january 2012 - natural awakenings

January 2012 | North Texas Edition | NA-NTX.com

January 2012 | North Texas Edition | NA-NTX.com

PILATESFor WEIghT LoSSStrengthen, Lengthen

and Tone

SUPEr FooDS

Boost Energy and Bust Body Fat

7

FREE

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

feel good • live simply • laugh more

Special Edition

JoUrNEY To gooD hEALThNatural Choices Support

Vibrant Well-Being

WINTEr WArMTh

Smart heating options

2 North Texas NA-NTX.com

3natural awakenings January 2012

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

contents 5 newsbriefs

9 actionalert

10 healthbriefs

12 globalbriefs

14 ecotip

15 community spotlight

20 conscious eating

22 greenliving

36 inspiration

37 calendar

43 classifieds

44 resourceguide

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10

20

16 Pilates For weight loss Strengthen, Lengthen and Tone by Victoria Everman

22 smart heating oPtions Stay Warm and $ave by Brita Belli

24 alternative goes mainstream Today’s Complementary Trends Support Natural Health Care by Kathleen Barnes

28 how to be a good Patient by Terri Evans

30 deePak choPra eXPlores conscious being by Linda Sechrist

32 souP’s on! Healthy Choices Kids Love by Claire O’Neil

34 nauseous Pets Causes and Cures by Dr. Matthew J. Heller

36 in the Year 2012 Dispelling the Mystery by Linda Sechrist

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16

32

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A couple of weeks ago, my mom sent us a letter thanking us for “packing her para-chute.” She went on to explain that she had not felt well one Sunday and stayed home from church. By chance, she watched a TV evangelist that was talking about, “Who is packing your parachute?” He talked about all the people who help us every day, and said that what we are or have is not merely an individual accomplishment, but represents many people; starting with parents, teachers,

pastors, friends, etc. These are the people that have packed our parachute. I read the note several times, with each reading bringing more thought and appreciation of her words and the faces of all of those that have helped to pack my own parachute. What immediately struck me is how seldom I take the time to truly thank someone for what they have done for me; not just thank them, but take the time and effort to do something like write a note, drop a card or call to actually tell them I was thinking about them and their family. This time of the year is a great time to do it, and provides an opportunity for a fresh and clean attitude. Everyone is anticipating a kinder world; less conflict, better fitness and dreams of happiness. New Year’s is like a “do-over;” a fresh start. With that attitude, I picked up the phone and called an old acquaintance and thanked them for their friendship over the years. As awkward as I thought the conversation might be, we ended up talking for an hour about kids, their vacation, old times and a rekindled friendship that hadn’t been forgotten: just faded. At the end of the call, I thanked them for “packing my parachute.” That phone call was not only one of the best holiday treats, but one I wish I would have made earlier, and to so many other folks earlier on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the support and inspiration you consistently provide through your calls, emails and kind words. Each of you is a part of the success of this magazine, and have been a part of packing our parachute. To our growing community of advertisers and business and distribution partners, we thank you for making it possible for us to bring this free monthly magazine to the North Texas area. Should you happen upon a business that isn’t carrying Natural Awakenings North Texas, but should, please let us know, so we may connect with them. Your participation and feedback is a big part of what this magazine stands for, and we appreciate your involvement. I encourage you to reach out to an old friend, teacher or individual who has made a difference in your life. Thank them for packing your parachute. It will make you both feel great.

Stay healthy and young at heart,

letterfrompublisher

My main parachute packers!


‘Miracle on Ice’ Goalie Releases Book

Remembered for his outstanding goaltending in the 1980 Winter Olympics, when the United States beat the Russians and won

an Olympic gold medal, Jim Craig, motivational speaker and sales trainer, has released a new business book, Gold Medal Strategies, Business Lessons from America's Miracle Team, focusing on his strategies for success and leadership. Speakers Platform has named Craig one their top five speakers on team building in 2011, based on excellence in speaking graded on expertise, professionalism, innovation within the topic area,

client testimonials and references, presentation skills, original contribution to the field and votes from the general public. Craig’s life experiences as an All-American goalie and NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist, professional athlete and suc-cessful business consultant engage his audience with insightful real life experiences. “We utilized Jim on several occasions at an international media company, and his inspirational message of teamwork and being committed to a shared dream al-ways resonated with the audience, translating into successful events for all parties involved,” states Jim Davis, publisher of Natural Awakenings North Texas. President of Gold Medal Strategies, Craig has inspired, instructed and provided strategic and winning direction for employees and associates from more than 500 orga-nizations and some of the world’s most recognized brands in the country for 30 years.

For more information on purchasing the book and speaking engagements, visit GoldMedalStrategies.com.

Big D Climb Steps Closer to a Cure

The fourth annual Big D Climb, the first and largest stair climb in North Texas,

is set to take place January 28, at Fountain Place, in Dallas. The focus of the climb is to honor those impacted by blood cancers and to raise money for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in their effort to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s dis-ease and myeloma. Around 1,000 climbers from across the region will take the challenge of climbing 52 flights of stairs (1,040 steps), competing individually or as a team. One winning team last year raised $28,000, competing in honor of an employee that was a two-time survivor of leukemia and a recipient of a bone marrow transplant. The climb begins at 8 a.m., with the First Responder division, followed by all other climbers at 8:30 a.m. Water stations are positioned throughout the climb. Climbers are encouraged to bring a towel and must bring a photo ID. Parking is free. All Big D Climb registrants receive a commemorative T-shirt with the $40 registra-tion fee and awards will be given to individual climbers and teams at the post-climb party for the best time in their age category and for most funds raised. Families and friends are invited, but will be required to remain outdoors, due to limited space. Funds from the Big D Climb benefit the LLS North Texas Chapter, one of 66 across the U.S., and ranked in the top 10 of all chapters nationwide. The LLS mission is to find a cure for blood cancer and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. More than 1 million Americans have a form of blood cancer, with leukemia deaths being the leading cancer death for children under 20.

Location: 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas. For more information call 972-354-8310 or visit BigDClimb.org.

newsbriefs

Jim Craig


newsbriefs

IKEA – Centennial, Colorado

Two-Step of a Different Kind

The 10th annual Texas Half and 5k charity fundraiser run will take part

on January 28, starting from Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, in Dallas. With around 1,200 runners, the half marathon and 5k course is flat and

run entirely on city streets around White Rock Lake and the surrounding

neighborhoods. The Texas Half begins at 8 a.m., followed by the Texas 5k at 8:15 a.m. The 5k run starts and ends at the half-marathon finish line at Winfrey Point. Both the Texas Half and 5k use a ChronoTrack timing system to precisely record times from start to finish. Disposable timing tags come with bib number and race packet. Everyone crossing the finish line in the half marathon will receive a finisher medal with the event logo. Post-race festivities and awards begin around 9:30 a.m. with 5k awards, followed by half-marathon awards. Walkers are welcome to participate. Water and aid stations are stationed throughout the course. Parking is free.

Location: 950 E. Lawther Dr., Dallas. For more information about registration, packet pick-up and pricing, call 817-706-0368 or visit TexasHalf.com.

New Solar Energy Panels at Frisco IKEA

The Frisco IKEA store will be getting photovoltaic

(PV) technology as part of a rollout of solar energy pan-els at an additional 10 IKEA locations, increasing the company’s solar presence to 75 percent of IKEA facilities in the U.S. by the middle of 2012 and reinforcing the company’s long-term com-mitment to sustainability and confidence in PV technology. The Frisco store will receive a system consisting of 3962 solar panels, generating an estimated 1,336,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) a year, which is the equivalent of powering 115 homes. Collectively, the 10 new PV installations will total 10.7 mega-watts (MW) of solar generating capacity, comprising nearly 45,360 panels, with a projected annual electricity output of 15,248,334 kWh, the equivalent of powering 1,310 homes. “IKEA believes we can be a good business while doing good business,” says Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. Once the new installations are completed, IKEA will have total solar generating capacity of about 26.8 MW.

Location: 7171 IKEA Dr., Frisco. For more information, visit IKEA.com/US.


Historic Rodeo Returns to Fort Worth

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the world’s largest indoor rodeo and

the oldest livestock show in the nation, started in 1896, celebrates its 116th an-niversary from January 13 to February 4, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, in Fort Worth. This year’s purchase of a Stock Show grounds admission or Rodeo ticket provides free admission to three Fort Worth museums (Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Cattle Raisers Museum and the National Cowgirl Museum) in addition to all other events. Members of the museum get into the Stock Show grounds at no cost. “This collaboration allows Stock Show visitors to experi-ence these great museums, and museum members to visit the Stock Show, at no additional cost,” says Brad Barnes, Stock Show president and general manager. A variety of entertainment includes livestock shows, 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors, PRCA extreme bull riding, live music, bronc riding, kid-friendly interactive activities, a fiesta-style Best of Mexico Celebración, a rodeo camp, chuck wagon races, a Best of the West invitational ranch rodeo, an art con-test, the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, six acres of carnival games, midway rides, food and four acres of shopping. For adults on the town, the Rodeo Roadhouse offers adult beverages and live entertainment from local and regional entertainers.

Location: 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr., Fort Worth. For more infor-mation, call 817-877-2400 or visit fwssr.com.

Youths That Care About Hunger

The Souper Bowl of Caring (SBoC) is a national movement

of young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their com-munities around the time of the Su-per Bowl football game. This year,

from January 15 to February 5, many Texas young people (some using a soup pot), will be asking for one dollar or one item of food for people in need, with 100 percent of the donation go-ing to the local hunger relief charity of their choice. For many youths, this is their first volunteer experience as being a part of the nation’s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. In Texas, more than 53,000 young people volunteered in 2011, raising more than $4.1 million for hunger relief charities in Texas (which has the fourth-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation), ranking them number one in the nation for total donations. Locally, the goal for 2012 is to provide more than 1 million pounds of food for the North Texas Food Banks and local charities. Youth volunteers distribute the donated funds and food directly to the charity of their choice, establishing a bond with that charity and making an impact on hunger through the cumulative effort of thousands working together to fight hunger and poverty.

For more information or to make a donation, call 1-800-358-7687 or visit SouperBowl.org.


newsbriefsMardi Gras! Galveston

Texas’ largest Mardi Gras celebration, Mardi Gras! Galveston, commemorates 101 years on the is-

land from February 10 to 21, in Galveston. Situated on a 32-mile-long island, Mardi Gras! Galveston is the nation’s third-largest Mardi Gras celebration, with more than 300,000 participants throwing more than 3 million beads, elaborate parades, headliner performances, family events, Gulf Coast cuisine, an ocean view and island-style festivities. Ongoing annually since 1867, festivities include parade viewers shouting for beads, lively tunes played by colorful marching bands, 24 parades, 26 concerts, 19 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls. New parades include the Zaniest Golf Cart Parade, the Gloworama Art Car Parade, the Danny

Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade, the Shriners Hospitals for Children Parade and the Uptown Umbrella Brigade. An oceanfront carnival with amusement rides and games complements beachfront festivities including a children’s parade, pet parade and a Battle of the Bands. Hot Chelle Rae will headline the entertainment and perform live at 10 p.m., February 11. On February 12, Mardi Gras! transforms into Family Gras! for a day of kid-friendly events, with gates opening at 11 a.m., featuring two parades, live entertainment and free admission to the public. Donations will be taken at the gate to benefit the Sunshine Kids and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

For more info and a complete schedule of events, visit MardiGrasGalveston.com.

Let the Games Begin

The 2012 Texas Amateur Ath-letic Federation’s (TAAF) Winter

Games will be held from January 13 to 16, in Frisco. For the seventh year, TAAF provides a venue for roughly 3,000 amateur athletes in Texas to compete in a multitude of sporting events. Patterned after the Olympics, the Winter Games allow the best amateur athletes in Texas to compete on an an-nual basis in 12 different winter sports, with 11 played in sports facilities throughout Frisco and one in Plano. The 12 winter games in this year’s competition include basketball (Janu-ary 14-15); bowling (14); fencing (15); figure skating (15); flag football (14-15); gymnastics (15-16); ice hockey (14-16); martial arts (14); soccer (13-16); swimming (14-15); table tennis (14); and volleyball (14-15). Medals will be awarded in each division for first, second and third places. Medalists in basketball, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, ice hockey, soccer, swimming and martial arts will qualify to advance to the 2013 State Games of America, in Hersey, Pennsylvania. The TAAF is a nonprofit organiza-tion created to establish and maintain the highest ideals of amateur sports in the state of Texas; promote the development of physical education; and to encourage the standardization of rules of all amateur athletics, games and competitions. Membership com-prises more than 140 organizations and more than 210,000 individual participants.

For registration and more informa-tion about events and locations, visit taaf.com.

News to share?email details to: [email protected] deadline is noon on the 9th of the month.


Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.

~Leo Buscaglia

Faux FoodDemand Labels on Genetically Engineered FoodsThe United States is a rarity among developed countries in that it does not require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods. Russia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and 15 nations in the European Union require notice of GE content. A poll by ABC News shows that 93 percent of Americans want the federal government to require manda-tory labeling of these foods. The nonprofit Center for Food Safety (CFS) has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administra-tion (FDA) demanding that the agency require the labeling of GE foods, on behalf of the Just Label It campaign (JustLabelIt.org), a coalition of 350 companies, organizations, scientists, doctors and individuals dedicated to food safety and consumer rights. In 1992, the FDA issued a policy statement that GE foods were not “ma-terially” different than traditional foods, and so did not need to be labeled. Agency policy severely constricts dif-ferences only to alterations that can be tasted, smelled or otherwise detected through the five senses. CFS Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell states, “Current FDA policy uses 19th-century rationale for a 21st-century issue, leaving consumers in the dark as to hidden changes to their food. It is long overdue that the FDA acknowledges the myriad reasons genetically engineered foods should be labeled and label these novel foods once and for all.” Critics claim that GE foods are linked to both personal health and environmental risks.

Tell the FDA to label GE foods and more at CenterForFoodSafety.org and TrueFoodNow.org.

actionalert


Science Confirms Benefits of Herbal BrewsEnjoy your next cup of herbal tea while

toasting to better health. U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded researchers have confirmed the science-based health benefits of three of Americans’ favorite herbal teas. Chamomile tea has long been said to soothe a troubled belly and restless mind. After reviewing scientific literature on the herb’s beneficial bioactivity, the study team published an article in Agricultural Research describ-ing test-tube evidence that the beverage also offers moderate antimicrobial and significant anti-platelet-clumping action. They found that peppermint tea also shows significant antimi-crobial, plus antiviral, antioxidant and anti-tumor actions, and even some antiallergenic potential. After reviewing human clinical trials, the researchers further reported that drinking hibiscus tea lowered blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.

healthbriefs

Calm Work StressFeeling psychologically strained or blue at

work? A simple, daily B vitamin supplement may be an answer. Australia’s Centre for Human Psycho-pharmacology, at Swinburne University of Technology, and the National Institute of Complementary Medicine recently part-nered in a study assessing the personalities, work demands and mood, anxiety and strain experienced by 60 men and women. Half the group took a nutrient-herb-blend supple-ment with the full spectrum of B vitamins plus calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, nutrients known to help with the stress response; and passionflower and oats, which also soothe the nervous system. The other half received a placebo. At the end of three months, controlling

for differences in personality and work demands, the B-complex treatment group reported significantly lower personal strain. The supplement group also reported decreased feelings of depression/dejection, anger/hostility and tension/anxiety, as well as less fatigue. The placebo group noticed no such changes. It’s wise to talk with a doctor or other health professional before beginning any supplementation program; bottled Bs may interact with certain medications and with each other. B vitamins occur naturally in meat and tuna; whole grains; leafy greens like collards, kale and Swiss chard; lentils and beans; broccoli, Brus-sels sprouts and cabbage; and potatoes and oranges.

EAT BREAKFAST TO SHED POUNDSYes, breakfast is the most impor-

tant meal of the day, says Heather Leidy, an assistant professor in the University of Missouri’s department of nutrition and exercise physiology. “Ev-eryone knows that eating breakfast is important, but many people still don’t make it a priority.” Leidy’s research shows that a healthy breakfast, especially one high in protein, increases satiety and reduces hunger throughout the day, making it a valuable strategy to control appetite and regulate food intake. Using func-tional magnetic resonance imaging, she discovered why. Eating a protein-rich breakfast works to reduce the brain signals controlling food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior.

FASTING IS GOOD FOR THE HEARTNew evidence from cardiac re-

searchers at the Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center, in Utah, suggests that routine, periodic fasting is good for our health and specifically, our heart, because it reduces weight and levels of sugar and triglycerides in the blood. The results expand upon a 2007 Intermountain Healthcare study showing a direct association between fasting and a reduced risk of coronary heart failure. The findings were pre-

sented at the 2011 annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology, in

New Orleans.


The Power of Good PostureMother’s warnings against

slouching were correct. Recent research proves that poor posture not only makes a bad impression, it can make us feel physically weaker. The study, published in the Journal of Ex-perimental Social Psychology, explored the relationship of posture and pain tolerance and found that by simply adopting more dominant poses, individu-als can feel more powerful, in control and better able to tolerate distress. More, those studied us-ing the most dominant posture were able to comfortably toler-ate more pain than others assigned a more neutral or submissive stance. People tend to curl up into a ball when in pain, but the University of South-ern California researchers recommend doing the opposite—try sitting or standing up straight, lifting the chin, pushing out the chest and generally expanding the body shape. They suggest that these small, yet empowering, changes in behavior can decrease sensitivity to pain. Adopting a powerful posture may even affect the body’s hormone levels, boosting testoster-one, which is associated with increased pain tolerance, and decreasing cortisol, typically released in response to stress.

Tangerines’ Tangible GiftsTangerines are sweet, affordable and in season, and now there’s another

reason to stock up on this juicy fruit. Researchers from the University of Western Ontario have discovered that a tangerine flavonoid, nobiletin, ap-pears to help prevent obesity and protect against Type 2 diabetes and athero-sclerosis, the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. When the researchers fed mice a “Western” diet high in fats and simple sugars, they became obese, showing all the signs associated with metabolic syndrome: elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood levels of insulin and glucose, and fatty livers. A second group of mice—fed the same unhealthy

diet, but with nobiletin added—experienced no symptoms of metabolic syndrome and gained weight

normally. Ingesting nobiletin also prevented the buildup of fat in the liver by stimulating genes that help burn excess body fat, while inhibiting

genes responsible for manufacturing it.

THE HEAVY SECRET OF FAKE FATSFood containing synthetic fats—which taste like

natural fats, but with fewer calories—may sound enticing to dieters. However, fat substitutes used in low-calorie potato chips and other processed foods could instead backfire and contribute to weight gain and obesity. Findings by Purdue University scien-tists published online in the American Psychologi-cal Association’s journal, Behavioral Neuroscience, challenges marketing claims that foods made with

fat substitutes help with weight loss. Apparently, the hitch is that synthetic fats can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate food intake, leading to inefficient use of calories and weight gain.


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

globalbriefs

Fishy BusinessSomething’s Spawning Gender-Bent FishA French study examining wild gudgeon fish that live directly downstream from a pharmaceutical drug manufacturing plant found that up to 80 per-cent of them exhibited both male and female traits in their sex organs. Such sex abnormalities indicate en-docrine disruption that can foreshadow larger effects on fish populations because of reductions in breed-ing abilities. Upstream of the plant, only 5 percent of such intersex fish were detected. Excreted pharmaceuticals can enter the environ-ment from sewage treatment plants or the flushing of unwanted or old drugs down the toilet. They also can directly enter waterways via discharge into rivers and streams by drug manufacturing plants. The study is the first to link discharge from a drug plant, rather than a sewage plant, with physical and chemical changes in fish. The inquiry was initiated after fishermen along the Dore River, in France, noticed swollen bellies and abnormal innards in the wild gudgeon fish. Study results were published in the journal Environmental International. More research is needed to identify the types and levels of specific drugs in the water at each site.

Source: Environmental HealthNews.com

Future FuelsU.S. Renewable Energy Surpasses NuclearBeginning in 2011, renew-able energy production in the United States surpassed nuclear production in overall quantity and percentage. As a percent-age of total U.S. energy genera-tion, renewables are steadily, if modestly, gaining. California’s leadership goal targets the utili-zation of 33 percent renewable energy sources by 2020. Hydroelectric, geothermal, solar/photovoltaic, wind and biomass combined make up a growing segment of the mix: 11.7 percent as of June 2011, surpassing nuclear at 11.1 percent. For the same period in 2010, nuclear was 11.6 per-cent, and renewable was 10.6, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Forbes reports that many environmentalists, however, think that the two prominent technologies that currently make up much of the renewables sector—hydroelectric power, at 35 percent, and biomass, at 48 percent—are the least attrac-tive. (Wind is the third-largest, at 13 percent of renewable, 1.5 percent of the total.) Large-scale hydroelectric power produc-tion has harmful impacts on river ecosystems and has become less popular in the developed world. As for biomass, each of the many types of feedstock must be evaluated individually for its emissions profile, water footprint and other considerations, such as whether farm fields or forests need that material to de-compose in place in order to retain soil or ecosystem function.


Resilient CommunitiesVolunteerism Remains Strong in America

More than 60 million Americans volun-teered 8 billion hours of their services in 2010, holding steady with the previous year, according to the latest report by the Corporation for National and Com-munity Service (CNCS), released late last year. Communities are benefiting from their work in mentoring and tutoring youth, fundraising and providing food, transportation and general labor, includ-ing disaster relief.

“Every day, volunteers of all ages are giving their time and talents to solve problems and make our country stronger,” says Robert Velasco II, acting CEO of CNCS. He observes that civic involvement increases as people become more deeply rooted in their communities through family, work and school ties. The members of Generation X (born 1965 to 1981) are volunteer stars, having contributed 2.3 billion hours in 2010, 110 million more than the year before. Teen volunteer rates were also up from 2002 through 2010, compared to 1989. A Vol-unteering in America report attributes this to emphasis on service-learning in high schools, the influence of parents that volunteer, social networking and the ease of finding opportunities via the Internet.

To find local volunteer opportunities by category, visit Serve.gov or AllForGood.org.

Going Out GreenNew Mortuary Practices Reduce Mercury PollutionResomation, Ltd., in Glasgow, Scotland, has invented a new alka-line hydrolysis unit as a green alternative to cremation. Founder Sandy Sullivan plans to install the first one in America at the Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mercury from dental fillings vaporized in crematoria has been blamed for up to 16 percent of British airborne mercury emissions, and many facilities there are fitting costly mercury filtration systems to meet reduced emission targets. The device dissolves the body in heated, pressurized, alkaline water. Makers claim the process produces one-third less greenhouse gas than cremation, uses one-seventh of the energy and allows for complete separation of mercury-laden dental amalgam for safe disposal. Sullivan, a biochemist, says tests have proven the effluent is sterile, contains no DNA and poses no environmental risk. He believes it can rival cremation for cost. The technology has been legalized in seven states to date. Another green alternative, Promession, is under development by Swed-ish Biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak. It involves a fully automated machine that removes the body from the coffin and freezes it with liquid nitrogen. Vibrating breaks the corpse into fragments, which are then dried, refined and filtered to remove dental amalgam and other metals. The remains are then automatically poured into a biodegradable container for shallow burial. Wiigh-Masak likens the process to composting, in which organic materials convert to soil within weeks. She says that 60 countries around the world have expressed interest in the technology.

Source: BBC News

Rocky Topping Appalachian Residents Oppose Coal Mining PoliciesEven though coal mining forms the economic backbone of several Ap-palachian states, a recent poll reveals overwhelming local resistance to the technique of removing the entire tops of mountains to secure the coal, and then dumping the toxic remains in valleys and streams. Residents are mad enough to make it an election issue. A survey of 1,315 registered voters, sponsored by Earthjustice, Appalachian Mountain Advocates and the Sierra Club, was conducted by independent research companies in Kentucky, Vir-ginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. It found that only 20 percent of residents support the practice of mountaintop re-moval. More, voters from all parties in these states promise to penalize elected officials that move to weaken clean water and environmental regulations related to such mining. The poll reveals intense and broad-based support in the heart of Appalachia for fully enforcing and even increasing clean water protec-tions to combat the negative impacts of mountaintop removal mining. Joan Mulhern, senior legislative counsel for Earthjustice, says, “The time for this destructive practice is over. The people in Appalachia are making it clear that they recognize the threats to their health and communities.”

Source: Earthjustice.org, find state action contacts at Tinyurl.com/3jnlum5.


ecotipMailbox MakeoverBanish Unwanted CatalogsThe holidays have come and gone and a new year is here, heralded by a mailbox still en-gorged with resource-wasting, old and new catalog clutter. Altogether, some 20 billion catalogs are mailed annually, to the frustration of Earth-con-scious shoppers. According to the nonprofit ForestEthics, the average American will spend the equivalent of eight months of their life dealing with junk mail. We all can save valuable time, conserve America’s forests, ease up on overflowing landfills, and reduce fuel and other materials wasted on unwanted catalogs by following these simple tips.

1. Ditch duplicate mailings. If you receive multiples of a catalog you like, call and ask the company to remove the extra listing.

2. Delete your address. The Direct Marketing Association (dmaChoice.org) will add your name to a “delete” list for direct marketers through its Mail Preference Service. It’s free online, or $1 by mail.

3. Sign up with a service. Options available for a modest fee include CatalogChoice.org, StopTheJunkMail.com and 41Pounds.org.

4. Switch to email. Most retailers can email promotion and sale notifications, with links to their websites and digital catalogs.

5. Recycle catalogs after browsing. If the local recycling program doesn’t accept them, search Earth911.org by Zip code to find the nearest facility that does.


communityspotlight

If there is one thing that Anne “Kip” Watson knows, it’s sports. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio—a town known for its dedication to

football—Watson grew up loving athletics. Her father was a professor in the Educational Psychology and Philosophy department at The Ohio State University; therefore, her parents were fanatical fans. Although Watson didn’t play football as a youngster, she did experiment with plenty of other sports. In fact, she was a state and regional gymnastics champion. Once she entered college, she left athletics behind to focus on her education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Texas Tech University and spent six years working in radio and television. In 1993, she got out of the media business to fol-low in her father’s footsteps. She received her master’s degree in Biblical counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary and became a licensed professional counselor—spending the past 15 years providing individual, family, marital and group counseling in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Through it all, one thing has never changed: her love of football. She played professional women’s tackle football in her 40s for the four-time World Champion Dallas Dia-monds, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2008. As a player, she had the opportunity to meet and train with both male and female athletes—listening to their stories and even helping to guide them. One such player was Shaud Williams, a former NFL player and current running back in the United Football League. She didn’t know it at the time, but meeting him would change her life and lead her in a new direction. As a therapist, Watson utilized the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the most widely used psychological instru-ment in the world, based on human behavior theory to help her patients understand their personality type. Because MBTI tells with relative accuracy how a person is wired both physi-cally and mentally, corporations, the military and more use the trait type assessment to determine if an individual has the right personality for the job. Watson thought it only natural to do the same for athletes. She began helping Williams, and then started work-ing with other athletes. Eventually, Williams encouraged her to do more—so she did. Three years ago, she launched NeuroSport as a means of introducing this proven scientific psychology to the fitness and athletic arena in an effort to help athletes reach optimal physical and mental potential. NeuroSport offers a sport performance enhancement assess-ment designed to pinpoint strengths, preferences and weak-nesses of an individual, based on the MBTI, neuroscience and a thorough consultation. Results of the assessment make it possible to know what sport and even what position within a sport is the best fit for that individual.

“Different brain types do well in different sports, or in different positions within a sport,” says Watson. “We generate a detailed analy-sis with specific recommendations for setting goals, improving training, motivation, dealing with game-day stress or injury, even relating to coaches and teammates.” The full NeuroSport assessment is a three-phase process that takes about three hours in total. The first phase is the initial interview, the second phase is an online assessment and the third phase is the final results session, where clients engage in an interactive learning experi-

ence and review their personalized results of strengths and weakness, red flags and performance enhancement sugges-tions. For those running short on time, a basic assessment can be done that takes less time, but is narrower in scope. NeuroSport is not only for elite athletes, but also coach-es, parents and even agents. “I like to think of us as sport investment advisors,” notes Watson. “We provide precise information about investment. Whatever your role—as an athlete, coach, parent, agent, recruiter—you need to know how to make a wise investment.” For an athlete, this means investing in a sport in which he or she naturally excels and finds fun. A coach, agent, scout or recruiter wants to invest in an athlete that has the innate cerebral and physical predisposition to do what is be-ing asked of them and reach their optimal performance at the highest level. For parents, investment has more to do with the time and money it takes to enroll children in athletics. “It’s not as easy for parents nowadays to let their child ex-periment and do all kinds of sports—it gets quite expensive,” states Watson. Being mentally prepared for a game is just as important as the physical aspect, according to Watson. She offers clini-cal and therapy support in areas such as eating disorders and addictions; obesity issues and weight control; depression and goal setting; and career coaching and resumé building. “There is an underlying stereotype in the sports world that seeing a therapist makes you weak,” she explains. “The truth is, life is messy and being mentally prepared and pos-sessing mental toughness can help individuals excel even under the most difficult circumstances. Plus, it can help them gain an edge on their competition.” Watson is completely committed and wildly passionate about what she does. “I feel compelled to do what I can do to impact people’s life. My goal is to turn these champions into heroes, and I feel honored to be a part of their lives.”

NeuroSport is located at 6842 Lebanon Rd., Ste. 103, in Frisco. For more information, call 972-380-1842 or visit NeuroSportAthlete.com. See ad, page 42.

NeuroSport: Turning Champions into Heroesby robert dean

Anne "Kip" Watson


“Pilates can help to build and maintain lean muscle mass while you are losing weight,

realign posture as the body’s center of gravity changes, promote long elegant posture and graceful flowing movement, and keep you centered and energized—all at the same time,” explains Jillian Hessel, a Los Angeles-based Pilates teacher with 26 years’ experience. “I find that many people are success-fully losing weight with Pilates because they become much more aware of their bodies, and in turn, treat them better and make better food choices,” adds Ana

Cabán, a Pilates fitness expert who has operated studios on both coasts. After chatting with a panel of pros and diving into the fitness method’s history, we arrived at the top five ways to become trim and toned by practic-ing Pilates.

Burn More Calories

Creating muscle mass is one of the best ways to

increase calorie-burning potential. Pilates can help accomplish that in spades.

“Simply stated, Pilates is strength training,” says Alycea Ungaro, owner of Real Pilates, in New York City. “We work with resistance to increase strength and hence, muscle mass. Using springs and different apparatus to increase the load to the muscles, we can affect a metabolic increase by building lean muscle mass.” Individuals can add a variety of tools to a basic Pilates mat routine to help tone muscles all over and avoid boredom. “I enjoy adding bands, body rings and light weights to my routine because it provides variety and chal-lenges muscles in a different way,” says Cabán. Resistance bands are easily por-table, yet create a considerable amount of challenging resistance to help firm and tone. The body ring, well known among Pilates enthusiasts, is another re-sistance tool used during mat exercise, often focusing on the lower body and core muscles.

Look ThinnerOne of the best ways to look and feel thinner is to maintain good posture. Pilates helps create better posture by

PILATES FOR WEIGHT LOSSStrengthen, Lengthen and Tone

by victoria everman

fitbody

Pilates, similar to yoga in its concentration on breathing, was developed by Joseph Pilates in just the past century. While it’s rare to break much of a sweat during a session, with its focus on major muscle groups and slow, intentional movements, Pilates has become a popular practice for effecting weight loss.

Once a favorite of

1930s New York

City dancers George

Balanchine and Martha

Graham, Pilates now

has 10 million followers

in the United

States alone.

firming not only the abs, but the back, as well. “All Pilates work is performed with proper alignment and attention to posture. By establishing optimal spi-nal alignment, you can facilitate better circulation, improved lymphatic flow


and increased stamina of the muscles along the spine,” says Ungaro. Not only will toned spinal muscles help with continued weight loss vis-à-vis increased metabolism, standing up straight will automatically make a person appear thin-ner, thereby increasing one’s confidence, as well. “You will stand taller, hold your waist tighter and feel stronger,” she adds.

Craft Core MusclesPilates is all about core strength—front and side abdominals and the entire back. Toned abs and a strong back help to prevent injury, improve posture, reduce lower back pain and even promote prop-er bowel function. But the most popular result is flat abdominals. “Pilates teaches people how to use their abdominals correctly—how to contract the abdominal wall, rather than let it distend. This simple mecha-nism can be used 24/7 in your daily life. That is the single reason that Pilates flattens abs so quickly,” com-ments Ungaro.

Improve Eating Habits“The increased body awareness will also make you less likely to indulge in unhealthy eating habits,” notes Ungaro. Experiencing the improvements to your body and of what it’s capable is incredibly motivating. “You will have a new respect for your body and be more likely to take better care of it,” she says.

Complete with CardioNo weight loss regimen is complete without cardiovascular work. Com-bining the strength training of Pilates and a consistent cardio session works to help you lose weight and tone up nearly twice as fast as doing either routine on its own. Walking up hills works, or to add variety and challenge, “Consider swimming, running or the elliptical machine,” suggests Ungaro. “Steady-state activity is great for cardio conditioning.”

Victoria Everman, a freelance writer in San Francisco, California, contributes to Gaiam.com, from which this was adapted.

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Pilates builds strength without bulk, increases flexibility and agility,

strengthens core muscles and stabilizes the spine, no matter your age or condi-tion. Pilates was originally created for rehabilitation and later adopted by dancers and athletes to overcome injuries and enhance their performance abilities. When clients are referred to Pilates by orthopedists and doctors, it's usually to strengthen their core muscles. The focus for the Pilates practitioner is the four main core muscles that hug the spine, which include the diaphragm (this is why breathing is so important), the transverse abdominals (the long sheet of muscle under the “six pack”), the multifidus (the long muscle that runs along the whole spine) and the pelvic floor (which includes all 26 little muscles in your pelvic bowl). These muscles are referred to as the core stabilizers, because they are closest to the spine. Maintaining a healthy spine is vitally important and sometimes, Pilates not only can help a client get out of their pain, but prevent them from having surgery. By strengthening the core muscles in the correct way and noting any con-traindications, Pilates can help clients

Pilates Helps Core Muscles Maximize Fitness

by cathy moses baldasserini

that suffer from a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, degen-erative disks, herniated disks, bulging disks, stenosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, osteoporosis, arthritis/osteoarthritis and spondylolisthesis. While strengthening core muscles, individuals achieve the added benefit of weight loss. Taking Pilates three times a week over six weeks generally makes a difference in how clothing fits. The bottom line is that Pilates gives people a better quality of life when practiced weekly, and this form of ex-ercise is suitable for a wide age range, from pre-teen to those in their 90s. Pilates is as effective for men as it is for women too. Men that practice Pilates and enjoy golf may experience a better range of motion and see an increase in shot distance, due to improvement in their upper spine.

Cathy Moses Baldas-serini is a PMA-certi-fied Pilates instructor and the owner of Pi-lates for Life, in Allen. For more info or to schedule a class, call 888-465-6970 or visit Pilates-forLife.com.

Tower/Reformer/Mat Foundations Beginner/Intermediate/AdvancedBasic movements and principles of work on the Reformer and Tower are intro-duced. As students progress, they will learn to integrate core control, correct breathing and proper alignment with smooth, continuous movements for all muscle groups.

Conditioning for Weak Joints & Problem BacksSufferers of back pain or weak joints help relieve pain and recover joint function through these exercises, strengthening abdominals, back, upper and lower ex-tremities, while developing stability of the pelvis, scapula and spine.

Osteoporosis Exercise ProgramBuilds bone density of the spine and hips, improves posture and balance, and in-creases flexibility and mobility. Also learn how to avoid movements that increase the risk of fracture.

Russian Kettlebell TrainingThis highly effective discipline of resis-tance-based exercises boosts endurance, builds strength, and develops enhanced flexibility and balance. Kettlebell lifting teaches you how to use momentum to your advantage, which translates into significant improvements in real world ability. Because of the tremendous cardiovascular element, it also offers measurable advancements in overall body composition and physique.

Mat & Small ApparatusThis session adds interest and variety to the mat exercises with the flex ring toner, foam rollers and balls. You will learn 40 exercises to challenge your balance, sta-bility and proprioception while strength-ening and stretching.

Fundamental Inner-Body WorkFundamental Pilates exercises are intro-duced, as well as the 20 mat exercises. On each exercise, substantial time is devoted to correct breathing, alignment and form.

Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced Power PilatesPracticed correctly, the 20 mat exercises originally created by Joseph Pilates are a powerful conditioning program for the entire body. This session incorporates the Pilates principles: concentration, breath-ing, alignment, coordination, centering and balance.

Standing PilatesThis Pilates-inspired session gives you a balance challenge that stabilizes the core of your body while sliming your hips, abs and buns. The workout uses movements that have been adapted from classic Pilates principles on the Reformer and the mat.


To say that Brendan Brazier, a former professional triathlete from Vancou-ver, Canada, has energy to spare is

an understatement. Brazier has turned his vegan Ironman success into a triptych of bestselling books: Thrive, Thrive Fitness and his new cookbook, Thrive Foods: 200 Plant-Based Recipes for Peak Health. He has created the Vega line of whole food products and become an activist for improving the health of people and the planet through food choices. “I discovered that with the perfect combination of the right foods, it was possible to achieve incredible levels of fitness that went far beyond what I could have achieved on a regular diet,” he explains. “The perfect combination for me is a whole food, Earth-friendly

plant-based diet. But even small chang-es—like adding these seven clean, quality super foods to a person’s daily diet—can help decrease body fat, diminish vis-ible signs of aging, boost energy without caffeine or sugar, enhance mood and improve sleep quality.”

Brazier’s Seven Super FoodsMaca. This root vegetable from South America increases energy by nutrition, not stimulation, advises Brazier, who recommends the gelatinized form for best results and often adds it to a drink after a workout. Hemp protein. Rich in omega-3 and omega-4 essential fatty acids, hemp protein powder makes a great base for a smoothie. Fresh ginger and ground, dried turmeric. These spices help the blood circulate more efficiently, and thus boost energy. Brazier adds them to drinks or smoothies. Chia. Small, white chia seeds help sustain energy and maintain a feeling of fullness. He enjoys them in a blueberry chia breakfast pudding. Fresh leafy greens. Brazier be-lieves the consumption of chlorophyll-rich, leafy green vegetables, combined with moderate exercise, is the best way to create a biologically younger body. Chlorella. This freshwater green algae, taken as a dietary supplement, is best known as a powerful energy enhancer and brain booster. Green tea. Rich in chlorophyll and antioxidants, green tea causes a slow, steady release of energy over the course of several hours. “Each new year brings fresh resolve to launch healthier habits that lead to fit-

ter bodies, better sleep, increased per-formance and happier lives,” says Brazier. “Diet is one of the things we have the power to change right

now in order to begin to thrive.”

Judith Fertig celebrates healthy cooking at AlfrescoFoodAnd

Lifestyle.blogspot.com.

consciouseating

POWER FOODS BOOST ENERGY, LOSE WEIGHT

by Judith Fertig

7

Brendan Brazier

Chia, an Ancient Food for Health

by Jeff Pearce

Chia seeds are a superfood that can be added to a variety of meals

daily. They are a complete source of protein and provide all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form. It has been recorded that Aztec warriors survived on these seeds during campaigns of conquest. Chia seeds have a long shelf life and can be stored in the pantry easily for months and can be easily found at many health-related markets and online. The seeds have a mild, nutlike fla-vor, are easily digested and don’t have to be ground to be used. They encour-age weight loss with their bulking and unique gelling action that keeps the stomach feeling full. Chia seeds absorb nine times their volume in water. Chia seeds are an exceptional source of Omega 3s and are high in di-etary fiber, antioxidants, complete pro-tein, iron, calcium and magnesium. One tablespoon of chia contains 3.5 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, 100-plus milligrams of calcium and 2.5 grams of Omega 3. Dark chia seeds contain an additional important antioxidant that the white do not; quercetin. Chia is as high or higher in anti-oxidants as blueberries. It is gluten-free, reasonably priced and very versatile when mixing with many types of foods. It can be used whole, ground, or in its gel form. It may be added dry to salads and baked goods or used as a gel in smoothies and yogurt.

Chia Seed Gel: In a jar, add 1 table-spoon of chia to 9 tablespoons of wa-ter, stir, wait a minute, stir some more and repeat, until the seeds have created a sticky gel and are evenly distributed. Store in the fridge. This mixture will last at least a month.

Jeff Pearce, HNC, is owner of Cooking God’s Way, offering nutritional consulting, cooking classes and health workshops. For more info call 972-379-7851 or visit

CookingGodsWay.com. See ad, page 9.


The beauty of a good diet is that the right foods will not only help us over-come nutritional stress, but also other negative stressors, like pollution and environmental toxins. Plus, we’ll be able to better perform during positive demands like exercise and education-al activities. My recommended action plan consists of seven easy steps. Step One. Examine your cur-rent diet. What things are you eating that might be reducing your energy or aren’t supporting your health and fitness goals? Step Two. Prepare for success by researching and listing foods that are conducive to thriving. Step Three. Graze throughout the day. Eating several small meals helps maintain energy levels, eases digestive strain and spreads nutrients to sustain us all day. Step Four. Drink a nutritious smoothie each day—it delivers whole

food nutrition that’s easy on the digestive system and provides lasting energy. Here is a go-to favorite.

Mango Cashew Smoothie½ cup powdered hemp protein1 cup mango, fresh, frozen or pulp½ cup soaked raw cashews½ tsp vanilla extract1 Tbsp maple syrup (or agave nectar)1½ cups purified water½ cup ice

Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Step Five. Eat a big, green salad every day; these are a staple when eating to thrive. Step Six. Eat a raw energy bar every day; it’s an easy way to pack nutrition into a convenient, easy-to-carry form. Step Seven. Eat a substantial, balanced afternoon snack to head off hunger and overeating at evening meals. Consider healthy snacks—such as a handful of almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts; a serving of organic carrots, celery or zucchini sticks; or an organic apple, pear or orange—in-stead of processed convenience foods.

For more information, visit Brendan Brazier.com or join a free online program at ThriveIn30.com.

7 STEPS TO THRIVEby brendan brazier


Energy-efficient fireplace insert

greenliving

The latest edition of the Consumer Guide to Home

Energy Savings reports that heating costs represent the larg-est residential energy expense—35 to 50 percent—of annual energy bills. Fortu-nately, homeowners have many fuel- and money-saving options superior to turning up the thermostat on an inefficient gas- or oil-fueled furnace or boiler, using an electric space heater or throwing more logs into the old fireplace. Before buying any major home heating equipment, it makes sense to first fix leaks. Beef up insulation; seal places where heat typically escapes—around windows and doors, dryer vents and cable and phone lines—and make sure heating ducts and pipes are working properly. Good ventilation is also vital in an air-sealed home, both to control moisture and prevent build-up of indoor pollutants.

SMART HEATING OPTIONSstay warm and $ave

Once the home is sealed against unwanted heat loss and maintains regular circulation of fresh air, take bigger energy-saving steps. Here are five options to con-sider, based on local climate, home size and budget. Air-source heat pump: Because above-ground heat pumps transfer heat—from inside to outside or vice versa—rather than create it, like a conventional heating

and air-conditioning unit, they can provide up to four times the amount of energy they consume, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). They also help dehumidify indoor air, reducing the need for air conditioning in warm months. The DOE notes that such devices can cut energy use by 30 to 40 per-cent in homes that use electric heat in moderate climates. However, they are not a good option for cold climates, where the amount of heat easily

drawn from the outdoors is greatly diminished. Geothermal heat pump: Geothermal or ground-source heat pumps involve loops of pipe bur-ied in four-foot-deep horizontal or 200-foot-deep vertical holes in the yard. They exchange a home’s hot and cold air underground, where the temperature remains relatively stable year-round (between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Geothermal heat pumps are three times as ef-ficient as a typical furnace; even the excess, known as “super heat,” can be captured to heat household water. Estimated payback on a geothermal unit is two to 10 years. Solar heat: Solar heat is either active—capturing the sun’s heat by means of solar collectors—or pas-sive—captured via a home feature such as a sunroom with a south-facing wall that vents warm air into the home. For an existing home, an appropriately designed shed or garage can be well suited for a solar collec-tor; otherwise, a shade-free roof space is often the best option. An active solar-heating system can be air- or water-based: the latter requires instal-lation of a water storage tank, either in an insulated box outside or beside an existing indoor water tank. The DOE advises that the most eco-nomic designs use an active solar heat-ing system to supply 40 to 80 percent of a home’s heating needs. By combining such a system with passive solar design features—such as thermal walls and tile

by brita belli

outdated furnaces

and boilers are

bad news for

the environment,

accounting for about

12 percent of u.s.

sulfur dioxide

and nitrogen

oxide emissions.

~ Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

Energy-efficient soapstone fireplace


floors—families may need very little supplemental heat other than solar. Wood stoves, pellet stoves and inserts: Traditional fireplaces look cozy, but they can send as much as 300 cubic feet per minute of a home’s precious heated air straight up the chimney. Woodstoves, meanwhile, have come a long way, environmen-tally speaking. Whether old-fashioned or modern in appearance, a contempo-rary woodstove can serve as an efficient space heater. Note that materials matter. Steel heats up and cools down quickly; soapstone continues to radiate heat long after the fire is out; and cast iron falls somewhere in the middle. Pellet stoves burn rabbit-feed-like pellets of sawdust, wood chips, crop waste and other organic materials. The DOE considers pellet stoves the cleanest solid fuel-burning resi-dential heating appliances; so efficient (78 to 85 percent) that the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency exempts them from smoke testing. Pellet stoves can be freestanding, or pellet stove inserts can be fitted to an existing fire-place. With airtight doors, temperature controls and easy loading and cleaning capabilities, fireplace inserts readily turn an energy-wasting fireplace into an efficient home-heating machine. Radiant heat: Radiated heat—dis-tributed through a home’s floors, walls or ceiling panels, as opposed to base-board panels, steam radiators or forced air systems—is efficient, doesn’t ag-gravate allergies and can complement a variety of heating systems, including gas- or oil-powered boilers and solar water heaters if it’s a hydronic (liquid) model. With hydronic radiant floors, the most efficient and popular method, heated water flows from the boiler to specialized underlying tubing that is either embedded in concrete or seated between layers of subflooring. One downside: a radiant floor can’t be covered with carpet. But with all that toastiness underfoot, why would anyone want to?

Brita Belli is the editor of E-The Envi-ronmental Magazine and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Renewable Energy for Your Home.

Renewable energy solar panels

meeting winter heating needs off the grid

Installation of residential photovoltaic (PV) technology for energy needs, whether for

solar heat of water or air, or for household needs, falls into the categories of either grid-tied or off-grid applications. With a grid-tied home application, the PV system is capable of generating electricity on sunny days, but is still able to draw electricity from the utility company on stormy days and at night. With an off-grid application, the PV system is responsible for generating 100 percent of the home’s electricity needs without an external electrical utility source. In this scenario, the home generates power for use during the day, storing any re-sidual in a bank of batteries for use primarily at night. A basic residential system consists of PV cells connected and housed in weather-protected panels, fastened together side-by-side on a framing system to form an array. The PV panels produce direct current (DC), which, in a grid-tied system, flows to a grid-interactive inverter. The inverter changes DC voltage to alternating current (AC) for the household electric circuit, powering wall outlets and AC appliances. Should a PV system generate more energy than is needed, the excess power from the inverter may flow out of the house through the utility company’s electric meter back onto their grid, causing the utility meter to run backward. Depending on the utility company, a resident may receive credit for the excess electricity that flows back onto the utility grid. This banking of excess electricity production for future credit is called net-metering. An off-grid PV system produces the DC power in the same way, but the DC power flows through a regulator that provides a consistent flow of current at the desired voltage. From the regulator, power can go to a set of storage batteries for storage and back to the inverter when needed. PV systems already impact our lives, powering small consumer items like cal-culators, toys and wristwatches and more complicated systems like communica-tions satellites and water pumps. It’s a natural transition to incorporate economical PV power into our homes as a natural and ready resource.

geothermal is the new standard

Americans have a fairly good grasp of solar and wind energy, but very few peo-ple understand geothermal heat pumps, also known as "ground source heat

pumps." Even though the upfront costs are higher than traditional HVAC units, the payback is usually less than five years, because geothermal can cut heating and cooling bills by 70 percent versus traditional HVAC units. Unlike traditional air source systems that are sensitive to outdoor temperature, a geothermal system gets its efficiency using the constant temperature of the ground. In North Texas, the ground keeps a constant temperature of about 68 degrees and geothermal heat pump technology uses this phenomenon to cool the house in the summer and heat the house in the winter. This efficiency saves enormous amount of energy dollars year-round. Geothermal heat pumps can also heat hot water, as well as heat the pool in the winter for a fraction of the cost of a gas pool heater. The benefit of geothermal also helps save the Earth's resources. Today, most of the schools in North Texas are built with a geothermal system and the federal govern-ment is recognizing the benefits of geothermal heat pump technology, as well. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called ground source heat pumps the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean and cost-effective space conditioning systems available, and as a result of this statement, geothermal heat pumps are the only heat-ing and cooling systems that qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit.

Greenland Energy Dynamics designs and installs geothermal and PV systems throughout DFW. For more information, call 800-262-8000 or visit GEDyn.com.


Haven’t we all at some time shifted to more healthy foods, enjoyed a massage, consulted with a chiro-

practor or naturopath, popped a vitamin C supplement or attended a yoga, Tai chi, qigong or Pilates class? Many of us also meditate regularly and pray for sick friends and relatives. If we’ve engaged in any of these activities, we are among the nearly two-thirds of Americans that use com-plementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies each year. While these approaches to wellness have been prac-ticed for millennia, it’s only been in the past decade or so that they have begun to move from the U.S. alternative fringe into the American mainstream. The widespread use of CAM therapies is due to a confluence of three trends: a growing body of cred-

ible scientific research that supports their effectiveness; popular demand for these natural, non-invasive and effective therapies; and growing recognition by conventional practitioners that healing is accomplished through holistic treatments that address body, mind and spirit.

Signs of the TimesToday, even the staid American Medical Association recommends a multivita-min supplement for virtually everyone; you can find a yoga class in almost any YMCA or community college; presti-gious medical schools have departments of complementary and alternative medi-cine; and some hospitals are encourag-ing their staff to become proficient in en-ergy medicine and healing techniques. The U.S. government established the National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 1992, under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health, to investigate and evaluate promising unconventional medical practices. In the 21st century, it’s been picked up more widely under the concept of integrative medicine, in which conventional medical and more natural therapies are used to comple-ment one another. This encouraging development also reflects current trends among major categories of therapies that take body, mind and spirit into account.

Acupuncture/Traditional Chinese MedicineUnderstanding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) requires a dramatic mental shift away from symptom-related modalities of Western medicine. Here, one’s wellness and illness is based on managing the flow of energy, or chi (pronounced CHEE), through the body. TCM has been used in China and others parts of Asia for 5,000 years. Its core concept requires that the practitioner treat the underlying causes of disease, rather than just the symptoms. TCM has now become foundational in modern thinking as well, prompting an understanding that the entire organ-ism—body, mind and spirit—must be ad-dressed in order for healing to take place. “Homotoxicology is the most exciting trend in TCM today,” says Jonathan Wald, an acupuncture physi-cian and academic dean of East West College of Natural Healing, in Sarasota, Florida. He explains: “It’s a blend of homeopathy, acupuncture and herbal medicine, with allopathic diagnostic techniques.” Homotoxicology (some-times called biopuncture) applies herb-al and homeopathic solution injections at specifically related energy meridian points to relieve various disease condi-tions or pain and rebalance the body. Another promising development is use of the Ryodaraku machine that measures electrical resistance to identify diseases in their beginning stages, afford-ing early treatment. “I think of Ryodaraku almost as a TCM form of a blood test,” says Wald. “It helps us see what’s going on and we can often correct it with a little electrical stimulation pen.” Today, TCM and Western allo-pathic medicine are being considered

alternative goes mainstreamToday’s Complementary Trends

Support Natural Health Careby kathleen barnes


in concert more often as practitioners find practical common ground in hospi-tals and clinical settings throughout the United States.

Energy TherapiesCurrent energy therapies comprise a broad range of hands-on healing modalities, ranging from Reiki, Heal-ing Touch and Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping), to an increasing array of hybrids. The Energy Medicine Institute (EnergyMed.org), in Ashland, Oregon, notes that energy medicine can employ a variety of non-invasive methods intended to trigger the body’s natural healing powers, working to acti-vate energies that have become weak-ened, disturbed or unbalanced. According to the institute, flow, balance and harmony can be restored and maintained within an energy sys-tem by tapping, massaging, pinching, twisting or connecting specific energy points (known as acupoints) on the skin; tracing or swirling the hand over the skin along specific energy path-ways; exercises or postures designed for specific energetic effects; focused use of the mind to alter specific energies; and/or surrounding an area with healing energies (one person’s energies impact another’s). Nicolas Ortner, founder of The Tapping Solution, calls this Emotional Freedom Techniques-based energy modality, “…a combination of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.” By tapping on meridian points of the body while repeating cer-tain helpful affirmations about health or emotional situations, energetic blockages can be removed, allow-ing profound physical and emotional changes to take place.

Ortner is excited about the grow-ing awareness of self-guided healing through energy modalities, includ-ing his technique. “We had 350,000 people at our online Tapping World Summit last year,” he says. “That says something about the need that we are fulfilling.”

HerbalismHerbalism is widely practiced world-wide to heal body and mind, and herbs and other plants are sometimes used in spiritual healing. Herbs are commonly prescribed by conven-tional physicians in Europe. In 1978, the German Commission E published a list of more than 300 herbs, noting research attesting to their safety and effectiveness, as well as possible side effects and drug interactions. The United States has lagged in its acceptance of herbal interventions. Still, Susun Weed, founder of the Wise Wom-an Center, in Woodstock, New York, and author of four herbal books, including Healing Wise, points out that drug com-panies have been quick to isolate various herbal medicine components and market them as prescription drugs. “In the ’60s, I discovered that the weeds in my garden were bet-ter medicinal plants than the ones I intentionally planted,” recalls Weed. “Back then, there was a general belief that these alternative systems weren’t ‘real’ medicine.” But it’s more a matter of the Western world catching up with the rest of the world, she notes. “The World Health Organization says that 90 percent of the health care given on this planet is given by women in their own homes, using local plants.” Weed reports that across the United States, attendance at herbal conferences has soared. Herbalism is a big idea whose time has come again, and is now being rewoven into family life. “I call it re-weaving the healing cloak of the ancients,” she says. “This is evolutionary medicine.”

HomeopathyHomeopathy, operating on the prin-ciple of “like treats like,” involves the use of highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s natural process of healing. According to The Society

Reiki Restores Balance & Wellbeingby Johanna oosterwijk

Reiki is based on the theory that unseen life force energy flows

through each of us. When our energy is low, or off balance, we become eas-ily stressed, which makes our immune systems less effective and puts us at risk for illness. When our energy is high, or balanced, we are content and peaceful. Our immune systems offer a strong defense and we are less prone to illness. Reiki or hands-on healing is administered by the practice of laying on hands in order to restore the bodies’ depleted energy through the power of touch, which simply is a catalyst which triggers the body’s own healing abili-ties. Many different cultures and faiths throughout history have practiced this technique in order to restore not only a person’s physical but also spiritual health. In the western hemisphere, the most prominent example would be in the Christian scriptures. Jesus and his Apostles practiced the healing art, as was demonstrated many times when they would lay hands on the sick in order to heal them. Reiki has been used to reduce stress and pain levels, as well as re-lieve the symptoms of many illnesses including headaches, upset stomachs, back problems, respiratory problems and gynecological disorders. Many hospitals are adding Reiki to their list of patient services. As a result, physicians, nurses and support staff are becoming trained as Reiki practitioners. It is important to note that Reiki should never be used as a replacement for medical treatment. Reiki is a powerful complimentary therapy to be used alongside conven-tional medicine.

Johanna Oosterwijk, N.D., is a Reiki Master and owner of Shamb-hala Wellness in Denton. For more info, call 940-380-8728 or visit Shambhala Wellness.com.


yoga to changes in metabolism, blood pressure, brain activation, stress relief and pain reduction. Angela Wilson, assistant director of the Institute for Extraordinary Living (IEL), affiliated with the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, in Lenox, Massa-chusetts, reports burgeoning interest in these therapies. “Doctors have become very interested in any practice that can help people slow down and calm down,” observes Wilson. A 2007 NCCAM study found that 9.4 percent of U.S. adults, more than 20 million people, had practiced medi-tation in the previous year. Some of the latest IEL research pro-vides scientific proof that Kripalu yoga (often called “meditation in motion”) can act as a buffer, “…helping people to face daily challenges without getting rocked off their feet or off their center,” says Wilson. She is also excited about a recent Massachusetts General Hospital study. It showed that in just eight weeks of practicing meditation, subjects experi-enced physiological changes in the part of the limbic system that relates to fear, resulting in less stress and anxiety.

NaturopathyNaturopathic medicine, a general system of natural medicine, includes nutrition, herbalism, homeopathy, acupuncture and energy medicine. Its goal is to holistically address the entire organism—body, mind and spirit.

of Homeopaths, “A substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms.” For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and agitation. Thus, when caffeine is made into a homeopathic medicine, it could be used to treat people with these symptoms. Dana Ullman, author of The Homeopathic Revolution and Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines, notes that the trend in homeopathy in the United States has its debunkers. He attributes this to establishment fears that, “If homeopa-thy is true, then everything about mod-ern medicine and science is false.” But, he adds, “The homeopathy deniers ignore or downplay the substantial body of verifying evidence from basic science and clinical research—from outcome studies, cost-effectiveness studies and epidemiological evidence.”

Meditation and Related TherapiesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that 90 percent of all doctor office visits are related to stress. Meditation, breath work, guided imagery and some yoga disciplines are effective ways to slow down the mind, relieve stress and bring body , mind and spirit into balance. More than 1,000 pub-lished studies have linked various types of meditation as well as contemplative

Tap Away Stressby margaret ann kellogg

People experience every day stress, worry and anxiety but some individ-

uals have an uncomfortable emotional feeling or a worrisome thought that never changes or seems to go away. No matter how hard they try to feel better, nothing seems to work, leaving them feeling emotionally overwhelmed and physically impacting their body. It is possible to relieve unwanted feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, or panic in the moment they occur, using a physician approved, safe, self-healing tool called the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This technique can in a few minutes reduce those over-whelming feelings of anxiety or fear. EFT uses the ancient Chinese Me-ridian system of acupressure to relieve emotional stress and is based on the premise that emotional stress causes a blockage in the body’s energy / me-ridian system. By tapping on specific acupoints, these blockages are cleared, balancing the body’s energy system, relieving stress and anxiety. Once the distress is reduced or removed, the body can rebalance itself and the heal-ing process is accelerated. Bruce Lipton, PhD, a leading re-searcher states, “EFT is a simple, power-ful process that can profoundly influence gene activity, health and behavior.” There are no known side effects to EFT since the technique safely works with the body’s own natural healing ability, often providing fast relief in only a few minutes. Preliminary research shows that EFT reduces the level of damaging hormones that occurs when the body experiences stress. Cumula-tively, the more you use EFT, the more peaceful and emotionally balanced you become, creating confidence and empowering yourself to manage strong emotions and reduce stress.

Margaret Ann Kellogg, LCSW is a psycho-therapist specializing in the treatment of stress and anxiety including EFT. For more info, call 972-768-4795 or visit StarwoodCounseling

Center.com. See ad, page 41.


In general, naturopathic physicians are those that work to support our in-nate healing abilities. They universally encourage adoption of lifestyle changes that promote optimal health. In states where na-turopathic doctors (ND) are licensed, practitio-ners are required to gradu-ate from a four-year resi-dential naturopathic medi-cal school and pass a board examination. In states that do not license them, people that successfully complete online courses can call themselves a naturopath. Make sure that any consult-ing naturopathic doctor has graduated from a residential program approved by the American Association of Naturo-pathic Physicians (Naturopathic.org). Carl Hangee-Bauer, current presi-dent of the national association and a doctor of naturopathy with San Fran-cisco Natural Medicine, has long been a proponent of licensing. He observes, “Currently, 16 states license naturo-paths, and the trend is toward more licensing states and inclusion in federal programs, as well as loan forgiveness.” He believes this will bring more quali-fied students to the profession. Economics is among the many in-centives driving consumers to a greater awareness of the benefits of pursuing wellness, as they come to understand

how major, long-term medical bills might be reduced by applying common sense, healthy lifestyle practices and other doable steps toward preventing illness in the first place. “Our practice

is growing every year. People are willing to pay for qual-ity health care,” remarks Hangee-Bauer.

NutritionNutrition comprises the

time-tested foundation of health and includes foods and vitamin and mineral supple-

ments, as well as herbs and spices. Importantly, core values about nutrition vary from culture to culture. In the United States, the Standard American Diet (SAD) has been off-track for long enough that it has result-ed in a widespread health crisis. The problem is that, contrary to the coun-sel of nutrition experts, many of us have become heavily dependent upon high-fat, high-sugar, heavily processed foods. The typical American’s diet is severely lacking in recommended veg-etables, fruits and whole grains. “The health crisis isn’t limited to the United States,” states Joshua Rosen-thal, founder of the Institute for Integra-tive Nutrition, in New York City. “Fast food and processed foods have invaded other traditional cultures, as well. To-day’s chronic diseases that plague our

own population now constitute a world health crisis.” Rosenthal is encouraged by the growing awareness of healthy eating, as taught by 19,000 graduates of his school, providing services in all 50 states and 82 countries. “We are at the beginning of a revolution,” he says. “By 2020, people will see that the quality of our food affects everything. Awareness and education are at the forefront of this revolution, and move-ments like ours are among the major catalysts for change.”

Looking ForwardOverall, today’s trends in CAM thera-pies are positive, hopeful and helpful. Conventional medicine seems to be be-coming more open to a broad range of therapies it once peremptorily relegated to the scientific dustbin. New research and long-term evidence proves that many of these non-invasive therapies are effective and can work hand-in-hand with conventional therapies. Individually and in combination, they can result in healings and cures once unimaginable to traditional practitioners.

Kathleen Barnes has written 18 books, most of them on natural health and healthy living, and owns the publishing company Take Charge Books. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.


How to Be a Good Patientby terri evans

Being a good patient is essential to any successful treatment, espe-cially holistic treatment. Often,

people seeking alternative care arrive at a practitioner’s or therapist’s office fed up with conventional treatment and confused by the lack of permanent healing, yet newly expectant of receiv-ing quick answers and recovery. It helps if the individual understands how the two approaches differ and can even complement one another. With conventional medical care, doctors focus on identifying the disease that is creating the symptoms affecting the patient. The goal is to halt the pro-gression of the disease and/or sustain life. Alternative practitioners’ goal is a patient’s overall wellness and improved quality of life. They focus on uncover-ing and alleviating any imbalances that are robbing the individual of their qual-ity of life. A holistic practitioner and pa-tient are a team with a mutual mission. This means they can expect to spend time together completing and evaluat-ing detailed medical histories and life-style information sheets, consulting and

sharing observations, collaborating in carrying out treatment and cooperating in initial and follow-up examinations. The personal patient/client relationship is generally more intensive than experi-enced with conventional services. As with any field, it is important to check a practitioner’s credentials and educational background to ensure that he or she is qualified. It’s also vital that each service provider be a good fit for a patient’s needs, personality and circumstances. So much information is available today via the Internet that figuring out the best combination of treatment options can be overwhelming and confusing. Informed, friendly collabora-tion between practitioner and patient produces the best results in restoring and even expanding overall quality of life. Here are some tips on how patients can serve their own best interests. Take responsibility. Play an ac-tive role in improving your own health. Become knowledgeable about options presented by a trusted practitioner. Taking action in spite of possible fears

healingways gives you some sense of control. Partner with your practitioner. Offer regular, precise and accurate reports on your treatment’s progress. With alternative care, treatment is high-ly individualized and requires ongoing monitoring and adjustment to discern what is working and what isn’t. Follow and continue treatment as advised and exercise patience and compassion for yourself and your treatment team. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, sleep until rested and regularly engage in suitable physical activity and gentle exercise. Call whenever you need help or advice. Stick with it. Expect incremental progress, even in the face of setbacks. Visualize an optimum state of wellness for yourself. Past failures do not need to be repeated when you work in tandem with your practitioner partner(s). Watch for relief, then acknowledge and nur-ture it by being a good patient. Share all good news with your practitioner. Don’t own the disease. Avoid scary labels and lists of symptoms in discussions with yourself and others. You want them to visualize health right along with you. Maintain a healthier lifestyle. Returning to old habits may cause prob-lems to return. Make health a priority in daily choices. Treat your practitioner with respect. Caring natural practitioners are ready and willing to walk with you on your path of healing. Forego rants about past bad experiences and direct any complaints about lack of coverage for alternative treatment toward the insurance companies. Remember, your success is also your natural practitioners’ success, and they are invested in answering your questions and earning your trust. Help them help you. Finally, let them know when they’re doing a good job; a little appreciation goes a long way during a day of caretaking.

Terri Evans has a worldwide practice that began in Southwest Florida in 1991. A Doctor of Oriental Medicine and licensed acupuncture physician, she is certified in many modalities of alternative medicine. Learn more at MagnifyYourHealth.org.


readertipWinter Hydration Tips• Dehydration can occur in any weather condition. Aim for a gallon of fluids every day, which includes liquids from vegetables, juices and soups.

• Caffeine in coffee, hot chocolate and alcohol have a diuretic effect on your body, so be sure to compensate for water loss. If you are craving a hot chocolate or coffee to warm you up, pair it with a glass of water without ice.

• Keep track of water consump-tion by drinking from a water bottle marked with measurements.

• Drink 6 oz. of fluid every 20 minutes during exercise even if you do not sweat profusely due to winter weather.

Evontis Water. For more info, call 855-EVONTIS or visit MyEvontis.com. See ad, page 12.

Being a good patient means being prepared and actively involved. By

providing a detailed health history, it allows us to focus on treatment and not spend the whole visit gathering information. Prior to the first appoint-ment, we require a "mommy memo" detailing the current problem, past detailed medical history, food diary and triggering events that may have caused the child to go off course. The more detailed our histories, the better and faster we feel we can focus on a healing program to optimize wellness. One of the most important aspects of being a good patient is to have an open mind, be willing to change old habits for healthier ones and allow time for healing. This is when I can help patients best, although I often wonder if they just want the same old prescriptions refilled or want me to work toward getting them off the medications.

The best patients are those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Remember that healing takes time; you didn't get to this place of ill health overnight and won't become healthy overnight, either. Taking medications may keep your condi-tion well-managed, but you have the symptom because something isn't right. Focusing on balance, nutrition, defense and repair and detoxification begins to free one from the reliance on medication.

Dr. Deborah Bain is a doctor of pediatrics and owner of Healthy Kids Pediatrics, in Frisco. For more information, call 972-294-0808 or visit HealthyKids Pediatrics.com. See ad, page 32.

Working With Your Doctorby dr. deborah bain


wisewords

Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Founda-

tion and the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, in Carlsbad, California, is a New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body heal-ing. Regarded by Time Magazine as the “poet-prophet of alternative medicine,” he also lectures around the world and hosts Deepak Chopra Radio on BlogTalkRadio.com.

In War of the Worldviews: Sci-ence vs. Spiri-tuality, you and physicist Leonard Mlodinow debate humanity’s most fundamental perennial questions. What is the crux of this contention?Overall, my co-author suggests that the universe operates according to laws of physics, while acknowledging that sci-ence does not address why the laws ex-ist or how they arise. I maintain that the laws of nature, as well as mathematics, share the same source as human con-sciousness. He further observes that while science often casts doubt on spiritual beliefs and doctrines insofar as they make representations about the physi-cal world, science does not—and can-

not—conclude that God is an illusion. While not defending God in religious terms, I maintain that God is a way of understand-ing some extremely crucial things: the source of existence, the reality beyond space-time and the underlying conscious-ness and creativity of the universe.

What is your understanding of consciousness?Consciousness is that which makes possible perception, cognition, emotions, personal relationships, biology, biological function, the environment and its relationship to us, as well as the universe and its relationship to us. Without conscious-

ness, there would be none of this.

Do you feel consciousness and God are one and the same?Yes, God is infinite consciousness that expresses itself as the universe. We are little bubbles of consciousness in the ocean of consciousness. Outside of space-time, Infinite Consciousness expresses itself and gives birth to every form of individual consciousness—the individual observer and the internal process of observation, as well as the objects, which are also experienced within the observer.

Deepak Chopra Explores Conscious Being

by linda sechrist

When we are

personally practicing

the divine attitudes

of loving kindness,

joy, compassion and

equanimity, we are

moving out of our

limited ego.


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What steps can we take to shift human consciousness?No social transformation happens in the absence of personal transforma-tion. Therefore, without worrying about other people, the questions to ask your-self are these: Can I be the change that I want to see in the world? What kind of world do I want to live in and how can I become the agent to create that world for myself? When we are personally prac-ticing the divine attitudes of loving kindness, joy, compassion and equa-nimity, we are moving out of our limited ego. If we all do this and reach critical mass, it is possible to create a peaceful, just, sustainable and healthy world—but we each have to shift our self to get where we want to go. To make such a radical shift, we must ex-plore the process of waking up, which centers on transcending the maelstrom of everyday thoughts to find the Source of the mind.

How do you define transcendence?There are many levels of transcen-dence. The most profound is deep meditation, known to alter brain structure and lead to lasting trans-formation. Transcendence can also happen through deep contemplation, mindfulness, music, poetry, art in any form, dance, falling in love and selfless service. Whenever you experience any quality of pure consciousness, however fleeting, you have transcended the mundane. Pure consciousness, which is the unseen, infinite potential from which everything springs, is centered within itself; silent and peaceful, awake, self-organizing, spontaneous, dy-namic, blissful, knowing, whole and encompassing. Despite the infinite diversity of the physical world, at a deeper level, only one process is oc-curring: Wholeness is moving like a single ocean that holds every wave. You experience this quality when your life makes sense and you feel a part of nature; you are at home simply by being alive.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.


“What’s a surefire way to get kids dashing to the dinner table? Simmer

up a batch of hearty soup and then sit back and watch it disappear,” says Ken Haedrich. “Kids love soup,” he main-tains, “because it’s warm and soothing and slurpy.” A former navy Seabee and author of the classic Soup Makes the Meal, Haedrich is a father to four grown children. “Besides being kid-

friendly, soup has other advantages,” he continues. “It can be made ahead of time, and you’ll probably end up with leftovers—a bonus for busy families.” Soup is also a great way to get kids interested in vegetables and in cooking. “Starting at around 2 years old, kids want to be in charge of what they eat, just like they want to choose their own clothes,” says Beth Bader, author of The Cleaner Plate Club. So Bader and

healthykids

Soup’s On!Healthy Choices Kids Loveby claire o’neil

her daughter Amelie started entertain-ing fresh ways of looking at food. At the grocery store or farmers’ market, for example, they played “I Spy,” as in “I spy something purple that tastes like....Amelie could pick any vegetable and we’d figure out how to cook it at home—often in soup,” says Bader. Chicken broth-based soups may also boost immunity and help battle the sniffles, according to researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Stephen Rennard and his colleagues found that properties of chicken soup help soothe sore throats and ease other cold symptoms. Soups made with vegetable broths likewise offer anti-inflammatory properties and comforting goodness, maintains green living expert Annie B. Bond. Inspired by Haedrich’s book, Bond added her own spin to this soup for her daughter.

Grandma’s Healing Soup“This light, restorative soup is so deli-cious you don’t have to be sick to enjoy it,” says Bond. “Either way, its luscious fragrance helps clear sinuses, and the potatoes soothe the digestive tract. It’s a delightful broth, filled with spinach, parsley, leeks and garlic, that yields min-erals, vitamins and healing antioxidants, with some winter root vegetables for sweetness. A steaming bowlful on a cold winter day is wonderfully comforting.”Serves 4 to 5


1½ Tbsp olive oil1 large leek, well washed, white parts only, chopped1 large carrot, peeled and diced small1 large potato, diced small1 parsnip, peeled and diced small 4 cloves garlic, minced5 cups vegetable stockSea salt to tasteHandful fresh parsley leaves, chopped4 oz (large handful) fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and coarsely choppedFreshly ground black pepper to taste

1. In a soup pot, heat the olive oil and add leeks, carrot, potato, parsnip and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat about 5 minutes. Add stock and salt to taste, and then bring to a simmer.

2. Simmer soup, partially covered, for about 5 minutes, and then stir in parsley and spinach. Simmer, partially covered, about 5 more minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add pepper to taste and serve piping hot.

Winter Vegetable SoupThis recipe is adapted from The Cleaner Plate Club: More Than 100 Recipes for Real Food Your Kids Will Love, by Beth Bader and Ali Benjamin. “Parmesan rinds are the secret to a rich flavor in nearly any soup,” advises Bader, the mother of a 6-year-old. “When you finish up a wedge of Parmesan cheese, save the rind and freeze it for later use. When you add the rind to a hot soup, it will melt a bit and little pieces of Parmesan will blend into the soup. ” Tip: She finds farro, an ancient strain of grain, in the bulk foods aisle.Makes 12 servings

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 large onion, chopped2/3 cup chopped carrot (about

3 medium carrots)2/3 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)2 garlic cloves, minced10 cups vegetable or chicken stock1 Tbsp dried summer savory2 tsp dried thyme2 bay leaves2 small Parmesan rinds, optional1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small (¼-inch cubes)1 lb winter squash, peeled and diced small (¼-inch cubes)1 cup farro, rinsed and drained or 1 cup lentils, rinsed, sorted and drained1 bunch (about 12 oz) kale or chard greens, stemmed and choppedSea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Warm the oil over medium-low heat and add the onion, carrot and celery. Sweat this combination, known as a mirepoix, until the onion is translucent.

2. Add the stock and the savory, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the sweet potato, squash and Parmesan rinds, and then simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Add the farro or lentils and simmer for 30 more minutes (or until the lentils, if present, are al dente).

4. Add the greens, and simmer for 5 more minutes.

5. Remove the bay leaf and Parmesan rinds. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

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Annie B. Bond blogs and writes at AnnieBBond.com. Beth Bader blogs at ExpatriatesKitchen.blogspot.com and EatLocalChallenge.com.

Claire O’Neil is a freelance writer in Kansas City, MO.

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CAN OF SOUP?by alicia brown-Jerome

In 2006, the Campbell Soup Company reduced the sodium in its soups. Most

consumers had no idea, because man-ufacturers felt that consumers associate low or reduced levels of sodium with absence of taste, so Campbell’s kept it under wraps. Then, in July 2011, Campbell’s CEO decided to add the sodium back, in an attempt to improve sluggish sales. What can shoppers do to keep up with changing ingredients and their impact without memorizing the labels? One approach is the direction Market Street has taken in their stores to provide customers with nutritional information in a convenient way so they can have the information to make a healthy choice. More than 14,000 items in the Market Street store bear a nutrition score, right on the price tag. This number, the NuVal™ score, takes into consideration all the ingredients and every value on the product’s nutrition label. NuVal scores range from 1-100, with higher scores indicating better nutrition. Each month, Market Street receives an update on all scores, so if a company has changed their formula-tion, it will be objectively reflected in the increase or decrease. For example, as of December 2011, the soups with the best NuVal scores (and less sodium) at Market Street are: Pacific Foods Black Bean Soup - NuVal 52; Progresso Soup High Fiber Homestyle Minestrone Soup - Nu-Val 53; Amy’s Lentil Vegetable Organic Soup - NuVal 53; Health Valley No Salt Chicken Noodle Soup - NuVal 62; Health Valley No Salt Rice Primavera - NuVal 76. Utilizing this type of information can make purchasing decisions and wise choices a little easier.

Alicia Brown-Jerome MS, RD, LD is a registered dietitian for Market Street. For more info, visit Market StreetUnited.com. See ad, page 31.


naturalpet

The leading pet medical insurer, Veterinary Pet Insurance (Pet Insurance.com), ranks vomiting

among the five leading causes of claims for dogs. It’s a common symptom caused by various conditions or illnesses, some simple and others more complex.

Simple CausesDietary Indiscretions – One of the more common causes of vomiting in dogs is careless eating. Fluffy may knock over the trash can and eat some rancid leftovers; be a little too enthusi-astic in gobbling meals; or like to snack on grass or landscape mulch. Generally, dogs that commit any of these acts tend to heave it back up in a relatively short period of time. Pharma-ceuticals can aid in controlling such vomiting, while herbal medicines such as Happy Earth Formula (a combination

It is rare to find a pet owner that has not suffered through bouts of vomiting by their furry friend. We’ve all cleaned the floor or furniture, shaking our head and wondering what caused the mess.

nauseous PetsCauses and Cures

by dr. matthew J. heller

of Chinese herbal remedies) work to gently soothe an upset stomach. As a general guideline, if a dog is retching due to a suspected dietary indiscretion, it is advisable to withhold food and water for 12 to 24 hours, and then gradually resume normal feeding over the next 24 to 36 hours. If there is no noticeable improvement within the first 24 hours or toxic plants, flowers or other poisonous culprits caused the vomiting, call or take the pet to a vet immediately. Possible Food Sensitivity – If a cat or dog begins to vomit after being introduced to a new diet, it may be sensitive to one of the new ingredients. If the new diet contains more fillers or byproducts, the pet may be having problems properly digesting the food. Reading a pet food label identifies ingredients.


Motion Sickness – While we enjoy seeing a happy dog inhaling the fresh air with its head or nose outside a car window, some canines succumb to motion sickness, nausea and even vomiting. Pharmaceuticals (such as sedatives) and herbal medications are available to treat such discomforts. Intestinal Parasites – Many kit-tens and puppies are born with intes-tinal parasites. If a young animal is in-fested with roundworms or microscopic hookworms, it may begin to vomit them up. Most veterinarians recom-mend routine de-worming throughout the first few months of life. Adverse Reaction to Medica-tions – Dogs, like humans, can some-times suffer nausea and vomiting as an anticipated side effect of a prescribed medication. If a pet vomits after receiv-ing antibiotics, contact a veterinarian for advice. Some anti-inflammatory pain relief medications also may cause vomiting. Many holistic medicine proponents attest that one benefit of non-pharmaceutical options—including therapeutic laser treatment or desig-nated herbal medicines—is their lack of negative side effects. If puking is a pet’s only symptom, the chances are good that the cause is relatively simple, inviting a straightfor-ward treatment plan. However, if the pet is also experiencing other symp-toms, such as a fever, constipation or diarrhea, if other signs of systemic dis-tress appear, such as shallow breathing or neurological abnormalities, then it is vital to immediately consult a vet.

Prior to the domestication

of small feline companions,

cats consumed rodents and

similar prey as their main

food source, so contamination

was not a concern. Cats will

eject hairballs as a result of

excessive grooming or some

food sensitivity.

disease is present, the pet’s body is not able to break down toxins and process them properly, so it becomes nauseous and vomits. A compromised kidney or liver function may result from consum-ing poisonous products or a viral or bacterial infection. Pancreatitis – Dogs can suffer from acute pancreatitis as a result of consuming overly rich and fatty foods, like hot dogs or sausages (sometimes acquired via trash bin raids). In addition to vomiting, a dog’s belly often will be tender to the touch and the animal will appear lethargic. Some breeds may be more genetically disposed to pancre-atitis, such as schnauzers and Yorkies. Pancreatitis is serious and hospitaliza-tion may be required for successful treatment. Laboratory blood work will diagnose it. Foreign Object Obstruction – Sometimes dogs chew up and swallow non-food items like a plastic toy or a stone. If the dog is lucky, the object passes out of the digestive track in the stool. Other times, the foreign object may become lodged in either the stom-ach or the intestines, and surgery may be required to remove it. If you witness your dog consuming a questionable object, immediately call a veterinarian. Generally, because a pet’s vomit-ing may range from the straightforward to the unusual, particularly in dogs, providing context and details of its behavior is a huge help for a vet in determining the level of seriousness.

Dr. Matthew J. Heller is a holistic veterinarian and owner of All About PetCare, in Middletown, OH.

Some veterinarians theorize

that dogs vomit more

readily than cats in order

to protect themselves from

eating spoiled or

contaminated foods.

More Serious IssuesSometimes, vomiting may be a symp-tom of a more serious illness. The following are several usual causes. Liver and Kidney Disease – When chronic (or acute) kidney or liver

For more information about advertising and how you can participate, call

469-633-9549

Coming in February

Natural Ways toBoost Mental andEmotional Health

at Any Age

Natural Awakeningsasks physicians,

scientists and other experts what

we can do.


In the Year 2012 Dispelling the Mystery

by linda sechrist

inspiration

John Major Jenkins, a respected 2012 author of Maya

Cosmogenesis 2012 and The 2012 Story, and director of The Center for 2012 Studies, created contemporary awareness of the galactic alignment of the sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy, which underlies the famous 2012 cycle-ending date on a winter solstice. His studies of the original Mayan calendar, located in Izapa, supported the true day count of the Mayan Long Count calendar. Jenkins points out that according to the calculations of astronomer Jean Meeus, this alignment began around 1980 and will end around 2016. “Mee-us’ calculations support my belief that

the alignment occurs over time, rather

than precisely on December 21, 2012,” advises Jenkins. Robert Sitler’s long-standing personal rela-

tionships with today’s Maya

and formal study of their living com-

munities in Mexico and Guatemala inform his

latest book, The Living Maya: Ancient Wisdom in the Era of 2012. He serves as director of Latin American studies at Stetson University, in De-Land, Florida. Both experts agree that December 21, 2012 signals neither the end of the world nor the conclusion of the com-plex Mayan calendar; it is however, the end of the 13-Bak’tun cycle of 5,125

Searching “Maya 2012” online yields a morass of some 10 million results, so Natural Awakenings sought clarity about the phenomenon of expected world change associated with December 21, 2012, by focusing on what leading authorities have to say.

years. The calendrical cosmology indi-cates that this period comes to fruition on December 21, 2012, the northern hemisphere’s winter solstice. “Nothing in any of the ancient hieroglyphs refers to the end of the world,” advises Sitler. He further notes that contemporary Mayas’ strong environmental ethic aptly supports the needed shift in consciousness forecast-ed for 2012. From Jenkins’ perspective, the shift is what the ancient Maya saw as a transformation and renewal involving an awakening of consciousness. “It is a misconception that the awakening will automatically happen on December twenty-first.” He explains that Mayan spiritual teachings intended to empow-er individuals and provide guidelines for how awakening can occur in a cer-emonial context at the end of cycles. “To the living Maya, awakening from a state of ego-centered, self-serving sleep means waking up to a larger perspective of unity consciousness; of seeing that our collective state of out-of-control egoism and greed is not good for Earth,” says Jenkins. Daniel Pinchbeck, author of 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl and editor of the online blog Reality Sandwich, concurs. He believes, “We are undergo-ing a transformative process now, as a collective organism, which will lead to an evolutionary leap of consciousness on a species level.” He believes we’re on the way to developing an integral worldview; a holistic perspective that realizes the value of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems, without rejecting the scientific and technical developments of modern times.

For more information, visit RobertSitler.com, TheCenterFor2012Studies.com and RealitySandwich.com.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

“Nothing in any of the ancient hieroglyphs refers to the end of the world,” advises Robert Sitler. He further notes that contemporary Mayas’ strong environmental

ethic aptly supports the needed shift in consciousness forecasted for 2012.


calendarofeventsNOTE: All calendar events must be received by noon on the 9th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section).

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1S.S. Polar Bear Plunge – 11am. Jump in the freezing cold water to benefit the Scott Sullivan Scholarship Fund which provides registration and equipment fees for children in need so they may play athletics. Get friends, neighbors, and family members to sponsor to increase your donation, or make a $25 donation at the gate to take a plunge. Meadow Hill Estates Swimming Pool, 7400 Fisher Dr, Frisco. For details & registration info; men-tion Natural Awakenings North Texas: SSPolar [email protected].

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4Body Detox & Cleanse – 6-7:30pm. Body Detox & Cleanse rids our bodies of unwanted chemicals and toxins. Cleansing will help you lose weight & bloating, have clear skin, shiny hair and sleep better. RSVP required, space limited. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Wellness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B Pla-no. Register by Jan 4, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800.

The Magic of Purple Martins – 6:30pm, eat & greet; 7pm, meeting. With Troy Galloway. Talk will cover the benefits and joys of becoming a purple martin landlord, how to successfully attract purple martins in North Texas, understanding the life of a purple martin, valuable tips with do’s and don’t’s, and much more. The Dallas County AgriLife Exten-sion Office, 10056 Marsh Ln, Ste B-101, Dallas.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7Christmas Paper and Tree Recycling Event – 8am-12pm. Hosted by the City of Grapevine. For Grapevine Residents. Grapevine Municipal Service Center, 501 Shady Brook Dr. KGVB.org.

Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstration – 10-11am. Learn the basics of the fine art of historic camp cooking with cast iron. Visit with members of the Dogwood Dutch Oven Cookers. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Give Your Child the Nutrition Advantage – 10am-12pm. An interactive nutrition workshop for parents of children ages 3-13. Discussion will focus on traffic light eating, immunity boosters, the skinny on fat, brainy breakfast foods, and protein. Meal planning and healthy recipes are included. Hosted by: Healthy Kids Pediatrics and Shape It Naturally. Stonebriar Community Church, 4801 Legendary Dr, Room 241, Frisco. Cindy Keil: 975-795-7590. ShapeItNaturally.com. Canoe Wetland Trails – 1-4pm. After a safety and canoeing introduction, spend about 40 mins on a guided trail around the Heard wetlands, followed by some free paddle time to explore on your own. $32/Heard member, $42/nonmember. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566.

Blackjack Nature Hike – 2-3pm. Explore the Post Oak Savannah during winter. Discover the plants and wildlife that live where two ecosystems meet. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Birding Basics – 3-4pm. Take a hike and learn

about techniques for finding and identifying birds. Wear comfortable shoes, bring binoculars if have them; have a few to loan out. Purtis Creek State Park. 903-425-2332.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10Master Naturalists Open House – 6-9pm. Open information meeting for prospective members of the North Texas Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, including a short program, a question-and-answer session and a showcase projects and activities. RSVP not necessary. Texas Cooperative Extension Office, 10056 Marsh Ln, Ste B-101, Dallas. NTMN.org.

Twilight Toddler Time – 6:30pm. Bring your tod-dler (ages 12-24 months) for this evening Toddler Time that promotes literacy and caregiver bonding. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Den-ton. 940-349-8752.

Natural Weight Loss Workshop – 6:30-7:30pm. Learn the #1 secret real lasting weight loss. No calorie counting, fad diets, pills, or special diet food. Just the desire to lose weight is needed. Free. RSVP required, space limited. Cooking God’s Way, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano. RSVP by Jan 9: 972-379-7851.

Climate Engineering & Native Plants Talk: Sierra Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. What is climate engi-neering, and what are its risks? Use native plants to conserve water and create biodiversity to protect our food supply. Free. Dallas Sierra Club. REI Dallas, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Frwy, Dallas. Kirk Miller: 972-699-1687.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11Greenweavers Networking: Collin County – 6pm. Businesses that market to the green and sustainable marketplace welcome to attend our monthly meet-ings to network and promote sustainable businesses. Blue Mesa Grill, Hwy 121 & Dallas N Tollway, Plano. For details & mention North Texas edition of Natural Awakenings: 972-672-9779.

Free “Dinner with the Doc” – 6:30-8:30pm. Join Hoogeveen Health Center for a free “Dinner with the Doc” and listen to a wide variety of health topics. We talk, we visit, we answer questions, then we eat. Did we mention the drawing at the end? Free. Spring Creek Barbeque, 3623 Preston Rd at Warren Pkwy, Frisco. RSVP by Jan 10, Lynn Byrne: 972-335-7994.

Teen Eco-Fashion Show Info Session – 7pm. Call-ing all teens interested in fashion design and an eco challenge. DPL & UNT are teaming up to put on a fashion show featuring garments made of recycled trash & other used materials. An informational session on this upcoming Earth Day event. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. More info: 940-349-8741.

Water Demo – 7pm. Learn how ShinXen water can change your life and improve your health. Call for details and to reserve your spot. Evontis Water Headquarters, 783 N Grove Rd, Ste 101, Richard-son. Arthur: 469-243-9172.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12Fitness In The Square (FITS) – Thru Jan. 6:30-7:30pm. Fitness in the Square (FITS) is a part of Be Fit Frisco. Join us in the Frisco Square every Thurs-day evening in January for Zumba. Free. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. Kip Watson: 214-543-4108.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 132012 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s (TAAF) Winter Games – Jan 13-16. The best ama-teur athletes in Texas compete in 12 different winter sports, with 11 played in sports facilities in Plano & Frisco. For registration & more info: TAAF.com.

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo – Jan 13-Feb 4. Includes livestock shows, 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors, PRCA extreme bull riding, live music, bronc riding, kid-friendly interactive activities, six acres of carnival games, midway rides, food, shop-ping and much more. 3400 Burnett Tandy Dr, Fort Worth. 817-877-2400. FWSSR.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14Raccoons – 10-11am. See one up close. Learn about these curious creatures of the night, the food they eat, the sounds they make and why we should not feed them. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Recycle-rama – 10-11:30am. Hands-on program for ages 4-10 will include a recycling craft, games and more. Reservation required, and parents or other responsible adult must accompany children aged and under. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. RSVP: 903-786-2826.

Sparrows at Hagerman – 10am-12pm. Over 20 different sparrows can be found at the Refuge at vari-ous times of year. Learn to ID them and more with Dr. Wayne Meyer, Associate Professor of Biology at Austin College. Short field trip included, weather permitting. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge,

Mardi Gras Galveston: February 10 to 21


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18It’s a Girl Thing! – 4pm. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. A book club for girls, with their mom, grandma, or other woman friend to join us for refreshments and book discussion. Best for girls ages 8-12. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Healthy Kids Connect – 6-7:30pm. Pathways Con-nect is a “mothering support group.” You now have the opportunity to connect, learn and build solid relationships with other families concerned about conscious choice in healthy living. RSVP required, space limited. Free. HealthWorks: A Creating Well-ness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B Plano. Register by Jan 18, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19Get Started: College Admission Class – 7-8:30pm. Class will cover: top admission factors, supplemen-tal academic factors, and non-academic factors, col-lege admissions testing, exploring college options, and developing a financial plan. Actual College Admissions Recruiters will be present. $10/person pre-registered, $15/at door. Hosted by Willow Bend Academy, Plano. To register: 972-599-7882.Wil-lowBendAcademy.com.

Maximized Living Makeover – 7-9pm. Join thou-sands of people in this world-wide, life-changing event. Discover how you can lose unwanted holiday weight and keep it off. Get in the best shape of your life. $25. RSVP required by Jan 16, space limited. Chase Oaks Chiropractic. Register for specific loca-tion: 469-229-0134.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21Urban Sustainable Ecosystem Workshop – Jan 21-22. Transform your property into a sustainable, food producing and eco-friendly habitat. Workshop features some of the best and brightest eco-minded enthusiasts in the DFW area. For beginning and advanced gardeners and/or eco-friendly homeown-ers who seek solutions to move their homestead to the next level of sustainability. Texas Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dallas. Info & cost: [email protected].

2012 DORBA Frozen Endurance Series – 7am-6pm. Johnson Branch State Park. Info: DORBA.org.

Get Healthy Texas 5K & Expo – 8am-3pm. Join CBS 11 personalities, Frisco Mayor Maso & Be Fit Frisco team for the race plus a day of health and wellness events at the Frisco Fieldhouse. $20. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. Kip Watson: 214-543-4108.

Kayak Power River Trip – 9am. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-7980. IAS.UNT.edu/LLELA/Main.htm.

Begin to Bird: Part I – 9:30am-12pm. Led by Dick Malnory. There will be a total of 4 consecutive one-hr sessions, offered in two blocks: Part I with two sessions and Part II with two on Jan 28. Sessions will cover selecting optics and field guides and bird iden-tification. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. RSVP: 903-786-2826.

Texas Plants for Transplants – 10:15am. Land-scaping tips for beginners. Trees, bushes and flow-ering shrubs made easy for your home and garden. Learn basics for Texas landscaping, from soil health and preparation, to simple landscape design, to se-lecting local plants. Free. Calloway’s Nursery – All locations. Calloways.com.

Homestead Open House – 12-3pm. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-7980. IAS.UNT.edu/LLELA/Main.htm.

Sunstone Yoga Community Open House – 5-9pm. Each month Sunstone Yoga Academy opens its doors to the community. Event hosts and highlights many of our community practices, members and partners. Free. Sunstone Yoga Academy, 4540 Belt-way Dr, Addison. Jillian Navejas: 214-764-2119.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24Managing Garden Wildlife – 9:30am, social; 10am, meeting. Grapevine Garden Club Meeting. Open to anyone interested in learning and meeting

6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. RSVP: 903-786-2826.

Indoor Gardening with Houseplants – 10:15am. Interior plants can dress up a room quite simply, as well as help clean your indoor air. Find out which houseplants do the best job while looking so good. Free. Calloway’s Nursery – All locations. Calloways.com.

Sweatlodge – 11am-4pm. A ceremony to get rid of toxins in the body, mind and spirit. RSVP required by Jan 10; space limited. Free. Four Feathers Trad-ing Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. Silverhawk Irvine: 214-288-9935

Nature Photo Club Meeting – 12:30-2pm. Open to all interested in nature photography, any type equip-ment, all levels of experience. Meetings include a time for sharing photos and a technical program presented by a club member or guest. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sher-man. 903-786-2826.

Winter Survival and Cold Weather Camping – 2-3pm. Be prepared to enjoy winter camping and learn what to do if things don’t go as planned. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Engine 2 28-Day Challenge Info Session – 2:30-3:30pm & 6:30-7:30pm. New Year, New You. Will be discussing what will take place, the support materials and activities for the 28 days. You will be able to register for the program at the end of the info session. Free. Whole Foods Market, 101 S Coit, Ste 60, Richardson. 972-699-8075.

Science Fair FAQs – 3pm. Learn what it takes to make a winning science fair project. A retired sci-ence professor and former science fair judge will be on hand to answer questions for parents & kids. Age 5 & up. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Stargazing – 8:30-9:30pm. Make a star wheel and learn how to use it, learn about the solar system and view the night sky through a telescope. Weather permitting. Purtis Creek State Park. 903-425-2332.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15Souper Bowl of Caring (SBoC) – Jan 15-Feb 5. A national movement of young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their communities by asking for $1 or one item of food for people in need. For more info or to make a donation: 800-358-7687 or SouperBowl.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16Native Plant Society Chapter Meeting – 7-9pm. REI Store, 4515 LBJ Fwy, Dallas. NPSOT.org/Dallas/index.htm.

TAAF Winter Games will be held from January 13 to 16, in Frisco.


other gardeners. GrapevineGardenClub.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25Roadmap to Wellness – 6-7:30pm. Confused about health? Overwhelmed about where to start? We walk you through, step-by-step, on where to start and how to build your health for a lifetime. RSVP required, space limited. $20. HealthWorks: A Creating Well-ness Center, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B Plano. Register by Jan 18, Shari Miles: 972-612-1800.

Family Book Club – 7pm. The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. For ages 8-12 and an ac-companying adult. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Water Demo – 7pm. Learn how ShinXen water can change your life and improve your health. Call for details and to reserve your spot. Evontis Water Headquarters, 783 N Grove Rd, Ste 101, Richard-son. Arthur: 469-243-9172.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 284th Annual Big D Climb – 8am. Climb 52 flights of stairs (1,040 steps) to raise money for the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Soci-ety (LLS) in their effort to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. $40/registration. Fountain Place, 1445 Ross Ave, Dallas. More info: 972-354-8310 or BigDClimb.org.

10th Annual Texas Half & 5k Charity Fundraiser – 8am, Texas Half; 8:15am, Texas 5k. Flat course run entirely on city streets around White Rock Lake and the surrounding neighborhoods. Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake, 950 E Lawther Dr, Dallas. Info: 817-706-0368 or TexasHalf.com.

Let’s Go Birding – 8-10:30am. Will find where the birds are, observe them in the wild, and add them to your lists. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and comfortable shoes. Easy to moderate hike. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Begin to Bird: Part II – 9:30am-12pm. See Jan 21 listing. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. RSVP: 903-786-2826.

The ABC’s of Pruning – 10:15am. Get expert garden advice and learn the basics of what to prune, how to prune and when to prune at this free garden informational workshop. Free. Calloway’s Nursery – All locations. Calloways.com.

Birding 101: Everybody’s a Birder – 10:30-11:30am. Learn how to identify birds by sight and sound and how to use the equipment like a pro. Bring binoculars and be ready for a short hike. Tyler State Park. 903-597-5338.

Science Fair FAQs – 3pm. Learn what it takes to make a winning science fair project. A retired sci-ence professor and former science fair judge will be on hand to answer questions for parents & kids. Age 5 & up. Denton Public Library, South Branch, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints – 3-5pm. Learn the basics of Leave No Trace and how photogra-phy can help grasp your memories. Bring your digital camera and learn a few techniques for taking nature pictures. Includes a scavenger hunt of things in nature. Purtis Creek State Park. 903-425-2332.

Night Hike – 6-8:30pm. Animals and plants use the nighttime to their advantage, and we can sneak a peek into their world. $12/nonmember, $10/member. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctu-ary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29Trail Trekking for Trash – At a time when the trees are bare, it’s ideal conditions to spruce up our woods and trails. Sites will include Rockledge Park, Lakeview Park, Horseshoe Trails and Bear Creek Park. Upon returning, volunteers will be treated to refreshments and gifts for their hard work. Meet at the Municipal Service Center, 501 Shady Brook Dr, Grapevine. More info & to register: KGVB.org.

Work Party – 11am-4pm. Come and work on the land (sacred circle) and/or personal medicine pieces, and afterwards, we share food. RSVP required by Jan 25; space limited. Free. Four Feathers Trading Post, 3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills. Silverhawk Irvine: 214-288-9935

Bison Tour – 2-3pm. Lewisville Lake Environ-mental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Registration required: 972-219-7980. IAS.UNT.edu/LLELA/Main.htm.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31Gluten-Free: Fad or Health Workshop – 6:30-7:30pm. Are gluten-free foods actually healthy or are they advertising hype. Get armed with the facts so you can make the right health choices. Free. Cooking God’s Way, 2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano. RSVP RSVP required, space limited: 972-379-7851.

plan aheadSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Spring Green in Your Lawn – 10:15am. Learn the in’s and out’s of lawn maintenance and when to weed, feed and stimulate grass this Spring. Free. Calloway’s Nursery – All locations. Calloways.com.

Science Fair FAQs – 3pm. Learn what it takes to make a winning science fair project. A retired sci-ence professor and former science fair judge will be on hand to answer questions for parents & kids. Age 5 & up. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Denton. 940-349-8752.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Authorfest XXIII featuring Neal Shusterman – 6:30-8pm. Award-winning teen author Neal Shusterman will visit the Sherman Public Library. Shusterman will discuss his works. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the presentation. Sponsored by The Friends of the Sherman Public Library and the Sherman Council for Arts and Humanities. Free. Sherman Public Li-brary, 421 N Travis, Sherman. Jennifer Cummings: 903-892-7240.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10Mardi Gras! Galveston – Feb 10-21.Includes pa-rade viewers shouting for beads, lively tunes played by colorful marching bands, 24 parades, 26 concerts, 19 balcony parties and five elegant masked balls. Hot Chelle Rae will headline at 10pm, Feb 11. Family Gras! is on Feb 12. For more info and complete schedule: MardiGrasGalveston.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18WOGA Classic – Feb 18-19. This international women’s gymnastics event showcases stars from around the world. Dr Pepper Arena and Frisco Conference Center, Frisco. For more information & to purchase tickets: WOGA.net.

Mardi Gras Galveston: February 10 to 21


ongoingcalendarNOTE: All calendar events must be received by noon on the 9th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Review guidelines and submit entries online at NA-NTX.com (within advertising section).

ongoingAdventure Guides & Princesses – A father-child program for grades K-3 designed to help foster a lifetime of understanding, relationship strengthen-ing and companionship between father and child. $27/YMCA Family Members, $67/Community Members. Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 Main St, Frisco. Mark Hull: 972-335-3222 or [email protected].

Afternoon Adventure Club – Times & days vary by location. Kids in kindergarten through third grade hear a story and learn about something new. Then, get a chance to create a craft or conduct an experiment. Hands-on workshop offered weekly at each library location as follows: Tues, 4pm at North Branch Library, Thurs, 3:30pm at South Branch Li-brary, Thurs, 4pm at Emily Fowler Central Library. Free. For details: 940-349-8718.

Christmas Capital of Texas Grapevine – Thru Jan 8. The city is blanketed with millions of lights, enormous decorations, animated characters, and over 1,400 events. For updated info, schedules & tickets: 800-457-6338, 817-410-8136 or Grapevi-neTexasUSA.com.

Christmas in the Square – Thru Jan 8. 5:30-10pm. Experience the magic of one of the largest choreo-graphed holiday lights shows in North Texas. The holiday lights show is free, but individual activities cost, see website. Frisco Square, Frisco. More info: FriscoSquare.com.

Discovery Classes – Mon-Sat. Times vary by age, 4mo-3yrs. Teaches motor skills, develops coordina-tion and body control, and builds self-confidence and body strength. A Parent/Tot program that allows parents to help their child discover movements with music, games, and gymnastics. Achievers Gymnas-tics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900.

First Aid Classes, CPR & Babysitter Train-ing – Various days. Monthly at various branches. For specific info on cost, space availability, times: YMCADallas.org.

Live Animals of the World: A Conservation Exhibit – Encourages visitors to take a role in conserving nature. Native and non-native animals. $9/adults, $6/children 3-12 & seniors, free/children under 2. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. 972-562-5566. HeardMuseum.org.

sundaySunday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, South-east corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Sam Montag: 972-231-3993. Group Bike Ride – 7:30am. 14-16 mph, no drop ride (20 mile). CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-383-0088.

Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm, Sun & Sat. A self-guided tour to learn about the animals that call In-Sync home. Helpful volunteers available to answer any questions. $10/adult, $7/senior (65+), $7/child (4-12), free/under 4. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group – 2-3pm. 3rd Sun. Get info on local resources, education and support. Open to anyone whose loved one may be

affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Autumn Leaves of McKinney, 175 Plateau Dr, McKinney. 972-542-0606. [email protected].

Free Yoga – 3-4pm. 2nd Sun. All welcome. Inspire Yoga Studio, 1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 268, Highland Village. 972-505-9764.

Primitive Survival Club – 3-6pm. Last Sun. Includes: learning of survival skills, fellowship of people of like interests, service back to the camp, nature connecting afternoon. Camp Tonkawa Out-door Learning Center, 1036 County Rd, Collinsville. Cost & more info: 940-440-8382.

Transition Dallas Meeting – 6pm. 4th Sun. A group of people interested in learning to live resiliently and sustainably within our neighborhoods. At many of our meetings we have re-skilling sessions, so we can revive the skills that enabled our grandparents to be self-sufficient within their communities. For meeting location & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: [email protected].

mondayNon-Medical, Performance Enhancement Train-ing Demo – By appt. Weekly, Mon-Fri. Learn how Interactive Metronome training is used for those with Learning Differences (ADD/ADHD, Sensory Integration, Autism Spectrum), serious athletes looking to improve their game, and adults and professionals wanting to better their day-to-day. Free demo appt. Willow Bend Academy, 2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano. 972-599-7882. WillowBend Academy.com.

Interactive Metronome Training Demo – M-F, 8:30am-5pm by appt. Find out how IM can help improve one’s performance at school, on the job, or in chosen sport. Free. Willow Bend Academy, 2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano. 972-599-7882. WillowBendAcademy.com.

Indoor Park – 10-11am. Mon & Fri. The perfect place to bring little ones when it’s cold outside. Ages: up to 5yrs. $9/visit or $44/8 visit punch card. Achievers Gymnastics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900.

Massage for Mom –10am-4pm. $10 off any mas-sage for North Texas Natural Awakenings read-ers. One-hour Hot Stone, Swedish or Pregnancy massage, reg. price $55/hr. Massage Space, 7000 Independence Pkwy at Legacy, Plano. Reservations required: 972-612-5363.

Overeaters Anonymous – 12pm. Weekly Mon-Fri. A 12-step recovery program for compulsive eating. Prairie Creek Baptist Church, 3201 W 15th St, Plano. 972-238-0333.

Ask Emily: Drop-In Technology Help – 3-5pm. 1st Mon. Library staff and volunteers on hand to answer your questions. Can help with specific problems with Microsoft Office applications, surfing the Web, using the library databases or catalog, downloading audio or eBooks. No registration necessary. Bring your portable device or flash drive containing the document working on. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Muayi-Thai Kickboxing & Aikido Class – 6pm, Muayi-Thai; 7:15pm, Aikido. Move your body, empty your mind, center your emotions. Agatsu In-tegral Dojo, Sunstone Yoga Academy, 4540 Beltway Dr, Addison. 214-531-0129.

Fort Worth Stock Show/Rodeo – Jan 13-Feb 4


make holistic living possible. Join us for holistic business education and networking. Speakers vary. Shambhala

Wellness Center, 215 E University Dr, Denton. John D’Amanda: 940-365-5888.

Collin County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas Meeting – 7pm. 2nd Tues. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-380-4030. Heard-Museum.org.

DFW Greenweavers – 7pm. 2nd Tues. Networking for professionals and companies who are green-minded, eco-friendly or wishing to become more so. $1. For location details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-378-8686.

PTAS Chapter Meetings – 7pm, refreshments; 7:30pm, meeting & program. 4th Tues, Sept-Nov & Jan-May. All meetings and other activities open to everyone. PTAS offers interesting programs and wonderful guest speakers at our meetings that bring a great variety of expertise and excitement to the membership. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. Program details: PrairieAndTimbers.org.

Public Knowledge – 7pm. 1st Tues. Adults cel-ebrating brains and brews through conversation and presenters from diverse fields in science and history. Different bar or restaurant location each month. For location details: FWMuseum.org/PublicKnowledge.

Sierra Club Meeting – 7-8:30pm. 2nd Tues. Monthly lectures. Free. REI Dallas, Guadalupe Peak Rm, 4515 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas. 972-699-1687.

Dance, Dance, Dance – 7-9:15pm. Dance hosts available to dance with unescorted ladies. Refresh-ments served. $5. Plano Senior Recreation Center, 401 W 16th St, Plano. Details: 972-941-7155 or PlanoSeniorCenter.org.

Cirque Out – 8-10pm. A weekly circus-skill en-thusiast work out. Work on your hooping, spinning, juggling and general tomfoolery. Nice weather loca-tion: The Richardson Civic Center, 411 W Arapaho Rd, Richardson. Bad weather location: The Peace Pipe Hookah Lounge, 580 W Arapaho, Ste 181, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awaken-ings: 214-494-0952.

wednesdayDallas Greendrinks – 2nd Wed. Meet for happy hour with other eco-conscious people. No cover, buy own drinks. Location TBD. For details & men-tion North Texas edition of Natural Awakenings: [email protected].

Christian Women Business Networking – 11am-1pm. 1st Wed. Fellowship and networking with other professional Christian women, to draw us closer together. We meet monthly over lunch, for prayer, inspiration and a “Spiritual Vitamin.” Prestonwood Country Club, 15909 Preston Rd, Dallas. For res-ervation & details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-704-3898.

Frisco Noon Lions Club – 12-1pm. 2nd & 4th Wed. Friendships, fun and fulfilling. Come share the joy of community involvement and fellowship while helping make the world a better place. Designed for busy small business owners and professional and works well for the time conscious individual (stay at home mom, student, retiree). Meetings featuring informative speakers and hands-on training are held at local Frisco restaurants. All welcome, ages 18 and up. Free. Buy own lunch if wish to eat. For details, Brandy Miles: 972-335-2487 or [email protected].

Art History Brown Bag Series – 12:30-1:30pm. 1st Wed. Presented by Annie Royer. A look at the “isms” including cubism, romanticism, modernism and impressionism. How did one “ism” influence the next? How did artists influence and challenge each other? Series will heighten one’s appreciation of art and provide insight into the mind of the artist. Free. Heard-Craig Carriage House located, 205 1/2 W Hunt St, McKinney. 972-569-6909.

Beekeeping Meeting – 6:30pm. 2nd Mon. Beginner to experienced keepers welcome, ages 8-80. Free. Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Association meets at Heard-Craig Center, 205 W Hunt St, McKinney. 972-843-8084. CCHBA.org.

Native Plant Society Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Mon. Guest speakers on topics related to native plants and habitats. Free. Dallas Chapter Native Plant Society. REI Outdoor Equipment Store, 4515 LBJ Frwy, Dallas. 866-527-4918.

Open Stage – 7pm-12am. An opportunity to practice performance on a stage with an engaged and sup-portive audience. Performers sign up to show off their skills in a 5-min time slot, which we film and share with the performer to help hone their craft. After variety show, practice any and all types of performing art. $5 cover, 21+. House of Poets, 580 W Arapaho Rd, Ste 199, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952.

tuesdayHealthy Eating Tours – 10am & 4pm. Learn how to make healthier choices, using our ANDI scor-ing system. Learn how to read labels; build menus around plant-based foods low in fat to ensure highly nutrient dense meals. Whole Foods Market, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729.

Dallas Museum of Art – 11am-3pm. 1st Tues. Pro-gramming designed specifically for children age 5 and under and their families, but all ages welcome. Art-making activities, story times, performances, and gallery activities. Free. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas. 214-922-1200.

Twisted Stitchers Knitting Book Club – 4:30pm. 1st Tues. Needlecrafters ages 12-18. Bring knitting needles and listen to teen audio books while knitting projects for charity and personal use. Emily Fowler Library, 502 Oakland St, Denton. For titles & dates: 940-349-8718.

Yoga Series – 6:30-7:30pm. Power yoga and yoga for runners. Different content each month. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Details: 469-854-6244.

Holistic Chamber of Commerce – 6:45pm; 7pm, meeting. 2nd Tues. We are a growing network of holistic professionals, practitioners and businesses created to encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle, and support the professionals and businesses that

Big D Climb – City Bootcamp TeamJanuary 28, Dallas


Tween & Teen Game Day – 3:45-5pm. Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero and many other Wii & Play Station games. Free. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Greenweavers Networking: Collin County – 6pm. 2nd Wed. Businesses that market to the green and sustainable marketplace welcome to attend our monthly meetings to network and promote sustain-able businesses. Blue Mesa Grill, Hwy 121 & Dallas N Tollway, Plano. For details & mention North Tex-as edition of Natural Awakenings: 972-672-9779.

Clinic Series – 6-7pm. 2nd Wed. Different content each month. Example clinics: proper shoe fittings, nutritional information, injury prevention, Garmin, Polar, Nike watch technical sessions. Call for de-tails. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. 469-854-6244.

Fitness Workshops – 6-7pm. 2nd Wed. New topic each month to help one achieve one’s fitness goals. Free. Luke’s Locker at Watter’s Creek Village, Allen. 469-854-6244.

Adults with Special Needs Cooking Classes – 6-8pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Call for details. Space limited. $10. Market Street Culinary School, 6100 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney. Reserve spot now & mention Natural Awakenings North Texas: 972-548-5167.

Luke’s Locker Tech Clinics – 6:30pm. 2nd Wed. New topic each month. 959 Garden Park Dr, Ste T200, Allen. 469-854-6244.

Organic Society Meeting – 6:30pm, seed & info exchange; 7pm, meeting. 3rd Wed. Denton Organic Society. Denton Senior Center, 509 N Bell Ave, Denton. 940-382-8551.

Teen Anime Club – 6:30pm. 3rd Wed. The Colony Public Library, Conference Rm, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900.

Animanga – 6:30-8pm. 3rd Wed. For teens grades 6-12. Watch anime? Read Manga? Draw fan art? Share your love of all things anime/manga. Snacks provided. Free. Denton Public Library, North Branch, 600 N Locust St, Denton. 940-349-8752.

Bedtime Stories – 7pm. All ages. Come to story time prepared for lifelong learning and a barrel of fun. Free ticket at 2nd floor desk. A parent or caregiver must accompany each child. Frisco Public Library, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. 972-292-5669.

Water Demo – 7pm. 2nd & 4th Wed in Jan. Learn how ShinXen water can change your life and im-prove your health. Call for details and to reserve

your spot. Evontis Water Headquarters, 783 N Grove Rd, Ste 101, Richardson. Arthur: 469-243-9172.

thursdaySocial Run – 6am. Run/walk a total of 45 mins and then come in and enjoy coffee and bagels before heading to work. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. 469-854-6244.

Group Social Run – 6:45am. Varied paces. CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awaken-ings: 214-383-0088.

Free Admission & Wildlife Program – 9am-9pm. 3rd Thurs. Admission and parking free. 7:15pm, Special Program: Saving Our Birds, The work of the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas. 214-309-5801.

Lunch Hour Yoga – 11:30am-12:20pm. Class utilizes the Franklin Method and Smart Spine along with various types of yoga for relaxation and reju-venation. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.

CPR Training – 6-8pm. American Heart Training Center with 125 trained instructors. Texas CPR Training, 4013 Carrizo, Plano. 214-770-6872. TexasCPR.com.

Dallas Organic Gardening Club – 6:30pm, re-freshments; 7pm, meeting. 4th Thurs. Free. REI, 4515 LBJ Freeway, Dallas. DOGC.org.

Teen Writers Group – 6:30pm. 3rd Thurs. Join other teen writers to discuss projects, get ideas and suggestions for publication, and for fellowship and fun. Free. The Colony Public Library, Conference

Rm, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900 x 3.

Fitness In The Square (FITS) – Thru Jan. 6:30-7:30pm. Fitness in the Square (FITS) is a part of Be Fit Frisco. Join us in the Frisco Square every Thurs-day evening in January for Zumba. Free. 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. Kip Watson: 214-543-4108.

Yoga Series – 6:30-7:30pm. Different content each month. Luke’s Locker, 959 Garden Park Dr, Allen. Details: 469-854-6244.

Dallas Down-River Club Meeting – 7pm. 3rd Thurs. Canoeing, kayaking and rafting club. Circle Grill, 3701 N Buckner Blvd, Dallas. 214-327-4140.

The Colony History Project Committee – 7pm. 3rd Thurs. Help cultivate and preserve The Colony’s rich history. The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main St, The Colony. 972-625-1900.

Fowler Foodie Book Club – 7-8pm. 3rd Thurs. Pull up a chair and join us for a lively discussion of food related books. Monthly book selections a mix of fiction and non-fiction, with a pinch of cook-books for flavor. Free. Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Denton. Laura Douglas: 940-349-8752.

Men’s Only Pilates – 8pm. Class utilizes all the Pilates equipment. $15. Pilates for Life, 103 W Belmont Dr, Allen. 214-704-3070.

fridayFriday Focus – 8am. Networking opportunities. Enjoy a cup of java and learn more about business community. IHOP in The Colony, Meeting Rm, 4801 State Hwy 121, The Colony. 972-625-8027.

First Friday Movie – 3:30pm. 1st Fri. Featuring a new movie each month. South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Ln, Denton. 940-349-8761.

LEGO Builders Club – 4pm. 3rd Fri. Drop in and get creative by building with the library’s LEGOs. A different theme for each month. Ages 6 & up. Em-ily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland, Denton. 940-349-8752.

$5 Happy Hour Yoga Class – 4:30-5:30pm. All levels Vinyasa flow class. All welcome. Inspire Yoga Studio, 1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 268, Highland Village. 972-505-9764.

Free Community Yoga – 6-7pm. 1st Fri. Suitable for all levels. Learn to breathe, relax and renew. Space limited. Free. Transform U Fitness, 1565 W Main St, Lewisville. Pre-registration required: 972-849-9666.

Crow After Dark – 6pm-12am. 3rd Fri, except Jan

Fort Worth Stock Show/Rodeo – Jan 13-Feb 4


Yoga Academy, 4540 Beltway Dr, Addison. Jillian Navejas: 214-764-2119.

Sunday Mountain Bike Group Ride – 6pm. Open to all levels. Informal and leaderless. Food, fun and riding. Food served after the riding. Location changes weekly. For details & location: [email protected].

Parents Night Out – 6-11pm. 1st & 3rd Sat. Drop the kids off for tons of games. Pizza and drinks served. $15 with pre-registration, $20 at door. Corinth Gymnastics, 1402 N Corinth St, Corinth. Details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-498-4386.

Live Music – 7-9pm. Live music and delicious treats: blended or hot coffee, delicious hot cocoa, Collin County’s award-winning specialty bakery treats, hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream, fresh baked cookies, cakes and bakery sweets. Free. For details & to confirm happening, mention North Texas Natu-ral Awakenings: Coffee N Cream, 11660 Legacy Dr, Frisco, 214-705-9600; and 190 E Stacy Rd, Allen. 972-678-2626.

adult. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, A/V Classroom, 6465 Refuge Rd, Sherman. Reservations necessary: 903-786-2826.

Family Story Time – 10:30am. All ages. Come to story time prepared for lifelong learning and a barrel of fun. Free ticket at 2nd floor desk. A parent or caregiver must accompany each child. Frisco Public Library, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco. 972-292-5669.

Kid’s Fish – 11am-1pm. Ages 4-11. The op-portunity to go outside to our pond and do some live fishing (weather permitting). If bad weather will have a scavenger hunt. Free. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 2501 Bass Pro Dr, Grapevine. 972-724-2018.

Parkour Clinic – 11am-1pm. 2nd & 4th Sat. Indoor parkour and free running instructional classes open to all ages and abilities. Learn more challenging techniques in a padded environment. Release of liability waiver is required prior to participating. $15. LIFE Cirque. Elite Champion Gymnastics, 2621 Summit Ave, Ste 300, Plano. 214-450-3286.

Parkour in the Park – 11am-1pm. 1st & 3rd Sat until it’s too hot. Parkour and free running exhibition and instructional happening open to all ages and abilities. Free. LIFE Cirque. Robert E. Lee Park, 3400 Turtle Creek Blvd, Dallas. 214-450-3286.

Visit the Cats – 11am-6pm. See Sun listing. In-Sync Exotics, 3430 Skyview Dr, Wylie. 972-442-6888. InSyncExotics.com.

Homestead Open House – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Time subject to change during heat of summer. The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is home to several historic structures, most notably the Minor-Porter Log House, which dates to about 1869. Volunteers on hand to guide visitors through the structures and answer questions in this informal tour. Visitors welcome to arrive at any time during the open hours and tour at their own pace. Regular admission to LLELA: $5/person; free/age 5 & under. No additional charge for tour. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. 972-219-7980.

Kayak down the Elm Fork – 12-3pm. 3rd Sat. Whether have lots of river time under your belt or have never set foot in a kayak, you’re welcome here. Kayak Power provides equipment and instruction followed by a 6-mile trip down the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville. Reserva-tion required: 214-669-1663.

Heard Nature Photographers Club – 1:30pm. 2nd Sat. Speakers and discussions. Topics include how-to and technique discussions and travelogue presentations. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney. More info: 972-462-7314.

SpinFest – 3-7pm. 3rd Sat. A free, open event hosted by Creative Motion to explore circus skills with the public. Learn to juggle, hula hoop, or spin poi, staves, or flags. Heights Park Arapaho Rd at Floyd Rd, Richardson. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-494-0952.

Sunstone Yoga Community Open House – 5-9pm. 3rd Sat each month (in Apr the 2nd Sat) Sunstone Yoga Academy opens its doors to the community. Event hosts and highlights many of our community practices, members and partners. Free. Sunstone

classifiedsFor fees and info on placing classifieds, email [email protected]. Deadline is noon on the 9th of the month.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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EARN EXTRA INCOME – WORK FROM HOME – The Health, Wellness & Nutrition Revolution is Booming. Part or full time. No start-up fees. Free Training. Call Ron today at 970-310-4084.

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SALESPEOPLE WANTED – Earn a generous commission selling ads for Natural Awakenings North Texas. Sales experience required. Relation-ship-oriented sales; must like talking to people. Open territories in Denton, Collin and Grayson counties. Full-time and part-time. Will train. Please send resume to [email protected].

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ARE NON-ORGANIC, SYNTHETICALLY MADE VITAMINS GOOD? – Learn more about the Nobel Prize winning science of FoodMatrix delivery system – proven better retention, absorp-tion, and whole food nutrients for the body. Call Darlene today at 903-885-2787.

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

HEALTHCARE OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE – Located in Town & Country Office Park at Hwy. 121 and Legacy Drive in Frisco. Available now. Call 214-662-2267.

& Dec. Enlighten your night and experience Asia after dark. Enjoy music, dance, films, tours, and more. Free. Crow Asian Art Museum, 2010 Flora St, Dallas. 214-979-6430.

Acoustic Friday – 7pm. Weekly open jam and song circle. All acoustic instruments and levels welcome. All music genres welcome. Free. Visual Art League Art Gallery, Lewisville. 972-420-9393. Open Gym – 7-8:30pm. Enjoy playing in the gym or practicing one’s skills. Ages 7-17. $11/nonmember, $9/member. Achievers Gymnastics, 3014 S I-35 E, Denton. 940-484-4900.

Live Music – 7-9pm. Live music and delicious treats: blended or hot coffee, delicious hot cocoa, Collin County’s award-winning specialty bakery treats, hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream, fresh baked cookies, cakes and bakery sweets. Free. For details & to confirm happening, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: Coffee N Cream, 11660 Legacy Dr, Frisco, 214-705-9600; and 190 E Stacy Rd, Allen, 972-678-2626.

Community Dance – 7-9:30pm. 2nd & 4th Fri. Live Music, varied styles. Fun for all ages 21 and up. $5/person Denton Senior Center, 509 North Bell Ave, Denton. For details & mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 940-349-8720.

Square and Round Dance for Fitness and Fun – 7:30pm. 1st & 3rd Fri. Individuals and couples of all ages welcome. Texas Reelers, 820 W Arapaho, Rich-ardson. Details: 972-416-2311 or 972-699-0934.

saturdayOperation Kindness – 3rd Sat. No Kill animal shelter brings animals for adoption. Weather per-mitting. Whole Foods Market, outside store, 2201 Preston Rd, Plano. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 972-612-6729.

Saturday Morning Rides – Various start times and lengths. Richardson Bikemart, South-east corner of Campbell Rd & Coit Rd, in the front parking lot. Sam Montag: 972-231-3993. Small Fry Sports Classes – A skills and develop-mental sports class for boys and girls ages 3 & 4. Each month offers a different sport which allows children to develop new skills and gain exposure to all sports offered at the Y. Parents participate alongside their child during this fun and active class. $20/YMCA Family Member, $40/everyone else. Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 Main St, Frisco. Trey Gilmore: 214-297-9622.

Group Bike Ride – 7am. 15-22 mph, no drop ride (25-mile loops). CK Sports, 8880 State Hwy 121, Ste 164, McKinney. For details, mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 214-383-0088.

Recycling: Electronics – 9-11am. The city of Plano encourages residents to bring all old electronic de-vices (not being used) to this site for proper disposal. For details, location & mention North Texas edition of Natural Awakenings: 972-769-4150.

Free One-Hour Seminars – 10am. Topics: garden-ing, beekeeping, rainwater collection, goat milking, poultry. Ploughshare Institute for Sustainable Liv-ing, 7781 Gholson Rd, Waco. Mention North Texas Natural Awakenings: 254-754-9663.

Second Saturday for Youth – 10-11:30am. For youngsters aged 4-10; children 6 & under must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible


Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email publisher@NA-NTX.

com to request our media kit. ( Leaf symbol indicates green business. Dollar symbol represents businesses offering coupons through NACoupons.com)

chiroPractic

dr. amY st. John, d.c., lmtSerendipity Health & Wellness3900 W 15th St, Ste 506, Plano 75075214-801-0741 • SerendipityWellness.net

Relieving pain head to toe, whether caused by injury, stress or fatigue. I offer personalized care, private appointments and therapeutic massage. See ad, page 21.

comPrehensive healthcare

healthworks2317 Coit Road, Ste B, Plano 75075 972-612-1800

Whole body & lifestyle healthcare rejuvenating your body from the inside out. Comprehensive healthcare—naturally. See ad, page 17.

counseling

starwood counseling centerMargaret Ann Kellogg, LCSW972-768-4795StarwoodCounselingCenter.com

Margaret Ann Kellogg, LCSW

For Recommendations Developed Specifically For You.

Hwy. 121 and Dallas North Tollwaystarwoodcounselingcenter.com

Proven Treatments For Anxiety

Call 972-768-4795

Worried, anxious, or can’t relax? You are not alone. I specialize in the treatment of stress and anxiety. Call today to start getting relief. See ad, page 41.

education

willow bend academY2220 Coit Rd, Ste 500, Plano 75075972-599-7882 • WillowBendAcademy.com

A n a c c r e d i t e d , e d u c a t i o n a l a l t e r - n a t i v e t h a t o f f e r s individualized, mastery-based instruc-tion for students grades 4-12.

Master Learning. Master Life. Experienced Interactive Metronome provider.

green cleaning

ecomaids 18352 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas 75287 214-382-2644

High quality green cleaning service for homes and businesses. See ad, page 7.

green garment care

oXXo care cleaners 5110 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco 75034 214-705-7739 • OXXOUSA.com

Eco-friendly garment care cleaners. Convenient 24- hour drop-off and pick-up system. Odorless process

leaves clothes brighter and retaining their correct size and shape without “dry cleaning” smell. See ad, page 11.

green Pest control

natural Pest solutions 214-763-2758 • GuysInGreen.com

Eco-friendly residential and commercial pest control using botanical products. See ad, page 5.

hair salon

hair color studios 9200 E. Lebanon Rd, Ste 32, Frisco 75035214-436-4955 • HairColorStudios.com

If healthy hair is your p a s s i o n , then Hair

Color Studios is your dream salon. With our organic product lines to serve your healthy hair demands. Our new Nayo Hair Color uses natural extracts in their Yoghurt line that preserves the hair structure keeping it voluminous. Ask about our free color consultation.

healthY cooking

cooking god’s waY2317 Coit Rd, Ste B, Plano 75075972-379-7851

Naturally healthy cooking and nutrition classes, nutritional consulting, detox programs, health workshops. See ad, page 9.

communityresourceguide healthY dining

the salad stoP3685 Preston Rd, Frisco 75034 972-377-7867

Fresh and nutritious, locally grown food.

herbs & chinese medicine

great wall oriental medical center1312 Village Creek Dr, Plano 75093972-732-7804

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

internal medicine

centennial medical associates4401 Coit Rd, Ste 409, Frisco 75035972-377-8695

Highest ethical and clinical standards of care while providing exceptional attention to every patient.

kid Fit – kid Fun sPorts training

kurt thomas gYmnastics10825 John W ElliottFrisco 75034 • 214-872-4646

Gymnastics training for preschool to competitive levels.

winkids sPorts & learning center3000 Waketon Rd, Flower Mound 75028972-355-9988

WinKids Sports & Learning Center offers gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, dance, cheerleading, music, unique Birthday parties and so much more!

markets

sPice baZaar4681 Ohio Dr, Frisco 75035214-618-3175

Indian grocery store.

massage

3t’s (tJ’s terriFic touch)469-237-4289TJ4ttts.com • [email protected]

Specializing in Swedish massage for overall body relaxation and deep tissue massage for tense knotted muscles, an affordable 3T’s massage can help relieve stress commonly associated with a hectic lifestyle.


classic nails & sPa6910 Windhaven Pkwy, The Colony 75056214-483-6006

Nails, waxing, facials and massage.

massage sPace7000 Independence Pkwy, Ste 180Plano 75025972-612-5363, Massage-Space.com

Seven different types of massage therapy for rejuvenation and energy. See ad, page 14.

recuPerate massage6101 A Windhaven PkwySalon Boutique, Rm 12, Plano 75093214-437-6920Recuperate.MassageTherapy.com

Life Is Too Short To Go Without a Massage. Specializing in reliev-ing chronic pain issues and tight muscles. Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Trigger Point and TMJ Facial massages. By appointment only. Online booking available.

nutritional suPPlements

eco wellness1404 W Hebron Pkwy, Ste 114Carrollton 75010972-492-5995 • Eco-Wellness.net

A nutrition boutique that carries the highest quality products made from all natural or organic ingredients. High-quality dietary supplements exceeding FDA’s cGMP standards. See ads, pages 6 and 17.

online businesses/services

PaPerhoundpaperhound.com

Affordable, high-resolution digital reproductions of original antique maps and biblical prints from 1550 to 1850. See ad, inside front cover.

outdoor gear & education

rei2424 Preston Rd, Plano 75093 • 972-985-2241

Quality outdoor gear and clothing with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Pediatrics

healthY kids Pediatrics4851 Legacy Dr, Ste 301, Frisco, 75034972-294-0808 • HealthyKidsPediatrics.com

Where your child’s health is our passion! Offering a full range of pediatric services integrating conventional and natural medicine for your

child’s optimal health. See ad, page 32.

PlaYcare

adventure kids PlaYcare690 Parker Square, Flower Mound 75028 972-899-2060And1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 140, Highland Village 75077 972-899-2060

Drop-in child care and entertainment center.

restaurants

shandiZ mediterranean grill & market4013 West Parker Rd, Plano 75093972-943-8885

Halal meats, fresh produce, groceries and flat bread baked on-site.

smoothies

smoothie king oF denton1601 Brinker Rd, Denton 76208940-484-5464

Great-tasting smoothies using the highest quality nutritional ingredients for a healthy snack alternative.

solar & alternative energY

solar communitY SolarCommunity.com1-87-SOLAR-NRG (877-652-7674)

Ask us how our Solar Community programs can save you money! See ad, back cover.

total wind & solar Offices and service throughout D/FW866-631-5934

Total Wind & Solar offers consu l ta t ion , des ign , installation and service of alternative energy and

rainwater harvesting systems based on your actual needs. Serving the North Texas-D/FW area.

sPiritual develoPment

st. PhiliP’s ePiscoPal6400 Stonebrook Pkwy, Frisco 75034214-387-4700 • StPhilipsFrisco.org

Sunday services, community programs, job ministry, preschool, and St. Philip’s Academy “K” class.

tailoring & alteration services

autumn stitch279 W Main St, Frisco 75034972-712-1727

Tailoring, custom clothing, monogramming, draperies and shoe repair.


tribal american indian craFtsFour Feathers trading Post3522 CR 2621, Caddo Mills 75135214-288-9935 • FourFeathersTradingPost.net

Experience the world of Tribal American Indians hosted by Silverhawk & Prayerwalker. The store offers tribal art created by local ar t isans and world-renowned Native American artists. Educational seminars. We

practice traditional ways, including prayer and drumming circles, sweat lodges, work parties, medicine wheels, etc. If you're seeking a spiritual path following ancient American tribal ways, ask about our community.

water

evontis783 N Grove Rd, Ste 101, Richardson 75081855-Evontis (386-6847) • MyEvontis.com

ShinXen water is ionized, a lka l ine wa te r r i ch i n antioxidants and oxygen abundant. Evontis offers a range of qua l i ty water

ionization systems built to last. See ad, page 12.

watersedge structured waterTwenty First Century Health972-855-8711TwentyFirstCenturyHealth.com

Better health through state-of-the-art water. Cutting edge tech-nology. Call us or visit

our website to learn more about how improving your home’s water can improve your health. See ad, page 27.

Yoga school

insPire Yoga school1401 Shoal Creek, Ste 268Highland Village 75077 • 972-505-9764 InspireYogaSchool.com/teacher-training.html

Find the inspiration, guidance and certification to become a professional yoga teacher. Modular in-depth studies

available for students seeking a deeper understanding of yoga. Yoga Alliance registered.

sunstone Yoga academY4540 Beltway, Addison 75001214-764-2119 x 3SunstoneYoga.com/grow.aspx

Sunstone Yoga Academy is a registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance. We are dedicated to certifying the most highly trained yoga teachers in the area. See ad, page 9.

Yogurt

nana FroZen Yogurt8811 Teel Pkwy, Frisco 75034 • 469-362-6662

Self-serve frozen yogurt, fresh squeezed orange juice and snow cones.

orange Peel310 E Round Grove Rd, Lewisville 75067469-831-7608

Fourteen flavors of yogurt and more than 60 toppings.


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january 2012 - natural awakenings

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