natural awakenings magazine ~ september 2009

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a CoNVersatioN 12With WaYNe dYerBy Ellen Mahoney

JuNK Food NatioN 14Our Children’s Health By Dr. Ronson & Dr. Ronda

stYliN’ pooChes 20 By Grace Fuller

CoMiNG hoMe to YourselF 22 When Your Home Expresses Who You Are By Judith Fertig

GreeN art 26Eco-Artists Inspire by Giving Back to Nature By Janina Birtolo

ChildreN’s iNtuitioN 28 A Special Key to Success in Life By Catherine Crawford

the NeXt BiG leap 31 Moving On to Ultimate Success By Gay Hendricks

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4 September 2009

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

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Natural Awakeningsis locally owned and operated.

Our annual Creative Expression issue is full of ideas for helping you to get from where

you are now to where you want to go. Perhaps September’s Inspiration department, on page 31 is a good place to start—see “The Next Big Leap”.

It’s okay to start with what’s right in front of you when stepping outside your comfort zone. I’m thinking, for example, about how I sing in my car all the time, jonesing to do it in front of an audience. Maybe your passion is painting, in which case you’ll want to check out a class at

Tendressa Studio (details on page 37) and also read up on the “Green Art” movement (page 26). National Yoga Month invites you to explore the benefits of yoga at area studios (page 16-17) to find a class that’s a perfect fit. Then there’s Pilates, dance, meditation... the choices seem endless. Monthly listings give details in our local Calendar of Events. Who wouldn’t feel psyched to move in a fresh direction after delving into our feature, “Coming Home to Yourself,” by Judith Fertig (page 22)? Here, experts explain how our deepest identity and greatest loves show up in our dwellings and how to add the personal touches that make you happy. Perhaps, like me, you love to take fashion risks with clothing, get a little crazy and wear something you haven’t worn in a while just because it is fun. Why not dress up your house the same way? Unfortunately, our dog Thai hates to wear clothes, which Kyle loves because he knows that otherwise our “Stylin’ Pooch” (page 20) would be sporting a new outfit every day. If you like to sew or shop for your furry friend’s all-weather wardrobe, be sure to choose the earth friendly duds now popping up everywhere. One creative outlet that no one objects to is the yummy results of a good cooking class. Too many of us tend to make the same dishes over and over again, but yearn to spice or jazz up our daily fare. The Wellness Forum (connect on page 38) stands ready to teach us all how to get creative with food, where to find healthy ingredients and how to put it all together in can-do recipes. The ways to get our creative groove on are endless, and the benefits can be enormous, wide-reaching and lasting, extending beyond ourselves into our surrounding community and larger environment. As kids head back to school to focus on more and better accomplishments, why not focus on achieving what makes you and your family happiest? It’s usually the simple daily treats we create and the moments of wonder and beauty accenting our days that open our eyes, tickle our delight and make life good.

Life is so precious, let’s not waste a moment being ordinary!

Amy, Kyle, and Thai


newsbriefs

Hay House Author /Medical Intuitiveto Visit Grand Rapids

Internationally renowned medical intui-tive, Hay House author and radio host,

Carol Ritberger, Ph.D. will be in Grand Rapids October 23-25. As the result of a near-death experience, Ritberger says she has developed the ability to see the human aura; she now uses this ability to identify energy blockages that are preventing the body from functioning

properly and to uncover the hidden psychological meanings behind illness and life crises. On Friday, Ritberger will present an “Evening of Medi-cal Intuitive Readings” from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Grand Valley State University DeVos Center, in Loosemore Auditorium at the downtown campus. Tickets are $30 in advance/$40 at the door. Both Saturday and Sunday, she will teach a workshop called “Sacred Transition - A Spiritual and Metaphysical View of Death and Dying.” in which she will share what she learned about the death process and about the other side as a result of her near-death experience. Ritberger will explain the workings of the mind, the body and their relationship with the soul as well as share how every life is different, how every death is different and how the rela-tionship between the two influences how we die. The cost of the two-day workshop is $195 and will be held at The Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Airport, 3063 Lake Eastbrook Dr., in Kentwood. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, visit Ritberger.com/events, or call Cathie at 530-350-7461. See ad page 29.

Local Holistic Health Practitioner WelcomesNew ClientsHeather David, a holistic health practitioner and a per-

sonal trainer, has started Shoreline Natural Wellness in North Muskegon. David welcomes new clients to her practice where she helps individuals prevent disease and encourage the body to heal from disease through the use of nutrition, herbals, stress management, and exercise. “As a personal trainer I work with clients in my office at the gym or in their homes making it possible to overcome busy lifestyles”, she says. Shoreline Natural Wellness is located at 2320 Lake Ave. in North Muskegon. 231-750-2525. ShorelineNaturalWellness.com. See ad page 7.

Open Houseat MYCenterThe Muskegon Yoga Center in downtown Muskegon hosts

an open house on September 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to join in yoga and Pilates demonstra-tions, healthy refreshments, prizes and many other wonderful mind-body experiences. When the studio opened its doors in May, it became Muskegon’s first yoga center. Owners Barb Badolati and Warren Mosley say they have been awed by the response and graciousness from the community. Yoga classes are taught by Badolati, Mosley, and Peter Vio-lino. Shawn Martin teaches Pilates. “The Muskegon Yoga Center not only offers a variety of classes which guide students towards a healthier body, but is also a peaceful place to rest and rejuvenate from everyday demands,” says Badolati. Starting September 14 and continuing through Novem-ber, more than 18 classes will be available including Pilates, Introduction to Yoga, Yoga for Golfers, Gentle Yoga and Yoga for Seniors. Students are sure to find a class that satisfies their needs and schedule, say the owners. Other offerings include a Women’s Retreat, Partner Yoga on Friday evenings, Mindful Meditation, tele-classes, a Detox Yoga Challenge and many other nurturing events. The Muskegon Yoga Center is located at 825 Western Ave, in Muskegon. 231-668-4181. MuskegonYoga.com. See ad page 16.

Carol Ritberger, Ph.D.

6 September 2009

newsbriefsA Bloomin’ Good Timeto be a MomMomsBloom will present “Motherhood, The Journey”

October 8th at Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St, in Grand Rapids. Local actors, dancers and musicians will perform this theatrical fundraiser that explores mothering. From wanting a baby to having a baby and all the juicy details in between. One mother’s honest anecdotes on preg-nancy, labor, delivery, grandparents, fathers, husbands and child rearing will weave their way through topical songs, dances and scenes from some of Grand Rapids’ most well-known performers. Poignancy and humor will be coupled to make for an enjoyable, thought provoking and entertain-ing evening at the theatre to raise money for the work of MomsBloom, a local nonprofit that provides support to any family with a newborn. For more information contact Angie Walters, PCD (DONA), Volunteer Coordinator at 616-828-1021 or visit MomsBloom.org.

Tracy’s Faces Day Spahas New Location

Tracy’s Faces Day Spa has moved to a new location, 7610 Cottonwood Dr.,

Suite 107 in Jenison. Since opening in October 2008, the spa’s 300 square foot space served clients well but made for a cramped environment as the number of clientele increased. Tracy’s Faces now

has an 1100 square foot space to offer more holistic and beneficial services to its clientele. For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Tracy Morales at 616-667-9690 or [email protected]. See ad page 39.

Masaji - Nature’s Superfood “Food is the best medicine” is the impetus

behind Masaji, the new liquid super food currently being offered to West Michigan by Clara Vander Zouwen. This unique blend of whole foods offers Marine Phytoplankton–single celled plants that serve as the basis of all other life forms. Dr. Hugo Rodier, nutrition professor at the University of Utah Medical School says, “Marine phytoplankton is an ideal food for mankind. It is possibly the greatest environ-mental cleaning device to come from the ocean. The research we are conducting here testing the benefits of marine phytoplankton is both exciting and promising.” The product also contains the Maqui berry

from the Amazon rain forest, said to have the highest known anti-oxidant content and traditionally used by the Mapuche Indians for supporting stamina, increasing strength and promoting a healthy immune response. The 12 different berries and aloe vera in Masaji provides the building blocks for cellular health through this complete protein, with natural sugar and natural fats. Rose and frankincense and ginger essential oils are added because they carry a high natural frequency known to calm the body, mind and nervous system. Olive leaf extract acts as a natural preservative. Studies done at the University of Texas have shown promise for weight loss and energy support. Contact Clara Vander Zouwen at 616-698-6148. Natural-Health4Today.com or [email protected]. See ad page 10.

Giving Back to Grand RapidsExperience the benefits of

chiropractic care during a free one-day event at Schafer Chiropractic and Healing Spa, 1801 Breton SE Ste A, in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Sept 23rd from 8am to 6pm. Dr. Schafer will provide free chiropractic ser-vices in exchange for pantry items to be donated to Kids Food Basket. New patients will receive an examination and up to two free x-rays. Existing patients will receive their usual treatment. Reservations are encouraged. Kids Food Basket (kidsfoodbasket.org) is a hunger relief agency in Grand Rapids that provides hungry children an evening meal at the end of the school day. The children served attend schools where 80 percent or more live at or below the poverty level. Appointments at 616-301-3000 or GRChiroSpa.com. See ad page 24.

NFSH Courses Approved by Holistic Nurses OrganizationIn line with the vision and mission of the NFSH- Healing in

America, to help integrate complementary therapies into main-stream health care, their healing development courses have just been approved by the American Holistic Nurses Association as continuing education for nurses. Established in 1954, England’s National Federation of Spiri-tual Healers is the largest healing organization in Europe and is well accepted by the U.K. medical system because of its high level of professionalism and Healers’ Code of Conduct. Its U.S. affiliate, NFSH-Healing in America, has been teaching healing courses in Michigan since 2008. The next Part 1 course is Sep-tember 11-13 at Holistic Care Approach in Grand Rapids.It is hoped that the medical profession in the United States will follow Europe with a more integrated approach to health care. In the United Kingdom it is not unusual for healers to work alongside doctors during surgeries, in hospitals and hospices. Holistic Care Approach is located at 3368 Beltline Court NE, in Grand Rapids. 269-929-6796. HealingInAmerica-Michigan.com.


Local PractitionerJoins Holistic Care Network

Branden Wilson is pleased to an-nounce his affiliation with SES for

Health, a holistic care service network. Wilson will provide hypnotherapy and Neuro-linguistic Programming. SES’s mission is to provide quality therapy, coaching and education that meet the individual’s needs. Wilson graduated with a BAS from Evergreen State College in 2004 before becoming a certified hypno-therapist in 2006 through the Ameri-can Board of Hypnotherapy. He then

went on to study Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and energy healing with SCS Matters in St. Joseph and became a Certified Practitioner through the Society of NLP in 2008. “I am excited to be affiliated with this network of holistic care practitioners because I believe it is vital to address the needs of the whole person—physical, emotional, mental and spiritual—as part of the healing process”, says Wilson. 616-560-1482 or [email protected]. See ad page 39.

Mom Brings New Twistto Children’s Yoga

Grand Rapids mother, teacher and yoga instructor Deb Weiss-Gelmi

introduces Sing Song Yoga ™ , a new children’s yoga program that incor-porates both music and movement. This innovative yoga program uses an original children’s song, sung to a familiar tune, to teach each pose. The

children learn the songs, which support them in moving through the poses in class and at home, says Weiss-Gelmi. Educational researchers are finding a link between music and movement and success in school. Weiss-Gelmi points to researcher Shirley Handy’s theories on “the 3 Ms”: music, movement and merriment. The combination of these three components, says Handy, will naturally increase the positive neurotransmitters and peptides in the brain, which are associated with memory, new learning and the ability to pay attention. Sing Song Yoga ™ incorporates the 3Ms. Combining the 3Ms into one activity, says Weiss-Gelmi, gives children a head start. In addition to its general benefits—strengthening, stretching and toning the body—yoga helps children gain self confidence while building coordination and skill level. It increases blood flow to the brain, thereby enhancing mental functioning. Yoga can also help alleviate stress. Weiss-Gelmi teaches at the Yoga Studio in Grand Rapids. An eight-week series begins September 14. The cost is $55. The Sing Song Yoga™ DVD will be available in October.The Yoga Studio is located at 955 Cherry SE, in Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836. GRYoga.com. Order the CD at SingSongYoga.com. See ad page 17.

Branden Wilson

• Nutrition & Diet• Disease Prevention• Herbal Remedies• Personal Training

8 September 2009

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

globalbriefs

Bell RingerUnprecedented Support for International Day of PeaceUnited Nations peace bells throughout the world will ring September 21 as the 2009 International Day of Peace circles the globe in a 24-hour celebration toward a sustainable world peace. For the first time, a global broadcast via the Internet, radio and television will spotlight the UN’s central purpose, “to end the scourge of war for future generations.” Videos from locations all

over the world will stream over InternationalDayofPeace.org and CultureofPeace.org. Commemorations of present-day peacebuilders’ accomplishments will be broadcast in dozens of languages on this day of calling for a cease-fire. “Peace,” advised Albert Einstein, “can only be achieved by understanding.” Peacebuilders focus on creating a long-term culture of peace. Downloadable tools intended to catalyze year-round public networking and collaboration help jumpstart local initiatives. Imagine if every country began by donating that single day’s warfare budget to a peace organization. Individuals can celebrate Peace Day in as simple an act as lighting a candle and silently sitting in supportive meditation.

Find or post a community celebration at InternationalDayofPeace.org.

Realizing OnenessTour de Force Global Project Gets People Talking The Global Oneness Project offers a free, online living library of video shorts that explore how the radically simple notion of oneness is made practical in our increasingly complex world. Since 2006, filmmakers have been traveling the globe gathering stories from creative and courageous people who show how we can all better share our world. “The point of the Global Oneness Project,” says founder and Director Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, “is to remind people that they are part of an intercon-nected whole—and to offer them hope. We’re exploring a new set of values that aren’t based on greed. We want to tell a new story that honors the potential of human beings having a positive rela-tionship to the world around them.” Concerned thinkers comment on the fields of sustainability, conflict resolution, spirituality, art, economics, indigenous culture and social justice. Narratives illustrate how, when people shift their focus away from personal fulfillment toward the needs of the community, innovative and life-sustain-ing solutions are born. They encourage each of us to reflect on the state of the world and ourselves and to listen to what is being asked of us at this time of unprecedented global transformation.

Join the conversation at GlobalOne-nessProject.org, with links to social networking sites.

Legislation WatchPending Food Safety Bill Could Harm Organic FarmersA national food safety bill called the Food Safety En-hancement Act of 2009 was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in July and now goes to the Senate. It gives the Food and Drug Administration more power to deal with food safety problems, but it also imposes a costly one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers, the same as if they were multinational corporations. As it now stands, the bill threatens to undermine organic farmers and oth-ers producing for local markets, advises the Organic Consumers Association (OrganicConsumers.org), and could easily put many small farms out of business. OCA advocates: “H.R. 2749 needs to draw a clear line between small local grow-ers and industrial/factory farms and processing plants, where food-borne patho-gens incubate, flourish and spread.”

Find more information and take action at both the Farm-to-Consumer Legal De-fense Fund website, ftcldf.org/petitions_new.htm, and http://capwiz.com/grass-rootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=13799941


Online SwapCashless Bartering Soars via Internet Match-upsWebsites and businesses promoting cash-free transactions are boom-ing from New Hampshire to New Zealand, as people find new ways to make ends meet through barter-ing and swapping just about any product or service. A spokesman for Craigslist.org, a classified advertising service, says that bartering on the site has doubled in the past year. Ron Whitney, of the Inter-national Reciprocal Trade Asso-ciation, reports that about $12 billion worth of business-to-business barter-ing is transacted each year around the world and that more than 250,000 U.S.

businesses participated last year. Now, individuals are following suit via web-sites and community networks.

globalbriefs

Vida DulceCosta Rica Tops Happy Planet IndexCosta Ricans report the high-est life satisfaction in the world, enjoy the second-highest average life expectancy and are a hair’s-breadth from the goal of living in a country that consumes no more than its fair share of Earth’s natural resources. The Central American win-ner led the 143 countries sur-veyed annually by Britain’s New Economics Foundation. Nine of the top 10 spots featured Latin American nations. Results also

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Coming in October

GREEN PLANET

Learn how to lead an

eco-friendly life in Natural Awakenings’

October edition.

Special focus on green businesses

showed that the U.S. populace was greener and happier 20 years ago than it is today. The study covers 99 percent of the world’s population. “We desperately need a new compass to guide us,” says Nic Marks, founder of the foundation’s center for well-being.

10 September 2009

healthbriefs

When two guitarists play together, more than their instruments play

in time; their brainwaves match up, too, according to new research from Germany. When the German scientists analyzed electrical activity in the brains of eight pairs of guitarists as they played a short jazz-fusion melody together up

Music harmonizes the Brain and heals the heart

to 60 times, they discovered that brain wave similarities within and between the musicians’ brains increased as they listened to the beat of a metronome while preparing to play. The brains’ synchronization then continued when they began making music. Another U.S. study monitored the steady pulse of a recovering heart surgery patient as it charted the prog-ress of his mending heart, while a quiet symphony filled the room. For nine days, the patient soaked up the tranquil, word-less strumming of a Brazilian guitarist. Music became his medicine, as his heart literally fell into rhythm with the tunes. Increasingly, doctors are studying and employing music as a healing tool; in measuring the brain’s response to musi-cal notes, they are discovering music’s harmonizing route from head to heart.

Sources: msnbc.msn.com, BBC News, 2009

Doodling might imply a wander-ing mind, but according to a

study published in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, the contrary is true; doodling can actually help people remember details. Study participants who were directed to doodle while listening to a dull phone message demonstrated a 29 percent improved recall compared with their non-doodling counterparts. “If someone is doing a boring task, they may start to daydream. Daydreaming distracts them from the task, resulting in poorer performance,” explains study co-author Jackie Andrade, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Plymouth, in England. “A simple task, like doodling, may be sufficient to stop daydreaming without affecting performance on the main task.” It turns

out that in everyday life, doodling may be something we do because it helps us stay on track.

Source: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009

doodling aids Memory

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616.698.6148www.NaturalHealth4Today.com

New to West Michigan!

Spicing Up HealtHrevered in india as “holy

powder,” golden-colored tur-

meric boasts an astonishing

array of health benefits. the

spice is being used not only

to treat wounds and infec-

tions, but also to help fight

viruses, bacteria and cancer.

Source: University of Michigan, 2009


tHeSe VitaminS pro-tect oUr eyeS By taking a combination of vitamins B

6, B

12 and folic acid,

women over 40 decreased their risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, by 34 percent. Before this, the only known prevention method was avoiding smoking. the research comes from Brigham and Women’s hospital and har-

vard Medical school.

Source: JAMA/Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009

Natural remedies for Motion sickness

Motion Sickness refers to the uneasiness, cold sweats, dizziness and/or vomiting brought

on by travel by car, train, boat, train, airplane or amusement park rides. Caused by a disturbance in the inner ear, motion sickness can make any journey unpleasant, and once the symptoms have started, they’re difficult to stop. It’s far better to keep the symptoms from starting in the first place by taking precautions, including natural remedies such as ginger or acupressure. Drinking ginger tea, eating crystallized gin-ger or taking a ginger supplement have all been shown to alleviate a tendency toward motion

sickness. Ingesting peppermint and black horehound in tincture form or as tea are also worth a try. Some studies suggest that acupuncture and relaxation training may help. Before traveling, avoid spicy, greasy or fatty meals; don’t drink alcohol or smoke. Do drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated and pack dry crackers in a handy carry-on as a light snack. As always, ask health care providers about the best ways to incorporate these herbs, supplements or other therapies into any existing overall treatment plan.

Source: University of Maryland Medical Center

healthbriefs

12 September 2009

We spend a big hunk of our life-times contemplating what we can’t have, what we don’t want and what’s missing in our lives. What we have to learn is to put our attention and focus on con-templating what it is we would like to attract, and not on what is missing.

Q. You talk about mind viruses. What are these?

A virus has three purposes: to duplicate, to infiltrate and to spread from one host to the next. Ultimately, even a single virus can shut down an entire system. A mind virus is different in that there is no form to it; these are ideas placed in our heads when we are little.

Internationally renowned author and speaker Wayne Dyer, Ph.D., has devoted his life to helping

others become healthier and happier. He is the author of more than 30 books and producer of the motion picture, The Shift. His newest book, Excuses Begone! How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits, was inspired by the ancient teachings of the Tao Te Ching.

Q. What common excuses do people use in grappling with their conscience?

Excuses are the explanations we use for hanging on to behaviors we don’t like about ourselves; they are self-defeating behaviors we don’t know how to change. In Excuses Begone! I review 18 of the most common excuses people use, such as “I’m too busy, too old, too fat, too scared or it’s going to take too long or be too difficult.”

A Conversation with Wayne Dyerby ellen Mahoney

wisewords We get programmed by well-meaning people like our parents and their par-ents, our culture, religions and schools. We get conditioned to believe in our limitations and what’s not possible. After a while, we start really believing these things are true. People who have had self-defeating behaviors for a long time, such as people who have been overweight since they were children or people with longtime addic-tions, actually believe there is no other alternative.

Q. What’s the payoff for living a life filled with excuses?

There’s a payoff for everyone. The reason we hang on to self-defeating behaviors is because it’s easier not to take responsibility. If you’re blaming something or someone else for the way you are, then that person, those people, those circumstances or those energies, are going to have to change in order for you to get better; that’s most likely never going to happen. It’s also a way to manipulate other people. Usually, making excuses is just something we can get away with, rather than challenging or changing ourselves. If you want to change and you want your life to work at a level you’ve never had before, then take responsibility for it. I’m not saying that a child who was abused or beaten or abandoned made that happen, but your reaction to it is always yours. While you were four, you didn’t know anything other than being terrified and scared; you’re not four any longer. Now [as an adult] you have to make a choice and recognize that even the abuse that came into your life offers


you an opportunity to transcend it, to become a better person and even more significantly, to help someone else not go through what you did.

Q. What is your seven-question paradigm to help people change long-established habits of negative thinking?

The paradigm helps a person identify the thought system, which is almost always false, that is behind the rationale for the continuation of excuses. It helps them really look at excuses from an objective point of view and realize that everything they’ve been thinking is just as likely to be not true as it is to be true. I believe if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Q. When we look at our own lives and think about the lives of loved ones, what is key to living a healthy, happy, love-based life?

The key is to trust in your own divinity, to know that you are a piece of God, and that you are like what you came from. As a spiritual being, you have Divinity within. When Albert Einstein was asked about the impact of quantum physics, he said, “It’s just all details, I just want to think like God thinks.” And God thinks in terms of creating, kindness, beauty and goodness.

For more information visit: DrWayneDyer.com. Dr. Dyer will be a keynote speaker at Hay House’s Tampa, FL conference, Nov. 19-22; register at ICanDoIt.net.

Ellen Mahoney is a freelance writer who teaches writing at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Contact [email protected].

“If fifty million people say a foolish thing, it

is still a foolish thing.”~Anatole France

14 September 2009

consciouseating

A child’s body is created by what they eat, which makes the proper foods of important during the growing years. Sadly, most American children eat (and are allowed to eat) food that can only be called junk food: refined foods and sugar-laden foods and beverages. A steady diet of poor nutrition slowly disrupts a child’s health. Sooner or

later poor eating habits take their revenge in the form of frequent illness, allergies, infections, adenoid problems, tonsillitis, weight gain, hyperactivity, learning disorders and a host of other ailments. These symptoms of illness are signs that their young bodies are being poisoned. Although children burn up much of the excess sugars, chemicals and additives found in junk foods, they ultimately pay the price for their unhealthy “kid diet”, especially the kind that is offered on kid menus in restaurants – fried meats, French fries, macaroni and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Children need healthy food perhaps more than adults. Growing bodies and poor diets make a bad combination, which affects not only immediate health but a child’s entire life potential. It is no random coincidence that the prevalence of junk food makes it extremely challenging for the majority of all age groups not to refuse a “quick-fix” diet.

How Junk Food Marketing WizardsTarget Your KidsAccording to the National Institute on Media and the Family, advertisements target chil-dren as young as three years old. In 2002, junk food marketers spent an estimated $15 bil-lion on marketing aimed at children. They know that children are persuasive “influencers” in every household. If Johnny cries for purple popsicles long enough, mom or dad will probably buy the product. The marketing ploys appear to be working as one out of every four American children are now seriously overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. Although the ultimate decision to purchase junk food lies with the parent, learning about the ways in which marketers target your kids can help you protect them from unwhole-some messages.

Athletes/CelebritiesChildren frequently view celebrities and athletes as role models and it’s an easy leap to “buy into” the products they endorse. Kids like listening to the marketing messages and aside from the obvious message of “buy this product” they get the subliminal message, “eating this prod-uct makes you just like…” or at least look and perform like them.

Saturday Morning CommercialsSaturday morning cartoons with commercial breaks are a longstanding tradition for American kids. Aggressive TV junk food ads have become “coveted ad spots” during lim-ited Saturday morning hours. It is estimated that 90 percent of food commercials aired on Saturday morning kid’s TV shows are for empty-calorie products such as sugary cereals, candy, and fast food. Knowing the power of pop culture, junk food marketers often feature a cartoon character or theme as part of their packaging and promotional angle. At the grocery store, kids light up at the sight of a certain cartoon-themed junk food that they’ve been “sold” during TV time.

School Vending MachinesJunk food and soft drink marketers have invaded places where kids spend an average of seven hours a day – school. Frequently schools make marketing deals with soft drink companies. As an incentive to carry the soft drink, schools receive commissions based on a percentage of sales, and sometimes even a lump-sum payment. While educators may

Junk Food Nationby Doctors Ronson and Rhonda

consider these statistics...• Americans spent $117 billion

in obesity-related economic costs in 2003. - http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/testimony/reshapinghealth-care10012003

• An estimated 300,000 Americans die each year from fat-related causes. - Washington Post, December 14, 2001, Page A03.

• In 2000, Americans spent more than $110 billion on fast food. - Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

• Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, per-sonal computers, computer software or new cars. - Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

• Americans spend up to an estimated $50 billion a year on diet and weight loss. -New England Journal of Medicine, January 1, 1998;338:52-54.

• The food industry has a $30 billion advertising budget. - ABC News, July 27, 2004.

• McDonald’s reportedly spent $500 million on one ad campaign, while the National Cancer Institute spends about $1 million a year to promote eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. - ABC News, July 27, 2004.

• Junk food marketers spent an estimated $15 billion in 2002 solely on marketing aimed at children. - http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=222885


Alive & Well…... for your well-BEing

BALANCE • JOY • HEALTH • WISDOM • ENERGY

Barbara Badolati616 638.5625 www.TheWellCoach.com

Receive Free Well-BEing Tips atWellnessTipsFromBarb.com

use the revenues for academic and after-school activities, it’s a poor trade off for undermin-ing students’ health.

The InternetMadison Avenue marketers know that children have access to the Internet, which is why every major junk food company has its own promotional website that caters to children and teenagers through interactive games featuring the product, giveaways, contests, and other product information. Kids are drawn in by the games, and once there they are inundated with images of the junk food or its brand. They are not just playing a game, they are being subjected to the magic of subliminal marketing – this is a “cool” product to eat or drink. Although it’s unrealistic to tell parents to shield their children from all junk food adver-tisements, there are things to do that can limit the influence of ads.

Be a good role model for your childIf you eat a lot of junk food, you’ll have a hard time convincing your child that they shouldn’t eat it. Explain to your kids that a business is selling the product; tell them they need to use their own com-mon sense and not rely solely on the ads to make buying decisions.

Bad eating habits or bad food?Clever advertisers tap into the “junk food junkie” that lives within each of us and temps us daily to eat “bad” foods. Unfortunately, their clever marketing ploys are working.

You are What You EatStop being the target of marketing strategies. Make the decision to take individual responsi-bility for your own health and what you eat. Realize the cycle and become aware of the junk food marketing around you and educate your children about it. These are the first two steps toward a healthier life.

Junk Food’s StrangleholdTemptations would be easier to overcome if they weren’t so tempting! Nothing could be truer when it comes to junk food and its stranglehold on our cravings. Whatever your particular craving may be, know that it’s not good for you. Even though you want it now, it will leave you with a lethargic and tired feeling, a head rush, jittery feeling, and excess weight.

Lip Service or Susceptibility?Even though we pay lip service to wanting better nutrition options, it’s clear that the healthy food message is no match for the junk food companies’ advertising budget. Maybe the ugly truth is that Americans are more susceptible to ads than we like to admit. And if we find it hard to resist junk food as adults, just imagine what our kids face. Unlike most adults today, children are being raised in a world where fake, processed foods are the norm and French fries constitute a “vegetable serving” (since, after all, French fries are made from potatoes). While it may not seem like a big deal now, what we do with our children’s bodies today determines whether they have a future of health or disease. If we don’t do something today about their bodies they may not have a tomorrow.

For more info contact, Dr. Ronson and Dr. Ronda at Dynamic Family Chiropractic lo-cated at 4072 Chicago Dr. in Grandville. Call 616-531-6050. See ad page 37.

Why we cravejunk foodIt tastes good.

It makes us feel good.

It is a substitute for areas in life that are lacking pleasure.

It temporarily eases feelings of loneliness, depression, anxi-ety, stress, hopelessness, etc.

It is cheap.

It is a deserved reward.

A hectic schedule makes whole-some food preparation a chore.

How to Avoid Junk food temptationAvoiding junk food involves a change in mindset, from “this tastes good” to “I and my body deserve a better reward”. Rather than looking at junk food as a reward that tastes good, think of it as:

• Extra calories that pack on the pounds and hurt your body in the process.

• Toxic and foreign substanc-es that over time lead to disease.

• An empty concoction of chemicals and artificial flavors.

• An unwholesome sub-stance.

• A waste of money.

• Instead of thinking of healthy food as bland, think of it as food that fortifies your body with nutrients, boosts your immune system, fights disease and even slows the aging process.

16 September 2009

YogaMasters

of

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Yoga & Pilates Demos • Prizes • Refreshments

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classes for all levelsvariety of yoga styles

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Awaken your mind, restore your body


yoga HelpS BreaSt cancer patientSFeel BetterWomen undertaking a 10-week program of restorative yoga classes experienced a 50 percent reduction in depression and a 12 percent increase in feelings of peace and meaning after the yoga sessions, according to a recent study published in the journal Psycho-Oncology.

Source: PhysOrg.com

Research now suggests that mind-body techniques like yoga and

meditation, which can put the body into a state of deep rest known as the relax-ation response, are capable of changing how human genes behave in response to stress. Many experts see the relaxation response, which is characterized by reduced oxygen intake, increased exhala-tion of nitric oxide and lowered psycho-logical distress, as the counterpart to the flight-or-fight stress response. The authors say their study showed that the relaxation response further acted to change the expression of genes involved with inflam-mation, programmed cell death and the handling of free radicals. They noted that such deep relaxation practices have been used across cultures for millennia to help prevent and treat disease. Dr. Jeffery Dusek, co-lead author of the study at the Benson-Henry Institute, and now with Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, remarks that, “The relaxation-response-associated changes were the opposite of stress-

Meditation and Yoga Change Genes’ response to stress

associated changes,” and were “much more pronounced” in long-term practitioners. The researchers at Benson-Henry Institute for Mind/Body Medicine at Mas-sachusetts General Hospital and the Genomics Center at Beth Israel Dea-coness Medical Center published their results in PLoS One.

Source: MedicalNewsToday.com

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18 September 2009

Meditation is sometimes thought of as the art of doing nothing. The word meditate can be traced to the Latin origin of mederi meaning “to remedy or heal” and in many ways, it does just that. For years, meditation has

been used in the medical community to relieve high blood pressure and within “Corporate America” to disable the effects of stress. For beginning meditators, who are challenged to sit still long enough to still the mind, there many forms of meditation to choose from such as the Open Eye Meditation, Moving Meditation, Focusing Meditation, and Mindfulness Meditation.

Open eye meditation is as it implies. This can be experienced this while looking at a flower or watching the waves roll onto shore. The eyes are open, the mind is quiet and the emotions are calm. You may experience a connection to spirit, or the vastness and essence of life. The charm to open eye meditation is that it can occur without trying to make “it” happen.

Moving meditation can be experienced while doing yoga, t’ai chi, nia or another form of movement, such as walking through the woods. Again there is the experience of being calm and centered. For example, in order to stay in a bal-ancing yoga pose such as tree (Vrikasana), it may be better to stay focused on the breath, looking at one spot (drishti) and being in tune with the body. When the mind begins to wander and think of something else, such as a “to do” list or what’s for dinner, that is when it’s possible to lose balance and topple over. Meditation has also been described as the means of being fully present in the moment. Dr. Joan Borysenko notes that her all time favorite meditation is “a small moist piece of chocolate cake eaten with exquisite attention and tremendous grati-tude.” This attention is described in two other forms of meditation: Focusing and Mindful Meditation. Focusing meditation is when you choose one thing to focus upon internally. This could be a symbol or a color. It could be focusing on a word, mantra, prayer, or on the breath. After choosing one item, remain in full attention of it, usually with the eyes closed. When and if the mind becomes distracted, simply bring it back to full attention upon the chosen item.

Mindfulness meditation or Vipassana is a form of Buddhist meditation. It differs from focusing meditation in that you remain aware of your thoughts and body sensations. The emphasis is on working with everyday sensations to heighten awareness of what is uncomfortable or disturbing so that unhealthy patterns can be observed and changed. All forms of meditation are useful. Some are easier than others as personal dis-cipline and abilities change. Regardless of the form, it is the outcome wherein lies the power and reward. When we become so calm, so centered and completely free of thought, we create the setting to experience our true connection to spirit. And no amount of words can truly describe this experience.

Barbara Badolati, a devoted student and teacher of holistic health and wellness for nearly 20 years, has effectively guided thousands of people in experienc-ing greater health, balance and wholeness. She guides people towards greater health and vibrant lives through her wellness-life coaching, yoga classes and self-empow-erment seminars. Visit WellnessTipsfromBarb.com for more information. See ad page 15 and 16.

The Art of MeditationBy Barbara Badolati


healingways

This month, yoga studios and instructors around the world are hosting events to introduce

people to yoga, the 5,000-year-old practice that is their passion. Individu-als can choose from many schools and yoga styles to find those best suited to their body type, personality and stage of life and fitness. While instructional approaches to the yoga techniques and asanas, or postures, may vary, the ultimate goal for most is the yoking of the mind to body and spirit. From the physically chal-lenging to the meditatively transcend-ing, this ancient discipline from India demands respect and commitment from those who seek to receive its benefits. Practitioners attest that stepping onto the yoga mat can lead to extraordinary experiences, greater self-knowledge and better health.

10 reasons to try Yoga

Stress Reduction ~ By encouraging relaxation, yoga practice can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Related reported benefits include lowered blood pressure and heart rate, and a re-duction in the symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, asthma and insomnia.

Pain Relief ~ Yoga can ease pain. Studies have demonstrated that prac-ticing yogic asanas and meditation reduced pain among people with can-cer, multiple sclerosis, auto-immune diseases, hypertension, arthritis and other chronic conditions. Some practitioners report that even emo-tional pain can be eased through the practice of yoga.

Better Breathing ~ By teaching people to take slower, deeper breaths, yoga can help to improve lung health and function, trigger the body’s relaxation response and increase the amount of oxygen available to the body.

Flexibility ~ Yoga routinely helps to improve flexibility and mobility, in-creasing range of movement and even reducing joint aches and pains. While many people can’t touch their toes dur-ing their first yoga class, with practice they are able to do more poses as they stretch muscles and release tensions. Yoga also helps to improve body align-ment, resulting in better posture and helping to relieve back, neck, joint and muscle problems.

Increased Strength ~ Asanas use both big and small muscle groups in the body, helping to increase strength from head to toe. Yoga also helps build bone density through weight-bearing postures.

Weight Management ~ All styles of yoga can aid weight control efforts by reducing cortisol in the bloodstream, burning calories and creating muscle mass. Yoga also encourages healthy eating habits through greater body-awareness, and provides a heightened sense of well-being.

Improved Circulation ~ Combining asanas in a series or flow helps to im-prove circulation in the body and move oxygenated blood to the cells more efficiently. Moving through the postures also helps to flush internal organs and detoxify the body. Improved digestion and immune system function are other reported benefits of yoga.

Cardiovascular Conditioning ~ Even gentle yoga practice can provide car-diovascular benefits by lowering the resting heart rate, increasing endurance and improving oxygen uptake during exercise.

Sharper Mind ~ Like meditation, yoga keeps practitioners focused on the pres-ent moment, which opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory. Research shows that such mindfulness practices can actually create new neural path-ways in the brain.

Inner Peace ~ Yoga’s meditative aspects often help practitioners feel more calm and centered within them-selves. Many who begin the practice for other reasons say that this sense of

peace is what brings them back to the mat time and again.

Sources: YogaAlliance.org; Medical-NewsToday.com; National Center for Complementary and Alternative

Medicine at http://nccam.nih.gov;and U.S. National Library of Medicine at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL

YOGA MONTH

20 September 2009

Today’s pampered pooches are stepping out in style. From apparel bejeweled in Swarovski crystals to sporty- camouflaged fleeced hoodies, members of the canine

crowd “dressed to the nines” strutted their stuff on runways last month during Manhattan’s fourth annual Pet Fashion Week. The movement to turn four-legged barkers into fashioni-stas is perpetuated in the name of charity before an audience of retail buyers committed to the pet lifestyle industry. It’s the admittedly extreme end of a $3.9 billion nationwide market for canine clothing and accessories, according to the Ameri-can Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Animal lovers bent on caring for the Earth, as well as their furry friends, can wrap them in affordable, comforting togs like the $12 Namaste Buddha Dog Tee at OliveGreen-Dog.com. Scores of eco-pet fashions are only mouse clicks away, and some online retailers donate a percentage of the profits to an animal rescue organization. Barbara Savidge and Gina Quiroga, co-owners of Olive, represent their own line as well as other sources of organic pet clothing and related green goods. Involved in the human health and wellness industry prior to 2006, both women noticed that their clients were beginning to apply what they knew about green products and sustainability to the well-being of their pets. “While we wanted to cater to the trend, it was initially challenging, because of the limited amount of green products,” says Savidge. “In the last few years, however, that has changed.” She has also noted another emerging trend in green purchases made online. “Customers are buying less frou-frou items and more well-made, classic clothing,” Savidge explains. “Affordable, basic sweaters are popular be-cause people want things for their pets that will last.” Owners generally need to know their animal’s neck and chest measurements. Available rain gear includes waterproof ponchos and booties. Sweaters and hoodies provide warmth for small dogs that have a hard time maintain-ing their normal body temperature in cold weather. Doggles, which protect sensitive

eyes from sun and wind exposure, are recommended for dogs that like to nose their head out of car windows. HauteHound.com, founded by Kimberly Hall, offers a variety of pet items. She annually attends the H.H. Backer Associates, Inc. spring pet trade show in Baltimore, which draws 8,500 retail buyers from around the world to view two floors of pet products. “Every time I go, I see more eco-friendly items,” reports Hall. “Options have now expanded to supplements, Earth-friendly shampoos and organic treats.” She notes that the organic clothing market still has plenty of room to grow. “I have a hairless cat and a grey-hound at home,” says Hall, “and neither has much body fat, so they both appreciate wearing a warm sweater in winter.” For pet lovers on a tight budget with a knack for sewing, free, resizable pet apparel sewing patterns are available on several websites.

For more information about Olive Green Dog, call 512-323-6484 or visit OliveGreenDog.com. Find The Haute Hound at HauteHound.com. For pet sewing patterns, see Sewing.CircleOfCrafters.com/freepetvestpattern.html.

naturalpet

POOCHESStylin’

by Grace Fuller


CommunitySpotlight The Healing Center of Lakeview

by Julie Hurley

“Putting your health in your own hands” has been the passionate and guiding principle of Barbara and Bob

Huttinga, owners and founders of The Healing Center in Lakeview, MI. Quickly into my interview of the relatively newly married couple, this statement became quite obvious. “We want to teach people to take responsibility for their own healing and well-being,” Bob said. “We focus on a holistic approach by using traditional medicine, naturopathic medi-cine and homeopathic medicine.” They explained that the hierarchy of treatment at The Healing Center is first nutrition and food, then supplements, then herbs and homeopathy, and finally – as a last resort – surgery and prescription medicine. Bob has worked on both spectrums of the healing pro-cess. He was a physician’s assistant for 30 years, and also worked at the Born Clinic in Grand Rapids. He’s had exten-sive training in natural health, herbs, and homeopathy and was also a Certified Natural Health Practitioner. In addition to his work at The Healing Center, he works in the Urgent Care Center in Alma. “My work at the Urgent Care Center is another avenue to contact people who are looking for what we do; they may not know where to go,” Bob said. “That’s partly why I still work there – to reach out to people.” Barbara is trained as a Massage Therapist, Naturopathic Educator, Certified Natural Health Practitioner and an or-dained minister. “Our extensive training in all aspects of natural health help us teach people to help themselves,” Barbara said. Bob said that they both also operate on the holistic principle that we are not just a body, but also mind and spirit. Barb uses her ministerial training to counsel and guide people through the tough times in their lives as stress and the down times take their toll on our physical bodies. “I have been trained in hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Mind Coaching.” Bob said. “Using these tools, I have been able to teach and train a lot of people to be able to relax, manage stress, meditate, reprogram some of their old misconceptions and build on their current positive beliefs.” The Healing Center has an extensive and diverse of-fering of services, including Massage, Toe Reading, Dried Blood Analysis, Muscle Response Testing, Raindrop Therapy, General Family Care, Saliva Testing and Natural Treatment for Cancer – to name just a few. Phone consultations are also available. In addition to the services offered, they offer a very wide range of products to make your life whole. From soaps,

creams and oils to Tarot Cards and singing bowls, you are bound to find that exact “something” you are looking for. In fact, Barb said that they quite nearly have “something for everyone.” Although some healing tools don’t necessarily resonate with her in particular – like crystals – she finds it important to keep the shelves stocked for their customers. Six years ago, Bob asked Barb what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She said that she wanted to open a healing center. That was it. After looking around for a build-ing, they settled on an old downtown Lakeview building where Butler’s Sports Equipment had been. Abandoned and in need of some serious TLC, the Huttingas spent a year-and-a-half gradually restoring it, doing most of the work themselves. Finally, on July 25, 2005, they opened the doors for business. Celebrating their four-year anniversary in July, Barb and Bob say that overall it has been a great four years. The business continues to grow nicely, mostly because there is an increasing interest by the average person in taking care of themselves and their families. “We see many young families who want alternatives to an-tibiotics for their children and prevention rather than treat-ment,” Bob said. “We do take insurance for my consultations and for some massages, but much of our business is from people who do not have insurance. We keep our fees low.” Through their practice, they have found that getting to the root cause of a health issue is often less expensive than just treating symptoms. Both Barb and Bob shared a quick health tip for Natural Awakenings readers: Bob has a technique to relax: Find yourself a mental ideal place of relaxation. Envision a secluded beach at sun-set, the forest at daybreak, or whatever serene vision vibrates with you. Your brain can’t tell the difference between imagi-nation and reality. Do this for one to two minutes during a stressful situation and feel the tension melt away. Barb has a technique to ask your body if something – a certain supplement or food – will work with or in your body: Literally hold something to your heart, quiet your mind and ask a genuine and specific question. Your body will gently sway forward for “yes” and backward for “no.” The Healing Center is located in Lakeview, MI, approxi-mately 13 miles east of US-131 off the M-46/Saginaw exit.

A married mommy of two young children, Julie Hurley is a freelance writer and has a strong interest in natural living. Visit her personal blog at: www.ourlunchbox.blogspot.com. Visit The Healing Center’s Web site at: www.thehealingcen-teroflakeview.com.com and see their ad on page 11.

22 September 2009

Home. It’s a small word for a universal idea, one that resonates deeply with complex individual meanings and

associations. Regardless of whether home is a room, apartment, cottage or mansion, how homey it seems depends first on two physical fac-tors: light coming in on two sides and a view of greenery or sky, according to Clare Cooper Marcus, professor emerita of the departments of architecture and landscape architecture and environmental planning at the University of California, Berkeley. “We yearn for nature,” she observes. “Houseplants or a view of a garden is a universal desire.” In her seminal book, House as a Mirror of Self: Explor-ing the Deeper Meaning of Home, which resulted from her work on a low-income housing project and a series of case studies, Marcus came to understand that “People con-sciously and unconsciously use their home environment to express something about themselves.” For Marcus, our evolving self-image is directly reflected in the homes we create, like a chambered nautilus, around our deepest self. Sometimes, we discover that we have outgrown the shell in which we currently live, and a change is in or-der, remarks Jill Butler, an illustrator, creativity coach and author of Create the Space You Deserve: An Artistic Journey to Expressing Yourself Through Your Home. This could be the result of a shift, as the result of downsizing to a smaller home or again becoming a single adult; a celebration of finally being able to build a home or move to the place of

our dreams; or a milestone, which might come in the form of a first apartment or new baby. “Creating a soul space, or a nest, is not a new idea for most women,” says Butler. “What might be new is creating the nest that supports you and makes you feel loved and nurtured when your world might not. Taking the time to understand the deeper need is the first step.”

How a House Becomes a Home “A house is more than a roof over your

head,” says Butler, noting that it is far more than what it came to be seen as in recent years as Americans’ primary savings ac-count. “The whole idea of a house became skewed when we worried more about resale value than actually living there,” she continues. “It’s time to consider their return on our emo-tional investment.” A house becomes a home only as we put our own personal, emotional imprint on it. “A home is people-made,” writes Alexandra Stoddard, author of Feeling at Home: Defin-ing Who You Are and How You Want to Live. “Our home is our essence, the ultimate Earthly place where we live and love and have our being. “All the more reason to ask ourselves: Are we living with harmony, fulfillment, and joy at home? Are we living as well as we would like, or are we too often anxious, emotionally exhausted and stressed?” Interior designer Kelee Katillac, author of House of Belief: Creating Your Own Personal Style, suggests we start by

Coming Home toYourself

When Your Home Expresses Who You Are

by Judith Fertig

illustrations by Jill Butler

A house becomes

a home only as

we put our own

personal, emotional

imprint on it.


taking a close look at what we see around us in our home. “Homes that say nothing of who we are—what we believe in and values that we aspire toward—are places of tumultu-ous spiritual discontent,” she counsels. “By filling the space around us with benign objects—department-store clones with matching accessories to fill every nook and cranny—we lock ourselves into a gilded cage of fashion for which our creative spirit has no key.”

Taking Stock Before we can create a home that truly expresses our deepest self, we need to rediscover who we are now, where we are in our life and what we really want. This calls for an assessment or inventory, a “before” snapshot. Thomas Moore, in Care of the Soul: How to Add Depth and Meaning to Your Everyday Life, recalls a “reading” he did of one woman’s dwelling. “My idea was to see the house’s poetry and alphabet, to understand the gestures it was mak-ing in its architecture, colors, furnishing [and] decorations, and the condition it was in at that particular time.” After the exercise, he notes, “We both felt unusually connected to the place.” More, “I was motivated to reflect on my own home and to think more deeply about the poetics of everyday life.” How well does our current home feel like we wish it to? In Feeling at Home, Stoddard lists 15 elements that contrib-ute to the emotional intelligence of a home. In addition to the dual keys of light and a view outside, as Marcus men-tions, are color, comfortable furniture, change (periodic rear-rangement of elements), privacy, fresh air, nature, beauty, art, order, a working kitchen, a home library and favorite objects. The latter may encompass heirlooms, childhood souvenirs and handcrafts. “We begin by shaping our home environments into places of inspiration and affirmation,” advises Katillac. “By keeping our beliefs in front of us in our homes and by build-ing our belief and our confidence through artistry in our own home, we enter into an exhilarating process that affects our lives on every level.”

Creative Renewal “Although we tend to relegate creativity to the working artist, all of us are creating all the time,” says Butler. Creativ-ity at home may begin with a notebook filled with pictures culled from magazines, paint chips, product literature and to-do lists. We have the information and the ideas, now we must make it all happen. Some creative house projects are relatively easy and inexpensive to do ourselves. We can make a static space, like a living or dining room, function better for how we really live—make it more informal, colorful, or lived-in—by chang-ing the type of furniture or its arrangement, advises Katillac. Butler emphasizes that the secret to using every room lies in setting up the room exactly as we want it. We can happily engage all the senses with favorite music, scented candles, fresh flowers, soft throws or silky pillows and perhaps a garden, visible through a window. We can repaint a room in a color we love. We can even make

our own artwork. We can decorate only with objects that resonate with us, with less of an eye to the price. “Living artfully might require taking the time to buy things with soul for the home,” counsels Moore. “Good linens, a special rug or a simple teapot can be a source of enrichment, not only for our own life, but also the lives of our children and grandchildren.” Adds Katillac, “By surrounding ourselves with the trappings of our past successes, or with things we associate with those who have achieved the success we want in our lives, we begin to believe in the possibility of our dreams.” When re-envisioning our home involves tearing out walls, adding rooms or building from the ground up, it’s time to call in help from experts: architects, interior designers, contractors, plumbers and painters—the works. That can seem daunting at first. But our sources share a secret: Find a professional with the credentials you want for your project, and he or she gener-ally will lead you to other qualified people. “Each lead, each name or name of a service, leads to the next lead,” advises Butler. “Each time you meet someone and get help, he or she will answer questions and evoke more questions yet to be answered, and on and on it goes.”

Finished ... for NowWhen our home project is finished we’ll know, because the space contributes to our well-being, says Butler. “You’ll feel nurtured, nested, and protected. You’ll feel at home.” “Feeling at home is a way of life, an inspiring journey of discovery as well as a bridge that leads us to great apprecia-tion, reverence and beauty,” concludes Stoddard. A home that feels like home is a place “where we’ve transformed our spirit because we’ve learned how to follow our own heart.” The effects, too, are ongoing. “Through this process of belief-based decorating,” adds Katillac, “nothing seems beyond transformation—negative thoughts, financial trouble, loneliness—nothing.”

Judith Fertig is a freelance writer in Overland Park, KS. Connect at [email protected].

For more information and inspiration, contact Jill Butler at JillButler.com; Kelee Katillac at KeleeKatillac.com and Katil-lacShack.com; Clare Cooper Marcus at [email protected]; Thomas Moore at CareOfTheSoul.net; and Alexandra Stoddard at AlexandraStoddard.com.

24 September 2009

Taking stock of what’s important to us comprises two parts. First, we survey our beliefs and values. Then, we con-

sider how our homes reflect, or don’t reflect, those key beliefs and values. The following toolbox can help spark progress.

Make Lists. Alexandra Stoddard has her clients simply list 10 words that define who they are now. The list might include words like “love,” “green,” “food” or “memories.” The next step is going from room to room and seeing how well each space mirrors these values. Jill Butler also recommends listing all of the activities we see happening in our reinvented home. It helps evolve the types of spaces needed and suggests innovative uses for rooms.

Draw a Picture. Clare Cooper Marcus has given her clients a large pad of paper, crayons and felt pens and asked them to detail their feelings about home in a picture. In creating a concept of home that they could see, the clients were better able to make those changes happen in their homes.

Take a Field Trip. Kelee Katillac suggests taking a “field trip” in our own home. “Walk through your house now and look for things that exemplify something of your beliefs and values,” she advises. “List objects and areas that have special meaning to you. This meaning may be known only to you—more of an association. You may also see many things there that have no meaning to you; it’s time to let those go.”

Clear Out Clutter. The accumulation of things we no longer really need signals “not wanting to let go or move on from

a stage in your life,” says Marcus, whether that stage is child-rearing, professional life or a relationship that has changed or ended. When we prune away things that are no longer necessary to us, saying yes only to what we need, love and absolutely can’t live without, we can better see the path ahead. We can sell, recycle, donate or throw away things that no longer serve. Creating order makes us feel more peaceful, confident and ready for creative action.

Ask Questions. Butler recommends ask-ing the “W” questions. Where are you

now? What do you want? What do you see around you? “Ask yourself what pleases you and makes you feel good,” she says. Maybe it’s a cozy color, a fresh breeze through the window or family photographs. Are these ele-ments present now?

Embrace Opposites. Katillac asks couples questions like, “What do you want more of in your life?” She finds the commonality in their answers, but also celebrates the opposites—what each person wants without consider-ing the other person at all. For example, one might prefer Zen-like, serene surroundings, while the other loves the rustic outdoors, but they both want to feel family-friendly and casual. So, a “Zen cabin” could become a translation of their mutual desires. “I love the juxtaposition of two different ideas,” says Katillac. “It’s all about helping people create a home that reflects who they are and who they want to be.”

Pause. Wait for emotions to settle. Don’t be in a hurry to decide this, that, or all of it. Let decisions sit on the to-do list, undecided, for a while. Watch as the choices become clear naturally, organically, quietly.

Seven Avenues of Self-Discovery

“Having figured out the

‘What,’ the ‘How’ will

take care of itself.”

~ Jill Butler


Color affects us on every level—physi-cal, mental and emotional. Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make every day. We can have fun with and better understand the use of color in our home, based on this psychological snapshot of their meaning.

BLUEn Overwhelmingly the favorite color n The least gender-specific color, appeals equally to men and womenn Symbolizes trustworthiness, dependability and commitmentn Calms and coolsn Aids intuition GREENn Humanity’s second-favorite colorn The color of peace and ecologyn Soothes and relaxesn Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxietyn Symbolizes renewal, self-control and harmony YELLOWn Advances toward the eye from surrounding colorsn Stimulates the nervous systemn Sparks creative thoughtsn Activates memory and encourages communicationn Symbolizes optimism, enlightenment and happinessn Can be irritating; babies cry more in yellow rooms ORANGEn Elicits strong positive or negative associationsn Stimulates activity and appetiten Encourages socializationn Some tones (terra cotta, peach and rust) have broad appealn Associated with fun, flamboyance, warmth and energy

REDn Has more personal associations than any other color

n Encourages action and confidencen Stimulates energy and can raise the heart raten Increases enthusiasmn Immediately draws and focuses visual attention

PURPLEn Embodies the balance of stimulating red and calming bluen Calms the mind and nervesn Symbolizes mystic, spiritual or royal qualitiesn Encourages creativity and is often a favorite color of creative people

BROWNn Represents stability, reliability and approachabilityn Engenders feelings of whole- somenessn Offers a sense of orderlinessn Associated with all things natural or organicn Symbolizes our connection with the Earth

WHITEn Aids mental clarityn Symbolizes purity, cleanliness and neutrality (in the West)n Encourages individuals to clear clutter or obstaclesn Enables fresh beginnings

GRAYn Mixes well with any colorn Often associated with loss or depressionn Can be unsettling

BLACKn Evokes strong emotions, so too much can be overwhelmingn Seen as authoritative and powerfuln Symbolizes mystery—both a sense of potential and a restful emptiness

For personal insights based on color preferences, try these online color quizzes: ViewZone.com: ViewZone.com/luscher.html; Lüscher Color Diagnostics®, based on the work of Dr. Max Luscher: ColourTest.ue-foundation.org/kolory/kolor-index2.php; and Pratt & Lambert Paints: PrattAndLambert.com/color/personali-ty-quiz/interior.

Playing with Colorby Kate smith

26 September 2009

Art and nature have always been the closest of companions. Since the earliest cave paintings, artists

have looked to the world around them for inspiration, subject matter and the tools of their craft—pigments, brushes, shapers and stories. With the growth of the green art movement in the last sev-eral decades, the relationship between art and nature has become even more symbiotic. Today’s eco-artists go beyond taking inspiration from their surround-ings; they give back substance that helps nature thrive. “Eco-art is currently getting more attention,” observes Lynne Hull, a Colorado-based artist who has been crafting sculptures that also create wildlife habitat. “A number of people are working in different ways, interact-ing with environmental systems on behalf of conservation.” She notes that the eco-art move-ment began in the late 1960s, as awareness of the environment was just starting to break the surface of our collective consciousness and the first Earth Day was being conceived. Hull, who now creates what she calls trans-species art, turned “green” beginning in the 1980s, while living in Wyoming. “There was not much audience in Wyoming for contemporary art then,” she recalls. “I was making art about our rela-tionship with other species and I found

I had to ship it out to find an audience. I thought I might as well make art for the animals—and I created a niche. The art world became a lot more interested.” In 1983, Hull carved her first water-collecting hydroglyph in Al-bany County, Wyoming. These works resemble ancient petroglyphs (stone drawings) laid horizontal, but also serve as artistic catch basins for rain, pro-viding precious water for wildlife. By the 1990s, the artist was constructing raptor roosts, to provide nesting sites for eagles and hawks. She has also created floating islands, owl houses, canoe trails and “Migration Mileposts” to link communities that share migratory birds. At this point, she has crafted works in 14 states and eight countries (more at Eco-art.org). “Mostly, I create structures that can replace damaged nature,” she explains. “The best time to put them in is when restoration is going on, so that nature can take over as the art disintegrates.” Her work, Hull says, represents eco-atonement, a phrase she conceived to convey the importance of art—and humanity—working in conjunction with nature. “It’s the idea of trying to make up, to make amends for what humans have done. It should be the responsibility of our whole society.” Hull is far from alone in her belief that art can not only raise environmen-

greenliving

green art eco-artists inspire by

Giving Back to Natureby Janina Birtolo


tal awareness, but also lead to resolu-tions. On Vinalhaven Island, Maine, eco-artist Aviva Rahmani has painted rocks along the causeway blue as a means of prompting islanders to correct the tidal blockage that was degrading the surrounding waters (using a mixture of ultramarine pigment and buttermilk to encourage lichen growth). Vincent Smythe, a New York art-ist, creates sculptures from fallen tree branches (see Freewebs.com/vincent-finedesigns/allaboutecoart.htm). He also offers Go Green Eco-Art workshops to schoolchildren, teaching them about recyclable materials and the impor-tance of conservation. Similarly, Gulfshore Playhouse, a regional theater in Naples, Florida, con-ducts an elementary school workshop that teaches youngsters to make theater props from recycled materials and then helps them write skits incorporating those props (GulfshorePlayhouse.org). Because the eco-art movement has no geographical center, Hull and her like-minded colleagues have created a virtual center on the Internet. Their online Eco-Art Network connects about 70 member artists who use the site to

Green Art Websites

Given the eco-art movement’s strong cyber-presence, the Internet is the place to find helpful resources, from individ-ual artists to do-it-yourself proj-ects. Here is just a sampling:

n Eco-art.org ~ Pictures and explanations of Lynne Hull’s work, as well as how to get involved locally by creating backyard sculptures.

n Eco-Artware.com ~ Web gal-lery of works by more than 25 artists.

n http://GreenArtists.tripod.com ~ The Coalition of Green Artists includes artists, educa-tors and philanthropists who warehouse and distribute re-cycled materials to schools.

n GreenMuseum.org ~ Bios of artists and photos of their works, plus movement history, essays and interviews.

n PlanetGreen.Discovery.com ~ This Discovery Channel site features the Green Beret blog, which links to various eco-art-ists, including individuals using beeswax, coffee, rust and re-cycled paper as media. Search art and eco-art.

n RealMilkPaint.com ~ The Real Milk Paint Co. provides environmentally friendly paints, oils, sealers and pigments.

n RecycledMonkey.com ~ Works by artist Jason Fritzsche, who creates wall art from re-claimed materials.

n SimonLeeGuitars.com ~ Guitars created from recycled plastics.

discuss ideas and opportunities. The movement also has led to the estab-lishment of a cyber-museum at Green-Museum.org, a website that provides information about eco-artists, the move-ment’s history and its future. Hull adds that people intrigued by the concept of eco-art can involve themselves on a small and immedi-ate scale by making natural backyard “sculptures” that invite in wildlife. Her website offers ideas for hibernation shelters for butterflies, birdhouses and even a buglog. “I’m on the board of the Fort Collins Audubon Society and am an advocate for habitat gardens,” Hull says. “They’re not difficult to put in. Environmental art is something you can go out and play with. Anything you’re doing outdoors you can make attractive and use it to have a positive impact.”

Janina Birtolo, a freelance writer in Naples, FL, focuses on art, the environ-ment and developing one-woman per-formances based on historical charac-ters. Learn more at JaninaBirtolo.com.

27September 2009

28 September 2009

All children are intuitive, but some are more highly so and experience more intuitive messages, or percep-tions, with greater frequency than others. They often

are unusually aware of the needs and feelings of friends, parents, siblings and animals. These children may translate the unspoken needs of younger siblings and pets with striking accuracy and even pick up on the predominant feeling of a group of people as they enter a room. Others may tune into an unspoken family conflict or tell someone to be careful before stumbling into an unknown situation. In my psychotherapy practice over the past 20 years, I’ve noticed that intuitive children who are raised with respect for their insights and taught to manage the stressors that can emerge with this trait generally grow up to be healthy, balanced, intuitive adults. On the other hand, when highly intuitive children learn to suppress their inner truth and stop respecting their own inner compass, they suffer undesirable consequences. Many manifest reduced self-esteem, self-doubt, confusion in decision making and difficulties with interpersonal boundaries as adults. They are more likely to defer to what other people want, even at the expense of their own health, boundaries and better judgment.

how to support an intuitive Child In parenting and guiding, we can make a big difference in supporting children’s intuition and empathy. Three keys are to give kids positive feedback for these abilities, help them learn how to deal with associated stressors and teach them real-life skills designed with their individual abilities in mind. Children’s messages to us can be simple and direct. Here are ways we can help and support an especially intuitive child:

• Stayopentoherperceptionswithoutjudgment.

• Trynottoinflateordeflateherintuitiveexperience when we respond to it.

• Helpherseethatherwayoffeelingandseeinglifeisan important part of who she is, just like any other gift or talent.

• Realizethatshemayneedourhelpinlearninghowto manage the stressors associated with this innate lens through which she sees the world.

• Lethimknowthatheisneveraloneandweareavailable to help him.

• Ifhehasempathicallytakenonsomeoneelse’smood, aches, pains, or worries, help him to practice asking, “Is this feeling mine?” Remind him that he’s not responsible for anyone else’s feelings.

• Ifachildisstuckinapatternofbeingintunewithothers’ pain or the pain of the world, help him learn to switch to being on the “self channel.” We can help him do this through exercise, by encouraging him to express his feelings in art, or even by taking a couple of slow deep breaths along with us.

Perceptive children call for perceptive parenting. Parents can help keep intuition strong in their children and help so-lidify this gift for life by adopting these supportive behaviors. Catherine Crawford is a licensed marriage and family thera-pist and registered art therapist, specializing in the needs of intuitive empaths. Her new book is The Highly Intuitive Child: A Guide to Understanding and Parenting Unusually Sensitive and Empathic Children. Learn more at LifePassage.com.

healthykids

Children’s intuition a special Key to success in life

by Catherine Crawford

A child’s intuition, or sixth sense, may be more important in the life of a child than many people realize. Intuition helps alert kids to danger, provides guidance in decision making and helps in problem solving, enabling youngsters to jump more quickly to a solution. Nurturing children’s intuition and keeping it alive helps them maintain a clear connection to this inner compass.


signs of a highly intuitive Child

by Catherine Crawford

Intuition involves the ability to pick up on subtle information that is not perceived directly through any of the five senses, but rather is detected through an invisible sixth sense. Empathy is the ability to tune in to how another person is feeling by registering those feelings through the body. Intuitive empaths experience these ways of perceiving the world through an extra-magnified lens.

Do you have a highly intuitive child? Read the following 10 traits and check those that apply. My child:

• Hasawayoffinishingmysen- tences and reading my thoughts.

• Hasanabilityto“see”things before they happen and is surprised that other people respond to her predictions with amazement.

• Frequentlytranslatestheneeds of younger siblings and pets for me and is surprisingly perceptive.

• Isagitatedbynoisy,crowded events, and it takes him a long time to bounce back after such disruptions.

• ”Catches”others’emotionsor upset moods, almost like a cold.

• Ispronetoheadachesandstom- achaches related to other people’s stress.

• Feelstensionduringtraumatic world events, maybe even draw- ing pictures of them or spontane- ously talking about them, without any external information about the events.

• Ishardtokeepasecretorsurprise from; for example, she routinely guesses her birthday presents.

• Hasatendencytohaveinsights about other people and the world that outpace developmental norms.

• Reportsfeelingdifferentfrom his or her peers.

30 September 2009

The start-up of school year finds many parents making lunches or sending their children off to school to participate in the school lunch program. Although parents often despair be-

cause the school setting is an environment where it is simply not cool to brush after every meal, they can learn to do five simple things to prevent decay in the teeth of their children.

Water in the lunchboxPlacing water in the lunchbox rather than juice or soda pop will reduce cavity formation. Water plays a fundamental role in our health. Consumed on a daily basis in sufficient quantity, water maintains the body in good working order in addition to preventing and healing many disorders and health problems. Soft drinks are junk food. Even though they do not contain fat, they have as much sugar as an entire bag of candy. Made up of water, artificial coloring, and sugars, drinks such as can of Coke has 39 grams or 9.75 teaspoons of sugar and a can of Pepsi contains 41 grams or 10.25 teaspoons of sugar. Decay begins when the bacteria in the mouth converts sugar into an acid, thus destroying the enamel on the teeth and initiating the formation of decay. In addition to the sugar, soft drinks contain phosphor and citric acid, which are flavor enhancers that eat away at the enamel. Diet soft drinks are more acidic and harmful to tooth enamel than regular soda and artificial sweeteners are particularly del-eterious to everyone’s health. Fruit sodas, especially lemon and lime are kept clear and transparent with sugar. In diet sodas the sugar is replaced by stannous chloride (a form of metal tin) as a clarifier. It is possible for bacteria in the intestine to convert the tin to chemicals that can affect the brain. Some fruit juice drinks contain more sugar and are more acidic than soft drinks. Although they definitely have more vita-mins and minerals than soft drinks and are nutritionally superior to soft drinks, they do not prevent decay.

Vitamin C Research performed by Emanuel Cheraskin, a doctor and a den-tist, revealed that 500 mg of vitamin C per day improved gum disease – even if the teeth were not brushed. Cheraskin gave 500 mg of vitamin C to young boys. Ninety days later he checked the health of their teeth and gums and found that no matter how the teeth were brushed those that took vitamin C had healthier mouths. Giving your child vitamins before they leave the house in the morning is an easy and cost effective way to prevent decay.

the spin BrushA spin brush is a mechanical brush, which aids in keeping teeth and gums cleaner and healthier in children and adults. Research shows that in certain instances a child’s oral hygiene can be 60% better with a mechanical brush than with a manual toothbrush. Many newer models contain a timer to assist children in brush-ing their teeth for two minutes. Brushing properly every day for 2 minutes makes a mechanical brush unnecessary.

lunch snacksMost lunch snacks contain too much sugar. An important mechanism that protects teeth, from the acids that bacteria make, requires calcium. In the presence of acid, tooth enamel

releases calcium and phosphate, these minerals work together to neutralize the bacterial acid. If calcium levels are low as a result of excess sugar (which includes carbohydrates), the teeth are unable to buffer the deleterious effects of bacterial acid. Food ingredients – fructose, corn syrup, dextrose, maltrose and lactose – which end in “ose” are sugars. Corn syrup and corn syrup sweetener contains fructose; honey contains glucose. Fruits contain fructose and glucose. There are also sugar alcohols that end in “ol” such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and malitol. Xylitol is a unique sweetener made from birch trees. Bacte-ria cannot use this sugar for energy and thus cannot turn it into acid, which inhibits bacterial growth. Xylitol sweetened gum increases saliva flow, which gives the teeth a shower- clearing acids and carbohydrates away from the teeth. Stevia is an herbal sweetener that is not a sugar even though it creates a very sweet taste in foods. Look for snacks that contain stevia rather than sugar.

suGAr coNteNt of coMMoN foodsSkittles 2 oz 11.25 tspOreos (6) 6.5 tspDouble Fudge Brownie (3oz) 11.75 tspCranberry Juice Cocktail (8oz) 6.25 tspMcDonalds Vanilla Shake 17.75 tsp

Fresh fruits and Vegetable snacksSweets in the lunchbox should be in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables. These are loaded with minerals, vitamins, proteins, fiber, and other nutrients. They contain fiber, which slows the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream. While this is the one area that parents can make a big difference in preventing decay, it is one area where children fight even the best efforts to improve their health.

dental sealants on Back teeth Dental sealant (also called a pit and fissure sealant) is a plastic, professionally-applied material that is put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical bar-rier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth, where approximately 90 percent of decay occurs. The application of dental sealants is painless - no needles or drilling required. Approved and recom-mended by professional health associations and public health agencies, sealants placed on the first and second permanent mo-lars, which appear around age 6 and 12, can prevent the majority of tooth decay in children along with routine dental check-ups. The potential to develop pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates. But some adults at high risk of decay can benefit from sealants as well. Your dentist can tell you if you would benefit from dental sealants.

Dr. Kevin Flood, DDS., Dental Health and Wellness Center, 4990 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids Michigan, 616-974-4990. Dr. Flood has taken the principles of dentistry and interwoven them with alternative healing modalities such as nutrition, dental mate-rial sensitivity, and manual medicine to create a new paradigm for dentistry, which moves beyond drilling and filling and addresses the relationships of dentistry to the rest of the body. See ad page 40.

Secrets to Prevent Children’s Tooth DecayBy Dr. Kevin Flood


The Leaven CenTerP. O. Box 97

Lyons, MI 48851(midway between Lansing and Grand Rapids)

989-855-2606www.leaven.org

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Nurturing the relationship between spirituality and social justice.

Whether I’m coaching a billionaire CEO like Michael Dell or a 12-year-old piano prodigy, I base my ap-proach on the following bottom-line insights. They’ve

been gleaned from my 30 years of work in the field of relation-ship transformation and mind-body therapies. First, it helps to understand that successful people operate in one of several zones: what I call the zone of competence, the zone of excellence or the zone of genius. Most people stall out in the zone of excellence. Those who make it big and are the happiest go all the way into the zone of genius. Achieving that transition is what I call, “the Big Leap.” The reason most people don’t make it into the zone of genius is because of “the Upper Limit Problem.” This problem is the one obstacle that prevents us from attaining success and true happiness in all aspects of our life. It occurs because we all have an inner thermostat that determines the amount of love and suc-cess we allow ourselves. When we exceed our setting, we tend to sabotage the grander experience, in order to return to the old, familiar zone where we feel secure. The trouble is that the thermostat was set before we could think for ourselves, in early childhood. Later in life, when we hit our upper limit, we often unthinkingly engage in self-defeating behaviors; we provoke arguments, get into accidents or become sick, in order to bring ourselves back down. Catalysts appear as feelings of guilt, stress, doubt or worry, which we routinely manufacture when we feel we have reached an upper allowable limit of positive feeling. The good news is that if we can learn to spot and tran-scend our upper limit, we can make a rapid transition into our zone of genius. Asking ourselves four questions can serve as our personal launching pad. Answering these questions hon-estly begets telling new perspectives that just may set us flying skyward into the big leap. The four questions are:

• What do I most love to do?

• What work do I do that doesn’t seem like work?

• In my work, what produces the highest ratio of abundance and satisfaction to the amount of time spent?

• What is my unique ability?

All of us deserve to experience wave after wave of greater love, creative energy and financial abundance, without the compulsion to sabotage ourselves. We start with the heartfelt desire to eliminate our Upper Limit Problem—if we commit to clearing it out of our con-sciousness, we’re more than halfway there.

Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., is the author of numerous bestsellers, including The Corporate Mystic. He taught at the University of Colorado for 21 years before founding The Hendricks Institute in Ojai, CA. For more information on The Big Leap: Conquer Your Fears and Take Life to the Next Level, visit Hendricks.com.

inspiration

The Next Leap

Moving On to Ultimate Success

by Gay hendricks

BiG

32 September 2009

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Note: 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.

tuesdAY, sePteMBer 1Home Care/Trigger Point- 6:30-7:15pm. Bring a partner and learn in this hands on workshop how to decrease pain and stress in your life. Free. Parkhurst Chiropractic, 364 Garden Ave, Holland. 616-392-9500.

sAturdAY, sePteMBer 5Yoga+Music+Chocolate+Wine – 4:00pm. All aboard the Chakra Tour. Awaken your senses. Must be 21 to participate-wine is optional Satya Yoga Center, 3385 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. 269-857-7289.

tuesdAY, sePteMBer 8Fall Session Begins- 9:00am. New fall session begins in our new beautiful space. Two new studios, expanded yoga & Tai-Chi schedule. 15% off for students & seniors. Fromtheheartyoga.com. From The Heart Yoga Center, 714 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-336-9642.

Headache Workshop- 6:15-7:15pm. Hands on workshop for relief of migraines, tension headaches and neck and shoulder pain. Free. Chirofit Wellness Center, 2249 Wealthy St SE Suite 240, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2348.

Sage’s Circle- 6:30pm. An experience of channeled divine wisdom where each person gets a chance to ask ques-tions & receive answers from the Sages. Pre- registration required. $10. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

Introductory Yoga Class- 7:00-8:00pm. Free class to introduce beginning students to yoga postures, breath-ing and relaxation. The Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836.

WedNesdAY, sePteMBer 9Guided Meditation, Prayer & Healing Circle – 7:00-8:00pm. Relax to guided meditation and receive healing from local healers. Church chaplains will pray over your prayer requests. Donation. Unity Church on the Lake-shore, 41 S. Washington St., Douglas. 269-857-8226.

Introductory Yoga Class- 7:00-8:00pm. Free class to introduce students to the principles of yoga. Taught by Kat McKinney. The Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836.

tHursdAY, sePteMBer 10What Spices Should I Use?- 6:30pm. Join us tonight and you will taste some great appetizers & get some new ideas to spice up your recipes. Reservations please. $15. Spice Merchants, 2213 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.

Introductory Yoga Class- 7:00-8:00pm. Free class to introduce students to the principles of yoga. Taught by Chris Smith. The Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836.

fridAY, sePteMBer 11Bodhi Boot Camp- 5:45-7:00pm. Combines yoga pos-tures & mat conditioning, choreographed to soft music. Ends with a relaxing meditation. Taught by Samantha Fox. Suitable for all levels. $15. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-8580.

Celebrating our Creativity & Culture- 7:00pm -1:00pm on 9/13. This retreat will celebrate disability

culture and nurture creative resources for sustain-ing our struggle for justice through art, music, literature, poetry, and other expressions. $190. The Leaven Center, Lyons. 989-855-2606.

sAturdAY, sePteMBer 12Introductory Yoga Class- 9:00-10:00am. Free class to introduce students to the principles of yoga. Taught by Kat McKinney. The Yoga Studio, 955 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids. 616-776-0836.

Pink Pilates in The Park- 9:00am. Bring a mat or towel and join Core Philosophy teachers’ for a Pilates mat class! This class is open to everyone, we are asking for a donation of $5 or more that will go toward breast cancer research. Call for class location. Holland. 616-796-5177.

Growing Older... Becoming Wiser- 9:30am-12:30pm. Join other women at this workshop dur-ing which we will explore the possibilities for the third phase of life, when we reap the wisdom from our years of experience & embrace the wise woman within. $20/ea or 2 for $30. Briarlane Apartments, 450 Briar Lane NE, Grand Rapids. 616-285-7995.

Teen Skin Education- 11:00am-12:00pm. This is an educational class for all teens and young adults to learn the basics of caring for their skin. Free. For more information visit TracysFaces.com or call Tracy’s Faces, 7610 Cottonwood Dr, Ste 107, Jenison. 616-667-9690.

EcoTrek Free Kayak Event- 11:30am-3:00pm. Muskegon River with Lori. ($23 if you need to rent a kayak, MUST pre-register if renting!) FREE if you bring your own boat. Call to sign up.1760 Duchess Ct., Muskegon. 616-566-4471.

Introduction to Ashtanga- 1:00-3:00pm. Ashtanga yoga is the foundation for many yoga styles today. Learn the basics of this beautiful practice and receive all the tools needed to begin developing your own home yoga practice. $25. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610.

From The Heart Yoga Center Grand Opening- 4:00- 7:00pm. Enjoy this fall evening and come check out the newly renovated From The Heart Yoga Center. Tour the facility and the residences. Free. 714 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-336-9642.

Scrabble FUNdraiser to Benefit Read Muskegon- 6:30-10:00pm. Scrabble tournament invites amateur or serious players to join in an evening of fun. The proceeds benefit Read Muskegon, Muskegon’s Lit-erary Council. ReadMuskegon.org. $25/individual or $100/team of 4. The Masonic Temple, 369 W. Clay Ave, Muskegon. 231-777-3926.

suNdAY, sePteMBer 13Eckankar Worship Service– 10:00-11:00am. Come experience the Light & Sound of God at this monthly Eckankar Worship Service. Divine Spirit: Learning How to Work it. Free Meeting Room, 76th & 131-Motel 6, 7625 Caterpillar Ct, Grand Rapids. 616-752-8460.

Reiki I & II Class- 10:00am-4:30pm. Taught by Patti Ortyl, Reiki Master/Teacher and Medium. Class is comprised of lecture, discussion and

hands on experience. Lunch, workbook and certificate included. $225. The Crown Jewel Spa and Salon, 1035 Spaulding Road, Grand Rapids. 616-949-0845.

Community Open Mic- 1:00-4:00pm. Community open mic. Singers, poets, musicians, actors and lis-teners welcome. Free. The mic is on at Utopian Mar-ketplace, 8832 Water St, Montague. 231-894-9530.

Conversation with God Study Group- 1:00pm. For those that wish to delve deeper into the messages of CwG. Bring a friend. $10. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

MoNdAY, sePteMBer 14Biological Farming at New Harmony Community Farm– 7pm. Environmental activists & organic farmers Paul & Nancy Jones Keiser began the first CSA farm in West Michigan in 1997 at a charter school. Hear many food & farming facts. $5 regular / $2 students & seniors. San-Chez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.

tuesdAY, sePteMBer 15Natural Solutions to Fibromyalgia- 6:00pm. Work-shop participants will gain an understanding of the causes of the syndrome and learn non-drug solutions. Free. Peak Performance Chiropractic, 4150 East Belt-line Ste 4, Grand Rapids. 616-447-9888.

Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 6:30pm. Gath-ering to discuss & inform of our training programs in natural medicine. For more information visit Naturo-pathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net or call 734-769-7794. 1923 Geddes Ave, Ann Arbor.

YIN Circles- 6:30pm. This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives. Only one group need be attended. $10. Registration re-quired. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

Spiritual Wellness- 7:00-8:30pm. Denise Iwaniw is a Coptic Minister, author and intuitive counselor who believes that we are all divine beings and that our spirituality needs to be cultivated and nurtured. She will speak about creating Spiritual Wellness in our lives. Join us for an evening of well being and food for the soul. Cost: Love offering. Class space is limited; please call The Body Center to register 616-834-2596.

WedNesdAY, sePteMBer 16Morning Pranayama- 7:00-8:00am. Center and energize for your day with this pranayama (yogic breathing) class. Suitable for all levels. $10 drop in. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-8580.

Reiki Share Group – 5:30-7:30pm. For those trained in all levels of Reiki, share experiences with Reiki, and deepen their practice of Reiki. Donation. Jan Atwood LLC, Atwood +, Clark Place at American Seating Park, 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids. 616-915-4144.

From the Depths of Depression- 7:00pm. Mental Health Advocate Jo Ann Martin will speak at the Anxiety Resource Center. Learn how one woman’s struggle with anxiety & depression has changed the lives of thousands. $10. Anxiety Resource Center, 312 Grandville Ave NW, Grand Rapids. 616-356-1614.

Spa Night- 7:00-9:00pm. A great time for current & potential clients to learn what services, therapies and class the spa has to offer. Refreshments will be served. Free. Visit TracysFaces.com or call Tracy’s Faces, 7610 Cottonwood Dr, Ste 107, Jenison. 616-667-9690.

calendarofevents

Work at Home • Low Investment • Financing Available • Great Support Team • Meaningful New Career

34 September 2009

tHursdAY, sePteMBer 17Anusara Yoga Teacher Training with Behnje Mas-son- 9:00-5:00pm. 9/17-9/21. 30hr Anusara Yoga teacher training. Pre-requisite: 108 hour Anusara Yoga Immersion Program or equivalent. $475. From The Heart Yoga Center, 714 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-336-9642.

Legal Issue Related to Family Care giving- 7:00pm. In the third program of this series, elder law attorney Brian Plachta will discuss the legal issues that caregiv-ers may face when caring for a family member. Free. Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400.

National Parks of Michigan- 7:00pm. Noted author Jim DuFresne will take you on an adventurous tour of Michigan’s main three parks: Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Free. Grand Rapids Public Li-brary, 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids. 616-988-5400.

fridAY, sePteMBer 18Fire of Transformation Practice- 6:30-8:30pm. This challenging practice is for experience Anusara Yoga students. Taught by Mimi Ray. Call for prerequisites. $18. Expressions of Grace Yoga, 5270 Northland Drive NE, Grand Rapids. 616-361-8580.

Writing as Sacred Journey: A Women’s Wilderness “Trip”- 7:00pm - 1:00pm on 9/20. This “trip” is for women to plumb our spiritual depths through writing exercises, time outdoors, Sacred Silence, campfires, sharing our sacred stories (by choice) and community time. $190. The Leaven Center, Lyons. 989-855-2606.

sAturdAY, sePteMBer 19Free Classes and Body Treatments– 9:00am-2:00pm. Join the staff at the Body Center for free treatments and classes to celebrate the grand opening of their new studio and healing center. Free classes in-clude: Belly Dancing, Pilates and Yoga. Free sessions on: Migun Thermal Massage Bed, Chi Machine and Ionic Detox Foot Spa. Call for more info & to reserve a time for treatments. The Body Center, 616-834-2596.

Session I-Create Like Piet Mondrian- 2:00-3:15pm. Session I- Children in 1st - 6th grade will create imagi-native, primary color art on CD’s. Please bring an old CD that you need to recycle and it will become art. Class is limited to 12 kids. Call to sign up. $10. Eden Environ-ments, 5747 28th St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-956-5000.

Session II-Create Like Piet Mondrian- 3:15-4:15pm. Session I- Children in 1st - 6th grade will create imagi-native, primary color art on CD’s. Please bring an old CD that you need to recycle-it will become art. Class is limited to 12 kids. Call to sign up. $10. Eden Environ-ments, 5747 28th St SE, Grand Rapids. 616-956-5000.

suNdAY, sePteMBer 20YIN Circles- 1:00pm. This is for women who want to strengthen their femininity in all aspects of their lives. Only one group need be attended. $10. Registration required. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

Gaia School of Herbal Studies- Our Sunday September 20 Immune System Health class has been changed to combine with October 10th Winter Medicine Making. Advance registration is required for this class. Visit Ga-iaHerbalStudies.net or call 734-769-7794.

MoNdAY, sePteMBer 21Meditation Monday- 6:30pm. All levels of experiece

are welcome. Whether you are a novice or meditate regularly, come join us for a truly relaxing experi-ence. $10. Registration required. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

Personal Path Lecture – 7:00-8:30pm. Tired of not sleeping, digestive issues, allergies, hormonal problems? Attend Dr. Dan Gleason’s lecture to learn about testing to find out why and how to resolve it. Call to reserve a seat. Free. The Gleason Center, 19084 N. Fruitport Rd, Spring Lake. 616-846-5410.

Hoxey- When Healing Becomes a Crime- 7pm. Harry Hoxey inherited herbal formulas from his great grandfather. Hoxey had 17 clinics in various states that were shut down by the AMA. A clinic was opened in Mexico claiming a 80% cure rate of cancer. $7 regular / $3 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.

tuesdAY, sePteMBer 22Successful Life-Long Weight Loss the Natural Way- 6:00pm. Learn which foods are best, healthy eat out choices and how to implement exercise in a real world. This course encourages life changes that lead to a natural, life-long weight loss. $20. White Lake Li-brary, 7527 Highland Rd, Whitehall. 231-750-2525.

The Intenders- 6:30pm. Open discussion. $10. Iambemore.com. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

Michigan Composter Class- 6:30-9:00pm. 9/29 & 10/6. Learn how to be a successful home composter in this 3 session class offered by the Muskegon Conservation District. $40-includes 3 sessions and materials. Fairfield Inn & Suites (Great Lakes Rm), 1520 Mount Garfield Rd, Muskegon. 231-773-0008.

Naturopathic College of Ann Arbor- 6:30pm. Gathering to discuss & inform of our training programs in natural medicine. For more informa-tion visit NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.net or call 734-769-7794. 1923 Geddes Ave, Ann Arbor.

New Research on Fibromyalgia- 6:30-7:30pm. Depression, Anxiety, Aches all over? Learn the new-est approaches in treating this often misunderstood condition. Free seminar courtesy of Lakeshore Wellness Center. Howard Miller Community Center, 12 S. Church St, Zeeland. 616-392-9500.

How Can I Green Up My Home?- 7:00pm. Tonight you will learn from an expert - architect, interior designer and landscape designer. Learn about paint, flooring, accessories and more. Taught by Denise Hopkins, owner of Eden Environments. Free. The Wellness Forum, 830 Forest Hill Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-942-7907.

Why is this happening to me again?- 7:00-8:30pm. Join Rex Montague-Bauer for this intro class. Rex is certified in the work of Dr. Michael Ryce, in energy work and still point counseling. Join him for this powerful workshop that offers workable tools for self healing and putting an end to recurring life patterns. Cost: Love offering. Register at 616-834-2596, The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland.

Stretching Your Way to Good Health- 7:00-8:00pm. Learn how simple stretching routines can relieve stress, improve heart health, balance, flexibility and strength. Free seminar courtesy of Parkhurst Chiropractic. Call for seminar location. 616-392-9500.

WedNesdAY, sePteMBer 23Giving Back to Grand Rapids– 8:00-6:00pm. Dr. An-drew Schafer will be providing free chiropractic services in exchange for pantry items to be donated to Kids Food Basket. New patients will receive an exam & up to 2 free x-rays. Free. Schafer Chiropractic & Healing Spa, 1801 Breton SE Ste A, Grand Rapids. 616-301-3000.

EcoTrek Event- 6:15pm. North Kent County One Year Birthday Celebration Session. $1.00 off per person. Call to sign up. Rogue River Park. 616-291-2851.

fridAY, sePteMBer 25Advanced Reiki Training – 9:00-5:00pm. For those who wish to continue their Reiki training after Reiki I & II and learn more healing techniques to benefit self & others. $225. Jan Atwood LLC, Atwood +, Clark Place at American Seating Park, 801 Broadway Ave NW, Ste 436, Grand Rapids. 616-915-4144.

sAturdAY, sePteMBer 26Workshop, Why is this happening to me again?- 10:00am-2:00pm. Expanded version of the Tuesday workshop. Rex Montague-Bauer is certified in the work of Dr. Michael Ryce, in energy work and still point counseling. Join him for this unique and power-ful workshop that offers workable tools for self healing and putting an end to recurring life patterns. Cost: Love offering. Please Register at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland. 616-834-2596.

suNdAY, sePteMBer 27Artist of The Month- 2:00-4:00pm. River Bank Broth-ers are a traditional/bluegrass duo from Newaygo area on the banks of the Muskegon River. Join us! Free. Utopian Marketplace, 8832 Water St, Montague. 231-894-9530.

MoNdAY, sePteMBer 28Healer’s Rejuvenation Circle- 6:30pm. This is a must for all people who serve in some capacity. Through meditation, discussion and support, everyone will find a renewal of their own light & energy. $10. Indigo’s And Mystic’s Book Exchange & More, 4485 Plainfield Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-447-8298.

tuesdAY, sePteMBer 29Reduce Toxins & Lose Weight through Nutritional Counseling- 6:00pm. Have you asked yourself these questions—Why am I tired and often need more ener-gy? Why do I crave sweets? Why can’t I lose weight? Sponsored by the Foundation for Wellness Profes-sionals. Free. Peak Performance Chiropractic, 4150 East Beltline Ste 4, Grand Rapids. 616-447-9888.

Transition / Relocalization- 7:00pm. Time is now to take charge of local problems that impact our economy, fuel and food issues. Explore the causes of our challenges in these areas. Lets strengthen our local economies to become more sustainable. Discussion led by Nancy Jones Keiser. $5 regular / $2 students & seniors. SanChez Bistro, 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids. 616-677-6176.

Digestive Health and Natural Foods- 7:00-8:30pm. Our digestive system carries the fuel for our body’s engine. Eating natural foods and raw foods saves money on food, vitamins, doctor bills and drugs. Join certified colon hydro therapist Marcella Clark and raw foods chef Kirsty Hardinge present in this informational session on the importance of good digestive health and the benefits of a natural foods diet. Please Register at The Body Center, 650 Riley St. Holland. 616-834-2596.


ongoingevents

2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541.

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

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Mitch Coleman – 9:15-10:30am. Drop-ins welcome. Visit Whit-eRiverYoga.com for more information. Classes meet at White River Yoga Studio, 8724 Ferry St. Montague. 231-740-6662.

Gentle Yoga with Warren Mosley-10:00-11:15am. Perfect class for the beginning student and for those who simply require a gentle start to their day. $10 per class, $64 for 8 classes. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Gentle Yoga- 10:30am-12:00pm. Introduces students to yoga fundamentals and movements to increase the range of motion. Ideal for students with chronic symptoms such as muscle/joint pain, stiffness, stress and fatigue.. $12/class with series. Seva Yoga Studio, 2213 Wealthy SE Ste 220, East Grand Rapids. 616-458-2541.

Yoga-Advanced- 5:45pm. Must have completed Level 1&2 to attend. Moving deeper into your practice and in to the awareness of the core. Back bends, inversions and arm balancing. Using aware-ness of core, organic & muscular energy to deepen the poses & strengthen core. Invocation. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Lud-ington. 231-852-0849.

Gentle Yoga with Barb- 7:00-8:15pm. Starts Sept 15. Perfect for those who are interested in starting their yoga practice or starting again. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

WednesdayYoga-Beginning – 9:00am. This is where you start. Learn the basic poses, strengthen, breath awareness and relax. Focus on awareness and strengthening the core. Modifications made for those with limitations. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.

Meditation at Noon – 12:00-12:45pm. Meditation works toward calming the fluctuations of the mind. When one’s mind is calm, there is clarity, peace, and the ability to live in the present moment. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610.

50+ Senior Yoga with Peter- 2:00-3:00pm. Start-ing September 16. A yoga class designed just for those 50+. Increase balance and flexibility in a safe, meditative surrounding. 10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 %

sundayAwakening – 9:00-9:45am. Chanting, to meditation, and beyond. Free. Christ Community Church, 225 E. Exchange, Spring Lake. 616-842-1985.

Christ Community Church – 10:00am. Gathering service with traditional and contemporary music and progressive message encouraging all to expand their consciousness. Childcare available. 225 E. Exchange, Spring Lake. 616-842-1985.

Sunday Service– 10:00am. Presenting uplifting and vibrant spiritual messages in warm and accepting atmosphere. Your ministry grades 1-12 & nursery. Unity Church of Peace, 6025 Ada Dr, Ada. 616-682-7812.

The Coptic Center Sunday Series – 6:00pm. An ongoing series of inspirational speakers, centering and the piano music of Karen Lauck as we explore Universal Truths. Love Offering. 0-381 Lake Michi-gan Dr NW, Grand Rapids. 616-531-1339.

MondayMorning Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 6:30–7:20am. This morning Pilates is a body conditioning that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. $12 per class - drop in / $10 per class for purchase of a series of 6 or more classes. The Studio at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland. 616-834-2596.

Pilates at Noon – 12:00-12:55pm. This class fo-cuses on postural muscles, which help keep the body balanced and are essential for providing support to the spine. Pilates is a natural supplement to any yoga practice. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610.

Sivananda Yoga I & II- 6:00-7:15pm. Sivananda Yoga focuses on preserving the health and wellness of the practitioner through yogic breathing and re-laxation. $10 per class, $64 for 8 classes. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Intermediate 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.

Medicinal Herb Study Group – 7:00-8:30pm. Certification, professional training, home certifica-tion. $8. Gaia School of Herbal Studies, Ann Arbor. Gaiaherbalstudies.net. 734-769-7794.

tuesdayYoga Class- 9:30-10:30am. Nourish yourself in a new way with Vinyasa & Iyengar Yoga. $8. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct NE, Grand Rap-ids. 616-361-9221.

Prenatal Yoga- 7:30pm. For the pregnant goddess, this special yoga class offers gentle yoga postures & breath work to promote the health of your chang-ing body & to nourish & celebrate the life of your new baby. $12/class with series. Seva Yoga Studio,

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 subject to change, please call ahead.

discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Yoga After School- 4:15pm. Back to Basics classes at a New time. Particularly convenient for teachers & first shift staff. Rejuvenate yourself and journey the river within. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cas-cade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610.

Kripalu Inspired Yoga with Ron- 5:00pm for Be-ginners and 6:15 for Intermediate/Advanced. Call for more details. Satya Yoga Center, 3385 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. 269-857-7289.

Men’s Yoga with Peter- 5:30-6:45pm. Starting Sep-tember 16. Find out why men need yoga too. Ease back pain, increase strength, relieve stress & tension, & much more. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Gentle Yoga with Ginjah Knuth- 5:45-7:00pm. Recommended for those new to Yoga who have a sedentary lifestyle, as well as those who are recover-ing from illness, surgery, injuries or have conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome. Drop-ins welcome. The Studio at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland 616-834-2596.

Wednesday Awakening– 7:00-8:30pm. 9/12- Meditation Workshop. 9/9- Drumming Circle. 9/16- Connecting to Spirit/Music. 9/23 & 9/30- Spiritual messages. Love offering. Unity Church of Peace, 6025 Ada Dr, Ada. 616-682-7812.

General Anxiety Support Group – 7:00-8:30pm. General Anxiety Support Group is open to individu-als who have any kind of anxiety problem as well as their friends & family members. Anxiety Resource Center, 312 Grandville Ave, Grand Rapids. 616-356-1614.

Yoga Level I with Ginjah Knuth- 7:15-8:30pm. A step-by-step instruction in yoga basics: Simple stretches for flexibility. Standing poses for balance, strength and energy. Seated poses for a healthy back and to prepare the body for pranayama and meditation. Drop-ins welcome. The Studio at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland 616-834-2596.

thursdayYoga for Golfers- 8:00-9:00am. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Taught by Peter Violino, PGA member & certified golf yoga instructor. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Pilates – Yoga Mix at Noon – 12:00-12:55pm. Pilates and yoga are systems of integrated exer-cise. Enjoy the benefits of these complementary disciplines to feel strong, centered, energized, and focused. $12. Cascade Yoga Studio, 5060 Cascade Road Suite G, Grand Rapids. 616-464-1610.

Lunch Express Yoga with Warren- 12:15-1:00pm. Starting September 17. Increase strength, mental focus and relaxation in the middle of your busy day. Includes a healthy snack. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

Green Drinks GR Network – 5:00-7:00pm. 3rd Thursday. Join other environmental enthusiasts for

36 September 2009

casual networking and drinks. Grand Rapids. Info/location contact WMEAC at 616-451-3051.

Pilates Mat Class- 5:30pm. Join Core Philosophy teacher, Jennifer Galvin at Laketown Healing Arts for a Pilates mat class geared towards begin-ning and intermediate Pilate’s clients. $11. Mats provided by Laketown Healing Arts. Holland. 616-335-2137.

Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 5:30– 6:20pm. This evening Pilates class is a body conditioning that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. $12 per class - drop in / $10 per class for purchase of a series of 6 or more classes. The Studio at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland. 616-834-2596.

Complete Yoga-Strength, Study, Relaxation – 6:00pm. Considered a complete yoga practice of Pranayama (breathing), Asana (postures), Svady-aya (self study) Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) and Savasana (relaxation). Intermediate to advanced. $15-discounts apply. Satya Yoga Center, 3385 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. 269-857-7289.

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

The Coptic Center Spiritual Message Circle – 6:30-9:00pm. Bask in the energies of The Coptic Center as advanced intuitive and curious beginners share divine messages for an evening of intuitive discovery. Love Offering. 0-381 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Grand Rapids. 616-531-1339.

Passage Meditation Support Group- 7:00-8:30pm. Meditation as taught by Eknath Easwaran. Free. Unity Church, 1711 Walker Ave NW, Grand Rapids. 616-636-4023.

Zumba Class- 8:15-9:30pm. Zumba Classes $10. Holistic Care Approach, 3368 Beltline Ct NE, Grand Rapids. 616-822-9743.

fridayMorning Pilates with Mandy Ruhl- 6:30–7:20am. This morning Pilates is a body conditioning that seeks to build flexibility, strength, endurance, and coordination without adding muscle bulk. $12 per class - drop in / $10 per class for purchase of a series of 6 or more classes. The Studio at The Body Center, 650 Riley St., Holland. 616-834-2596.

Yoga-Intermediate – 9:00am. Learn the basics. Holding poses longer and moving deeper into your practice and awareness of the core. Gentle back bends, inversions and arm balancing introduced. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.

Pilates with Shawn Martin- 10:00-11:00am. Starting September 18. New to Muskegon Yoga Center this Autumn. All-over body toning, cor-rect posture, ease back pain and increased spine health. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.

saturdaySunrise Detox Yoga – 7:00am. Yoga practice specifically sequenced to detoxify the entire body, mind & spirit. Learn how to target specific organs & systems to keep the body & mind free of toxins & dis-ease. $15-discounts apply. Satya Yoga Center, 3385 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck. 269-857-7289.

Yoga-Beginning – 9:00am. This is where you start. Learn the basic poses, strengthen, breath awareness and relax. Focus on awareness and strengthening the core. Modifications made for those with limitations. For more information visit SmilingLotusYoga.com or call Smiling Lotus Yoga, 103 E. Ludington Ave, Ludington. 231-852-0849.


Hatha for All with Warren-10:00-11:15am. Starting September 19. Increase your flexibility, balance and inner peace. This class is for all levels. Find out what you’ve been missing. $10/class, $64 for 8 classes (1 class per week); $112 for 16 classes (2 classes per week); $78 monthly unlimited classes. 10 % discount for students & 65+ seniors. Muskegon Yoga Center, 825 Western Ave, Muskegon. 231-668-4181.


CREATIVE


BUSINESSOPPORTUNITIESCURRENTLY PUBLISHING NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINES - Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Mobile, AL; Morris County, NJ; New York City, NY; Sarasota, FL. Call for details 239-530-1377.

FOR SALEHouse, Barn & 7 acre Farm on Lowell schools bus line. 2,500 sq. ft. Rustic cedar sided New England saltbox with cedar sided 2-story barn. 4-bedrooms, 2 ½ baths. Large country kitchen with island and walk-in brick fireplace, wide pine plank floors, wood ceilings & beams. Living/family room has large stone fireplace $289,000. More land available. Call 616-443-8446.

classifieds

ACUPUNCTURE

AcuPuNcture ofWest MicHiGANKirsten Stanton, Dipl. Ac.1514 Wealthy Street SE, Suite 290Grand Rapids, MI 49506616-855-7718www.wmAcupuncture.com

Offering Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Non-Invasive Pain Management therapies for your optimal health. Visit our web site for more information. See ad page 5.

sAMir rAJANi, MdMedical Acupuncturist mmpc Internal Medicine890 S. Washington, Ste. 130 Holland: 616-396-1907www.mmpc.com

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

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHPRACTITIONER

out of the Blue inc.Nancy Despres RN, MBE351 Cummings NWGrand Rapids, MI 49534616-453-4215www.OutofTheBlueInc.net

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

ART THERAPY / ART PLAYMArY dAWsoN JAcKsoN, ArtistTendressa Studio617 Lyon N.E, Grand [email protected]

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

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

BODYTALK

dr. JerrY GilBertThe Body Center650 Riley Street, Ste AHolland, MI 49424Phone: 616-834-2596www.TheBodyCenter.usWidespread success of BodyTalk techniques has made BodyTalk the fastest growing healthcare system in the world today! Using neuromuscular biofeedback, BodyTalk embraces the power of your body’s internal communication system to help you heal and recover from injury and illness quickly, safely and effective. See ad page 36.

BODYWORK

WHolistic KiNesioloGYHeAltH services, llcBarbaraZvirzdinis,WK,CMT616-581-3885www.WKHealthServices.com

Certified Massage Therapist offering Therapeutic & LaStone Massage. Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, and a Certified Reflexologist. See ad, page 13.

BOOKSTOREiNdiGo’s ANd MYstic’s BooKeXcHANGe & More4485 Plainfield Ave, NE, Grand Rapids616-447-8298www.Iambemore.com

Featuring used books and new books based on personal growth, spirituality, music, handcrafted book accessories and other gift items. There are also book groups, classes & seminars held monthly. See ad page 15.

cHiroPrActic cAre

dYNAMic fAMilY cHiroPrActicDr. Ronson Dykstra & Dr. Ronda VanderWall4072 Chicago Drive, Grandville616-531-6050

Family owned and operated in the heart of downtown Grandville, Dynamic Family Chiropractic focuses on lifestyle improvements through living a maximized life.

A safe and natural approach to health through the combination of exercise, nutrition, detoxification and chiropractic care.

Success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.

- Marianne Williamson

38 September 2009

HeAltH food storesAffordABle NutritioNJoel D. Manning, CNC®, Owner7493 Cottonwood Drive, Jenison616-667-1346

Certified Nutritional Consultant – member AANC, MI-CNHP, NPA. Nutritional counseling, weight loss, sports nutrition, senior discounts. Available for seminars/lectures. Select high quality vitamins and supplements.

HeAltH HuttGrand Haven - 616-846-3026Grand Rapids - 616-776-9944Muskegon - 231-739-1568North Muskegon - 231-744-0852www.HealthHutt.net

Natural & organic foods, vitamins & herbs, sports nutrition, gluten free foods, books, natural body care and more. See ad, page 13.

NAture’s MArKet1013 S. Washington, Holland 616-394-5250 www.NaturesMarketHolland.com

Full service natural food store with all natural/organic deli. Offering organic and natural groceries. Gluten-free products. Organic and local produce. Supplements and natural body care products. See ad, page 18.

utoPiAN MArKetPlAce8832 Water St., Montague231-894-9530www.UtopianMarketplace.com

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff provides a personalized shopping experience. We have a large selection of gluten-free foods, clothing, jewelry, herbs, supplements, local foods, gifts and more. Open Mic events every month. See ad, page 31.

Holistic HeAltH ceNters

tHe HeAliNG ceNter352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview989-352-6500www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com

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

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

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

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

Gentle, effective and professional colon cleansing designed to drop toxin levels and improve nutrient absorption. Get relief from bloating and constipation, fatigue and arthritis pain. Warm, secure environment. www.TheBodyCenter.us. See ad page 36.

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

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

couNseliNG

JANice de lANGe, PH.d1514 Wealthy St. SE, Grand [email protected]

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

NANcY l. docK, [email protected]

Clinical Social Worker. Over 15 years of

experience in Meditation, Relaxation, Holistic Healing, Crisis Intervention, PTSD, Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Chronic pain and Self-esteem issues. Groups and Individuals.

deNtistrY / HolisticdeNtAl HeAltH & WellNess ceNterDr. Kevin P. Flood DDS4990 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids616-974-4990www.FloodTheDentist.com

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

educAtioN / clAssesNAturoPAtHic colleGeof Ann Arbor Gaia school of HerBAl studies 734-769-7794www.NaturopathicCollegeofAnnArbor.netwww.GaiaHerbalStudies.net

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

eNerGY HeAliNGAMA deus®Beth Cosmos Grand Rapids: 616-648-3354 www.Ama-Deusenergy.com

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

esseNtiAl oilsBe YouNG esseNtiAl oilsClaraVanderZouwen616-698-6148www.NaturalHealth4Today.com

Offering Be Young therapeutic essential oils, MASAJI whole food drink, Organic meal replacement shakes, Mineral make-up. Services: Ionic detoxing foot baths, Physical and Emotional balancing, biofeedback readings. See ad page 10.

HeAltH educAtioN ceNtertHe WellNess foruMSue Scharf, Director830 Forest Hill Ave., Grand Rapids616-942-7907www.WellnessForum.com

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


HoMeoPAtHYBoB HuttiNGA352 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview989-352-6500www.TheHealingCenterOfLakeview.com

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

HYPNotHerAPYBranden Wilson, BAs, cHt, cPNlPCertified Hypnotherapist,American Board of Hypnotherapy Certified Practitioner NLP, Society of [email protected]

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

KiNesioloGYWHolistic KiNesioloGY HeAltH services, llcBarbaraZvirzdinis,WK,CMT616-581-3885www.WKHealthServices.com

Certified Wholistic Kinesiologist, Certified Massage Therapist, Reconnection Healing Practitioner, Certified Herbalist, Certified Acutonics Practitioner, Certified Reflexologist. Specializing in muscle testing, massage, energy medicine, nutritional counseling, lectures and classes. See ad page 13.

lAWN servicescleAN Air lAWN cAreNathan [email protected]

Sustainable lawn care service utilizing clean and quiet, electric equipment powered by renewable energy. Provide an all-natural, organic treatment & fertilization program that is safe for your children, pets, & waterways.

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

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

modalities offered at The Body Center in Holland. 616-834-2596. TheBodyCenter.us. See ad page 2.

MidWiferYBirtH soNG MidWiferY servicesYolanda Visser CM, CPMGrand Rapids 616-458-8144www.BirthSongGR.com

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

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

full circle MidWiferYservice, iNc.Patrice Bobier CM, CPMHesperia - 231-861-2234 www.FullCircleMidwifery.com

In private practice since 1982 - specializing in homebirth. Over 1200 births attended. Offering midwifery care that maintains a family-centered

safe birth experience. Empowering women to stay healthy during pregnancy, give birth naturally and parent in the best ways.

HoMe BirtHWorKs, llcSusan Wente, CNM, Dr. PH231-652-3247www.HomeBirthworks.comThis regions only Certified Nurse Midwife with 28 years experience – over 3000 births attended. Providing pre-natal, home birth and postpartum care. Gynecological and Doula services available.

reiKireiKi HAusPaula Bojsen Holland: 616-392-1138www.ReikiHaus.comOffering quality Reiki classes & treatments at affordable prices. Certified Usui Reiki Master Teacher & Gendai Reiki Shihan. All levels, Reiki Master classes and Gendai Reiki Gokukaiden. Learn pure Japanese Reiki.

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

Full Service Salon featuring an Exclusive Organic Hair Color

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

sKiN cAretrAcY’s fAces dAY sPA - Holistic sKiN cAre4073 Lake Michigan Dr. Inside Sally & Company – Standale Plaza616-791-1999 or 616-204-5510www.TracysFaces.com

Tracy’s Faces Day Spa offers a holistic relaxing experience with natural products for skin care & hair removal from head to toe. We offer Dermalogica & Elina Elite product lines.

616.392.9500372 Garden Avenue ~ Holland

www.lswellnesscenter.com

Dr. Karla can help you through midlife changes

and focuses on restoring hormonal balance naturally.

She Can Help With:• Weight Loss• Adrenal Fatigue• Fibromyalgia• Healthy Aging• Balancing Hormones

Utilizing Bioidentical Hormones

You Deserve To Be Healthy!

Call to reserve your spot in our upcoming lecture...

New Research on FibromyalgiaSept. 22 ~ 6:30 P.M.

Howard Miller Community CenterZeeland

Call to schedule a Complimentary Consultation

40 September 2009

natural awakenings magazine ~ september 2009

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