Natural Awakenings Magazine September 2013

1natural awakenings September 2013

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September 2013 | West Michigan Edition | NaturalWestMichigan.com

SchoolsGo GreenHomework, Lunch & Buses Get an Eco-Makeover

Whole- Being WorkoutsMoving the Body Opens theDoor to Spirit

NATIONAL YOGA MONTHLocal Events

Hormone Support For WomenFoods that Help Heal

never glossy – always greennever glossy – always green

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

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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.

contents

5 newsbriefs

9 healthbriefs

12 globalbriefs

14 ecotip

17 healingways

20 wisewords

23 healthykids

28 consciouseating

34 fitbody

36 greenliving

4 1 calendar

43 classifieds

44 naturaldirectory

9

24

23

34

14

12

17 DEEP-HEALING YOGA Release Trauma, Build Resilience by Sarah Todd

20 THE ALLURE OF CONFIDENCE Supermodel Sarah DeAnna’s Universal Beauty Secrets by April Thompson

23 WHAT PEACE MEANS TO CHILDREN The World We All Need by Kids for Peace

24 WHOLE-BEING WORKOUTS Moving the Body Opens the Door to Spirit by Lisa Marshall

28 SUGAR MONSTER How Sweet It Isn’t by Kathleen Barnes

32 EDIBLE HORMONES Health Support for Women by Sayer Ji and Tania Melkonian

34 STAYING POWER A Good Trainer Keeps Us On Track by Debra Melani

38 SCHOOLS GO GREEN Homework, Lunch, Buses Get an Eco-Makeover by Avery Mack


We can all rejoice that each year people around the world

celebrate an International Day of Peace on September 21. Even though I’m not generally the sentimental type, reading “What Peace Means to Children,” on page 23, reduced me to tears. With worldly experience, our view of possibilities for the world can become so tainted that seeing life afresh through children’s eyes becomes eye opening. So, I decided to make my own list of what peace means to me.

Ultimate peace is: A world without war, where we all live in harmony together. Countries that have no need of soldiers, just heroes around every corner. Societies in which no one sees skin color, only human beings each unique in the way we look. Economies where

money governs neither individual nor national status or ethics. Communities where corruption, famine, homelessness and crime are unknown. A world where positive, glass-half-full thinking opens doors to endless progress everywhere.

I imagine this place and long for a day for this world to exist. Until then my personal Peace Pledge is this:

I pledge to love everyone with an open heart.I pledge not to judge people I encounter or other people tell me about.I pledge to see only people, not skin color.I pledge to do my best to regularly be someone’s hero.I pledge to help those in need.I pledge to manage finances in ways that reflect moral integrity and simple living.I pledge to keep a positive attitude even in tough times.

Won’t you join me this September and make a list of what peace means to you while pledging to do better? It only takes one person to make a difference. Let’s all be that person we know who shifts the energies in a room in a good direction simply by walking in the door, at home, school and work. May we all do our part to help make this world a more peaceful place to live.

Peace to all,

Amy HassPublisher

PublishersKyle & Amy Hass

EditorsS. Alison Chabonais

Amanda MerrittLinda Sechrist

Design & ProductionInteractive Media Design

Scott Carvey

PrinterStafford Media Solutions

Natural Awakenings484 Sunmeadow Dr. SEGrand Rapids, MI 49508

Phone: 616-656-9232

[email protected]

© 2013 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Subscriptions are availableby sending $30 (12 issues)

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newsbriefsHealthy Michigan Retreats

Beautiful Northeast

Michigan is even more inviting with the opening of Expressions of Health in Oscoda. Overlooking the shoreline of Lake Huron, Expressions of Health offers unique, customized, healthy retreats. And

it doesn’t cost a thing to stay there! Owned and operated year-round by Martha and Jeff Gottlieb, guests are welcomed with open arms. “Retreat participants are truly our guests,” explains Martha. “We don’t charge for lodging, only for the wellness services we provide. And guests have full access to the entire house, including the kitchen and all outdoor amenities, such as kayaks, moonlit bonfires, swimming, and miles of beautiful beach to walk, jog or simply relax. “The array of wellness services provided is vast, as the Gottliebs maintain certifications as yoga instructors, reflexology and reiki practitioners, nutrition coaches and personal trainers. Massage is offered through a local massage therapist, and the gourmet and RAW food retreats feature local Chefs. Retreats are available for individuals, couples, families, or any group up to 6 people and are offered at a very affordable rate. For example, a healthy retreat up to three nights might include two yoga or other fitness classes, Reiki, reflexology, massage, two continental breakfasts, and full use of the home for just $250 per person. 10% of all proceeds are donated to support local health and wellness initiatives.

More information about the healthy, healing retreats is available at ExpressionsOfHealth.com, the monthly Natural Awakenings calendar, or by contacting Martha and Jeff directly at [email protected] or 989-739-5498. See ad page 12 & 46.

New Reflexologist Joins Local Spring Lake Gem

Locally acclaimed businesses, On The Path

Yoga (OTPY) and Return 2 Wellness Nutritional Therapies have welcomed Reaiah True of Sacred Plane Reflexology to practice in their facility located at 701 E. Savidge in Spring Lake. Anne VanderHoek, owner of Return 2 Wellness says, “We are overjoyed to have Reaiah from Sacred Plane Reflexology join our Naturopathic office. She is one of the most talented practitioners I have ever met, and she has brought so much to our office.” The practice of Vibrational Reflexology is a vibrant, energetic, refreshing rejuvenation through a blend of Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan concepts. Reaiah True has been studying reflexology since 2007, initially for personal home use. When her husband urged her to pursue sharing the practice for several years, she finally agreed. Shortly thereafter, the opportunity to join Sandy Parker (of OTPY) and Anne opened up. “It is an honor to be associated with these ladies and their expertise,” says True. “Starting in September, I hope to incorporate the music modality with reflexology by bringing the Gu-Zhong in and playing a bit for each client. The pentatonic tones are ultra-soothing. In addition, I hope to connect the client with the audible equivalence of vibrational frequency.”

For more information contact Sacred Plane Reflexology at 616-843-4563. For a valuable coupon, see ad on page 31.

Art of Teaching Yoga

Does teaching yoga make you nervous? Do you sweat, tingle

and get short of breath? Teaching yoga (or anything) is not about perfection – it’s a process and a journey. Paraphrasing George Leonard in his wonderful book Mastery, a great teacher is one who is willing to face their fears and try,

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

616-456-5033

[email protected] www.HarmonynHealth.net

Harmony ‘n Health Colon Hydrotherapy

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

~ Eradicate Constipation ~ Removes Stomach Bloat

~ Increase ones EnergyTherapeutic Massage also available

Martha & Jeff Gottlieb

Mike Cohen


fail and try again. Teaching yoga is a complex practice. You are leading a group, working one-on-one with individuals and managing your own state. Guidance, support, community and practice are essential to grow into greater mastery. Join Master Somatic Coach Michael H. Cohen as he guides a group of yoga instructors through “Somatics and the Art of Teaching Yoga” this fall at Cascade Yoga Studio. Somatics teaches us how to learn from the inside out, rather than the outside in. This series will take your yoga teaching to the next level - whether you are a seasoned teacher or a recent trainee, you will gain great value from this unique learning experience. Nine hours of class time across three Saturdays this fall - $175. Maximum of 12 students.

For more info email [email protected] or call 616-464-1610. Or, contact Mike at [email protected]. See ad pages 16 & 18.

Living Well – Grand Rapids Show

Mark your calendars for January 10 & 11, 2014 as

West Michigan’s only health and wellness show is coming back to DeVos Place when Living Well – Grand Rapids returns for its second year. At the show’s debut

last January, thousands of consumers eager to learn about health-related products and services came together in one spot. This year’s show will be even bigger, says Show Manager Dawn Baker, adding that no health-related business can afford to miss this unique chance for marketing to motivated clients and customers. For a growing number of area residents interested in improving their health, fitness, and wellness, the show offers a unique chance to learn from experts about hundreds of ways to do just that. “We’re planning even bigger things that make the show an exciting opportunity for anyone in the wellness business to share their products or services with potential customers,” Baker says. “The show will offer classes, competitions, seminars, demonstrations and health screenings as well.”

A broad array of exhibitors representing everything from health insurance plans and hospitals to alternative health services; from birthing centers to assisted living facilities; from child development centers to fitness clubs; plus, life coaching and much more will be at this two-day event. If your business focuses on health, fitness, or wellness, don’t miss being part of West Michigan’s only show that’s completely devoted to improving all aspects of health!

Exhibitor brochures are available at www.showspan.com/lwg/brochurerequest.aspx. See ad page 37.

The Difference Meditation Makes

Spending 12 incredible years as Eknath Easwaran’s student,

Marsha Grice was interested in meditation because of anxiety, depression and a feeling of emptiness, as if life had no real purpose. “I read a book by Easwaran. There was a certain clarity and depth to his writing and on DVD his presence was inspiring and very peaceful,” says Grice. Over time meditation and the practice of the allied skills are healing to emotions and can change the way of thinking and looking at life. Easwaran opened the door in a most credible way to a world of healing and spirituality. An introductory to Passage Meditation will be held from 7:00-8:00pm on September 26 at Unity of Grand Rapids located at 1711 Walker Ave. Interested adults are welcome, no registration needed, free will offering. Introduction includes books and tapes by Easwaran, a sharing on meditation and the allied skills, instructions for and a ten minute period of meditation, and DVD of Easwaran, called one of the foremost teachers of meditation in our times.

For more information visit www.Easwaran.org.

Eknath Easwaran


Growing Older - Becoming Wiser Workshop

Are you approaching your 5th or 6th decade? Do you love

being who you are at your age?As you continue to learn and grow into your own unique wisdom, compassion, humor, courage and vitality, Circle of Crones invites you to share support and experiences with peers at Growing Older…Becoming Wiser Workshop on September 14 from 1:00-4:00pm at Briar Lane Apartments Community Bldg located at 450 Briar Lane, NE in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by Circle of Crones, a growing group of women since 2004, whose mission is to explore positive aspects of aging and to empower women to celebrate and meet the challenges of the 3rd stage of life.

Please contact Jan at [email protected] or 616-920-4760.

Fall Meditation Retreat

The Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness invites

you to reconnect with your mind and body with guided practices centering around mindfulness and compassion. Extensive research has shown that our health and well-being can be enhanced by a range of mindfulness practices.

Mindfulness meditation becomes even more powerful in combination with the practice of compassion, which can provide a buffer against negative feelings and is associated with greater life satisfaction.

This retreat led by April Hadley & Carol Hendershot, will provide training in mindfulness and compassion, as well as guidance in gentle yoga, walking and breathing. The Mindfulness and the Heart retreat on October 4-6 will be held at Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan. It is open to new meditators and to experienced practitioners alike. Practice instructions will provide a framework throughout the retreat. Talks by the instructors and small group discussions will encourage personal reflection and application.

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n v i s i t w w w .GrandRapidsCenterForMindfullness.com. Call 616-361-3660 to register. See ad page 27.

The Art of Ascension as Taught by The Ishayas

Ascension is both spiritual and scientific

and works regardless of belief. The practice is used both with eyes open, which helps keep one present so they are more effective and efficient in their daily activities; and as a meditation with eyes closed, which takes one directly into the Source of all healing, pure joy, endless peace, and infinite potential. Stress then naturally dissolves as a by-product. Ascension is taught in a First Sphere Weekend format, which is both informative and experiential. Based on Praise, Gratitude, Love & Compassion, the techniques of Ascension are individually shared and experienced during the Course.

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The First Sphere Workshop is a transformative and life changing experience. It is simple, natural and highly effective. Come and join the teachers, who will be in Wyoming this September facilitating a First Sphere Weekend on September 20-22 from 7:00-10:00pm on Friday and 10:00am-5:00pm on Saturday & Sunday. Registration is required so please call today. Below is a link to the upcoming events & course schedule www.theishayafoundation.org/courses.php. Join them for a Free Introductory Talk on this practice being held at Schuler Books & Music, 3165 Alpine Ave in Walker on September 19 at 8:00pm.

To register or for more information, contact 573-261-9373 or email: [email protected]. See ad page 25.

10th Annual Salmon Festival

The Downtown Grand Haven waterfront will

be bubbling with family friendly activities this September as the Grand Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau hosts the 10th Annual Grand Haven Salmon Festival, a multi-faceted festival that pays tribute to the area’s bountiful waterways as a natural resource, while coinciding with the region’s annual Salmon migration. Grand Haven Salmon

Festival, a three-day festival slated for September 13-15 in downtown Grand Haven. The Salmon Festival has a dedicated Green Team, in order to be more environmentally friendly. These efforts earned them the Best Green Practice Award at the Michigan Festivals and Events annual conference. “We are pleased with the amount of community and partner support we have received on our journey towards sustainability,” states festival and Visitors Bureau director Marci Cisneros. The outdoor-waterfront festival features live jazz music; Michigan wine tasting pavilion featuring Michigan’s top wineries and grape stomping; gourmet salmon cook-off contest; fall harvest beer & entertainment pavilion; naturalist

themed art fair; salmon fishing contest with weigh-in/awards ceremony; mouth-watering food and beverage treats at the fish boil; hands-on children’s nature-themed arts & crafts activities; and educational, environment-focused exhibits, displays, workshops and more.

Visit www.visitgrandhaven.com for more information and a schedule of events.

Yoga for Fertility

Yoga for Fertility is a unique form of yoga designed to

prepare the body, mind and spirit for new life. This series takes place Sundays from 2:00-3:30pm on September 29th to November 3rd. It will provide support, education, guided meditations and specially selected yoga poses to open the pelvis, stimulate reproduction, and awaken energy channels associated with reproduction. You will learn techniques to calm anxiety and let go of negative thinking as you discover new ways to become fertile and powerful in all areas in your life. Cost is only $120 and includes home practice guide and education from fertility specialist.

Contact Cascade Yoga Studio at 616-464-1610 to sign up. Visit www.CascadeYogaStudio.com for more information. See ad page 16 & 18.

Kudos EcoTrek Fitness, the locally-owned West Michigan company offering unique group outdoor workouts since May of 2006, is thrilled to welcome Kelsey Turek as the newest addition to the leadership team at EcoTrek Fitness, as Lakeshore Series Leader. Turek’s series will have routes throughout Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg.

All schedules can be found online at EcoTrekfitness.com. See ads page 27 & 29.

Raechel Morrow

Kelsey Turek


West Michigan’s Only

583 Ada Drive, Ste 203 --- Downtown Ada email: [email protected] Ph:616.780.3604

www.urhomeyoga.com

BACK TO SCHOOL =BACK TO YOU! Fall Group Yoga Classes Start September 9!

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invite deep peace.

healthbriefs

Weightlifting Lowers Heart Disease and Diabetes RisksFewer than 10 percent of Americans

regularly lift weights, but perhaps more of us should, according to a study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Scientists at the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville, found that weightlift-ers had a 37 percent reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors linked to heart disease and diabetes. Previous research has linked having greater muscle strength and mass (results of weightlifting) to lower rates of metabolic syndrome. People with three out of five risk factors—a large waist (more than 40 inches for men, more than 35 inches for women), high triglyc-erides and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar—may be diag-nosed with metabolic syndrome. The researchers also analyzed data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Sur-vey, which showed that young men were most likely to do regular weight-lifting, while women, older people and Latinos were least likely. The sur-vey statistics support the conclusion that non-weightlifters are more likely to exhibit metabolic syndrome.

Jog or Walk to Live LongerA slow jog around the block a few times a week can

prolong life. The Copenhagen City Heart Study monitored 1,878 joggers for 30 years and found that 44 percent of these subjects are less likely to prematurely die from any cause than non-runners. Males and females that continued to jog regularly added 6.2 years and 5.6 years, respectively, to their average lifespans. It only takes 1.5 hours of slow-to-average-pace jog-ging a week to reap the longevity benefits. Walking is also beneficial; the National Institutes of Health says it can add up to 4.5 years to the average life expectancy. Seventy-five minutes of brisk walking a week can add 1.8 years to life

expectancy after age 40, according to study results cited in PLOS Medicine.

Yoga Relieves Back PainCould a simple yoga class ease chronic back pain? Yes,

say researchers in two recent studies. Scientists at the University of Washington found that subjects reported a 61 percent decrease in back pain when practicing yoga in a 12-week period compared with doing simple stretching. The researchers attributed their findings, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alterna-

tive Medicine, to yoga’s physical and breathing exercises and how they increase awareness and relaxation. Another project, funded by Arthritis Research UK, showed that Britons with long-term back pain that took a 12-week yoga course reported 75 percent fewer sick days.


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Antibacterials May Make Kids Allergy-Prone

Adults’ obsession with antibacterial soaps, toothpastes and other per-sonal care products may be making our children more prone to many

allergies, according to research from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. While not the direct cause, researchers say such products may impair the development of children’s immune systems. In a study of 860 children between the ages of 6 and 18, researchers found elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in children from households where these products were used. IgEs increase when exposed to allergy-causing substances like pollen, pet dander and certain foods. Urine levels of triclosan, an antibacterial agent used in soaps,

mouthwash and toothpaste, provided the strongest link to increased IgE levels and increased allergy risk. Parabens, preservatives with antimicrobial properties commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body washes, were strongly associated with allergies to pollen and pet dander. These results confirm the “hygiene hypothesis” that society’s focus on cleanli-ness has actually prevented children from getting dirty and developing strong immune systems that are regularly challenged and strengthened by pathogens, say researchers.

The Humble Apple May Ace CancerApples are among the world’s most healing superfoods, thanks to

their abundant fiber and heart-healthy nutrient properties. New research shows that an apple a day may also help keep cancer away. Two major independent cancer research projects, from Poland and Uruguay, confirm that daily apple consumption can cut the risk of colorectal cancer in half, a unique value among all fruits or vegetables. Other studies documented at GreenMedInfo.com suggest that apples contain components geared to help stop the growth of liver, breast, esophageal, stomach and multi-drug-resistant cancers. Additional research further associates the fruit with relieving diarrhea in children, soothing bowel inflammation in adults, preventing flu, facilitating weight loss, protecting against gum disease, maintaining brain cells and even slowing the aging process.

healthbriefs


Hair to Dye ForThree-quarters of American women are interested in chang-

ing their hair color, particularly to cover gray, according to a Clairol study. But other studies show they should be wary of most traditional hair dyes and consider natural alternatives. A study from the University of Southern California published in the International Journal of Cancer, for example, identi-fied women using permanent hair dyes at least once a month to be at the highest risk for bladder cancer. As early as 2007, the European Union banned 22 potentially dangerous chemicals in cosmetic and body care products, including hair dyes. In the journal Materials last year, British researchers warned of the increased cancer risk from toxic chemicals called secondary amines, found in European- and U.S.-manufactured permanent hair dyes, because they remain on the hair for extended periods long after application and can penetrate skin. Meanwhile, increasing demand by consumers for safer products has expand-ed the market for natural hair dyes containing henna, oils and extracts from berries and other fruits, plus vegetables. Many are now available at pharmacies, organic salons and online, including do-it-yourself recipes.

Protein for Breakfast Curbs Food CravingsSkipping breakfast or eating sugary breakfast

breads and cereals sets us up for increased appetite all day long, while protein-rich food ef-fectively satiates us, according to a recent Univer-

sity of Missouri-Columbia study. Subjects were 20 overweight young women, ages 18 to 20, divided into three groups: those that skipped breakfast, ate cereal, or enjoyed a 350-calorie, high-protein breakfast of eggs and lean meat. Researchers tracking brain function concluded that those eating the high-protein breakfast were better able to control their eating throughout the day and evening. For people that don’t currently eat breakfast, lead researcher Heather Leidy, Ph.D., an assistant professor of nutrition and exercise physiology, says it only takes about three days to acclimate the body. Leidy suggests first trying plain Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or egg or meat burritos. Aim for 35 grams of protein in the morning for all-day control of food cravings.


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

healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Freebie FruitOnline Mapping Points the Way

Falling Fruit (FallingFruit.org), created by Caleb Philips, co-founder of Boulder Food Rescue, and Ethan Welty, a photographer and geographer based in Boulder, Colo-rado, uses a map to cite locations of fruits and vegetables that are free to forage around the world. It looks like a Google map, with reported locations marked with dots. Zoom in and click on one to find a description of what tree or bush is there. The description often includes information about the best season to pluck plant fruits, the quality and yield, a link to the species’ profile on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website and additional advice on accessing the spot.

Welty compiled most of the half-million or so locations from various munici-pal databases, local foraging organizations and urban gardening groups. Addition-ally, the map is open for Wikipedia-style public editing. He says, “Falling Fruit pinpoints all sorts of tasty trees in public parks, lining city streets and even hanging over fences from the UK to New Zealand.” It also lists beehives, public water wells and even dumpsters with excess food waste.

Killing FieldsNeonicotinoid Pesticides Threaten Birds and Insects, TooControversial neonicotinoid pesticides linked to catastrophic honeybee declines in North America and Europe may also kill other creatures, posing ecological threats even graver than feared, according to a new report by the American Bird Conservancy. It claims that dangers to birds and stream-dwelling and soil-dwelling insects accidentally exposed to the chemicals have been underestimated by regulators and downplayed by industry. “The environmental persistence of the neonicotinoids, their propensity for runoff and for groundwater infiltration and their cumulative and largely irreversible mode of action in invertebrates raise environmental concerns that go well beyond bees,” according to the report co-authors, pesticide policy expert Cynthia Palmer and pesticide toxicologist Pierre Mineau, Ph.D., who both work for the nonprofit. They note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency typically sets guidelines for bird exposures using laboratory tests on just two species, which ignores widely varying sensitivities among hundreds of other species. Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, an invertebrate conserva-tion group, says that integrated pest management (IPM), which combines precisely targeted chemical use with other, non-chemical means of pest control, can deliver industrial-scale yields in an environmentally sustainable way. To the detriment of wildlife, “[Our nation] has moved away from IPM, from scouting a farm, putting in habitat for beneficial insects and spraying only if there’s damage,” he warns. “With neonicotinoids, they don’t do that anymore,” instead returning to indiscriminate blanket spraying.

Primary source: Tinyurl.com/ABCBirdReport


Fashion FreedomFair Trade Comes to Retail Clothing

The revolution that started in food is expanding to cloth-ing: origins matter. With fair trade coffee and organic fruit now standard on grocery shelves, consumers con-cerned with industry working conditions, environmen-tal issues and outsourcing are now demanding similar accountability for their T-shirts. As a result, some retailers have started supplying information about how

and where their products are made. “There’s real demand for sweat-free products,” observes Ian Robinson, Ph.D., a lecturer and research scientist at the University of Michigan who studies labor issues. “Consumers don’t have the information they need, and they do care.” The New York Times reported that a recent factory collapse in Bangladesh might play a part in changing that. Loblaw Companies Limited, the parent compa-ny of Joe Fresh, which produced clothing there, has vowed to audit factories more aggressively and compensate the victims’ families. “The apparel industry can be a force for good,” vows Galen G. Weston, Loblaw’s chairman.

Shellfish SolutionBivalve Farming May Purify Fouled Waters

Scientists are investigating whether mussels can be grown in urban areas as a way of cleansing coastal waters of sewage, fertilizers and other pollutants. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has placed an experimental raft at the mouth of New York City’s Bronx River with long tendrils seeded with geukensia demissa hanging beneath it.

The two-year experiment will test whether the ribbed mussel can survive in the industrial and organic effluent found there. If it does, that could have implica-tions for cleaning up coastal waters all over the world. The idea of using bivalves like mussels, oysters and clams to purify waterways has been on the minds of con-servationists and scientists for decades. If the creatures can absorb enough nitro-gen from the polluted water, it will prevent algae blooms that deprive waterways of the oxygen needed to support life. Other researchers also are investigating the beneficial effects of raising seaweed and kelp in conjunction with bivalves to clean coastal waters.

Source: E360.yale.edu

Scrub UpCleaning the Environment a Step at a TimeUnilever, one of the world’s largest consumer product companies, which makes Vaseline and Dove soaps, is doing away with a longtime manufacturing pro-cess because scientists and environmental groups are concerned that it contributes to polluting oceans. The company has decided to phase out the use of plastic micro-beads as a scrubbing agent in all personal care products by 2015. Small pieces of plastic material under five millimeters in diameter, referred to as micro-plastics, originate from a variety of different sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic materials in the water, the shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles during domestic clothes washing, and the micro-beads used for their abrasive properties in a range of consumer and industrial products.

It is health that is real

wealth and not pieces of gold

and silver.

~Mahatma Gandhi


ecotip

Global GlamourNatural Beauty Aids from IndiaThe health and beauty aisle at Indian grocery stores includes several natu-ral products in wide use among In-dian women. Here are some popular ones available in America. Henna: Women mix powder from the henna plant with water to use as a natural hair dye and condi-tioner. Coconut oil: Indian women regu-larly massage a natural oil into their scalp before washing to keep their hair healthy and prevent the scalp from drying out and itching. “Coconut oil helps to grow hair long,” advises Bibya Malik, owner of Bibya Hair Design, a salon chain in Chicago. “It is probably the most widely used hair oil in the Indian subcontinent; amla oil, jasmine oil and other herbal oils are used, as well.” Rosewater: Most often used as a skin toner, some women also like to spray rosewater on their face as a refresher. Rosewater has a long his-tory as a fragrance and as a flavoring in dessert recipes. Ubtan: This mixture of turmeric, gram (chickpea) flour and herbs is combined with milk or water as a beauty treatment. Indian brides scrub their skin with it in the days prior to their wedding. Source: Bibya Hair Design, research by Bushra Bajwa

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If anyone has created a space for their passions to collide in order to benefit others, it has been Cynthia Jones of Cj’s

Studio Salon. With a desire to be an artist, Jones jumped into cosmetology after doing some office work in a salon and seeing the artistic potentiality in the field. 32 years later she still says that the artistic element of her career is what keeps her in the industry and that she’s loved developing the one-on-one relationships with her clients along the way. “Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to have such wonderful clients,” said Jones when reflecting on the relationships she’s built within her career, “They become your friends and family.” In addition to the relationships she gets to form in her business, Jones’ passion for art is evident from the inside out as her salon is splattered with various pieces of local art and pieces of beautifully recycled vintage jewelry for sale (many of which were crafted by Jones herself). The creativity is coming off the walls, hanging from the ceiling, growing outside the windows and even covering the floor of the salon. The recycled jewelry and other various projects is just the start of the sustainability drive that Jones has at Cj’s Studio Salon. Along with an implemented recycling system in the salon, Cj’s also has a purse swap available to its clients where clients can sell their gently used purses and or purchase a gently used purse. They offer services that include organic hair products such as certified organic hair color, and they work solely with product lines that are also looking to be sustainable and ethical in practice, supporting the environment and excluding processes such as animal testing in the development of their products. Cj’s Studio Salon’s official greeter, Molly, a rescued Cockapoo is further proof that Jones and her crew are adamant about protecting the environment even through their passion

for animals. Jones is also a volunteer at Mackenzie’s Animal Sanctuary in her spare time and will happily spread the word on all of the great things going on there. Cj’s Studio Salon thrives on the arts, the stylist/client relationships that build, protecting the environment and offering healthier options than the average salon all while offering great services including but not limited to haircuts, hair coloring, texturing services, highlights, makeup, detox footbaths, waxing and even massage therapy by Pattie Kooy of Hands On Healing Professional Massage Therapy LLC. The salon is set up to create a relaxing, client-focused experience with semi-private stations barricaded from the rest of the salon by richly decorated walls, each with a window opening up to a lovely garden outside allowing clients to stay in touch with nature, offering a uniquely peaceful ambiance and contributing to the goal of bettering clients’ body, mind and soul amidst the services provided. With the many services available to its clients, Cj’s guarantees a highly trained professional, committed to providing each individual client with incredible, outstanding service. Be sure to stop into Cj’s Studio Salon for your next hair care service, to see all of the great things they have going on and experience all they have to offer.

For more information or to schedule your appointment with Cj’s Studio Salon, call 616-364-9191, visit www.cjsstudiosalon.com or stop by the salon at 5286 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49525. NAN members receive 10% off any natural or organic haircare products. See ads pages 11 & 46.

Amanda Merritt is a recent graduate of Cornerstone University with a degree in Communication Arts and Journalism/Public Relations. You can contact her at [email protected].

by Amanda MerrittCommunity Spotlight


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DEEP-HEALING YOGARelease Trauma, Build Resilience

by Sarah Todd

When a woman separated from her husband last fall, she tried hard to shut down her emo-

tions. A 30-year-old working mother of two young boys, she felt she couldn’t af-ford to be sad or angry, even as she con-templated divorce. But something shifted when she began taking yoga classes in her town in northern Michigan. “It was my one place to relax and let go,” says Emily, who asked that her real name stay private. “I used to go to class, get into a deep stretch and cry. It was like my muscles were connected with my heart. My instructor would warn us that certain poses would provide emotional releases, and sure enough, the tears would fall.” People suffering disruptive changes —from losing a loved one to coping with unemployment or striving for sobriety—often find yoga to be a healing force. Lola Remy, of yogaHOPE, a Boston and Se-attle nonprofit that helps women navigate challenging transitions, attests that yoga makes them feel safe enough in their bodies to process difficult emotions. “The goal isn’t to make stressors go away, it’s to learn resilience,” Remy explains. “Irreparable harm isn’t neces-sarily the only result of experiencing stress. Even if I’m in a challenging posi-tion—like wobbling in the tree pose—I can see that I’m still okay.” The object

is to teach women that their bodies are strong and capable, giving them more confidence in their ability to weather obstacles off the mat.

Supporting ScienceResearch suggests that yoga can also be an effective therapy for people affected by some forms of severe traumatic stress. A study in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences that scanned the brains of trauma survivors after a reminder of the traumatic event revealed decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that helps make sense of raw emotions and bodily experiences. While shutting down the connec-tion between body and mind can help in coping with dangerous experiences, it also makes recovery difficult. “You need to have a high-functioning pre-frontal cortex to organize the thoughts that come up and know that you’re safe in the present moment,” advises David Emerson, director of yoga services at the Trauma Center, in Brookline, Mas-sachusetts. “Otherwise, you’re assaulted by memory sensory information.” Yoga appears to rewire the brains of trauma survivors to stop reliving past distress. “You can’t talk your prefrontal cortex into functioning well again,” Em-

healingways


erson observes. “But you may be able to do it with your body.” The study found that eight female patients that participated in trauma-sensitive yoga saw significant de-creases in the frequency and severity of their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In a study at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Boston, co-sponsored by the U.S. De-partment of Defense, military veterans enrolled in a 10-week yoga course also showed improvement in PTSD symptoms. A paper presented at a recent International Society for Trau-matic Stress Studies conference stud-ied 64 people that had experienced childhood abuse and neglect; those that participated in a trauma-sensitive

yoga course had a 33 percent reduc-tion in PTSD symptoms. Two months later, more than 50 percent in the yoga group experienced greater freedom and were no longer diagnosed as suf-fering from PTSD, compared to the control group’s 21 percent. Yoga can also transform trauma-tized lives in other ways. “For many traumatized people, being touched intimately can be a trigger,” Emerson remarks. “Yoga may let them feel ready for physical intimacy again. Others have mentioned victories such as being able to go to the grocery store and knowing exactly what foods their bodies crave.” Emerson notes that such programs emphasize choice and individual em-powerment. “The beauty of yoga is that

you reclaim your body as your own.”

Spreading the WordOnce largely concentrated on the East Coast, trauma-sensitive yoga programs are spreading. Jennifer Johnston, a research clinician and yoga instructor at Boston’s Mind Body Institute, sees programs like these enriching our cul-ture’s understanding of the physical and mental health connection. “In a country where drugs and surgery are often the first go-to,” she says, “it’s important to remember that things like yoga can change our chemistry, too.”

Sarah Todd is an East Coast-based writer and editor. Connect at SarahToddInk.com.

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Several years ago, I was reading about a natural remedy for stress made from the blossoms of a beautiful tree. This remedy described a type of stress manifesting in a person by causing them to be overly critical, intolerant, judgmental, and a complainer over little things. Huh, I wondered what’s that remedy called? Well, it comes from the Beech tree, so it’s lovingly called the “Beech” remedy, if you get my meaning! What a delight: flowers from nature to remedy negative emotions in humans, pets, and husbands. Not necessarily in that order. So, here’s how it works. Flowering plants, trees, and bushes create these amazing blossoms that are the positive representation of human emotions. Therefore, when you are suffering a negative emotion it can be countered and brought back into balance using its natural counterpart. Imagine that nature has a remedy for attitude and no side effects. This amazing discovery is credited to Dr. Edward Bach of England. He was a physician in the late 1800’s who felt the proper way to handle a health concern was to treat the person and not their condition. In doing so, Dr. Bach would assess the person’s emotional state and give them flower remedies that matched their fears, worries, and concerns. He found that when these concerns were supported using the essences of flowers that the body, now being in balance, could heal itself. One of my favorite examples of Dr. Bach’s work is when he helped a forty year old woman who was suffering from the after effects of sleepy sickness for many months and had been given up as incurable after much treatment. She was dragging herself about her home, tripping and falling down frequently, trying to do a little house work and cooking. She had to sit and rest for long periods, always falling asleep. She had lost interest in everything, her eyes were half closed, her muscles weak and wasted, and she had no appetite. Her condition indicated one of Dr. Bach’s remedies called clematis, made from the clematis flower. Within a fortnight of taking the remedy, her walking was steadier, she felt less desire for sleep, and was able to raise her eyelids and keep her eyes open for much longer periods. But the most striking change was in herself. She was happy and hopeful, she laughed and smiled and began to make plans as to what she would do when she was quite well, and was so grateful for her increased activity and strength. There are numerous stories where Dr. Bach helped people with simple cases like this and others that were far more complicated. He always used the flower remedies, which are simply made by setting the flower blossoms in a bowl of water, letting them sit in the sun, and then, later preserving that “flower water.” Dr. Bach was amazing in how he tuned into all the God given remedies available to address emotional and physical

needs. His remedies are very affordable, averaging $10 or less per month and are used throughout the world. Now, many countries have students and professionals continuing Dr. Bach’s work, discovering the flowers of their regions and how they can help to balance emotions.

Here are a few of my favorites • Beech - for the overly critical and intolerant personality.• Mustard - for depression that comes and

goes like a dark cloud.• Oak - for the workaholic who continually takes on too much.• Apsen - for anxiety and vague and unknown fears.• Larch - for one who doubts their own abilities and needs

confidence.• Honeysuckle - for the person stuck in the past.• Elm - for anyone who feels temporarily overwhelmed.• Cerato - for the person who seeks others; advice and cannot

make decisions on their own.• Centaury - for the obligated person who has a very hard time

saying no. • Willow - great for feelings of resentment and disappointment.• White Chestnut - for a mind that is racing repeatedly over the

same thoughts.• Vervain - for the overly intense personality, hyperactive.• Star of Bethlehem - for recovering from shock or trauma.• Pretty Face - for people who are critical of their own

appearance.

These are just a few of my favorites; Dr. Bach made 38 discoveries, and since then, a few hundred more have been found. They are very easy to take: simply put 4 drops in your water or other drinks 4 times per day. Some folks like to put them directly under the tongue or even in their bath water. One delightful client from Gaylord put some remedies in her husband’s coffee every morning. She picked remedies for “getting off the couch,” and being less critical of others. She giggled as she mentioned he’s been far more attentive, helping out with household chores and even more romantic! Others have reported great results for children, pets and elderly parents. That’s not to say a husband wouldn’t do well to pick out a few for his wife; let’s say, some Beech, Larch, and Pretty Face - it’s a two way street when it comes to making breakfast tea and coffee. So, enjoy the flower remedies for balancing your emotional world and remember a bouquet in a bottle might have a more lasting effect.

Bessheen Baker, ND, is the Founder and Director of Education at Naturopathic Institute of Therapies & Education (NITE), located at 503 East Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI. 48858. Visit www.NaturopathicInstitute.info/Herbs-etc/ or call 989-773-1714. See ad page 2 & 47.

Specific Flowers for Specific Emotionsby Bessheen Baker, ND


wisewords

Longtime supermodel Sarah DeAnna believes in our ability to shape

both our life—and our looks. Raised by a single mom in the small farm town of Jefferson, Oregon, DeAnna made her way to Los Angeles after putting herself through college, earning a degree in interna-tional business marketing from Oregon State University, in Cor-vallis. While she planned to pursue a graduate degree in business at the Uni-versity of California, a chance meeting with a photographer at a Hollywood café instead launched her career as an international fashion model, realizing a childhood dream. This natural health trendsetter has since appeared in Vogue, Elle and Ma-rie Claire, and walked the runway for such internationally renowned design-ers as Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Stella McCartney. DeAnna credits her success to her commitment to modeling a healthy, balanced lifestyle. In her new book, Supermodel You, she debunks myths about modeling, fitness and beauty, explaining how beauty ema-nates from the inside out.

How does self-awareness bring out one’s natural beauty?Self-awareness starts with being aware of your actions and their effects. For example, if you’re not paying attention to what you eat and how you feel after-ward, you won’t realize that your body may be sending you signals about the quality of what you’re eating. How you walk also affects your body in more ways than you realize.

The Allure of ConfidenceSupermodel Sarah DeAnna’s

Universal Beauty Secretsby April Thompson

Being alert to little things that may be throwing you off balance—like carrying more weight on one foot or turning a foot out when you walk—are small steps to developing self-awareness. When a Harvard University study informed a group of hotel housekeep-ers that didn’t consider themselves physically ac-

tive that they were actually exercising all day long, they all lost weight. The only difference was their awareness of their work as exercise.

Why do you believe that models that follow less severe diets and workout regimens are better off?Restrictive extremes put enormous stress on your body, which is a leading cause of unhealthy weight gain. When I first started out, I didn’t know that I was eating too little and working out too much and too hard. Then my agent told me to ease my exercise and start eat-ing some healthy fats again, which the body needs. When I stopped overdoing it, I both felt better and achieved my target weight. There isn’t any one kind of diet or exercise practice that’s right for ev-eryone; it’s all about having a positive relationship with food and your body.

What are some of your favorite tips for getting a good night’s sleep?I make sleep a priority, even if it means missing out on late night fun. Tune in to what is keeping you awake, whether it’s what you are reading, watching or


eating before bedtime, and change it. Creating a sleep ritual is helpful; I light candles and lower music in the house to wind down long before when I want to be asleep.

How do models manage to look like a million bucks on a modest income while they await their big break?Confidence is the most beautiful thing. Good posture makes you look thinner and better-looking. It’s not the number of pounds that matter; you know before you step on the scale if you are happy with the way you look and feel. As for fashion, it’s not just what you wear, but how you wear it. How clothes fit is important. We all have different shapes, and even models will have “muffin tops” if the pants aren’t hitting their hips in the right place. Rather than focus on the size, focus on how a garment looks on you.

You’ve been told that you aren’t “commercially beauti-ful”. How can each of us re-frame the way we think about our own appeal?I’m sometimes told I’m too edgy-looking or too strong-featured. But as my agent says, if everyone liked me, I would just be ordinary. You need to love whatever is different about you. Cindy Crawford has a noticeable mole; Tyra Banks has a large forehead. These models turned such “flaws” into per-sonal trademarks that set them apart.

The industry can be unkind to older models. What lessons have you learned from watch-ing your predecessors?The modeling business is finally real-izing that society wants to see more natural-looking women, so they are bringing back the older supermodels, and they look amazing. We are even seeing models in their 80s now as an awesome positive representation of older women. It’s all about having a positive outlook and embracing who and what you are.

Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.


It was during her mother’s final months that Holistic Healer and owner of Light Rays, Jamie VanDam realized how the

power of Reiki could help manage pain and suffering. “When she was diagnosed with Cancer I went for training because I wanted to help. It was amazing how it maintained her quality of life during the chemotherapy and radiation,” she said. “It also helped her heal emotionally so she could accept the end eight months later when she passed.” Now a Reiki III Master Practitioner and a CranioSacral Therapist, VanDam provides treatment in Grand Rapids, Rockford and the Lakeview area. Her background in the medical field, management and training in the holistic arts has given her a unique perspective. “From working in Home IV Therapy for 13 years to managing a family restaurant to working for a local company that practiced a holistic care approach, each one led to the next and to this place,” she said with a smile. “My greatest sense of fulfillment comes from helping people to be better in mind, body or spirit in some significant way.” VanDam began her training in Reiki with a friend at Grand Rapids Community College and found it fascinating. “Working in the medical field I met people who needed help and I just knew there had to be something else, a better way,” she explained. “I learned about the energy field we have in our bodies and how changing the energy level could cure illnesses and restore people to health.” Reiki (from the Japanese word meaning universal life force energy) is a gentle hands-on treatment that assists in balancing one’s major energy center (chakras). When these are in harmony the body can heal itself and the mind becomes calm. “During treatment this healing energy flows from God through the Reiki touch and this is the energy that runs and fuels the body,” she explained. “When the energy is restricted or blocked illness sets in, keeping these channels open is crucial to good health.” A couple of years later VanDam was introduced to CranioSacral Therapy (CST), and saw an important connection between it and Reiki that appealed to her as a therapist. CranioSacral refers to the soft tissues and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord of the central nervous system. When this system is compromised, it can affect the performance of nearly every other system in the body. Therapy involves finding any restrictions and releasing them, allowing the body to relax and self-correct. “CranioSacral Therapy is tangible and medically well known, so there is more acceptance of this treatment, but it is all part of the mind body spirit connection,” said VanDam. “Many practitioners just do one or the other, but I do a mix of both. People need to be able to utilize 100% of their energy to get done what they need to do each day.” Reiki and CST use similar methods to treat different areas of the body, and both treat a full spectrum of pain, illness, and dysfunction. “Migraines, chronic neck and back pain,

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue; there are many reasons people come to me,” said VanDam. “Many have sought medical treatment for years, but still are suffering.” Both sessions generally last up to an hour, while the person receiving the treatment is fully clothed in a private setting. “In addition to symptoms I also look at the emotions attached to the pain,” explained VanDam. “Even though people may have long forgotten a trauma that has affected them for years the body has memories that need to be released before it can move on.” Even though these therapies are an alternative to traditional medicine, VanDam has seen support for their results by the medical community. “Two sisters I worked with were in a terrible car accident and one was hurt more seriously than the other,” she said. “She was having seizures and didn’t want to go on prescription drugs, so she began treatment with me. Over the next year her symptoms gradually lessoned as her body healed itself.” Even though her different specialists didn’t understand the therapy and why it was making a difference in her recovery they encouraged her to stay with whatever she was doing because it was working. “The headaches diminished, her sensitivity to light decreased and the seizures were gone,” she said with satisfaction. “She was able to stay in college and is now leading a normal life.” Everything in nature has a vibration and an energy level, so in her tranquil healing room VanDam has a collection of crystals and essential oils that complement the treatments. “Being grounded to the earth and being close to nature helps to release negative energy, because everything from this earth has a vibration,” she said with a smile. “Just learning release techniques can benefit everyone.” For those who are struggling with health issues or need to increase their energy level VanDam suggests starting with a series of three sessions. “Some people find the treatments rejuvenating and others deeply relaxing. After the three sessions is a good time to reassess your status,” she said. Married with three kids, VanDam is also a Cosmetolo-gist, works in hospice care and loves to garden and create floral arrangements. Most of all, she likes to be outside. “In the mountains, at the beach, being anywhere in nature is so amazing,” she said. “It’s the same feeling I get when I’m able to help better someone’s life in some way. It makes every-thing worthwhile.”

For more information about Light Rays contact Jamie VanDam at 616-365-9113 or [email protected]. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lightraysjamie or www.lightraysllc.com. See ad page 44.

Grand Rapids native Kim Racette writes for a variety of publications and websites in the area, including DressMeDaddy.com.

Light RaysCommunity Spotlight

by Kim Racette


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Tip Of The Month

Buy re-usable lunch bags for

snacks and sandwiches to eliminate

plastic zip locks. Save money and

the earth.

Peace is…

a wish that grows around the world

everyone feeling music in their heartseveryone having someone to loveeveryone knowing they are in a safe placeeveryone knowing they are beautiful inside and out

singing togethermaking art and sharing it with othersgrowing a garden, planting a treeprotecting animals

getting Dorothy back homeeveryone playing sports instead of going to warhappiness for all, peace on Earth and pizza for all people

being kissed goodnightevery child having a familyevery child having a ball to play withat least one hug a daya warm bed to dream in

the angel in my heartusing your voice for goodtreating others as you wish to be treatedsending all soldiers home to their familiespeople shaking hands

keeping our world safeknowing anything is possible

having fun and being kindhelping people in needeveryone having an educationeveryone having good food

goodnesslaughterlovemeditatingnature

the beauty that surrounds the world

Kids for Peace PledgeI pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.I pledge to care for our Earth with my healing heart and hands.I pledge to respect people in each and every land.I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.I pledge to do my part to create peace for one and all.

Contributions are by children ages 5 to 11. For more information, visit KidsForPeaceGlobal.org.

healthykids

What Peace Means to Children

The World We All Needby Kids for Peace

Honoring the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, September 21


WHOLE-BEING WORKOUTSMoving the Body Opens the Door to Spirit

by Lisa Marshall

introduced Westerners to the possibil-ity that the two seemingly incongruous goals could be intertwined, the spiritu-ality-fitness link has spread well beyond the yoga mat. It has spawned fusions ranging from Body Gospel, a Christian workout tape, and Jewish Yoga classes to triathlon programs rooted in Native American teachings and Buddhism-based running meditation workshops. In addition, creative instructors have been fusing body/mind/spirit clas-sics like yoga and Pilates with hard-core cardio disciplines like spinning and boxing. Half of all U.S. fitness clubs now offer mind/body program-ming, according to the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, and the portion of classes dedicated to “mind/spirit” versus just “body” is on the rise. “The newer programming is bal-anced 50-50, rather than the 80-20 body-mind split of the past,” estimates Sandy Todd Webster, editor in chief of IDEA’s publications. At a time when, according to the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, the number of people that identify with “no organized religion” continues to grow (topping one-fifth of Americans and one-third of U.S. adults under 30), more people than ever are exploring exercise as a path to both flatter abs and deeper self-discovery. “We have spent so long focusing on the mind and the brain… but that is not the whole story,” says Pierrat. “The somatic, or physical, expression of spirituality is the future.”

In the ZoneThe notion that intense dancing or a long run could spark what feels like a spiritual awakening makes sense to Philadelphia-based research neurosci-entist and physician Andrew Newberg, author of How God Changes Your Brain. A pioneer in the field of integra-tive “neurotheology”, he has for years used brain imaging technologies to study the impact religious or spiritual practices like deep meditation, intense prayer and speaking in tongues have on the brain. Exercise, he says, provides many of the same effects. In addition to prompting a surge of feel-good endorphins, a highly strenu-ous workout is one of the few activities that can lead to simultaneous activa-

It’s the Sabbath, a day of prayer, and millions of people across America

are quietly sitting or kneel-ing, humbly communing with a power greater than themselves. But inside the Alchemy of Movement studio in Boul-der, Colorado, the Soul Sweat faithful are connecting with their higher power in a different fashion. In bare feet, and wearing yoga pants and tank tops, they find a place before a wall-to-wall mir-ror while a slow, Afro-Brazilian rhythm vibrates the wooden floor. At the urging of instructor Chantal Pierrat, they let their arms and necks go limp, shaking off the week’s stresses via a sensual, full-body writhe she calls

“the flail.” As the World Beat playlist picks up the pace, Pierrat leads the group through a funky, rave-like series of dance moves aimed at “opening up” the hips and chest and some-thing less tangible deep inside. By song five, the

sweat is flowing and some are dancing unabashedly, eyes closed, lost in the music. Others are smiling broadly, mak-ing eye contact in the mirror. The sense of joy and interconnect-edness in the room is palpable. “Exer-cise can be a powerful gateway to the spiritual,” observes Pierrat, the founder of Soul Sweat, a highly choreographed, spiritually charged dance workout. Twenty years after the yoga craze

“Exercise can be a powerful

gateway to the spiritual.”

~ Chantal Pierrat


Yoga for EVERYONE!

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tion of both sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (calming) nervous system reactions. “Normally, when one of these is active, the other one shuts down, but when people drive one or the other to a very heightened level of activity, there is some evidence that the other turns on too,” explains Newberg. That intense dual firing can paradoxically lead to an interruption in sensory information traveling to areas of the brain that control our sense of ourselves at any moment. “Not only do you have this great feeling of energy and calmness, but you tend to lose your sense of space and time,” he notes. Newberg’s own research also suggests that when people “surrender” themselves in a spiritual practice, the frontal lobe (the practical part of the brain that keeps our thoughts in check) quiets. He speculates that something similar may happen in the midst of, say, a marathon or intense dance, enabling out of the ordinary thoughts and feelings to surface. “It can allow for creativity—a blending of different, more intuitive ideas in ways you don’t nor-mally mix things,” comments Newberg. So, is exercise able to only make us feel like we’re having a mystical experi-ence, or is it somehow actually opening a channel to the divine? Newberg declines to go there, commenting that a brain scan tells what’s going on in the brain, not in the soul. Yet he has no doubt the two are inextricably linked. He says, “There are many well-known examples of intense experiences, like Sufi dancing, generating spiritual experiences for people.”

Whole-Being WorkoutsMarcus Freed is one of those people. He grew up in a traditional Jewish fam-ily in London, England, and attended a rabbinical seminary in Israel. Still, he felt that something was missing in his spiritual life. “I thought, ‘God has created us with a body. Why aren’t we praying with our body?’” Freed says that Biblical text often references the body: King David, in the Book of Psalms, says, “Let all my bones praise the creator.” The Jewish Talmud refers to a rabbi that “stretched his spine with a prayer of gratitude.” Yet, Freed observes, the physical elements of daily spiritual practice have been largely forgotten over the centuries. When he discovered yoga, it filled a gap for him. “I found a way to draw upon this incredible spiritual literature but ground it in the body, so that experience is not just in the head, but also in the heart.” Thus, Freed founded Bibliyoga, which launches each class with a Hebrew or Kabbalistic teaching, fol-lowed by poses that incorporate its themes, as reflected in his book, The Kosher Sutras: The Jewish Way in Yoga and Meditation. The practice, now taught in cities around the United States and Europe, has prompted the birth of similarly religion-infused classes, including Christ Yoga, and the Jewish Yoga Network. “A lot of people separate things, saying they’ll get their spiritual-ity from one place and their exercise from somewhere else,” says Freed. “I think they are missing out.”

“God has created us with a body. Why aren’t we praying with our body?” ~ Marcus Freed

Mindful SportsThe spirituality-exercise link likewise resonates through other traditionally solo pursuits such as triathlon activities and running, in which many athletes say a more mindful approach to train-ing has infused their sport with more meaning, and in some cases, improved their performances. Ironman Marty Kibiloski, for-merly a competitive marathoner and road racer, led what he terms a “high achievement, low contentment” life for years, measuring his self-worth by timed results that never quite satisfied him. In 2006, he attended a Running with the Mind of Meditation three-day workshop, based on Rinpoche Sakyong Mipham’s book of the same name. The retreat combined with his newfound interest in Buddhism, completely rede-fined running for him. Kibiloski prefers to steer clear of the word “spiritual” (which he sees as somewhat ambiguous) when describing what he now experiences when run-ning. Instead, he frames it as a vehicle for self-discovery, a mobile meditation that provides the intense focus and free-dom from distraction that enables him to “awaken to how things really are.” He now leads the retreat that proved pivotal for him, drawing more than 100 runners each Labor Day weekend to the Shambhala Mountain Center, in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Participants learn to focus on the ca-dence of their footfalls, their breathing and their surroundings to, as he puts it,


“move meditation beyond the cushion.” He remarks, “It trains you to have your mind be still when your body is active, which is how you are in everyday life.” Triathlete Mark Allen credits his work with Brant Secunda, a shaman and teacher in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico, for en-abling him to overcome negative self-talk and physical stresses and go on to win the Iron-man World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, six times in the late 1980s and early 90s. He notes, “In every one of my physical workouts, I also focused on training the spiritual aspect, so that when I got that chatter in my head, saying, ‘This is too hard’ or ‘I want to quit,’ I could go to a quiet place, rather than a negative one.” Based on their book, Fit Soul, Fit Body: Nine Keys to a Healthier, Happier You, the pair conduct workshops around the country on how to strengthen both soul and body by intertwining both. “Some people think you are only spiritual when you are praying, but when you are moving your body, that is an intensely spiritual experi-ence, too,” says Allen. “It’s my way of saying, ‘Thank you for letting me be alive.’”

Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer near Boulder, CO. Connect at [email protected].

Drawing newcomers eager to break a sweat while staying true to their mind/body and spiritual roots is the aim of yoga, Pilates and tribal dance instructors that are busy introducing innovations. Here’s a quick look at just some of them. Aero boga: This approach to yoga-dance fusion is designed for older adults that follow the bhakti yoga philosophy. Buti: Teachers of this 90-min-ute, high-intensity workout that fuses yoga, tribal dance and plyo-metrics aim to unlock the shakti spiral and release the hips to help energy flow freely in the first and second chakras. Piloxing: Created by Swedish dancer and celebrity trainer Viveca Jensen, Piloxing blends Pilates

FUSION WORKOUTS Pump Body, Charge Spirit

and boxing with powerful prin-ciples of femininity. Soul Sweat: Highly choreo-graphed, yet accessible to begin-ners, dance movements are set to World Beat, African, Latin, hip-hop and rave music to enhance coor-dination, tone muscles, enhance energy flow and awaken creativity. Vinyasa on the bike: Con-scious pedaling on a stationary bike integrates yoga principles of breathing, flowing and paying at-tention to what is happening in the body. YoBata: Fast-paced classes in-tersperse Vinyasa (or flow) yoga with tabata brief sets of high-intensity, fat-burning bodyweight or cardio exercises).


When it comes to attaining fitness, several well-regarded recommendations increase the likelihood of success. Natural Awakenings canvassed online fitness sources for tips and techniques intended to keep workouts safe, fun and satisfying. Our favorites follow. Always stretch – Light stretching be-fore and after workouts loosens muscles and increases circulation for quicker repair and healing. It can also help pre-vent injuries. It’s ideal to hold stretches for at least 30 seconds, breathing “into” the muscles that are being stretched and inviting a gentle release of tension on the exhalation. If any pain surfaces while stretching a certain area, stop. Start slowly – Begin and build workout routines slowly in order to avoid straining muscles and ligaments. Exercise at least twice a week, the bare minimum for staying physically fit. Be well rounded – Add leg and back exercises to crunches and bicep curls, and vary cardio routines to stay enthu-siastic about workouts. Experiment with all the equipment available at a studio or gym, asking a trainer for guidance. Drink plenty of water – Drinking water helps to decrease appetite and eliminate cravings, while nourishing and hydrating the body. The goal is to drink half of one’s body weight number in ounces each day. Keep it regular – Making exercise a regularly scheduled part of the week eliminates excuses. Keep it on the calendar and show up as dutifully as for any other important appointment. Make up any days missed. Increase intensity – More intense workouts mean less time spent doing them while achieving the same level of benefits. It’s also important to keep endur-ance exercises in any routine, however, because they are vital for cardiovascular benefits and building stamina. Use weights – Adding muscle to the body increases strength, life expec-

tancy and fat burning. To tone muscles, use a weight that works for eight to 12 lifts. For bulk, use a weight suited to four to six lifts. Practice a weight train-ing routine two to three times a week, keeping sessions under 45 minutes. Add interval training – Sprinting for about 50 yards boosts metabolism and heart health. Return to the starting point by taking a slow walk. Repeat as many times as possible, making sure to warm up before the interval training and cool down afterwards. Dress up – Energize a workout ses-sion and boost confidence by wearing something snazzy. Donning an exercise “uniform” gets us in the mood, and a new piece of clothing or footwear can make us excited to get moving again. Be a safe runner – Every six weeks, cut running mileage and frequency in half for a week. This allows the body to recover from workouts and helps to prevent injury. Make it meaningful – While walking or running, recite prayers or a gratitude list, or listen to inspirational podcasts and downloads. Volunteer for fitness – Many volunteer tasks involve some form of physical movement. It feels good to burn calories while helping others. Bring workout buddies – Friends and pets need exercise, too, and they provide restorative companionship. Working out with a pal adds support and motivation, which are keys to success. Seek out a human buddy with similar fitness goals. Go green – Research from the University of Essex, in England, shows that exercising in nature produces addi-tional physical and mental benefits. The researchers found that “green exercise” improves mood, self-esteem, enjoyment and motivation.

Casey McAnn is a freelance writer in Boston, MA.

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“If you have to ask yourself, you are,” advises Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, a renowned integrative physician in Kona, Hawaii, and author of Beat Sugar Addiction Now!

The dangers of excessive sugar consumption, especially of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), are well known. Yet such cheap, corn-based sweeteners account for nearly 56 percent of all sweeteners, especially in beverages. The average American annually consumes 152 pounds of sugar, compared to 109 pounds in 1950, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A large portion is ingested as sugary liquids, including juices and an average of 46 gallons of soft drinks a year—compared to 11 gallons 50 years ago.

Puts on PoundsCertainly, high-calorie sugars trigger weight gain, but it may be news that calories from sugar act differently in the body than those from other foods. “Fat doesn’t make you fat. Sugar makes you fat,” states Dr. John Salerno, director of The Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, in New York, Tokyo and Sao Paolo, Brazil. “Eating carbohydrates quickly raises blood sugar (glu-cose), prompting the release of insulin to transport the glucose not immediately needed for energy, to the cells,” Salerno explains in his new book, The Salerno Solution: An

consciouseating

SUGAR MONSTER

How Sweet It Isn’tby Kathleen Barnes

Ounce of Prevention, a Lifetime of Health. “If there is more glucose than you need, the remainder is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, and then converted to fat.”

Killing Effect While the negative effects of excess sugar consumption have been documented for decades, “Evidence is mount-ing that sugar is the primary cause of obesity, plus many chronic and lethal diseases,” says Osteopathic Physician Joseph Mercola, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, who runs the highly popular natural health website, Mercola.com, and has authored books that include The No-Grain Diet and Sweet Deception. “Excessive fructose consumption leads to insulin resistance that appears to be the root of many, if not most, chronic diseases,” says Mercola. Beyond the obvious associa-tion with obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, liver and heart disease and Alzheimer’s have all been linked to sugar, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Informa-tion at the National Institutes of Health. “Sugar, in excess, is a toxin, unrelated to its calories,” says Dr. Robert Lustig, an endocrinologist and professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, San Fran-cisco. “The dose determines the poison. Like alcohol, a little sugar is fine, but a lot is not. And the food industry has put us way over our limit.” Sugar can be addictive, continues Lustig. “It has clear potential for abuse. Like tobacco and alcohol, sugar acts on the brain to encourage subsequent intake.”

Healthy Sweetenersn Stevia, a powdered extract of a South American plant, is the most popular natural sweetener, delivering no calories or blood sugar swings; 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, a little goes a long way. Look for a product with no additives.

n Sucanat—minimally processed, dehydrated cane sugar juice—is a reasonably healthy alternative, especially to substitute measure for measure in baking. Because it me-tabolizes like sugar, it too will cause blood sugar swings; also note that both agave and “raw” sugar, which is merely

“Am I a sugar addict?” There’s an easy way to tell.

Everyday Sugar Addictsby Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum

A solution to sugar addiction is simply to stop eating sugars, especially any form of corn syrup. Drink more water and take a high-quality multivitamin, plus other supplements as neces-sary. Here are the four characteristics of people that tend to obsessively seek sugar.

4 Chronically exhausted and looking for an energy boost4 Stressed out and suffering from adrenal exhaustion4 Cravings caused by excessive presence of yeast/candida4 Hormonally related cravings


less refined table sugar, have similar effects.

n Honey, while not calorie-free, is high in heart-healthy flavonoids and anti-allergens, and may even help lower cho-lesterol, according to a study from University Hospital Gies-sen and Marburg, in Germany.

n Maple syrup carries calories, but is also a rich source of polyphenol anti-inflammatory antioxidants. A University of Rhode Island, Kingston, study suggests that maple syrup may help manage Type 2 diabetes.

n Molasses, while not calorie-free, is a worthy alternative if weight isn’t an issue, since it’s a good source of minerals, especially iron.

n Raw monk fruit (avoid processed Nectresse), a small, sweet melon native to China and Southeast Asia known as luo han guo, has traditionally been used in herbal medicine. It is touted as being low in carbs and is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

n Coconut sugar is generating excitement largely because of its low glycemic index (35) and low carbohydrate qualities. This optimum option is a good source of potassium, magne-sium, iron, boron, zinc, sulfur and copper.

n All fruit contains fructose, but in a natural state—not

synthesized as a vegetable product like corn syrup. Fruit also comes loaded with health benefits, so eating it in modera-tion works, especially fruits and berries that are low on the glycemic index, a measure of carbohydrate effects on blood sugar levels.

Kathleen Barnes has authored many natural health books. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

Corn Syrup Hides in Processed Foods

Most of us might suspect that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) lurks in soft drinks, baked goods, candy and other sweets, but substantial amounts permeate many processed foods. Key culprits include:

Notes: HFCS sometimes hides on labels as inulin, glucose-fructose syrup, isoglucose and fruit fructose, among others.

Sources include several online publications and food product labels.

4 Applesauce4 Bottled steak and barbecue sauces4 Breads4 Breakfast cereals (including low-calorie ones)4 Canned soups

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In addition to relieving symptoms of menopause and andropause and help-ing maintain a normal, balanced hor-

mone system, healthy eating can yield many other benefits. According to U.S. National Library of Medicine research reports, these include weight manage-ment, bone health and fertility and natu-ral defenses against breast and prostate cancers and osteoarthritis symptoms. Despite drug-free approaches to hormone health that predate synthe-sized 20th-century hormone replace-ment therapy, the pharmaceutical industry has all but vanquished eating appropriately nutritious foods as a means to balancing hormones. Why do people embrace external sourc-ing when natural internal function-ing is the better, less costly and more permanent solution? Even the current bio-identical upgrade of hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may lead to some biological dependency on these substances. Appropri-ate BHRT should include an analysis of how the individual uniquely metabolizes hor-mones and functional foods that can help. An edible approach to hormone health provides deep nourishment for glands, enabling increased production of what they lack due to changes associ-ated with age or illness. Healthy eating likewise reduces the activity of excess hormones already in the body, beneficially mimicking their previous function without the unwanted

side effects. Here are some leading food aids to get us there.

PomegranateThe resemblance of the inner topog-raphy of a pome-granate to an ovary is more than poetic homage. Pre-Renaissance Western herbal-ists commonly held that a plant food’s visual similarity to a human organ indicated a positive health correlation. Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology on pomegranates by Japanese scientists revealed that the seeds and fleshy capsules within which they are suspended, called arils, contain estrogens structurally similar to those found in mammals. Preclinical results published in Phytochemistry may explain why

extracts of these plant-derived bio-identical hormones mimicking

estradiol, estriol and estrone are capable of replacing the function of an ovary. A Japa-nese study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacolo-gy reported that female mice whose ovaries had been

removed and were later fed pomegranate juice and pome-

granate seed extract for two weeks showed rever-

sals in bone loss, uterine weight loss and anxiety.

BroccoliCruciferous vegeta-

bles such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, collard and mus-tard greens and the

consciouseating

Edible HormonesHealth Support for Women

by Sayer Ji and Tania Melkonian


root vegetables kohlrabi and rutabaga contain glucosinolates, which help protect DNA from damage, according to a study published in Current Science. Also, ever-increasing preclinical and clinical evidence shows that consum-ing cruciferous vegetables reduces the risk of more than 100 health problems, including a wide range of cancers, like those affecting the bladder and breasts.

FlaxUnwelcome symptoms of perimenopause (which can last years before the completion of menopause) can be offset through daily ingestion of ground flax, which can be added to cereals, salads and other foods. Ground flaxseed mixed with dried berries is par-ticularly palatable. As the ovarian reserve of naturally manufactured hormones exhausts itself and prompts an imbalance, flaxseed is particularly effective in rebalancing levels of desirable estrogen metabolites, such as

breast-friendly 2-hydroxyestrone. It con-tains a fiber, lignan, that upon digestion produces two important phytoestrogens capable of stimulating the body’s natural estrogen receptors in cases of estrogen deficiency and blocking both synthetic and natural estrogen when there is excess (as with estrogen-dominant conditions from puberty to menopause). These properties have been confirmed in human clinical studies performed at the University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Thus, flaxseed may be considered a source of plant “estrogen”

capable of prompting regression of estrogen-sensitive cancers, including

those of the breast and prostate. Extremely versatile in culinary applications, combining flaxseed

with ground cumin provides a medicinally potent homemade sea-

soning supporting women’s hormonal health.

CuminCumin—actually a fruit disguised as a spice—has tremendous hormone-modu-

lating properties recently confirmed by findings in Experimental Biology and Medicine. Japa-nese scientists dem-onstrated that cumin seeds can inhibit loss of bone density and strength as effectively as estrogen in a female rat model of age-associated osteoporosis. They further found that the cumin seeds did not have estrogen’s weight-promoting and possible carcinogenic effects on the uterus. Imagine the potent hormone-balancing properties of a dinner of steamed rutabaga dressed with ground flaxseeds and cumin with a side of mustard greens with olive oil and pomegranate dressing. It beats a serving of Premarin with a serv-ing of unwanted side effects any day. Sayer Ji is the founder of GreenMedInfo.com and advisory board member of the National Health Federation. Tania Melkonian is a certified nutritionist and healthy culinary arts educator. Learn more at GreenMedInfo.com.


fitbody

STAYING POWERA Good Trainer Keeps Us On Trackby Debra Melani

Approximately 6.4 million Ameri-cans now engage personal train-ers, according to the International

Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Associa-tion, including some in less traditional locations, like community centers and corporate workplaces. When a client sticks with a personal trainer over the long haul, the relationship can evolve beyond a caring coach into a steadfast mentor, producing benefits that tran-scend basic fitness. “I have individuals I’ve worked with for 10 years, and have come to know them and their bodies and habits well,” says Kristin McGee, a New York City trainer who counts celebrities like Steve Martin and Tina Fey as clients. By understanding all aspects of each of her clients, she says she can better tailor programs to meet their needs.

When nine-year client Bebe Duke, 58, faced a lengthy rehabilitation after tripping and shattering a shoulder, Mc-Gee helped lift her spirits, ease her back into full-body fitness and even slay some psychological dragons. “We worked her lower half; we kept her strong and her moods steady with meditation and yoga,” McGee says. “The physical therapist knew how to work with her shoulder joint, but not with the rest of her body and the rest of her life.” Duke felt, as she puts it, “a signifi-cant fear of falling” after the accident. “So we spent an enormous amount of time on balance and making sure I didn’t feel nervous.” McGee was able to help Duke prevent fitness loss, which can hap-pen to anyone that goes four weeks without exercising, reports Medicine &

Science in Sports & Exercise journal. Maintaining regular exercise can also deter depression, confirmed by a study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Three years after the injury, Duke can now hold a downward dog yoga pose and do a headstand. “I’m also running again,” Duke adds. “I’m signed up for a half marathon.” Richard Cotton, a personal trainer in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the American College of Sports Medicine’s national director of certification, agrees that a good long-term trainer often serves as a fitness, nutrition and even life coach. “You can’t metaphorically cut off people’s heads and only train their bodies. Then you are just a techni-cian,” he observes. Building a true foundation for health requires understanding the importance of each building block, not just working with a trainer for a few sessions and afterwards going blindly through the motions, attests Sandra Blackie, a former professional bodybuilder, certified nutritionist and current personal trainer in San Diego, California. “I want to educate my clients.” During extended periods, good trainers also revise routines at least once every four weeks to prevent adaptation, another problem that can hinder reaching fitness goals. “With-out trainers, people often get stuck in a rut and lose motivation,” remarks Blackie, who also adapts exercises according to bodily changes due to aging or other conditions. Long-term relationships also allow trainers to focus on the indi-vidual’s bottom-line goals, Cotton notes. For instance, “I want to lose 10 pounds,” might really mean, “I want the energy to play with my kids,” or “I want to feel more alert at work.” “Achievable goals evolve from values,” Cotton explains. “It’s not about getting in super great shape for six months and then stopping. It’s about creating a foundation for life.”

Freelance journalist Debra Melani writes about health care and fitness from Lyons, CO. Connect at Debra Melani.com or [email protected].

Maintaining one’s own fitness program can prove a challenge when the will to work out fizzles. Many people are getting help conquering roadblocks and staying on an effective path of regular exercise through an enduring relationship with a personal trainer.


F A Qby Heater & Aaron Cobb

Below are a couple of the most common questions asked by

people who are thinking about beginning an exercise program.

I don’t want to bulk up, will lifting weights make me bulk up?Not if that isn’t your goal. Weight training will increase muscle size to meet the demand of the stress being placed on the muscle, however you will not look like a bodybuilder. Muscle burns calories, tones and shapes the body.

I only eat 2-3 times a day why can’t I lose weight?You are actually causing the body to hold extra body fat by not eating enough. You must feed the body quality nutrients on a consistent basis everyday to lose body fat, elevate energy and feel better. You should strive for 5-6 meals a day to keep your metabolism operating at a higher rate.

How long before I start to get results?You will start to change almost immediately on the inside as your body’s metabolic processes adapt to the changes brought on by exercise. You will feel the changes before you start to notice them on the outside. You can expect to notice subtle changes in about 4 -6 weeks, others will start to notice in 6-8 weeks and dramatic changes will occur in 10-12 weeks.

What qualifications should I look for?You should search for Nationally Certified trainers and/or those with a degree in a related field.

Heather & Aaron Cobb are Certified Personal Trainers and owners of iTrain Consulting located at 3680 44th Street SE, Suite 160 in Kentwood. www.iTrain4it.com or 616-541-5438. See ads pages 35 & 46.

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greenliving

“When your company motto is ‘true to nature’, you have to follow through,”

says Tom Tabler, director of sales and marketing for the JW Marriott San An-tonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. “We look at everything, from the biodegrad-able ink pens in the guest rooms to the staff’s summer uniform.” Managers’ sport coats consist of lightweight plastic fibers and rubber from recycled materi-als. “They breathe fine, are comfortable and look great,” Tabler remarks. Hotel construction adhered to eco-friendly practices. A 100-acre bird sanctuary followed the onsite discov-ery of endangered golden-cheeked warblers. The 36-hole golf course is certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and deemed the most eco-friendly in the United States by the PGA Tour. The hotel’s four pools and a lazy river for tubing honor the region’s dry climate; water reclamation via closed loop natural catchments and

rain retention ponds keep guests afloat and the golf course green. Also in Texas, the Four Seasons Hotel Austin has a “zero waste” goal, requiring the recycling of 90 percent of all onsite waste. Shadowboxes above trash cans show guests examples of what is and isn’t recyclable, while unused soap and other toiletries are donated to local women’s shelters. “We have placed sufficient contain-ers, so there’s no excuse not to recycle,”

A Green Night’s Sleep for TravelersPioneers Show the Way to Eco-Friendly Stays

by Avery Mack

says Kerri Holden, senior director of pub-lic relations. “In April, we were at the 70 percent compliance mark. We hope to reach our 90 percent goal by year’s end.” She notes that after management cancelled weekly dumpster service, only one six-by-six-foot trash container remains. Even worn linens become cleaning rags. The saltwater swim-ming pool uses soda ash, rather than harsher chlorine chemical treatments. Kitchen scraps are composted and become fertilizer for the hotel’s herb and vegetable garden and flowerbeds. Natural compost bags in guest rooms collect banana peels, apple cores and other organic food waste. At the end of the year, guests that composted during their visit receive a thank-you letter and The Nature Conservancy plants a tree in their name in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most endangered tropical forests (PlantABillion.org). California’s Cavallo Point Lodge, near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, opened in Sausalito in 2008 as the newest national park lodge and the only one with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. It was built in the early 1900s to house Fort Baker’s mili-tary families. While renovations have enlarged the rooms, wood door framing maintains the rustic appearance and the wood floors are ei-ther original or made from repurposed wood. “We learned a lot while updating the lodge,” says General Manager Euan Taylor. “We dis-covered that the tin ceiling tiles were painted with lead-based paint. Instead of using harsh chemicals, we froze each tile, gave it a slight twist and the paint fell off.” Unsurprisingly, food for the lodge restaurant and onsite cooking school is purchased from local farmers. In Big Sur, California, the award-winning Post Ranch Inn specializes in repurposing materials. Wood from old growth redwood wine casks accent walls in guest rooms. Fall-en trees become benches dotting walkways. Dinnerware is made from recycled glass and any broken plates are recycled again. The honey used for a special spa facial treatment comes from 18 onsite beehives. Daily updates on energy savings via the Inn’s 208 kW, 990-panel solar power system can be viewed at Tinyurl.com/Post-RanchInnMonitor.

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

photo courtesy of JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa


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Peaches Bed & Breakfast At Peaches Bed & Breakfast in Grand Rapids, Michigan, they are not just caretakers of their historic home, but also of the earth. They take advantage of every

possible opportunity to reuse, repurpose, recycle or donate. “We were green when it was just a color,” Jane Lovett, owner of Peaches Bed & Breakfast explains. “Peaches was the first green lodging in Grand Rapids, first in the state and first B&B in the country. It seemed like a perfect fit and we wanted to stay ahead of the curve.” Peaches B&B, a part of the State of Michigan’s Green Lodging Program, has earned an amazing 88 points from the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth’s Green Lodging initiative, scoring higher initially than any other property when they were first certified in 2007.

A few of their green initiatives include:• Drying sheets outside.• Recycling everything possible. • Using as few disposable products as possible such as china,

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Certified hotels in the state of Michigan. Their Holland loca-tion was the first hotel in the Midwest to achieve LEED Gold Certification. Each CityFlats Hotel location boasts interior furniture and décor designed and manufactured with local materials and rapidly renewable resources. In fact, the major-ity of all finished products used were manufactured locally in Holland, Michigan. At CityFlats Hotels you will find they utilize green materials, technologies, and practices to reduce their impact on the environment. Green features at each location can vary, however they may include cork flooring, low-VOC adhesives & paint, naturally hypo-allergenic bamboo linens, CityDrēm Mattresses, natural lighting, high-efficiency heating and cool-ing units, low-flow faucets and toilets, fluorescent lighting and Cradle-to-Cradle Certified recycled materials. CityFlats Hotel believes the conservation and protection of the environment will ensure the planet’s longevity and improve quality of life for all people. Reducing waste sent to landfills, conserving energy and water, reducing harmful greenhouse emissions and ultimately creating a healthy and safe environ-ment for guests and employees. At CityFlats Hotel, guests can satisfy their eco-conscience without sacrificing style.

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Going green goes both ways—home to school and school to home. Alysia Reiner, an actress

and eco-advocate from New York’s Har-lem neighborhood, became involved with the Bank Street School for Chil-dren when her daughter enrolled at age 3. “I’m green at home, so in my mind her school had to be green, too. With no programs in place, I made sugges-tions, which got me elected co-chair of the green committee,” says Reiner, with a smile. “Today, we have a school-wide com-posting program serving 1,500 students that has reduced previous levels of food waste by 75 percent. To raise awareness and funds to support it, we sold reusable snack sacks, stainless steel water bottles and home composting bags.” An innova-tive chef focuses on organic foods with vegetarian options for school lunches. The next step is a rooftop garden. When Sheila Hageman, an author, teacher and public speaker living in Mil-ford, Connecticut, first read the memo requesting garbage-free lunches for

her three children at the New England School-Montessori, she couldn’t imagine packing food without the use of plastic wrap, sandwich bags or paper napkins, but, “Now, it’s no big deal,” she says. “I use glass containers and cloth napkins. The kids eat better quality food. It costs less, too, be-cause prepackaged snacks are out.” She notes that the governing rule is one protein, one fruit and one vegetable. The school even has a natural composter—a class guinea pig that loves to eat leftover veggies. Students often bring the first of their homegrown vegetables each season for show and tell in the classroom, where they normally eat lunch. It’s a neat way to avoid mass-produced food; the school has no cafeteria. “A little change becomes part of a

Schools Go GreenHomework, Lunch, Buses

Get an Eco-Makeoverby Avery Mack

lifestyle,” remarks Hageman. Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches, for grades nine through 12, in West Palm Beach, Florida, provides a near-paperless experience for students, all of which are issued computers. Homework is assigned, completed, graded and returned; tests are given and graded; report cards are sent and text-books studied—all online. “We buy one set of print books, since not all students learn the same way. But e-books can be updated electroni-cally each year, saving the educational costs of outdated materials and finan-cial costs of replacement,” says Teresa Thornton, Ph.D., the science teacher who spearheaded many of the school’s green initiatives. “By the end of the year, they know how to use software programs to organize and analyze information.” In Pittsburgh, Chatham University follows the example of eco-pioneer and Silent Spring author Rachel Carson, a class of 1929 alumna, to preserve, main-tain and restore nature. With the goal to be carbon neutral by 2025, sustain-ability becomes part of every decision. The Chatham Eastside facility, located in a revitalization area, reclaimed a former manufacturing complex. “We are the first school in Pennsyl-vania to have a solar hot water system,” says Mary Whitney, the school’s sus-tainability coordinator. “Bottled water was banned in 2011 and filtered water stations provide free refills for stainless steel bottles. The rent-a-bike program is

especially popular with interna-tional students.” The two campus Zipcars shared by students can be reserved for a fee. Students also ride free on public transportation.

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the Calvin Donaldson Environ-mental Science Academy, students gain the knowledge and experi-

ence to extend the difference they make beyond green-

ing their school. Anne Vilen, a designer for expeditionary learning schools like Donald-son, says, “It’s empowering for students to discover they can make a real impact.”

Connect with Avery Mack via [email protected].

With paperless homework, bookless backpacks, zero waste lunches,

plastic-free filtered water and classrooms without walls, today’s parents

and teachers are bringing eco-friendly ways to schools and giving students

an early appreciation of the importance of environmental health.


Pre-K to College Eco-LessonsGreen Apple is a global movement to put all children in schools where they have clean and healthy air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved and where they can be inspired to dream of a brighter future. The Green Apple Day of Service, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, gives parents, teachers, students, com-panies and local organizations the opportunity to transform all schools into healthy, safe and productive learning environments through local service projects.

Below are a few events happening here in West Michigan:

GRCC - USGBC Green Apple Day Time: September 28, 9:00am-1:00pmHost: Rick ZimonickGrand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Make a Start, Do Your Part, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle The most important aim for us today should be the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle. We need to reduce the use of non-biodegradable objects. We need to reuse objects as often as possible and recycle as well. Lincoln School is offering opportunities for the community to do their part in the 3 R’s of recycling. We will be collecting gently used clothing, electronics, and house-hold items that will be donated to Goodwill Industries. Containers will be available at Lincoln School to receive the donations from September 19th thru September 26th. Time: September 19 (All Day Event) Host: Mary SimotLincoln School, 860 Crahen Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Back to the Compost! (Waste Not) We will begin using our compost containers for both breakfast and lunch times.Time: September 23, 9:00am & September 27, 9:00amHost: William SmithCA Frost Environmental Science Academy1460 Laughlin Dr NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Let’s reuse it! (Waste Not) We will collect used clothing & household items for donation to Good-will Industries.Time: September 25 (All Day Event) Host: William SmithZoo School, 1300 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Hey that can be REUSED! (Waste Not) Items will be collected and given to Goodwill which sells them and uses the profits to fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.Time: September 27 (All Day Event) Host: William SmithBlandford School, 1715 Hillburn Ave, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Tree Planting-MI (Take It Outside)Time: September 28, 12:00-3:00pmHost: Steve FillmoreContact: 231-767-3695, Muskegon, MI 49442

Go to www.MyGreenApple.org to see how your school/organization can participate.

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as a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can enjoy learning about healthy and joyous living while working from your home and earn a good income doing something you love!

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ALL MONTH LONGRegistration for Classes- 8:00am-5:00pm. Taking applications now for the October start of the Natural Health Educator and the Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner programs. Seats are limited - get your packet of materials today. Call 989-773-1714, or email [email protected]. 503 East Broadway Street, Mount Pleasant.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Guided Meditation and Healing Circle- 7:00-8:00 pm. Escape from stress and discover an inner world of calm, peace & joy through guided meditation, and energy healing from Healing in America-trained healers. $5 donation. Holistic Care Approach 3368 Beltline Ct., NE, Grand Rapids. For more info call: 269-908-1016.Free Shamanic Healing Information Session- 7:15-8:30pm. What IS shamanism and shamanic healing? Join EOG owner Andy Groggel, M.A. as he answers your questions. Andy will share some of his knowledge, provide a brief demonstration of the shamanic healing techniques he uses and offer a relaxation exercise. 5270 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5EcoTrek with Kelsey- 5:30-6:45am. Park under the farmer’s market canopies. $10 drop-in, [email protected]. Chinook Pier, 301 N. Harbor Dr, Grand Haven.EcoTrek with Jennephyr- 6:00pm-7:15pm. Meet at Rosa Parks Circle in front of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. We’ll explore the urban terrain of Down-town GR, ending back at the GRAM for a peaceful yoga stretch. $10 drop-in, [email protected]. Rosa Parks Circle, Downtown Grand Rapids. Healthseekers Free Class- 6:00-7:15pm. There is a high level of vitality and healing beyond the absence of pain. Find out how homeopathy & chiropractic are a perfect fit, restoring balance & optimizing functioning of your entire system down to the cel-lular and vibrational level. www.angeltouchfamily-chiropractic.com. 231-670-0179. 4265 Grand Haven Road, Suite 203, Muskegon.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6An Evening of Yoga Nidra- 6:30-8:00pm. Yoga nidra or “yogic sleep” is a conscious state of deep relaxation. During this workshop, we will have a gentle yoga practice followed by a yoga nidra prac-tice, where we will revitalize and open the energy channels using guided imagery. $20. PeaceLab Yoga, 5570 Wilson Ave., Suite M, Grandville.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7Bija Yoga Prenatal Program- 12:00-1:15pm. Yoga has many benefits during pregnancy! Learn how to align your body correctly as your center of

gravity changes, breathing techniques, as well as gentle movements that help open the pelvis. For more information call 616-935-7028. $10 drop in. On the Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake. Live Fearlessly! An Afternoon with Anita Moor-jani - 12:30-5:30pm, Grandville High School Per-forming Arts Center. One-day seminar featuring Hay House author Anita Moorjani. Other Coptic speak-ers: John Davis, Denise Iwaniw, Robert Huttinga. $40/person. Register at www.TheCopticCenter.org.Presented by Coptic Fellowship International. 616-531-1339. 4700 Canal Ave SW, Grandville.Your Healing Gift; An Introduction to Energy Healing- 1:00-4:30pm. This introductory class as taught by England’s renowned Healing Trust will teach you energy healing tools you will be able to use immediately to invoke remarkable changes in your life. Taught by licensed trainer Laurie DeDeck-er, RN, MHIA. $45. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct. NE, Grand Rapids.Partner Thai Yoga Workshop- 6:00-8:00pm- Thai massage is designed to be beneficial for both the giver and the receiver. Thai Bodywork works with the whole body, incorporating principles of martial arts, yoga and excellent body mechanics. $45/couple. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8EcoTrek with Jennephyr- 10:00am-11:15am. The Park’s 250 acres on the east and west sides of the Grand River offer a refreshing and beautiful natural environment within the City. $10 drop-in, [email protected]. Riverside Park, Grand Rapids. Animal Medicine and Power Animals: Learning to Interpret Nature’s Messages- 2:00-5:00pm. Join Andy Groggel, M.A. to explore methods through which one can deepen their understanding of the animals and animal spirits present for each of us and learn to interpret their meanings. $25. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Dr NE, Grand Rapids.Book Focus/Growth Group- 4:30-6:30pm. Study the book Path of Transformation by Shakti Gawain in a small intentional community seeking wholeness, growth, insight, and self-healing. The group will be facilitated by Toni Van Dyken, a certified Spiritual Director and ordained Interfaith Minister. $85. For more information call 616-935-7028. On the Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9Guided Meditation and Healing Circle- 7:45-8:45pm. Escape from stress and discover an inner world of calm, peace & joy through guided medita-tion, and energy healing from trained healers. $5. Satya Yoga, 133 Butler St., Saugatuck.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10EcoTrek with Kym- 6:15pm-7:30pm. Mostly flat

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

but packed full of great trails and fun things to do. All paved trails. $10 drop-in, [email protected]. Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard SW, Grand Rapids.Meditation with Monica Verplank- 6:30-7:30pm. Introducing Monica Verplank a Deepak Chopra Certified Meditation instructor. Join her for a guided meditation and principles of meditation. Open to all levels. $20 with pre-payment at www.lisawlee.com or $25 at door. Lisa W. Lee’s International Wellness Partners, 14998 Cleveland St. Suite C, Spring Lake. [email protected] with questions.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Choosing Safer Cosmetics- 6:00pm. Do you want to make healthier choices & avoid unsafe ingre-dients in the cosmetics you use? If so, gather up some friends for this informative & fun workshop. Receive 10% off total purchase day of event. $10 non-refundable deposit requested. Call Teri 616-419-8115 to RSVP. Serendipite Organiques, 959 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 PeaceLab Yoga Momma: Pre/Post Natal Yoga- 5:30-6:30pm. 7-week series through 10/24. Start or continue your yoga practice during this very special time in your life. Share with other mothers and mums-to-be. You will feel supported mind, body and spirit. Suitable for all experience levels. $75. PeaceLab Yoga, 5570 Wilson Ave., Suite M, Grandville.Free Community Workshop: Trigger Point Massage - 6:00pm. Dr. Michael Kwast, DC, CSCS discusses Trigger Point Massage. Learn what a trig-ger point is, what causes them, how to prevent them, how to get rid of them, hands on training. Seating limited to first 30 callers. RSVP today: 616-447-9888. 4150 East Beltline Suite #4, Grand Rapids.Celebrate World Day of Prayer- 7:00pm. Begin-ning at 9am for silent prayer and meditation in the sanctuary, peace chapel and garden. A sacred prayer service on the theme, Living Well: Nurturing Mind, Body, Spirit, will be held in the sanctuary at 7pm. Free. All are invited to attend. Unity of Grand Rap-ids, 1711 Walker Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13Universal Spiritual Practice with Chris Wheeler- 6:15-7:30pm. We invite you to embrace your mind, body, and spirit as we explore and embrace all world religions. Program is based on Unity and Oneness as shared by Sufi Master Hazrat Inayat Khan. Dona-tion. Heart’s Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14Absolute Beginners Yoga Series- 11:00am-12:15pm. Join certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher Rose Ranthum in this series aimed for the brand new, never ever yoga student. Recovering from injury, restricted in some way, or just curious? Meets 4 Saturdays in a row and requires a minimum of 5 participants. $40. PeaceLab Yoga, 5570 Wilson Ave., Suite M, Grandville.Growing Older...Becoming Wiser- 1:00-4:00pm. Join other women in exploring our living legacies, embracing the wise woman within, and harvesting the wisdom of our years of experience. $10. Reg-

Shading represents special events in honor of NATIONAL YOGA MONTH!

turn your passion into a business

• Low Investment

• No Experience Needed

• Great Support Team with Complete Training

• Work from Home

• Online Marketing Tools

• Meaningful New Career

• Birmingham,AL• Huntsville,AL• Mobile/Baldwin,AL*• LittleRock/HotSpg.,AR*• Phoenix,AZ• Tucson,AZ• EastBayArea,CA• LosAngeles,CA*• SanDiego,CA• Denver/Boulder,CO• FairfieldCounty,CT• Hartford,CT• NewHaven/

Middlesex,CT• Washington,DC• Daytona/Volusia/

Flagler,FL• NWFLEmeraldCoast• Ft.Lauderdale,FL• Jacksonville/St.Aug.,FL• Melbourne/Vero,FL• Miami&FloridaKeys• Naples/Ft.Myers,FL• NorthCentralFL*• Orlando,FL• PalmBeach,FL• PeaceRiver,FL• Sarasota,FL• Tampa/St.Pete.,FL• FL’sTreasureCoast• Atlanta,GA

• WesternNC/No.,GA• ChicagoNo.Shore,IL• Indianapolis,IN• Louisville-Metro,KY*• Lafayette,LA• NewOrleans,LA• Boston,MA• Western,MA• AnnArbor,MI• GrandRapids,MI• EastMichigan• WayneCounty,MI• Minneapolis,MN• Asheville,NC*• Charlotte,NC• Triangle,NC• Central,NJ• HudsonCounty,NJ• MercerCounty,NJ• Monmouth/Ocean,NJ• NorthNJ• NorthCentralNJ• SouthNJ*• SantaFe/Abq.,NM• LasVegas,NV• Albany,NY• CentralNY• LongIsand,NY• Manhattan,NY• Rockland/Orange,NY• Westchester/

PutnamCo’s.,NY

• CentralOH• Cincinnati,OH• OklahomaCity,OK• Portland,OR*• Bucks/Montgomery

Counties,PA• Harrisburg,PA• Lancaster,PA• LehighValley,PA• Pocono,PA/

WarrenCounty,NJ• RhodeIsland• Charleston,SC• Columbia,SC• GrandStrand,SC*• Greenville,SC*• Chattanooga,TN• Knoxville,TN• Memphis,TN• Nashville,TN• Austin,TX*• Dallas,TX• Dallas/FWMetroN• Houston,TX*• SanAntonio,TX• Richmond,VA• SouthwesternVA• Seattle,WA• Madison,WI*• Milwaukee,WI• PuertoRico

Phenomenal MonthlyCirculation Growth Since 1994.

Now with 3.8 Million Monthly Readers in:

as a Natural Awakenings publisher, you can enjoy learning about healthy and joyous living while working from your home and earn a good income doing something you love!

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.

no publishing experience is necessary. you’ll work for yourself but not by yourself. We offer a complete training and support system that allows you to successfully publish your own magazine.

be part of a dynamic franchised publishing network that is helping to transform the way we live and care for

ourselves. now available in spanish as well.

to determine if owning a Natural Awakenings is right for you and your target community, call us for a free consultation at:

239-530-1377

naturalawakeningsMag.com

Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine!

*Existingmagazinesforsale


istration required: [email protected]. Circle of Crones, 450 Briar Lane, NE, Briarlane Apts Com-munity Bldg, Grandville.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16Bootcamp- 5:30am. Bootcamp will run 3 times a week for six weeks and then will not be offered again until Spring, so spots are limited, get yours today. Want to try but not sure? Contact iTrain at 616-541-5438 or email [email protected].

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17Kids Yoga- 5:00-5:45pm. 6-week series for ages 7-10. Designed for young yogis that will consist of traditional yoga poses, creative movement, stories and meditation. Classes will be fun, centering and active with a bit of reflection and art. Requires minimum of 5 participants. $65. PeaceLab Yoga, 5570 Wilson Ave., Suite M, Grandville.Intro to Herbs and Essential Oils to Beat the Winter Bugs & Blues- 7:30-9:30pm. Lecture, Handouts, and Hands-on learning with one herbal and one essential oil remedy to take with. $40. Pay-ment & Registration due in advance. Call Moondrop Herbals at 616-735-1285 or see ad. 351 Cummings, NW, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19Free Introductory Talk- 8:00pm. Live each day in praise, gratitude and love. The Simple Practice of The Ishayas. Schulers Books & Music, 3165 Alpine Ave, Walker.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20What Is Yoga Therapy with Sue Dilsworth, PhD- 6:15-7:30pm. Yoga Therapy explores the whole person as a system of parts: structural, nervous, psy-chological and spiritual. The assessment combined with the ancient practices of Ayurvedic principles ultimately allows you to feel connected to your own healing. Donation. Heart’s Journey Wellness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale.First Sphere Weekend Workshop- 7:00-10:00pm &10:00am-5:00pm on Saturday & Sunday. Regis-tration is Required so please contact us today. Visit theishayafoundation.org/courses.php for upcoming events & course schedule. To Register or for more information, contact 573-261-9373 or [email protected]. Wyoming. EcoTrek with Cari- 9:00pm-10:15pm. Full Moon Adventure Workout. Bring a flashlight. $5 per per-son. Sign up by calling 616-291-2851 or [email protected]. Lake Forest Cemetery/South End Mulligan’s in Grand Haven.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22Peace and Balance Meditation Workshop- 1:00-3:00pm. Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox and UN International Day of Peace together in a workshop that will combine gentle movements, Pranayama, silent meditation, and good intentions for a world of Peace and Balance. $25. For more information call 616-935-7028. On the Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24Free Community Workshop: Trigger Point Massage - 6:00pm. Dr. Michael Kwast, DC, CSCS discusses Trigger Point Massage. Learn what a trig-

ger point is, what causes them, how to prevent them, how to get rid of them, hands on training. Seating limited to first 30 callers. RSVP today: 616-447-9888. 4150 East Beltline Suite #4, Grand Rapids.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Advertising, Body Image and Women’s Self Es-teem- 10:00am-12:00pm. l0/2, 10/9 & 10/16. This workshop will heighten awareness of the pervasive, cumulative effect of advertising on women and girls. Near Cascade Road and I-96. Space is limited so register early. Fee donation to local charity. For more info visit www.susanmcfarland.com. Choosing Safer Cosmetics- 6:00pm. Do you want to make healthier choices & avoid unsafe ingre-dients in the cosmetics you use? If so, gather up some friends for this informative & fun workshop. Receive 10% off total purchase day of event. $10 non-refundable deposit requested. Call Teri 616-419-8115 to RSVP. Serendipite Organiques, 959 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26Advertising, Body Image and a Women’s Self Esteem- 6:00-8:00pm. 10/3, 10/10 & 10/17. Work-shop will heighten awareness of the pervasive, cumulative effect of advertising on women and girls. Zen Center at 451 S. Division. Space is limited. Fee donation to Zen Center. For info visit www.susanmcfarland.com. Healthseekers Free Class- 6:00-7:15pm. There is a high level of vitality and healing beyond the absence of pain. Find out how homeopathy & chiropractic are a perfect fit, restoring balance & optimizing functioning of your entire system down to the cellular--and vibrational--level. www.angel-touchfamilychiropractic.com. 231-670-0179. 4265 Grand Haven Road, Suite 203, Muskegon.Introduction to Passage Meditation- 7:00-8:00pm. Introduction to Passage Meditation and the Allied Skills as taught by Eknath Easwaran. Free will of-fering. Interested adults welcome, no registration needed. For more information visit www.Easwaran.org. Unity of Grand Rapids, 1711 Walker NW, Grand Rapids.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27Energy Balancing Weekend Retreat- Located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron. Each guest en-joys Reiki, Reflexology, Massage, Yoga, 2 brunches, free lodging and entire use of our lake house includ-ing kitchen. Call 989-739-5498 or visit expression-sofhealth.com for more information. $250/person. Expressions of Health, 6170 Ridge Road, Oscoda.Meditation with Carol Hendershot- 6:15-7:30pm. Feeling overwhelmed? Learn more about the healing benefits of meditation and how it helps quiet the mind, heal the body or move you toward spiritual enlightenment. Learn both formal and informal practices to cultivate this transformative tool to manage your stress. Donation. Heart’s Journey Well-ness Center, 6189 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28Naturopathic Understanding of Pharmaceutical Pathways in the Body- 9:00am-5:00pm. 9/28 & 9/29. Come to this two-day event for an understand-ing of how pharmaceuticals react with the body’s pathways. Free parking is available. For those

savethedateSave The Date Events

Must be submitted online each month at Natural-WestMichigan.com. Events priced $80 or above require a corresponding display ad. There is a $40 charge per listing, up to 50 words. If you are a cur-rent advertiser, distribution site or non-profit you just use this listing in place of 2 of your free listings.

savethedateOctober 23-27

Awakening The Illuminated Heart Workshop- 9:00am-6:00pm each day. Join Neshi Lokotz at The Red Spirit Retreat near Saugatuck, MI for a life changing workshop based on the life’s work of Drunvalo Melchizedek. Remember how to create and live your life from your heart. $595. Details at www.sacredhoop.net. The Red Spirit Retreat, Saugatuck.

savethedateNovember 8

Third Annual Tellabration - 7:00-8:30pm. Yarn-spinners of Muskegon will present their Third Annual Tellabration. A storytelling concert for adults. Share the joy and enchantment of stories with us. For information contact Ned Carter, 231-755-2383; [email protected]. $5 per person; $15 for families. Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave, Muskegon.

traveling from a distance, room accommodations are available on site for $40 for the weekend. $178. 503 East Broadway Street, Mount Pleasant.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29Exploring Truth-Women’s Spiritual Wellness Group- 11:30am-1:00pm. 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27 & 11/3. Interested in authentic dialogue with like-minded women? Zen Center at 451 S. Division. Space is limited so register early. Consolidation of ideas from Buddhism, neuroscience and therapy. Fee donation to Zen Center. For more info visit www.susanmcfarland.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2An Evening of Metta Meditation- 6:00-9:00pm. Practicing loving-kindness toward ourselves with Janice Lynne Lundy. Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness presents an evening of Metta Medita-tion, cultivating unconditional friendliness toward ourselves. $35.Wellness Forum, 4990 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4Fall Meditation Retreat Mindfulness and the Heart: Combining Compassion and Practice with April Hadley & Carol Hendershot- 10/4-10/6. The Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness invites you to reconnect with your mind, heart and body with guided practices centering around mindfulness and compassion. Wonderful Vegetarian Meals. $360 Shared - $425 Single. Barothy Lodge, Walhalla.


ongoingevents

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

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

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

TuesdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman- 7:45-9:00am & 9:15-10:30am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.

Wednesday$20 off BioMeridian Assessments- Food aller-gies, environmental allergies, organ function and real food menus and shopping lists for families that are healthy and kid-approved. Visit www.integrativenutritionaltherapies.com or 616-365-9176. Grand Rapids.Discussion and Meditation- 6:00pm. Come, Let Us Reason Together every at Spirit Space. The evening starts with light refreshments, followed by a discussion from 6:30-7:15pm, ending with silent meditation till 8 pm. Spirit Space is an inner-faith spiritual enrichment center. Visit www.spirit-space.org. Free. 3493 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck.

Creation’s Lessons for Living- 7:00pm. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. Creation desires to help us grow, mature, evolve. Explore this possibility through the teachings of the shamanic Sweet Medicine SunDance Path. Donation. Call 616-856-4957 for more information.

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

FridaySeptember Special- During the month of Septem-ber, mention this ad in the Natural Awakenings Mag-azine and receive a 15% discount on your purchase Not to be combined with existing specials/discounts. Not valid on bars or drinks. Affordable Nutrition, 4693 Wilson Ave, Grandville. 616-667-1346.

Village Farmers Market- 2:00-7:00pm. 5/17-Labor Day. Buy fresh & local from producers that utilize organic farming practices -eggs, meats, cheese, fruits & vegetables, organic Michigan milk and more. Please visit us on Facebook. Spring Lake. 616-935-7312.

Friday Night Light- 6:00-7:15pm. Basic yoga class for all levels with a bit of partner work thrown in for fun. Bring a friend, spouse, or family member and join the community for some optional social time after class, too. $10 drop-in. For more info call 616-935-7028. On the Path Yoga, 701 E. Savidge #3, Spring Lake.

SaturdayGentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 9:00-10:15am & 10:30-11:45am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit WhiteRiverYoga.com for info. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio. Montague. 231-740-6662.

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

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

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

CLASSES

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

FOR SALE

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

Northwest Grand Rapids Commercial Build-ing- 1058 Richmond NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Current use is a full service salon on the main floor and a spacious 3 bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor. Great location on Richmond with steady traffic and across from the popular Rich-mond Park. Only $140,000! Call Jeff Blahnik at Five Star Real Estate 616-791-1500 or visit JeffBlahnik.com for more information.

HELP WANTED

Green Smoothie Girl Apprentice Coach - Looking for a leader who is passionate about teaching plant based nutrition and medicine. Team with current revenues exists. Qualities: self starter; practices healthy lifestyle; moti-vated leader. www.speakyourhealth.com. Email: [email protected]

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

OPPORTUNITIES

Holistic & Green Business Owners Wanted for Health Network- NAN, the Natural Awakenings Network, is a green and healthy living network that will allow members to enjoy discounts on products & services focused on wellness, green/sustainable living and healthy lifestyles. If you are interested in becoming a provider (a business or organization that offers discounts to members) in this innovative network or want more details, contact Natural Awakenings at 616-656-9232 or [email protected]. Partici-pating as a Provider is FREE for the 1st year.

Shading represents special events in honor of NATIONAL YOGA MONTH!


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

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

CLEANING PRODUCTS

NATURAL HEALTH4 TODAY, LLCClara VanderZouwen, NORWEX Consultant616-698-6148 [email protected]

Imagine cleaning with only water! Improve the quality of your life with Norwex products by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning. Save Time & Money.

COLON HYDROTHERAPY

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

Certified therapist since 1991 offering colon therapy in a sterile and professional environment. Using a holist ic approach, colonics relieves constipation, d ia r rhea , gas , b loa t , poor digestion, back pain, body odor and more. See ad page 5.

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

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

BODY APPLICATIONS

SALLY DERSCH Frequency Apps Wellness Center12505 Northland Dr. Suite A6,Cedar Springs, MI 49319616-755-8446www.FrequencyApps.com

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

BODY CARE PRODUCTS

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

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

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

BODYWORK

LIGHTRAYS CranioSacral Therapy (CST)/Reiki MasterJamie VanDam4456 Miramar Ave. NEGrand Rapids, 49525616-365-9113

Reiki Master, CranioSacral Therapist uses light touch to release restrictions and ease pain in the body addressing many physical ailments in adults, children and pediatrics. Adding Essential Oils optimizes mental and emotional health.

thenaturaldirectory

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

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic, Hot Stone & Matr ix Massage. Cer t i f ied Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Matrix Energetics Practitioner, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, and a Certified Reflexologist. See ad page 21.

BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION

DLH CONCEPTSKyle HassLicensed Residential Home Builder [email protected]

Locally owned and operated. Specializing in building quality livable and affordable new homes that are Energy Efficient and utilize Green Building p r a c t i c e s . U n m a t c h e d

efficiencies and uncompromising quality. Call today for a free quote. See ad page 10.

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

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

GASLIGHT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC2249 Wealthy St. SE, Suite #240East Grand Rapids, 49506616-458-CFIT (2348)[email protected]

Experience an individualized, holistic healthcare approach! We combine spinal adjustments, Contact Reflex & Nutrition Response (Muscle Testing), Whole Food Supplementation O r t h o t i c s , M a s s a g e &

Aromatherapy. Common conditions we see include: Chronic Fatigue, Headaches, IBS, Back & Neck pain and Fibromyalgia.

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

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


HAKOMI THERAPY

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

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

HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER

THE WELLNESS FORUM 4990 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids616-430-2291www.WellnessForum.com

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

HEALTH FOOD STORES

AFFORDABLE NUTRITIONJoel D. Manning, CNC®, Owner4693 Wilson Ave. SW Suite I, Grandville616-667-1346 [email protected]

Affordable, natural approach to b e t t e r h e a l t h . C e r t i f i e d nutritional consultant with 22 years experience. Offering select, high quality vitamins, minerals, herbs, children’s p roduc t s , e s sen t i a l o i l s , homeopathics, weight loss and

more. Professional discounts and senior pricing. www.Affordable-Nutrition.com.

HEALTH HUTT Grand Haven 616-846-3026Muskegon 231-739-1568North Muskegon 231-744-0852Find us on Facebook

Natural & organic foods, vitamins & herbs, sports nutrition, g lu t en f r ee food ,

natural body and homecare products. Open 7 days a week. See ad page 21.

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

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

homeopathics, weight loss and more. Professional discounts and senior pricing. www.affordable-nutrition.com. See ad in page 20.

HOMEOPATHY

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

A C e r t i f i e d P h y s i c i a n A s s i s t a n t s i n c e 1 9 7 6 , specializing in naturopathic a n d h o m e o p a t h i c c a r e . Family care. Also, certified Silva Method instructor. We use Clinical Homeopathy to assist traditional medications. We take most insurances. See ad page 20.

HEAL YOUR LIFEKatrina Ryan [email protected] www.IDeserveGood.com

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

AligA CINTERIOR DESIGN SERVICESALIGN DESIGN, LLCShawn Merkel, ASID, [email protected]

Align your space to be a true reflection of who you are. Specializing in Wholistic design, repurposing and Feng Shui. Full service Residential and commercial Interior design. See ad page 10.

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

DENTISTRY / HOLISTIC

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

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

and Non Surgical Perio. See ad page 48.

ENERGY HEALING

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

AMA-DEUS energy healing method is a hand mediated technique. Love is the basis for this healing technique, which helps to enhance our spiritual growth, expand our awareness, and promotes physical & emotional healing. See ad page 14.

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

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

for your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves. See ad page 21.

ESSENTIAL OILS

BE YOUNG ESSENTIAL OILSClara VanderZouwen [email protected]

Learn how to address issues of Pain, Stress, Hormone Imbalance, Weight Management, ADD, Allergies, Diabetes

& more with Essential Oils, Ionic Foot Baths, Bio-Energy scans, Nutritional & NEW Earthing products! Free monthly classes.

INSTRUCTION/CLASSES


PERSONAL TRAINING

iTRAIN CONSULTING LLCAaron & Heather [email protected]

The only personal trainers in Grand Rapids offering a 100% Money Back Guarantee, no tricks, no gimmicks, just results. See ad page 35.

RETREAT CENTER

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

Lake Huron Retreats! Great energy, sunrises, and miles of beach. Free lodging and entire use of our lake house (maximum six guests). Pay only for services and classes. Call or visit our website for details. See ad page 12.

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

I am an award winning Hair S t y l i s t w i t h 3 0 y e a r s Advanced Education. We use and sell Organic Hair Care Products, including Organic Hair Color. We also offer Ionic Detox Foot Baths. See ad page 11.

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

S p e c i a l i z i n g i n O r g a n i c C o l o u r Systems. Ammonia-free, professional-on ly, pe rmanen t ,

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

KINESIOLOGY

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

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

massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling, lectures and classes. See ad page 21.

MASSAGE THERAPY

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

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

going monthly specials and discounts.

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

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

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

Over 21 years of professional experience and trained in a complete range of modalities. Whether you are seeking re laxat ion , renewal , or treatment for a specific condition, Mary will help find an approach that is helpful for you. See ad page 5.

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

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

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

We have multiple certified massage therapists offering relaxation, prenatal, deep tissue massage, and medical massage. We also offer Reiki, chak ra ba l anc ing , and Ayurvedic bodywork. Breton Village area. www.grchirospa.com. See ad page 7 & 30.

MIDWIFERY

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

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

PERSONAL CHEFRELISH, A PERSONAL CHEF SERVICERachel Johnson, Owner and [email protected]

Creating healthy and delicious meals for busy families in Hol-land and the surrounding areas to enjoy in the comfort of their homes. From menu planning to grocery shopping and meal preparation, Relish has you covered. See ad page 12.


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For more information about advertising and how you can

participate, call

616-656-9232

Coming in October

Sustaining a Healthy Environment

Join for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

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Join the largest database of health-conscious, eco-minded, spiritual singles now and manifest an extraordinary relationship!

Daily Choices We Make Determine

the Well-Being of Our Planet.

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

State licensed school for massage and bodywork. Offering high quality, a f f o r d a b l e m a s s a g e certification courses as well as NCBTMB continuing education courses for the

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

NATUROPATHIC INSTITUTE OF THERAPIES & EDUCATION503 East Broadway St. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858989-773-1714www.Nite-mtp.com

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

Therapy Program - One Year (two weekends a month); Holistic Doula Practitioner Program - Six Months (one weekend a month). Individual classes available. See ad page 2.

WEIGHT REDUCTION

SALLY DERSCHFrequency Apps Wellness Center12505 Northland Dr. Suite A6,Cedar Springs, MI 49319616-755-8446 www.FrequencyApps.com

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


http://www.dentalhealthgrandrapids.com/

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Natural Awakenings Magazine September 2013

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