand health care professionals.

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Doulas may be effective in screeningfor post-partum depression, consideringthe bond that forms between themselves and the mother.Many doulas are also committedto supporting womens health in thecommunity. The Philly Doula CoOp pursues opportunities to educatelocal medical professionals about theservices they offer. They build bridgesto promote understanding and helpunderserved and economically disadvantaged women in the community.An effective doula will work withboth the new mother and her healthcare provider to develop an appropriate birth plan. They will help with theaesthetics (music, candles, etc.) whilefocusing on the essentials, such as theneed for possible medical interventionif complications arise. They are a fantastic resource for first-time parents andsingle mothers.Expectant mothers should asktheir healthcare provider or midwifeto recommend a doula they alreadyhave a professional relationshipwith, or contact a doula co-op ortraining institution in her area forlocal listings.Gerri Mahn, MLS, is a freelance writerwho has spent the last 10 years workingin health care. She and her husband,Sifu Bryant Feld, recently opened theMoy Yat Ving Tsun Kung Fu School inCherry Hill, NJ.

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March 2014

23

photo by Dog Scouts of America

naturalpet

Dog Scouts of AmericaDog Troops Also Earn Badges and Go to Campby Sandra Murphy

Scouts, badges, troops and summer camptheyre not just for kidsanymore. Dog Scouts of America is a new twist on tradition that is funfor all ages.

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ogs, their owners and the largercommunity all benefit when apet earns the basic Dog Scoutcertification badge. Any dog can participate, as long as hes well-behaved.To qualify for the initial badge, he mustbe able to heel without pulling, greeta person calmly, meet another animalwithout overreacting and to see foodand leave it alone. The test criteria aresimilar to that used for the Canine Good

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Citizen certificate from the AmericanKennel Club.Tests can be videotaped if theresno organization evaluator in the area.Once the dogs earned the basic DogScout badge, the rest of the badges areoptional, depending on how involvedhuman-canine pairs wish to get. Insteadof pursuing a particular sport or activity, scouting allows the dog to dabbleand find what he likes best. Distinctive

badges can be earned in separate abilitylevels including obedience, communityservice, trail work, nose work, watersports, pulling, herding and lure coursing (a performance sport first developed for purebred sighthound breeds).Handlers can also earn badges in caninecare, first-aid and sign language. Alltraining is based on positive behaviorand reinforcement on everyones part.We dont want dogs to be anaccessory or a lawn ornament; theyare part of the family, and a lot of fun,besides, explains Dog Scouts presidentChris Puls, of Brookville, Indiana. Astrainers, we have to figure out how tocommunicate with another species.Most members engage in scoutactivities with more than one dog.Requirements for operating a troop areflexible, but holding four meetings ayear is recommended. Meetings donthave to be formala group hike in thewoods counts. Other activities mayinclude backpacking, biking, campingand treasure hunts like letterboxingand geocaching.If Sparky would like to try flyball,(timed relay races with balls) or treibball (urban herding of Pilates balls), buthas no opportunity for these pursuits onhis home turf, summer camp is a goodforum to investigate lots of options.Weekend camps are held in Marylandin July and Texas in November. Weeklong camps are held in Michigan inJune and July.Many people bring more than onedog to camp, says Allison Holloway,who works in financial account servicesfor the U.S. Department of Defense, inColumbus, Ohio. I take six dogs withme and each has his or her favoriteactivity, which I like, because its toomuch for one dog to go from earlymorning until late at night. New members often say they come to camp justfor the fun and camaraderie, but theyusually end up collecting badges like therest of us. Its a great reminder of whatyou and your dog did at camp together.One of Holloways dog scouts hasspecial needs. Lottie Moon is a doublemerle, all-white, Australian shepherdthat doesnt let being deaf or blind slowher down. Last year she surprised herowner by earning an agility badge atcamp. I think she sees shadows andmovements. I place a dowel rod in front

photo by Martha Thierry

photo by Dog Scouts of America

of the jump and she knows that whenshe touches it, its time to go airborne,says Holloway. Lottie inspires andmotivates me. Holloway received theDog Scouts 2013 Excellence in WritingAward for her blog at Lottie-SeeingIntoDarkness.blogspot.com.Many Dog Scout troops serve theircommunities to show how dogs canand should be integrated into daily life.In Wyoming Valley, near Wilkes-Barre,Pennsylvania, Phyllis Sinavage, officemanager for a wholesale distributor,reports on recent activities conductedby Troop 221. Weve donated oxygenmasks for pets to local fire departmentsand emergency services. We raise funds

to buy them and also have oxygenmask angels that donate the price ofa mask in memory of a pet. One thirdgrade class raised enough money topurchase two masks after we visitedand did a bite prevention class.The Dog Scouts of AmericaHike-a-Thon, in May, is the nonprofitorganizations annual fundraiser, opento everyone willing to ask friends andfamily members to pledge funds fordistances walked. Its a good way topartner with the dog for quality outdoor time, spread the word about DogScouts and enjoy the spring weather.

Learn more and join with others for atroop experience at DogScouts.org.Connect with Sandra Murphy [email protected].

When you dance, your purposeis not to get to a certain placeon the floor. Its to enjoyeach step along the way.

~Wayne Dyer

natural awakenings

March 2014

25

healingways

SuperherbsFour Plants that Fight Off Diseaseby Kathleen Barnes

Mother Natures most potent healing herbs are already on most spiceracks or growing nearby, often right outside the door.

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erbs, respected for their healingproperties for millennia, havebeen widely used by traditionalhealers with great success. Now clinicalscience supports their medicinal qualities.Pharmaceutical companies routinely extract active ingredients fromherbs for common medications, including the potent pain reliever codeine,derived from Papaver somniferum; thehead-clearing antihistamines ephedrineand pseudoephedrine, from Ephedra sinica; and taxol, the chemotherapy drug

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commonly used to treat several typesof cancer, including breast cancer, fromTaxus brevifolia. These are among thefindings according to Leslie Taylor, anaturopath and herbalist headquarteredin Milam County, Texas, and author ofThe Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs.Even among an abundance ofhealing herbs, some stand out asnatures superherbs that provide anarray of medical properties, accordingto Rosemary Gladstar, of Barre, Vermont, the renowned author of Herbal

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Remedies for Vibrant Health and related works. Two of these, she notes, arewidely considered nuisance weeds.Plantain (Plantago major): Commonly used externally for poultices,open wounds, blood poisoning andbee stings, it also helps relieve a widervariety of skin irritations. According toa study published in the Indian Journalof Pharmacology, this common weedfortifies the liver and reduces inflammation, which may reduce the risk formany kinds of chronic diseases. At leastone study, published in the journalPlanta Medica, suggests that plantaincan enhance the immune syst