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FITNESS

LOVING LARGE

Tips to Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick

GORGEOUSLY

2017

Scientists Say We’re All Connected

Healthy Libations Restorative Drinks Revive Good Cheer

Heal Adrenal Fatigue Naturally Ways to Regain Vitality

December 2016

GREEN Holiday Décor

Goes Eco

Krista Tippett on

Modern Spirituality

She Has Faith in Our Future

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

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8 LOVING LARGE Scientists Say We’re All Connected by Linda Sechrist

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1 4 wisewords 1 6 crystalhealing 1 8 consciouseating

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22 naturalpet 24 calendar 25 classifieds 27 naturaldirectory

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10 FITNESS 2017

New Year’s Resolutions that Stick by Aimee Hughes

12 A GORGEOUSLY

GREENER HOLIDAY

Fresh Thinking About Décor by Avery Mack

14 KRISTA TIPPETT ON OUR EVOLVING SPIRITUALITY

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Why it Evokes Hope by Randy Kambic

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Practical Ways to Regain Vitality by Linda Sechrist

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

RUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS Stretch Your Holiday Stride During Festive Runs in December

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ecember offers several opportunities to lace up your running and walking shoes to relieve holiday stress and have fun. Running and quick-stepping events around the area include:

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Jingle Paws Classic 5K Run/Walk: 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at OP Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Rd. Join the annual 5K to benefit the Helotes Humane Society. All are welcome, including well-mannered, leashed and vaccinated dogs. www.hhsanimals.org/jinglepaws-5k.

Publisher/Editor Joel Shuler Editorial Assistant Cassandra Key Sales & Marketing Joel Shuler Online Editor Susan DeLancey Layout & Production Citlalli Jabeir Earth Studio Graphic Design Wendy Wilson

Holiday at the Caverns 5K Night Run: 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd. Enjoy a 5K evening run on the Hayride route (pavement and caliche road). After the event, enjoy an evening filled with holiday festivities at discounted prices. www.naturalbridgecaverns.com. Jingle Trails Run 1K and 5K: 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy. The morning includes great music, incredible food and beverages, and the opportunity to run through the park to help Any Baby Can. www.iruntexas.net.

Phone: 210-854-0362 Fax: 210-428-6292 [email protected] www.NaturalAwakeningsSA.com www.facebook.com/ NaturalAwakeningsSanAntonio FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION Sign up at www.naturalawakeningsSA.com or we will mail magazines to you for $30/year © 2016 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, with prior permission obtained in writing. A free community publication, Natural Awakenings is available at more than 375 locations throughout the greater San Antonio area. You can find us at Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts, CVS Pharmacies, health food and vitamin stores, medical and wellness centers, doctor and practitioner offices, fitness studios and gyms, spas, local coffee shops, healthy restaurants, libraries, and many more area locations. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

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Perk Up at the San Antonio Coffee Festival on Jan. 7

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here’s no better place to get that delicious java jolt than at the San Antonio Coffee Festival, which returns to La Villita on Saturday, Jan. 7. Enjoy a stroll through La Villita and fill your cup to the brim with a full day of coffee celebration, including fresh, locally roasted coffee from destinations across the globe. Meet and greet coffee artisans, participate in workshops and demonstrations, and enjoy live music, art and food. Plus, follow the path of a coffee bean from crop to cup, learn the history of coffee, improve your grind, perfect your home brewing and much more. The festival highlight is the Tasting Flight, which is an informal version of the traditional “coffee cupping.” In this tradition, coffee tasters attempt to measure aspects of a coffee’s aroma and taste, much like a wine sommelier evaluates the body and flavor of wine. The tasting will feature more than 30 locally roasted and brewed coffees. The coffee festival takes place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St. on the River Walk. For more information, visit www.sacoffeefest.com.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at the Crystal Mystic on Dec. 17

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he Crystal Mystic, San Antonio’s crystal, jewelry and inner transformation shop, hosts its annual uplifting and enlightening celebration of the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 17. The festival begins at 10 a.m. with vendors offering a variety of unique services and wares. Shop for crystals, jewelry, essential oils and energy tools. Participants will discover ways to relieve stress through energy work, including craniosacral therapy, massage, Krashada acupressure therapy and more. Glimpse the potential of the year ahead through tarot and astrology readings and intuitive counseling; you can even explore shamanic healing. Guests are invited to enter a drawing for door prizes and join the Native American drumming circle, directed by Olga Lora, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The Crystal Mystic is located at 4703 Shavano Oak, Suite 100. For more information, visit www.thecrystalmystic.com.

Renew and Restore Your Dream and Celebrate Diversity During DreamWeek 2017

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Spruce Up Your Holidays by Attending “Holly Days” Workshop at the Botanical Garden on Dec. 17

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xperience the natural joys of the holidays through a special “holly days” creative workshop at the San Antonio Botanical Garden on Saturday, Dec. 17. The Holly Days Culture Botanica class will guide participants through time to explore different plants and the roles they’ve played in time-treasured holiday traditions. Students will learn to wrap a bundle of mistletoe, construct a yule log and create a wreathe collage using the symbolic plants they will learn about during the class. Plant-derived refreshments will be served, and a story time follows the class, which is appropriate for all ages. The class will be led by Nicki Lake. Holly Days Culture Botanica takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec. 17. Fee is $10 per adult ($9 for members) or $20 per family ($18 for members) up to four people. The San Antonio Botanical Garden is located at 555 Funston Pl. For more information and to register, visit www.sabot.org.

Make Some Noise During Family Art Play: Drumming Around at the McNay on Dec. 18

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he McNay Museum invites families to a day of art play and musical fun during Family Art Play: Drumming Around on Sunday, Dec. 18. From 1-4 p.m. families will enjoy making noise and exploring costumes, rhythms and instruments inspired by different cultures in the Orientalism: The Middle East Onstage exhibit. From operas and ballets to illustrations and books filled with the clothing and customs of the Orient, this family workshop will educate and inspire guests of all ages. Family Art Play: Drumming Around is free with museum admission. The McNay Museum is located at 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. For more information, visit www.mcnayart.org.

reamWeek is difficult to describe because it is so much more than can be captured in words. After the divisive and anxious election, DreamWeek provides an opportunity to renew and restore your faith and your dream for our community and our nation. In a nutshell, DreamWeek is a 12-day summit stretching from Jan. 6-16 that is designed to inspire, motivate and celebrate San Antonio’s rich diversity and multiculturalism. Through a multitude of workshops, lectures, mixers, exhibits and speaking engagements, the multi-day mega-event promotes an exchange of ideas on universal issues while continuing to advance the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Numerous organizations across the city will participate and host dozens of events across the community, culminating with the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March on Monday, Jan. 16. The march is expected to draw more than 150,000 people. DreamWeek kicks off Friday, Jan. 6 with an opening ceremony breakfast. For more information about DreamWeek 2017, including a full schedule of events and participating organizations, visit www.dreamweek.org.

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ranberries, a staple on most holiday tables, can help women reduce their risk of urinary tract infections (UTI). A recent study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research tested the impact of consuming whole-cranberry fruit powder on women that had experienced two or more UTIs in the previous 12 months. Of the 182 study participants, 89 were given 500 milligrams of the cranberry powder daily for six months. The remaining 93 women ingested a placebo. The cranberry group reported significantly fewer infections than the placebo group. In addition, it took the women in the cranberry group more time to develop a first UTI than the women in the control group.

Why Some Kids Grow Up with Fewer Allergies

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study in the journal Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, has found that the common childhood habits of thumb sucking and nail biting can reduce the risk of adolescent and adult allergies. Researchers followed more than 1,000 individuals from 5 through 32 years old, monitoring these two habits at ages 5, 7, 9 and 11. The subjects were tested for allergies at age 13 using a skin-prick test, and then tested again at age 32. Of all participants, 31 percent were frequent thumb suckers and nail biters, and those children had a lower incidence of allergic reactions than the others. These results support a hygiene hypothesis suggesting that early exposure to microbial organisms reduces the risk of developing allergies.

Bright Lights Encourage Healthy Eating

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esearch published in the Journal of Marketing Research links bright light to healthier food choices. The study observed 160 diners at four separate metropolitan locations of a chain dinner restaurant between 6 and 8 p.m. Two of the restaurants used bright lighting (250 lux luminance) and the other two locations had dim lighting (25 lux luminance). The researchers found that diners at the well-lit locations were more likely to choose healthy options such as baked or grilled fish and chicken than the patrons at the dimly lit restaurants. These results were replicated in a laboratory test of 700 college students where scientists attributed students’ healthier choices to the alert feelings that come from being in a bright room.

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esearchers from Northumbria University, in England, have discovered that drinking peppermint tea can improve working and long-term memory. After 180 healthy adults filled out questionnaires about their mood, they were selected at random to consume one of three drinks—peppermint tea, chamomile tea or water—and then rest for 20 minutes. The subjects were then tested for memory and other cognitive factors and given a second mood questionnaire. Those who drank peppermint tea exhibited improvements in both types of memory and were more alert than the other two groups. The participants who drank chamomile tea displayed reductions in both memory and attention functions compared to the others. Researcher Mark Moss, Ph.D., notes from the study, “The enhancing and arousing effects of peppermint and the calming, sedative effects of chamomile observed in this study are in keeping with the claimed properties of these herbs and suggest beneficial effects can be drawn from their use.”

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A Cup of Peppermint Tea Boosts Alertness

Cranberries Reduce Urinary Tract Infections matka_Wariatka/Shutterstock.com

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Good Move

Officials Urge Chinese to Cut Meat Consumption

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hinese officials have announced dietary guidelines designed to reduce the country’s meat consumption by 50 percent. The campaign includes a series of billboards and advertisements featuring American celebrities Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron. “China’s move to cut meat consumption in half would not only have a huge impact on public health, it is also a massive leadership step towards drastically reducing carbon emissions and reaching the goals set out in the Paris agreement,” says Cameron.

Solar Sidewalk

Missouri Debuts Energy-Generating Pavers

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issouri is rolling out a set of energy-generating photovoltaic pavers along a section of the iconic Route 66 highway in a sidewalk pilot project—the first on a U.S. public right of way. The street pavers were developed by Solar Roadways, a company created by inventors Scott and Julie Brusaw, who raised more than $2.2 million in crowdfunding in 2014 to bring their technology to market. The Brusaws claim that replacing all of America’s roads and parking lots with their solar pavers would generate more than three times what the country consumed in electricity in 2009. The Missouri Department of Transportation considered their own crowdfunding campaign to support their energy experiment; plans called for the hexagonal solar panels to be fully installed and operational by the end of this year.

courtesy of Solar Roadways

Source: EcoWatch.com

Source: NBC

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Greening Planet

Satellites Reveal Unexpected Plant Growth

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he study Greening of the Earth and its Drivers, published by an international team in the journal Nature Climate Change, shows significant greening of a quarter to one-half of the Earth’s vegetated lands based on satellite data from the past 33 years. This represents an increase in leaves on plants and trees that produce sugars using sunlight energy to mix atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) with water and nutrients from the soil. These sugars are the source of food, fiber and fuel for life on Earth. More sugars are produced when there is more of this greenhouse gas in the air in a process called CO2 fertilization. About 85 percent of the Earth’s land is free of ice and covered by vegetation, currently encompassing 32 percent of the planet’s total surface area. Lead author Dr. Zaichun Zhu, a researcher from Peking University, in China, says, “The greening over the past 33 years reported in this study is equivalent to adding a green continent about two times the size of mainland USA, and has the ability to fundamentally change the cycling of water and carbon in the climate system.” The effect may serve as a carbon sink to help counter climate change.

Ocean Watch

Sea Mammals Update

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016 was a mixed year for whales and dolphins, and by extension, humans. Marine Biologist Sylvia Earle states the importance of ocean health this way: “With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. The ocean is the blue heart of the planet. There’s still time, but not a lot, to turn things around.” Scientists have discovered a new, black-colored species of whale that’s one-third the size of a Baird’s beaked whale. Yet to be named, it’s rarely seen, feeding in deep canyons in the Bering Sea. The oldest-known orca whale, Granny, at 105, swims Washington’s coastline. Wild orcas usually live 60 to 80 years; captives, 40 years at most. Iceberg, the only known adult white orca, age 22, was spotted in Russian coastal waters earlier this year. In 2013, a Korean marine park retrained five dolphins to feed naturally and released them into the sea, where they rejoined their original pod. Recent sightings found them thriving, affording hope for the 2,900 dolphins in marine parks, aquariums and zoos worldwide. Pink dolphins in Hong Kong’s bustling harbor remain endangered. In 2003, there were 158; by 2014, only 61. The Baiji River dolphin, only found in China, has been declared extinct. Vaquitas, small porpoises in the Gulf of California, declined from 97 in 2014 to 60 this year, most drowned in commercial fishing nets; it could be extinct by 2018.

Source: Boston University NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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individuals is a connected oneness that Fredrickson notes is far more ubiquitous than previously thought possible. Her research shows that it requires only connection, not the intimacy or shared history that comes with any special bonds. Micro-moments of the connected oneness we feel as life-giving reverberations occur via shared smiles or laughter, a common compassion or an engaging story. Humans all hunger for such moments. The prerequisites are perceived safety and authentic sensory connection with another, even if it’s fleeting. In Fredrickson’s perspective, such neural coupling is a biological

LOVING LARGE Scientists Say We’re All Connected by Linda Sechrist

Cosmic View

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rue love is not something reserved exclusively for soulmates, couples, children, friends or family. Observations by sages for millennia and by enlightened scientists more recently are increasingly aligned with the point of view articulated by renowned meditation teacher Jack Kornfield that true love and awareness—a sense of universal connectivity and the idea that divinity, or the sacred, is found in all things—are indistinguishable.

Scientific View

This state of being, generally denoted by strong feelings of love or acceptance toward others, brings us into contact with universal energy that connects all of humanity with the natural world. Clues to our united commonality are explored in two 21st-century books, Love 2.0: How Our Supreme Emotion Affects Everything We Feel, Think, Do, and Become, by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph.D., and A General Theory of Love, by medical doctors Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard Lannon. These authors explore the brain science that’s related to love and awareness. 8

manifestation of oneness in which a habitual focus on “me” expands to a life-expanding “we.”

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Although trying to grasp love intellectually may be like eating soup with a fork, the authors of A General Theory of Love cite feelings as a good starting point. Fredrickson describes love as “the momentary upwelling of three tightly interwoven events: a sharing of one or more positive emotions between you and another; a biochemical synchrony between your and the other person’s biochemistry and behaviors; and a reflected motive to invest in each other’s well-being that brings mutual care.” Fredrickson, director of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, believes love is a complex physiological response; a “positivity resonance.” She describes key factors in love’s ability to biologically transform us as oxytocin, a hormone active in social bonding and attachments, and the vagus nerve deep within the brain stem that connects with numerous organs, including the lead “character” in this relationship, the heart. The neural synchrony of positivity resonance between the brains of two

During their 30-year friendship, Bob Staretz collaborated with astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D., the lunar module pilot on Apollo 14 and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, to research and write “The Quantum Hologram and the Nature of Consciousness,” published in the Journal of Cosmology. Their scientific theory explains how all of creation learns, self-corrects and evolves as a self-organizing, interconnected holistic system through love. “Without exception, everything in nature exists and works together in total balance, resonance and harmony, interacting as one. From this perspective, Edgar and I reached the obvious conclusion—the organizing principle of the cosmos is agape love, an ultimate form of unconditional love that accepts all things existing in nature without regard to conditions, expectations, shortcomings, flaws or faults,” says Staretz. The former executive director of Eternea, an organization focused on spiritually transformative experiences and the study of consciousness, Staretz says individuals who undergo such an

experience attest that loving one another and all of nature, of which we are a part, is the central reason for our existence. Anita Moorjani’s latest book, What If This Is Heaven? reiterates the life lesson she learned from her dramatic near-death experience in which she identified herself as a state of pure consciousness connected with everything in the cosmos. She clearly heard: “Your only work is to love yourself, value yourself and embody this truth of self-worth and self-love so that you can be love in action. That is true service, to yourself and to those who surround you.” This message continues with her, and she explains that by not loving ourselves, we are denying the part of God that expresses itself through us. An overarching insight from her life-changing journey is, “Unconditional love is a state of being, not an emotion. It’s not just one side of the coin—it’s the whole coin.”

If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. ~William Blake

How-to Resources Interest in this deeper perspective led The Shift Network, which offers online transformative education, to host a recent Advanced Teachings for Truly Loving Yourself with Margaret Paul, P.h.D., co-author of Do I Have to Give Up Me to Be Loved By You? Many others are working to spread the word about a larger sense of life-giving love, including Cleveland, Ohio, intuitive psychologist Debra L. Reble, Ph.D., author of Being Love: How Loving Yourself Creates Ripples of Transformation in Your Relationships and the World. She says, “Our soul’s purpose is to be and express love. We dream of love, yearn for love and make love, but rarely do we realize that we are love, a source of divine energy.” Reba Linker, a New York City life coach and author, hosts a Leaders in Self-Love Facebook page and the Paint Yourself into The Picture online coaching show. Linker’s philosophy on love resembles that of New Thought leader Michael Beckwith, minister,

author and founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center, in Culver City, California—to discern that our true nature is love is to know that we are created in the very image and likeness of love, the essence of life itself. Gary Sinclair, author of Healing Memories in Seconds, views his life from an altitude of oceanic oneness. His 35 years of study in a field that uses energy to heal spirit, mind and body led him to develop Soul Link, a memory energy therapy. His work is changing the face of therapy for those with post-traumatic stress disorder and led to the revelation, “Love pulls whatever it touches to its highest potential.” Teaching what he knows “beyond a shadow of a doubt” helps to shift his students’ worldview. “All of creation is made up of electromagnetic energy vibrating at different frequencies. We are energy beings who can

learn to manage our energy to heal ourselves. We are all connected by omnipresence, the energy of love, a heart connection of life. Consciously choosing this awareness allows us to be ‘love living life.’” Kamini Desai, director of education for the Amrit Yoga Institute, in Salt Springs, Florida, lends her yogic perspective to love. “We are each a wave on the ocean of existence. Even though we are separate waves, we carry the essence of the same ocean. When that essence manifests in us as spirit, its quality is a healing force of love surrounding our cells, causing our heart to beat and regenerating our organs. This intelligence guides and directs the universe in the same manner that it heals and maintains our body. In yoga, we learn to listen to its subtle voice so that we can follow its urges and energetic impulses to the source from which it springs.” The perceptions of California’s HeartMath Institute founder Doc Childre, dedicated to helping people access their intuitive insight and heart intelligence, are generally aligned with those of Fredrickson. Both approaches recognize how order and balance in the nervous system and smooth, harmonious and coherent heart rhythms enhance our ability to clearly perceive a far larger universe of experience. The ensuing connections widen the windows of perception to view ourselves as no longer separate, but part of a unified whole. Accumulated micro-moments of love communicated through synchronized gazes, touches and vocalizations forge a shared subjective appreciation of connection and oneness. We feel ourselves embodying positive resonance and experience easier and more immediate rapport in familial, familiar and even new relationships. We discover abundant opportunities to feel love, loved and loving as we make ourselves available to them. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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activeliving

FITNESS 2017 New Year’s Resolutions that Stick by Aimee Hughes

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very January, we rally our hopes, vowing that this time our New Year’s resolutions will finally stick. However, “If you don’t have a plan, plan to fail,” says Kansas City, Missouri, personal trainer Jake Albracht. We can make our health and fitness goals for 2017 a reality instead of just wishful thinking. Find a good trainer. “A personal trainer provides a helpful base of knowledge because the hardest part for most people is a lack of planning and diligence in following up. Trainers can step in to help clients achieve their goals,” says Albracht.

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Jeanne Rankin, assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, adds, “A personal trainer can also help you set lofty goals that you wouldn’t have considered on your own due to fear of failure in achieving them.” Secure personal attention. Individual attention is invaluable. Albracht says, “There’s nothing like the instant feedback with technique, information and support that one-onone training provides.” Rankin adds, “In ongoing individual evaluation, a personal trainer can see exactly what’s going well

and what isn’t, providing a better assessment than in a group.” “Group settings can also be positive and mimic a team environment, but a one-on-one relationship allows for a deeper bond of trust. Sometimes that can make all the difference in the world,” Albracht says. Ask questions. If engaging a personal trainer isn’t in our available budget, they are often willing to answer a few burning fitness questions. Most of us have had volunteer teachers at some point in our lives that expected nothing in return because they loved sharing what they know. It’s a slower process, but can be a viable option. Set realistic goals. “I tell clients that structuring a program of specific goals will always trump a non-structured program,” says Albracht. “They need to fill out a goals sheet and develop a personal model that is repeatable, sustainable and successful. We use the SMART acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.” Sometimes writing things down is just what’s needed to make them actually happen. “When you look at pictures of famous people in magazines, realize that the images have been Photoshopped. They also have access to the best and most expensive resources in the world, and looking good is their job,” says Rankin. “Set a goal, and then set a bunch of

small, achievable, measurable and quantifiable steps along the way that’ll push you towards that bigger goal.” For example, If the goal is to lose 50 pounds in a year, then maybe shoot to lose 30 pounds in the first six months and 20 in the second six months. “Breaking it up into what feels doable for you is key,” says Rankin. Establish intentions. Krysten Clark, a Los Angeles personal trainer, yoga teacher and founder of Yogva Nutrition, uses the SMART elements along with establishing an intention for each session. She says, “It’s important to recognize what ‘being healthy’ means to you. I always have my clients set an intention for their workout in the moment, which allows them to be fully present with what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Connecting with their ‘why’ proves powerful in a day-to-day practice.” She also strives to bring mindfulness into any fitness workout that evolves from a mind-body connection. The accompanying sense of self-compassion furthers progress in the never-ending process of personal growth and healthy living. Acquire a fitness posse. An accountability partner can be a friend or a personal trainer—someone who’s only a phone call away. Rankin says, “If you know that you are letting someone down by not working out, then you are more likely to stick to a plan, especially if you’re paying that person.” Hit the reset button if needed. “Set a deadline to attain a goal and work backwards from there to achieve it,” says Albracht. “If the goal is missed, reassess and plan again.” Be patient and forgive yourself as often as necessary if slip-ups occur. The ultimate results of feeling good and healthier provide their own payoff.   Aimee Hughes, a freelance writer in Kansas City, Missouri, is a doctor of naturopathy and consultant for the Yandara Yoga Institute. Connect at [email protected]. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

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greenliving

A Gorgeously Greener Holiday Fresh Thinking About Décor by Avery Mack

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ature’s holiday decorations can transcend cliché pine wreaths or farmed trees to make highly personalized indoor décor that supersedes traditional greenery. Yet mistletoe, holly leaves and berries, eucalyptus, poinsettias, tree needles, acorns and a cut tree’s water reservoir can be harmful to both pets and children. Here are some better choices.

The Tree

For smaller spaces or to make a statement, try grouping topiary trees

of varying heights draped with solar twinkle lights and small ornaments or fresh flowers to create a focal point in a bay window. “A lemon-lime cypress lends another burst of unexpected color on an entry hall table,” says freelance floral designer Janet Corrao, in Nutley, New Jersey. “It smells good, too.” Plants six inches tall work well. Corrao suggests setting the pots in colorful, inexpensive metal buckets from craft stores for added glamour. Unless deemed a hazard to

active kids or pets, set up a mid-sized stepstool on a table or open a six-foot ladder in a corner and hang ornaments down the center space; add garlands and lights and set potted flowers and small gift boxes on the steps. Search “alternative Christmas trees” at Pinterest. com for more ideas. Another option uses hedge-like plants in lieu of a tree. Consider an English or Japanese boxwood plant or evergreen lilly pilly, and then trim to the desired size and shape. Plant it outdoors as weather and climate permit.

The Table

“While we were working on a photo shoot, the photographer decided to include a Christmas scene. I was able to add fresh greenery from the property to the red ornaments and white orchids that I’d brought along. It made a striking centerpiece running the entire length of the table,” says florist Angie Zimmerman, of Angie Zimmerman Designs, in El Dorado Hills, California. “For the fireplace mantel I used branches with red berries to add height on either side of the central mirror and then duplicated the centerpiece design between them.” A festive table can be dressed with appealing edibles. Use a bread wreath as a base and stud it with skewered basil leaves, cherry tomatoes and small balls of fresh mozzarella cheese for an easy, self-serve, Caprese appetizer. A colorful dish of balsamic dressing or another dip in the center, along with small plates and holiday napkins, completes the offering. For a sit-down dinner variant, place a few Caprese skewers in small, clear, glass vases along the table with individual finger bowls of dip. Flatleafed green parsley sprigs add another

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special touch. Zimmerman further suggests using deep-red Roma apples, cored, as candle holders. Make living place cards with small pots of herbs. Chalkboard paint identifies the plant and guest seating. Also consider colorful painted pots sporting a small cactus. Transform oranges into aromatic pomanders by scoring the rinds with a citrus stripper in a spiral, circle or other pattern. Use a small nail to make holes and stud the fruits with whole cloves. Adding seasonal greenery and sterilized pine cones makes a beautiful and fragrant centerpiece.

The Front Door

“I love to use pine cones for centerpieces,” Corrao says. “Our weather is cold enough that I don’t have to worry about bugs when collecting cones in the neighborhood.” For warmer climates, bake the pine cones for 30 minutes in a 200-degree oven to melt excess sap, kill insects and fully open them. Sold online or in kitchenware stores, a bay leaf wreath offers cheer at the door. After the holidays, hang it in the kitchen for easy access. “Kumquats, lemons, tangerines, small oranges and crabapples add color to green wreaths,” says Corrao.

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Garlands

For many, Christmas demands the smell of fresh pine boughs. Spice up the traditional greenery with carnations or other light-hued flowers colored with the juices of fresh, canned or frozen fruits and veggies—red from cranberries, beets and cherries; yellow and orange from yellow onions and carrots; purple from blackberries; green from spinach; pink from strawberries; and blue from red cabbage or blueberries. Freshly cut the flower stems and put them in the liquid from crushed produce or the can to absorb color. Hang garlands out of reach of young children and pets. Navjot Kaur, of Navjot Designs, in Chicago, says, “We all have greenery in our yard or patio gardens that can be used for the holidays. It’s fun to alter the design based upon what is available.” Imagination and inspiration can spark new, greener traditions. Avery Mack is a freelance writer. Connect at [email protected].

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December 2016

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wisewords

Krista Tippett on Our Evolving Spirituality Why it Evokes Hope

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by Randy Kambic

rista Tippett helps us ponder the meaning of life as host and executive producer of On Being, the award-winning weekly radio program and podcast produced in Minneapolis for more than 400 public radio stations. The bestselling author of Einstein’s God: Conversations About Science and the Human Spirit has been acclaimed for thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. Her latest book, Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living, reflects upon how spirituality intersects with science, technology, health, art and politics. This daughter of a Southern Baptist minister first launched her show, originally titled Speaking of Faith (also the title of her first book), on Minnesota Public Radio/American

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Public Media in 2003. Today, Tippett continues to discuss faith, spirit, inner growth and what it is to be human with leading authors, thought leaders and pioneering change makers. She also hosts online classes and a blog.

How has On Being evolved to reflect existing dimensions of spirituality that have proven surprising? I am fascinated with how spiritual life and religious identity have evolved in the last decade. This part of life is more fluid than it’s ever been in human history. We are the first generation that didn’t inherit religious identity like we do a hometown. We craft our spiritual lives and choose our faith, even if it’s the faith of our families.

In many who don’t claim a religious affiliation, especially Millennials, I encounter a spiritual curiosity and ethical passion akin to religion at its best. Because seekers dwell both inside and outside of traditions, my life of conversation stretches beyond boundaries in ways I did not expect when I began. I also never imagined that I’d interview physicists, evolutionary biologists and neuroscientists exploring territory previously reserved for theologians and philosophers. Together, they are illuminating the ancient questions related to our place in the cosmos; the nature of human freedom and consciousness; even beauty and the reality of mystery.

Which guests do you feel have resonated the most with listeners and why? A show that seems to have touched more people most deeply is my interview with the Irish poet, philosopher and author John O’Donohue just before he died in his early 50s. He radiated such an unusual combination of qualities: wisdom, tenderness and playfulness; mysticism, theology and a raw Celtic earthiness. He’s someone who could speak of God with great wildness, strangeness—and authority. He inspired with his vision of beauty as a human calling and somehow embodied it for the listener.

I meet all kinds of people that keep that show on their playlist and listen again and again. In general, my favorite guest is the most recent person interviewed. At the moment, it’s Jimmy Wales, the Wikipedia co-founder, who stunned me with his insistence on kindness as the virtue that’s made this nonprofit’s ethos and accomplishments possible. Another is civil rights veteran Ruby Sales, who wisely works to uplift the human drama of our political/social moment, like the way we must come to be as articulate about what we love as about what outrages us.

How do you see people’s  awakening sensibilities influencing local and global issues? I am drawn to the notion that we are in the adolescence of our species. The globe right now is like a map of the teenage brain, prone to recklessness and destruction in places and simultaneously possessing vast potentials for creativity and advances. So many are relentless in telling the story of destruction that it seriously colors how we tell the story of our time. I stand among those shining a light on the abundant beauty, goodness and courage in our world so these become more visible and evident at a global level.

Spring Trimester Begins January 4, 2017

Are you optimistic about the future? I am hopeful about the future. My life of meaningful conversation has led me to re-imagine the meaning of hope. It has nothing to do with wishful thinking, but rests on the lives of beauty and goodness I see everywhere I turn. It’s a choice—a more exacting and courageous choice than cynicism or resignation. The pain and fear alive in the world surface as anger and violence, and some of us are called to be calmers of fear. We must create the world we want our children to inhabit and do so together. Hope isn’t an option on this path; it is one of our primary resources for getting there. Randy Kambic is a freelance writer and editor in Estero, Florida, and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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crystalhealing

Crystal Singing Bowl Therapy Can Bring the Body’s Vibrations Back into Harmony by Flicka Rahn

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orld cultures for millennia have recognized the importance of music and sound as healing tools. Ancient civilizations in India, the Orient, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Americas have for thousands of years used sound to heal and achieve inner balance. The Tibetans still use tingshas (bells), chimes, metal singing bowls, dharma horns and chanting as the foundation of their spiritual practice. In many cultures, sound continues to play a major role in spiritual

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practice. In Bali, Indonesia, the trance-inducing gamelan, gong and drum are used in ceremonies to take listeners and musical performers into deep meditative states. The Australian Aboriginal and Native American shamans use vocal toning and repetitive sound vibration with instruments created from nature in sacred ceremony to adjust any imbalance of the spirit, emotions or physical being. I have personally experienced the songs (Icaros) of the Shipibo Amazonian shaman in sacred ceremony, and the

effect was life-changing. We who are part of the modern Western culture have discovered that singing bowls created from 99.9 percent pure quartz crystal are powerful healing tools. Interestingly, our physical body has a natural affinity to this molecular shape, as the human body is composed of many crystallite substances. Our bones, blood, cells and DNA are crystalline in structure, as well as the liquid crystal-colloidal structure of the brain. Even on a molecular level, our cells contain silica, which balance and facilitate our electro-magnetic energy flow. Our bodies are literally singing with frequencies and vibrations. We know that chakras, bones and organs in our bodies possess different resonant frequencies, which is the frequency at which matter vibrates at an optimal level. When an organ or part of the body is not in harmony or “vibrationally out of phase” with the rest of the body, it is called “dis-ease” or disease. A body is in a healthy state when each organ is in a state of resonance and in harmony with the entire body organism. We can assess this state by observing the balance within the chakra system (either by visual assessment, kinesthetic or by pendulum). If an imbalance is found, a sound therapist can break up, dissolve and release these blockages, which initially began in the light or etheric body, using the sound of crystal bowls. These imbalances can be caused by things like negative thoughts, a toxic environment, an unhealthy diet, fear, anxiety, worry, stress and more. By aligning to the signature wave-

form of the crystal singing bowl, the body can begin to express a more harmonious condition. The unique sound transmits a pure holographic template of light that corresponds to the octaves of sound present within our etheric body. Since sound frequency can be translated into color frequency, the body may be seen as a color wash of visible frequency that produces an auric color field reflecting all of the emotional states of consciousness. Learn more about this by exploring Kirlian photography. The visual spectrum has correlating wave frequencies in the auditory spectrum. There are seven musical notes that correspond to the seven colors of the rainbow, and these are related to the seven main chakras, which in turn correspond to different glands in the endocrine system. The pure tone emanating from crystal bowls produces a vibrational sound field that resonates the light body and chakras and the corresponding physical area, creating a “re-tuning” of the receiver back into a heightened level of etheric radiance, clarity and physical well-being. The etheric body may be re-tuned by the sound, but it can take time for the physical body to respond to the newly created landscape. Like a powerful radio transmitter, the crystal bowls transmit energy in the form of white light sound filling a person’s aura, light body and physical body with vibrational radiance. This radiance holds within its holographic sound all expressions of frequency and vibration, including the seven main colors of the rainbow, the colors of each chakra and the seven notes in a musical octave. As a result, there is a positive shift in consciousness and a profound expansion of awareness. We grow closer to our original selves and begin to reflect this radiance in our physical form. We become physical and spiritual carriers of this radiant light, healing and uplifting all.

Therapy ndCrystal Souwith Singing Bowls

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Contact: Flicka Rahn, M.M., M.S.

7122 San Pedro Ave., Suite 106, San Antonio, TX 78216 1.888.841.4034 | 210.967.4400 | integrativehealingsa.com

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FUTURE DATES: Sunday, January 22 • 11am-6pm

Flicka Rahn holds a master’s degree in music and a master’s degree in counseling. She is a sound therapist at the Integrative Healing Institute in San Antonio. Rahn also is a professional opera singer and a retired professor of music from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Connect with her at www.naturalreflexes.com. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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LIBATIONS Restorative Drinks Revive Good Cheer by Judith Fertig

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uring jam-packed special occasions like holidays, our drinks should multitask, too. We need festive tipples to refresh us without overdoing it, restore equilibrium if we overeat or drink, or revive us when we’re feeling low from a seasonal cold or flu. In addition to traditional offerings that family and friends might expect, why not add a new and improved signature drink to everyone’s repertoire? These feel-good beverages, featuring winter fruits high in vitamin C, anthocyanins, therapeutic herbs and fresh ginger, deliver delicious boosts to help us feel our best.

Refresh

The season of hospitality is happily also the season of pomegranates, blood oranges and Meyer lemons (a sweeter, thin-skinned, aromatic variety). These vibrant fruits give a taste of good cheer to anything we can pour, shake, muddle or simmer. Whether we offer fresh-squeezed blood orange juice in the morning, a non-alcoholic cocktail of pomegranate juice and sparkling water, or a squeeze of Meyer lemon juice in a hot toddy or tea, the tart flavor is a sure pick-meup. The red color in antioxidant-rich blood oranges and pomegranates indicates the presence of anthocyanins, compounds that might help prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as treat eye disorders, according to an article published in the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology. Meyer lemons are a good source of vitamin C, essential for producing collagen needed to support the formation of new bone, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

NaturalAwakeningsSanAntonio

Restore

After an evening of over-imbibing, our systems need to reboot. The stomach needs help in processing alcohol, plus we may be dehydrated and feeling a little queasy. Filtered water, coconut water or a sweet, caffeine-free coffee or carbonated beverage of the lemon-lime variety rehydrate, and help our digestive system break down and flush out the alcohol. According to Registered Dietitian Aicacia Young, in Austin, Texas, founder of ClimbHealthy.com, the simple act of drinking water before we go to bed can assist in the recovery process. Research published in the Food & Function journal found that lemonlime soda helps the body metabolize alcohol better by speeding up its ability to process the compound aldehyde dehydrogenase, the main cause of hangover symptoms. For nausea and motion sickness, ginger or peppermint tea can help, according to studies in the American Journal of Physiology and the French Prescrire International.

Revive

Sometimes the stress of holiday to-dos, often combined with travel, can lower the resilience of our immune system. When we feel symptoms of a cold or flu coming on, the classic hot toddy can help us feel human again. The alcohol in whiskey is a natural decongestant; plus, it helps get us to sleep. Honey soothes and perky lemon juice gives us hope that we’ll feel better the next day. Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, Kansas. Connect at JudithFertig.com.

nadianb/Shutterstock.com

Couldn’t focus.

PERK-ME-UPS

Seasonal Drinks that Revitalize The best holiday drinks are festive and taste great. They should also be easy to fix. Here are five to get you started. precut into thin slices. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain out the ginger slices and serve in a mug.

Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com

Courtesy of Judith Fertig, Alfresco FoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

JL-Pfeifer/Shutterstock.com

Blood Orange French 75  Yields: 1 serving In a champagne flute, pour a jigger of gin, the juice of half a blood orange and a squeeze of Meyer lemon juice. Top up with champagne.

Fresh Hot Peppermint Tea Yields: 1 serving

Courtesy of Kathryne Taylor, a whole foods and vegetarian blogger; Search CookieAndKate.com.

Dokmaihaeng/Shutterstock.com

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. While it’s boiling, place 7 to 10 fresh organic mint leaves in a tea cup. Pour the hot water over the mint leaves and let them steep in the cup for 5 minutes. Strain out leaves as desired, and enjoy.

Fresh Hot Ginger Tea Yields: 2 servings Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, and then add 1 small knob of fresh ginger,

Courtesy of Heather Crosby, author of YumUniverse: Infinite Possibilities for a Gluten-Free, Plant-Powerful, WholeFood Lifestyle; YumUniverse.com/ fresh-peppermint-tea.

Meyer Lemon Hot Toddy Yields: 1 serving Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from the heat. Stir in the juice of half a Meyer lemon, a tablespoon or two of honey and a jigger of whiskey. Serve hot in a mug. Courtesy of Judith Fertig, Alfresco FoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com.

Change your thoughts and you change your world. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Holiday Sangria Yields: 8 servings Combine 1 liter of cabernet sauvignon, a quart of pomegranate juice, ¼ cup agave nectar, 1 thinly sliced Meyer lemon and 1 thinly sliced pear in a pitcher. Add ice and stir. Pour into glasses to serve. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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xavier gallego morell/Shutterstock.com

healingways

Heal Adrenal Fatigue

NATURALLY Practical Ways to Regain Vitality

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by Linda Sechrist

atigue due to physical or mental exertion is common in those beleaguered by stress, poor eating habits and insomnia, struggling to balance the needs of family and career and too often using caffeine and other stimulants to artificially rebound energy. James L. Wilson, Ph.D., a doctor of chiropractic and naturopathy, educates medical professionals about an even more serious health issue he identifies as “adrenal fatigue;” it’s characterized by below-optimal adrenal function induced by an overload of stressors. Our two walnut-sized adrenal glands, one atop each kidney, produce vital hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, digestion and many other functions, including how the body deals with stress.

Identifying the Core Issue

In his book, Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome, Wilson sheds light on the scope of the problem. “The fact that adrenal fatigue is unrecognized by conventional medicine has left millions of people suffering from an untreated problem that interferes with their ability to function normally and capacity to enjoy life. For those whose adrenal glands are ‘running on empty’, even something as basic as happiness seems almost out of reach,” says Wilson, who resides in Tucson, Arizona. Individuals suffering from adrenal fatigue are most concerned about their low moods, energy, mental acuity and libido, for which conventional medicine typically prescribes antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs. These medications do nothing to revive adrenal functioning. This faulty condition also affects weight gain and a propensity toward the development of some diseases, including fibromyalgia. “Your resiliency, energy, endurance and very life 20

NaturalAwakeningsSanAntonio

depend on the proper functioning of the adrenals,” Wilson says. We’ve inherited our sympathetic nervous system and its stress response of fight-or-flight from our prehistoric ancestors. It hasn’t evolved to differentiate between an acute threat to survival and the chronic threats from looming deadlines, financial pressures and other modern-day worries. “The adrenal stress response to physical danger or any perceived psychological threat is identical—the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine responsible for cascading physiological reactions,” says Dr. Vijay Jain, who treats fatigue from an integrative perspective at his Mind Body Wellness Center, in Palm Coast, Florida.

Suggested Treatments

Adrenal fatigue is mainly a self-induced health problem that doesn’t just appear. It results from an accumulation of ongoing choices that we can change. Jain applies ayurvedic principles to reestablish balance in the body’s three prominent mind-body types that influence personal well-being. These are known as vata, pitta and kapha. For people primarily characterized by vata and pitta typology, fatigue is the result of being overactive and burning the candle at both ends. For those with kapha constitutions, fatigue is the outcome of a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient movement and eating the wrong foods for them. He further recommends getting more sleep with regular bedtimes, practices such as yoga nidra meditation, pranayama (yogic breathing) and a slower-paced yoga practice with longerheld meditative poses, as well as massage and a diet designed to restore our biological energies, or doshas, to a balanced state. “Depending on a patient’s constitution, I advise some to slow down and burn 50 percent less of their candle, while I tell others to increase their physical activity and improve their diet.” Jain also recommends a type of ayurvedic purification and detoxification treatment that involves a series of five therapies including massage and herbal treatments. Performed in sequence, these allow the body and mind to drop into a state of peacefulness. Acupuncture treatments are also helpful, along with a regimen of adaptogenic herbs such as ginseng, schisandra and ashwagandha, according to Jain. In Happy Healthy Thyroid: The Essential Steps to Healing Naturally, author Andrea Beaman writes about how she recovered naturally from adrenal fatigue. To restore energy and vitality to the body, she further recommends the healing practices of hatha yoga, qigong and tai chi. “These modalities build energy, whereas power yoga, and cardiovascular exercises drain energy in fatigued individuals,” says Beaman. She notes that it can take six months to two years to restore desired energy levels. Beaman counsels individuals with behavioral characteristics that make it more challenging to burn less of their candle. She grabs their attention with the critical nature of their situation. “‘You are in and out of life in a blink. If you’re exhausted at age 48, how are you going to live a vibrant, happy and exuberant life right up to the finish line?’ That generally works,” she says.

More Tips to Beat Fatigue by Linda Sechrist

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he earliest signs of adrenal fatigue are low energy and the need for several strong shots of caffeine to kick-start the morning or get through an afternoon slump. If these symptoms arise, take steps to begin nourishing, restoring and de-stressing the adrenal glands. Eliminate stressors. Reevaluate daily schedules to make room for a regular session of yoga, meditation, tai chi or qigong. Establish a regular sleeping schedule aligned with the body’s natural cycle. Slipping between the sheets no later than 10 p.m. can mean better and deeper rest. Make dietary changes, starting with 40 grams of protein each morning. Limit the intake of stimulants, including caffeine. Eliminate sugar and processed grains. Add adaptogenic herbs and organic coconut and olive oils to dishes and food preparation. Eat nutritious foods such as greens and brightly colored vegetables. As a result, blood sugar and insulin levels will take fewer rollercoaster rides, easing the work of the adrenals. Refrain from over-exercising. Excessive cardio or endurance training is hard on the adrenals, so substitute more relaxing forms of exercise. Practice calming mindfulness and deep, controlled, diaphragmatic breathing.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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naturalpet

Fetch, Stretch, Dance by Sandra Murphy

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an and woman’s best four-legged friend can activate and energize even the most reluctant couch potato or exhausted owner, making the family dog an excellent exercise buddy. Regardless of how lax we may be, everyone feels better after some kind of workout. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology confirms that working up a sweat outdoors affords an appealing boost of energy, enjoyment and improved state of mind. Dogs love routine, so they’ll be waiting by the door for their daily walks. Make each outing mindful by letting the pet choose the route and pace. While they stop to sniff, do hamstring stretches by leaning against a wall, fence or tree. Once the warm-up portion is completed, add sprints to burn more calories. Ask for a sit, pick a goal a short distance away and then give the cue to run together fast. After arriving at the goal, ask for another sit. “Our favorite time to go is before 7 a.m. to avoid cars and when the asphalt isn’t too hot for his paws,” says Monica Weintraub, a food and travel blogger currently working from Beijing, China. “Carl loves the burst of energy, and

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we both build muscle.” A backyard agility course can complement or even substitute for walks. It’s easy to make with weave poles, jumps and tunnels. Vary the order of the obstacles and run alongside the dog to call out each one. When it’s excessively wet, cold and icy or hot outside, create an indoor agility course. Use blankets and upturned chairs for tunnels, cardboard boxes to designate a weaving trot and a hula hoop for jumps. Set it up on top of rugs that foster firm footing. Balance can also be improved with exercise balls. While some dogs only see a soccer game, others try to balance on the ball, strengthening core muscles like their humans. Learning doga, or yoga for dogs, incorporates a canine’s natural trainability, flexibility, mimicry of human moves and desire to please. Kristen Corral, who’s also certified in animal massage, teaches Anima yoga fusion classes for people and pets of all ages in Las Vegas. “Anima means an expression of one’s true inner self,” she explains. “We work on balance and never force the dogs into poses. They’re excited during the first sessions, but as you move and breathe together, it becomes a calming and relaxing activity.” Sean Nel/Shutterstock.com

Barna Tanko/Shutterstock.com

Make Your Dog an Exercise Buddy

Floor exercises with the help of a dog also helps strengthen core muscles. Do leg lifts and teach the pet to walk under a raised leg to ensure it stays raised for the proper amount of time. Incorporate fetch games with sit-ups; throw the toy when sitting up and accept it back while reclining. Alternate arms—the dominant one has better aim, while the other one adds steps for the dog as it runs to fetch an errant toss. For chair exercises, use a toy to lure the dog under the chair, moving it from side-to-side, simultaneously working the waistline. Fetch lets the dog chase the toy before dropping it in front of the chair, giving the owner’s core muscles a workout when bending to pick it up each time. Dogs love to play hide-and-seek. It’s easy with two people; one holds the dog while the other hides. If solo, teach the pet to sit until a timer goes off before starting the hunt. “I ask Felix, my mixed-breed dog, to hold a sit-stay while I go hide,” says Chantelle Wallace, a professional writer who volunteers to exercise animals at Skyline Pet Care and Fitness, in Austin, Texas. “Hide and seek activates both mental focus and physical exercise.” Dancing to favorite tunes expends lots of energy. Dogs may perform obedience moves to the beat or, like humans, dance like nobody’s watching. Scientists at the University of Missouri are among those that have found that music improves moods, too. Teaching a dog to help around the house impresses everybody and takes advantage of bad weather to catch up on chores. They can tour a laundry basket to bedrooms, pick up trash or place items for recycling in a bin. Select individual items to be carried up or down stairs for a muscular workout. Take some tips from Jesse, a most helpful dog, at Tinyurl.com/HouseholdHelpPooch. When our will to exercise is wavering, an eager dog will help keep an exercise routine interesting and on track. The dog’s goal is always to have fun with their favorite person. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

December 2016

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calendarofevents SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 Dog Days/Happy Howlidays—9am-5pm Dec. 3, 4 at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl. Enjoy the last dog-friendly weekend of the year at the garden. Regular admission plus $5 donation per dog. Proceeds benefit animal care organizations. www.sabot.org. (Boerne) Stocking Stroll—10am along the Hill Country Mile on downtown Boerne. Ticket holders meander the Hill Country Mile discovering quaint local businesses included on the Stocking Stroll map. Guests receive unique gifts at each participating location to fill their stockings. Only 200 tickets available. $25 per ticket. www.visitboerne. org/calendar. Body-Mind-Spirit Fair—10am-6pm Dec. 3, 126pm Dec. 4 at Unlimited Thought Life Enrichment Center, 5525 Blanco Rd. Monthly event; free admission, free hourly lectures. www.unlimitedthought.com. Workshop: Hand-painted Tile—10:30am-1:30pm at the McNay Museum , 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. Create a tile design inspired by the murals and decorative accents around the McNay as well as the prints in Living and Collecting Mexico: Gifts of Susan Toomey Frost. Tiles are fired following the workshop for pick-up at a later date. $10 members; $25 non-members (includes museum admission). www.mcnayart.org. Tamales! At Pearl—11am-5pm at Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy. There’s no better way to welcome the holiday season than with a sampling of warm handmade tamales. Enjoy dozens of tamale varieties, from

traditional to dessert, available from more than 30 vendors. Also enjoy live music and a children’s craft area. www.atpearl.com. Owl Prowl—6-8pm at Phil Hardberger Park East. Meet at the Salado Greenway Trail parking lot, 1021 Voelcker Lane. Learn about the owls in our area and enjoy a ½ mile walk to listen to owls calling at night. Led by Susan Campbell, PHP education coordinator. Children must be at east 7 years old, as listening for owls requires sitting quietly for 30-45 minutes. Dress for the weather. www.philhardbergerpark.org. (Boerne) Weihnachts Parade—6-10pm in downtown Boerne. The Weihnachts Parade is a longtime Boerne holiday tradition. 2016 will be the 30th anniversary, and up to 100 lighted entries will travel down Main Street. Free. www.visitboerne. org/calendar.

Jingle Paws Classic 5K Run/Walk—8am at OP Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Road. Join the annual 5K to benefit the Helotes Humane Society. Everyone is welcome, including well-mannered, leashed and vaccinated dogs. www.hhsanimals.org. Girls on the Run – IAAP 5K Run/Walk—9am at MLK Park, 3503 Martin Luther King Dr. This girls-only race gives participants a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment. It provides a framework for setting and achieving life goals. www.girlsontherun.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Native American Storytelling—10am-12pm at Phil Hardberger Park East, 13203 Blanco Rd. Grandmother Coyote will tell stories about the spirit animals and what they have to teach us. Excellent program for families with elementary children. www.philhardbergerpark.org.

Concert: 500 Years of Mexican Song —2-3pm at the McNay Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. From Latino songs of Jewish settlers who immigrated to Mexico in the 1500s, to contemporary Mexican ballads of Tata Nacho, this lecture/recital honors music and lyrics of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. www.mcnayart.org.

Time Travel Saturday: South Texas Holiday Traditions—12-4pm at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. Enjoy some the most popular holiday customs of South Texas, including crafting decorations, sharing stories, sipping hot chocolate and watching the annual performance of Los Pastores. www.wittemuseum.org.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8

Introductory Japanese Flower Arrangement Class—1:30-3pm at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl. Join Miyako Wallace for an introduction to Japanese flower arranging. $20 ($18 members) plus $10 materials fee. www.sabot.org.

ReDo: Deck the Halls—6-9pm at the DoSeum, 2800 Broadway St. Experience a night that will make you feel like a kid on your very first sled ride. Enjoy a mix of festive activities and adult beverages, all within the magical walls of the DoSeum. $25. www.thedoseum.org.

For Sale:

San Antonio

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

Holidays at the Caverns 5K Night Run—5:45pm at Natural Bridge Caverns, 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road. Enjoy a 5K evening run on the

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Hayride route (pavement and caliche road). After the run, enjoy the rest of the holiday festivities at discounted prices. www.naturalbridgecaverns.com.

dreams, health and healing, life after death, prayer and contemplation, and relationships. Free. www. eckankar-texas.org or 210-737-6863.

Star Party—6-8pm at the Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Hwy 16 South. View stars and planets with members of the San Antonio Astronomical Association and their high-tech telescopes. Includes refreshments and crafts for kids. www.sanantonio. gov/ParksandRec.

(Boerne) Winter Solstice Concert—7:30pm in Cave Without a Name, 325 Kreutzberg Rd. in Boerne. Celebration Circle presents a thrilling and eclectic concert of contemporary acoustic songs, soaring vocals, ancient instrumentation, improvisation and contemplation celebrating the Winter Solstice. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. www.cavewithoutaname.com.

ARTS San Antonio Presents Irish Christmas— 7:30pm at the Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle. Enjoy this traditional holiday event that inclues Irish singing, dance and music. $30-57. www.artssa.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 Wholistic Festival – NEW LOCATION in Live Oak—11am-6pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, 8101 Pat Booker Rd. in Live Oak, 78233. Free admission, free parking to participate in this festival featuring 50+ exhibitors. www.wholisticfestival.com or 210334-0782. Santa and Chocolate Day—1-4pm at the La Escondida Celebration Center, 9888 Escondida Rd. Celebrate National Chocolate Day with Santa. Enjoy delicious treats, holiday shopping and a craft station for the kids. Free admission. www. laescondidacelebrationcenter.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 Art-Making for Adults—12-1pm at the McNay Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. Exercise creativity in a series of hands-on activities—no art experience necessary. www.mcnayart.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 Jingle Trails Run 1K and 5K—8:30am at Eisenhower Park, 19399 NW Military Hwy. The morning includes great music, incredible food and beverages, and the opportunity to run through the park to help Any Baby Can. www.iruntexas.net. Holly Days Culture Botanica—10am-12pm at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl. Get into the spirit of the “holly days” and travel through time exploring plants and the roles they have played in holiday traditions. Wrap a bundle of mistletoe, construct a yule log and create a wreath collage using plants highlighted in the class. $10 per adult ($9 members), $20 per family ($18 members), up to four people. www.sabot.org. Holiday Pet Parade—10am-12pm at Phil Hardberger Park East, in the Salado Creek Classroom, 13203 Blanco Rd. Watch and/or participate in a parade with pets and their humans. Costumes are encouraged. Prizes awarded in several categories. Free; donation of $2 per person or $5 per family is suggested. www.philhardbergerpark.org. Winter Solstice Festival—10am-6pm at the Crystal Mystic, 4703 Shavano Oak, No. 100. Celebrate the season and shop for jewelry, crystals, essential oils and energy tools. Relieve holiday stress with energy work such as craniosacral therapy, massage and Krashada acupressure therapy. Register for door prizes and participate in a Native American drumming circle at 6:30pm. www.thecrystalmystic. com. Spiritual Wisdom Booklet Discussions—23:30pm at La Taza Coffee House, 15060 San Pedro, and at Bazan Library, 2200 W. Commerce. Explore various topics including karma and reincarnation,

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 Family Art Play: Drumming Around—1-4pm at the McNay Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. Explore costumes inspired by the many cultures in Orientalism: The Middle East Onstage and connect with rhythms and instruments from around the world. www.mcnayart.org. Holiday Saxophones—7pm at Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St. Hosted by the venerable Regency Jazz Band, this event gathers the best local and regional sax players performing your favorite jazz tunes. $20-$30. www.guadalupeculturalarts. org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31 Celebrate San Antonio—5pm-12am in downtown San Antonio. Experience the biggest free New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks extravaganza in Texas. Enjoy live music on three stages, carnival games and rides, and delicious festival food. This downtown fiesta is the place to celebrate the New Year. www.visitsanantonio.com.

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plan ahead FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 DreamWeek—Jan. 6-16, various times and locations. DreamWeek is a 12-day celebration that fosters the exchange of ideas on universal issues in order to promote tolerance, equality and diversity. The citywide summit of events takes place in downtown San Antonio and provides a forum for the global community to unite and discuss ideas that will inspire and shape a greater, enlightened society. Activities include classes and workshops, art strolls, health and wellness events, musical entertainment and much more. www.dreamweek.org.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 Coffee Festival—10am-5pm at La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St. The San Antonio Coffee Festival is the celebration of coffee beans and flavors from all over the world. www.sacoffefest.com. I Want More: 7 Days of Self-love Workshop— 11am-3pm at Comfort Suites Airport North, 14202 San Pedro Ave. This women’s workshop is designed to help you build confidence, help you develop a positive attitude about yourself, and assist you in setting clear, winning goals. We will identify your strengths, your weaknesses, and help you define your purpose. Light lunch included in cost, as well as a copy of 7 Days of Self-Love. Come in comfortable clothes. $100-125. www.innewbraunfels.com.

NA FUN FACT: Natural Awakenings is published in 95 U.S. markets and Puerto Rico. To advertise with us, call (210) 854-0362.

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ongoing sunday Castle Hills Farm to Market—10am-2pm at 2211 NW Military, across from Castle Hills Baptist Church. www.localfarmtomarket.com. Pearl Farmers Market—10am-2pm at the historic Pearl Brewery, bordered by East Grayson Street and Avenue A just north of downtown. www. pearlfarmersmarket.com. Celebration Circle—11am-12pm at Say Sí, 1518 S. Alamo, 78204. Inclusive uplifting interfaith gatherings open to all. More info at www.celebrationcircle.org or 210-533-6767. Free Sundays at SAMA —10am-12pm at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave. Sponsored by the Mays Family Foundation. Call 210978-8100, or visit www.samuseum.org. Free Meditation Instruction—9:30am at the Shambhala Meditation Center, 257 E. Hildebrand. www.sanantonio.shambhala.org. The Rim Farmers Market—10am-2pm at The Rim, 17503 La Cantera Parkway, in the parking lot of T.G.I. Friday’s. www.hillcountryfarmersmarket.org. Parkinson’s Young Onset Support Group—1pm. Second Sunday each month. Free. Sunset Ridge Church of Christ, 95 Brees Blvd. Call Dianne at 210-567-6688.

monday Gentlewellness Qigong—5:30-6:30pm in the Garden Room at The Village at Incarnate Word, 4707 Broadway. Free.www.gentlewellness.com. Sivananda Yoga—6pm Mondays and Wednesdays; 10:30am Sundays at The Uptown Studio, 700 Fredericksburg Rd. Suggested $7 donation. www.theuptownstudio.com. Awakening Qigong—6-7:15pm. Focusing on healing, awakening and evolving the body, heart and consciousness. 1st class is free. www.daointegrativehealth.com.

tuesday Ashtanga Yoga—2-3pm at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell. Donation-based class. www. gentlewellness.com. Mellow Yoga—1-2pm at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell. Donation-based class. www. gentlewellness.com. Qigong for Total Wellness—9:15-10:30am each Tuesday at Dao Integrative Health, 4833 Fredericksburg Rd. Yearlong program for personal wellness enhancement through natural therapeutics. www.daointegrativehealth.com. Main Plaza (SA Food Bank’s) Farmers Market— 10am-1pm. Cash, check and EBT cards accepted. Free Tuesdays at SAMA—4-9pm at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave. Sponsored by HEB. 210-978-8100, www.samuseum.org.

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Free Meditation Instruction—7pm at the Shambhala Meditation Center, 257 E. Hildebrand. www.sanantonio. shambhala.org. San Antonio Sustainable Living—4th Tuesday. Details at www.meetup.com/SAEnvironmental. Recovering in Unity—7pm in the CommUNITY Center, 8103 Broadway. A recovery group based on the 12 steps and Unity principles. Free. unityofsa.org. SA Native Plant Society of Texas—7pm. 4th Tuesday. Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway. Sketching in SAMA’s Galleries—6-8pm every Tuesday at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave. Free. 210-978-8100, www.samuseum.org. Alamo Sierra Club’s Monthly Meeting—6:30pm 3rd Tuesdays at EcoCentro, 1802 N. Main, on the San Antonio College Campus. www.sierraclub.org/texas/alamo.

wednesday Lunchtime Yoga—12-1pm at the Integrative Healing Institute, 7122 San Pedro. Supplies provided; 1st class is free. www.integrative healingsa.com. Mobile Om Yoga (FREE) at Pharm Table—12-1pm at Pharm Table, 106 Auditorium Circle. www.pharmtable. com. Reiki Healing Circle—6:30-8pm the 3rd Wednesday each month at 3463 Magic Dr. Reiki restores balance and harmony physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Led by Briana Brooks. Free. 210-365-1400. Centering Prayer Spirituality Group—6-7pm at First United Methodist Church in Boerne, 205 E. James St. For more info, 830-249-2565 or jlr8546@ hotmail.com.

Introduction to Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Meditation)—6-7pm. RSVP and get location at www.takeabreathtexas.org, or call Sara at 210-3730660. Free. Tai Chi—2-3pm (Easy/Qigong), 3-4pm (24 Form) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1018 E. Grayson. Free. 210-226-0354, www.gentlewellness.com. Gentlewellness Qigong & Tai Chi—2-3pm qigong, 3-4pm Tai Chi at St. Paul’s Episcopal, 1018 Grayson. Free. gentlewellness.com.

friday Power Yoga--4-5pm. Taught by a new ACPower Yoga graduate. All proceeds go to Gardopia (www. gardopiagardens.org). A $5 minimum donation is required. Info at www.acpoweryoga.com. Chair Yoga & Qigong—11am-12pm at Pan Am Library, 1122 W. Pyron. Free. www.gentlewellness.com Watersaver Tours—10am. 1st Friday. Tour SA Botanical Garden’s Watersaver Gardens. SABOT.org. Ashtanga Yoga—1-2:30pm at University Presbyterian Church, 300 Bushnell. $5 suggested donation. www. gentlewellness.com. St. Andrew’s Farmers Market—10am-2pm at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 16320 Huebner Rd. www. hillcountryfarmersmarket.org. Gentle Hatha Yoga Class for Cancer Patients and Cancer Survivors—8-8:45am. Reservations required. Free. Northeast Baptist Hospital. 210-297-2627. Parkinson’s Caregivers Support Group—1pm. Every 3rd Friday. Free. Call Dianne, 210-567-6688.

saturday

Feldenkrais®—1pm at 16607 Blanco Rd., Ste. 1107. The Feldenkrais Method is an innovative system that uses developmental movements to improve and retrain the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. $12. For info call 210-215-6035.

Native American Spiritual Drumming Circle—7-9pm 3rd Saturday at Unlimited Thought Life Enrichment Center, 5525 Blanco. www.unlimited-thought.com.

Tai Chi Principles—6-7:15pm in the Angelique Garden Room at The Village at Incarnate Word, 4707 Broadway. Taught by Mike Graves. Free. www. gentlewellness.com.

Transformational Healing Meditation—11am-12pm at the Integrative Healing Institute, 7122 San Pedro. Guided meditation. Attend 4 times and get 5th free. www. integrativehealingsa.com.

Meditation Circle—7:30-8:30pm. Gentle blend of guided and silent meditation offered by Celebration Circle at SA Friends meetinghouse, 7052 Vandiver. Call 210-533-6767 or visit www.celebrationcircle.org.

thursday A Course in Miracles Group—7-9pm each Thursday at the Unlimited Thought Life Enrichment Center, 5525 Blanco. Seating is limited to eight people. RSVP to 210-525-0693. www.unlimited-thought.com. Live with Nature Nutrition Group—10-11:30am the first Thursday of each month at Eco Centro on the San Antonio College campus, 1802 N. Main. Support/ discussion group focusing on nutrition and health. Free. 210-492-4620. NLP San Antonio Meetup—7-8:45pm 4th Thursday of each month. Discover how NLP can improve your life. Details at [email protected], www. meetup.com/nlpsanantonio.

Free Yoga @ Pharm Table—12:30pm at Pharm Table, 106 Auditorium Circle. Enjoy yoga with Carlos from Yoga Day. www.pharmtable.com. Meditation in the Japanese Gallery at SAMA—10:1511am Saturdays at the San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave. Free with museum admission. Call 210-978-8100, or visit www.samuseum.org. (Boerne) Farmer’s Market at Cibolo Nature Center— 8:30am-12:30pm. Living Dao: A Path and a Practice—10-11am. Open to all. 1st class is free. A practical study of the Dao De Jing and how it informs our daily life. www. daointegrativehealth.com. Pearl Farmer’s Market—9am-1pm at the historic Pearl Brewery, bordered by East Grayson Street and Avenue A just north of downtown. www.pearlfarmersmarket.com. Deerfield Farmers Market—10am-2pm at 16607 Huebner Rd. www.hillcountryfarmersmarket.org. Tai Chi Fitness—8-9am. New class combining short tai chi form with training techniques to improve your overall health and fitness. www.daointegrativehealth.com.

naturaldirectory ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE HEALTH CLINIC

Professional Clinic of Texas Health and Science University 9240 Guilbeau Rd, Suite 102, 78250 210-901-1234 [email protected] www.acupuncturehealthsa.com

HAIR BY PER

Per Madsen, ND, Ph.D., HO 8000 Broadway in Alamo Heights 210-219-0485 [email protected] www.hairbyper.com

Per is back! Specializing in coloring, cuts and the “London Look.” See display ad on page 15.

We offer excellent health care in a professional, relaxing environment. As a comprehensive, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture clinic, we specialize in pain management, sports injury, stress, insomnia and weight loss. Our clinic benefits from its association with Texas Health and Science University, the first acupuncture school in Texas. Call for an appointment or free consultation with Kai-Chang Chan, licensed acupuncturist and clinic practitioner. See display ad on page 15.

IPPODARO SALON

CENTERPOINT ORIENTAL MEDICINE, PLLC

ELEMENTS THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

Kyle Tsao, Lic. Ac., & Christanne Spell, Lic. Ac. (Located inside the Center For Life) 12915 Jones Maltsberger Rd., #600 Hours: Mon-Sat (by appointment only) Call 512-653-5194 to schedule www.centerpointom.com

At Centerpoint Oriental Medicine, we offer services such as acupuncture, facial rejuvenation, moxibustion, cupping and Chinese herbal therapy. We are licensed professionals focused on providing natural healing alternatives to our community. Located only minutes away from the San Antonio International Airport. Call us today to schedule a free consultation when you mention this ad!

BEAUTY & WELLNESS BLUE LILY WELLNESS SPA 5800 Broadway St., Ste. 105 210-832-8611 www.bluelilysa.com

Our services are proven methods to enhance your Mind-Body-Spirit. Detoxification is essential to enhance your quality of life by not giving a portal for toxins to decay and disease your body. Come enjoy our many wellness services including massage therapy, Raindrop technique, Feldenkrais technique, hot stone therapy, aromatherapy, infrared sauna, biomat, Muse Meditation Made Easy, oxygen-infused aromatherapy. Ionic foot detox, organic salt and herb foot soak, and our yoga classes. Our services and products are the highest quality from the purest natural and organic sources. See display ad on page 2.

7300 Blanco, #604 210-524-9744 Facebook: IppodaroSalon

Offering a wholesome, organic approach to hair and life! Make an appointment today for hair, nails and skin care. We use OWAY Organic Color products. See display ad on page 11.

BODYWORK/MASSAGE Stone Ridge Market location: 21019 US Hwy 281 N 210-497-7770 Alon Town Centre location: 10003 NW Military 210-541-4050 www.elementsmassage.com

Not all massage is created equal! Experience the rejuvenating benefits of massage therapy including relief from back and neck pain, stress reduction, increased circulation and improved range of motion. Therapeutic massage is a medically proven method of supporting your health and wellness. Call to schedule your appointment today!

BOOKKEEPING P&L BOOKKEEPING

Paul Creagh 210-264-9430 [email protected]

Bookkeeping you can count on. Our goal is to free you up to focus on growing your business—leave the bookkeeping to us!

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES OLIVER CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Emily Oliver, DC 110 Melrose Place 210-826-3292

COUNSELING JAYNE MORGAN-KIDD, MC LPC Now two locations: North Central and Alamo Heights 210-393-8663 www.jaynemorgankidd.com

Jayne is a licensed professional counselor who practices innovative techniques including EFT and EMDR treatments designed to clear your negative emotions, beliefs and behaviors, giving you freedom to live a happier, more fulfilling life. She is also a Sound Therapy practitioner; this unique non-invasive therapy involves the use of tuning forks to alleviate discomfort, generate relaxation and restore your spirit. See display ad on page 11.

JEANNE STRAUSS, LCSW 210-787-6384 www.jeannestrauss.com

Offering a whole-person, life-change approach to therapy. Jeanne offers counseling to both individuals and couples, psychotherapy, life coaching and hypnotherapy with specializations in relationships, anxiety and stress, self-esteem and life transitions. See display ad on page 12.

VENUS SPRINGS

Advocacy for Community Enrichment, LLC 17000 San Pedro, Ave. #1103 210-585-4069 www.venussprings.org

Our mission is to provide guidance with creative insight to help light your path to transformation, growth and healing. At Venus Springs we approach mental health services with a holistic vision. We focus on mindful practices, the arts and agriculture to enrich the lives of people in our community. We offer counseling, workshops, support groups, individual, couples and family therapy for adults, adolescents and children (online and telephone sessions are also available). New clients receive a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation. Sliding scale and flexible session times are available. Accepting BCBS, TriCare, American Behavioral and Magellan. *New clients receive a free yoga class.*

Alternative H Dentistry

DR. PAUL G. WILKE,

Board Certified Biologi

DENTAL SERVICES At Total Mo th Fitne , o r

o erall health o o r atient TOTAL MOUTH FITNESS to a higher tan ar in the Dr. Paul Wilke 14310 Northbrook, bio o Suite atible 150aterial on 210-495-5588

www.totalmouthfitness.com We help you heal naturally and pain biologic dentist. free and now offer the latest in laser Dr. Paul Wilke is a board-certified SP C AL N N Total Mouth Fitness offers adult and children’s Dr. Paul Wilke has been technology to manage pain, increase orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, full hygienics, serving San Antonio with mobility, reduce inflammation and speed • A Zirconia lt an Chil ren rt safe Mercury amalgam removal, implants, safe and innovative dental recovery. See display ad on page 11. • Co eti enti try • F l dental surgery, deep bleaching. See display ad on procedures for more than page 14. • Sa e Mer ry A alga years. He is one of the first dentists in the nited States to become Board Certified in Biological Dentistry. NaturalAwakeningsSA.com

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www.TotalMouthFitness.com | 1

DENTAL SERVICES (CONT) WHOLESOME DENTISTRY

Dr. Edith Peña 8502 Blanco Rd. 210-344-2384 www.wholesomedentistry.com Come see us and feel safe. We provide integrative dental care for adults and children. See display ad on page 11.

ELECTRODERMAL SCREENING ELECTRODERMAL SCREENING

Whole Body Assessment Anna Baldwin, Certified EDS Practitioner & Herbalist 210-274-6041 www.abundanthealthwellnesstexas.com

A customized EDS session can uncover vitamin and mineral deficiencies, body system imbalances, allergies, viruses, bacteria, parasites, candida, fungus and heavy metal toxicity. Emphasis on digestive health, cleansing and nutrition. More than 2,200 professional-strength homeopathics, radionics, herbs, organic whole food vitamins and minerals, flower essences and enzymatic therapy products to assist in bringing your body back to abundant health and wellness.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE LAWRENCE “LARRY” COHEN, M.D. Medical Director, The Center for Complementary Medicine 7300 Blanco Rd., #503 210-733-0990 www.complemed.net

Classically trained and former emergency room physician offers a full complement of therapies to treat people, taking a whole person perspective. Ask about our Intravenous Nutrition protocol we are using to aid the body in healing itself from the inside out. See display ad on page 23.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE & HOLISTIC HEALTH OF SAN ANTONIO Louis H. Esquivel, M.D. Medical Director 3740 Colony Dr., #LL102, SA 210-745-0918 www.dresquivel.com

Dr. Esquivel is a licensed family physician with more than 25 years of practice experience. His medical practice is known for its unique blending of the best of conventional medicine and holistic methods of healing to promote optimum patient care. Visit his website for more information, and sign up for his free monthly newsletter. See display ad on page 21.

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HYPNOSIS HOLISTIC HYPNOSIS OF TEXAS

Paula Marsh, RDH, CCH 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Ste. 19205-A 210-355-3755 [email protected]

DIET & HEALTH CENTER

Beverly Meyer, Clinical and Holistic Nutritionist 210-836-0034 www.ondietandhealth.com

Award-winning natural health blogger and podcaster in practice since 1985. Specializing in chronic health problems including autoimmune, intestinal, anxiety Offering a holistic, effective and fatigue. Accepting clients of all ages ready to get to approach to understanding, work. See my library of health articles, podcasts, recipes enriching and mastering your life. and Paleo Diet DVD on the website. Holistic Hypnosis of Texas can help with smoking cessation, HYPNOTHERAPY weight control, motivation and confidence, fears and Dr. M.D. Witt & Sara Pulath-Witt phobias, past life regression and much more. See 8626 Tesoro Rd, Ste. 205 M display ad on page 10.

210-792-4921 www.SanAntonioHypnotherapyCenter.com

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH ALPHA ALTERNATIVE CARE CENTER

Dr. Doreen Lewis 210-764-5731 1004 Central Pkwy S. in San Antonio www.sanantonionutrition.org

In support of holistic and integrative health, we offer a full complement of hypnotherapy services at affordable rates to promote the well-being of our clients. With 20 years of experience, we specialize in deep learning and retraining the subconscious for many issues, such as habit removal, fears and phobias, smoking and weight management. Please visit our website for more information.

ACA Board Certified in Internal Diagnosis, ACA Board Certified in Nutrition, INTEGRATIVE FAMILY MEDICINE Dr. Simone Norris, MD Certified in Acupuncture, Christian 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy Family Chiropractor. We are a full ser210-888-1817 • www.ifmofsa.com vice, professionally staffed, Christian Five minutes with your doctor isn’t office that utilizes a completely holistic enough; that’s why an initial consultation approach to evaluate and treat you. with Dr. Simone Norris is typically 60-90 minutes. Integrative Family Medicine is committed to bringing you and your family the best value in high-quality, ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE patient-focused, holistic primary care. Dr. Norris and Barbara McDermott, BBA her team combine the best of traditional WesternCNM, CNHP, CCH based scientific medicine with complementary and 830-832-8304 alternative approaches that allow the body to access www.allaboutlivinghealthy.net its own innate healing abilities. See display ad on Boerne, San Antonio, page 20. New Braunfels, San Marcos Natural-Alternative Solutions to Health LIFE MOTIVATIONS Problems. Over 20 years experience in Elizabeth Keller, NP natural/holistic healthcare, Live & Dried Holistic Nurse Practitioner Blood Cell Analysis, Urine & Saliva 210-473-1619 Analysis, Hair Analysis, Complete, www.lifemotivationssa.com Whole Body Workup, Far Infrared Therapy - Fibro, Services offered include weight loss with HCG, chronic fatigue, allergies, etc. bioidentical hormone replacement, counseling and life coaching, integrative psychiatry and functional BRAIN BALANCE medicine. Dr. Zach Petter, DC, and Amanda Petter

North Central San Antonio: 1742 N. Loop 1604 E., Ste. 121 210-620-7378 West San Antonio: 6419 W. Loop 1604 N., Ste. 108 210-620-7378 New Braunfels: 1551 N. Walnut Ave., Ste. 1 830-609-9525 www.brainbalancecenters.com

We offer an individualized, comprehensive, nonmedical approach to helping children with neurobehavioral and learning difficulties overcome their unique challenges. Our program has helped thousands of kids reach their physical, social/behavioral and academic potential. Specializing in children with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia and Asperger’s. See display ad on page 18.

THE CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 7300 Blanco Rd, #503 210-733-0990 www.complemed.net

Experience and care are found within this group of independent practitioners working together with your best interest in mind. Come experience a more integrative approach to care, where an MD, homeopath and psychologist cooperate, and where specialists in nutrition, body work, acupuncture, hypnotherapy and other therapies work together to treat the whole person. See display ad on page 23.

LIFE ENRICHMENT THE CRYSTAL MYSTIC

4703 Shavano Oak, Ste. 100 210-800-2103 www.thecrystalmystic.com

The Crystal Mystic is San Antonio’s newest metaphysical store, offering enchanting crystals, magical jewelry and inner transformation. We also offer intuitive counseling, tarot, clairvoyance, books, incense, Reiki, angelic and spiritual guidance and Shamanic healing. See display ad on page 16.

UNLIMITED THOUGHT LIFE ENRICHMENT CENTER & BOOKSTORE 5525 Blanco Road 210-525-0693 www.unlimited-thought.com

Unlimited Thought, the “how to improve your life” store, has been dedicated to the expansion of consciousness since its inception in 1987. We are a full-service specialty bookstore and learning center offering classroom and meeting room space. The center provides daily classes, activities and seminars and monthly Body-MindSpirit fairs. Affiliated practitioners offer intuitive counseling, telephone counseling, massage therapy and energy work. Come see the Southwest’s largest assortment of books, CDs and audio tapes on all spiritual and philosophical traditions and our large collection of unusual gifts, jewelry, crystals and stones, incense, candles, massage, essential oils and much more.

MINDFULNESS MINDFULNESS NOW

Opening to a Fuller Life Sue Yeo 210-529-0913 [email protected] www.mindfulnessnowsa.com

Want to reduce your level of stress or enhance the quality of your life? Practicing mindfulness can help you. Key elements of mindfulness training provide you with the skills for a more positive and compassionate response to everyday challenges. Sue provides monthly mindfulness sessions and is leading an 8-week course for stress reduction starting early next year. Sue is also available for one-on-one sessions.

REIKI BRIANA BROOKS

REIKI/HYPNOSIS 210-365-1400 www.brianabrooks.net

CAROLYN MALONEY REGISTERED REIKI TEACHER REIKI SAN ANTONIO 210-289-9722 www.reikisanantonio.com

I have been a Reiki Teacher/Sensei since 1995, teaching locally, and an Adjunct Instructor at SAC, Nursing from 1998 to 2011. Reiki San Antonio is built on the principles of ethics, honor, quality and providing reliable service. Our diversified range in teaching continues to grow by following trends, improving our standards, and listening to the students and clients.

ECKANKAR

Eckankar Center of San Antonio 1603 W. Lullwood (off 1700 block of West Hildebrand) 210-737-6863 www.eckankar-texas.org

Visit www.eckankar-texas.org for information on HU chants, discussions, worship services, videos and classes held at the ECK Center and other locations.

THERMOGRAPHY DITI IMAGING

10918 Vance Jackson, Ste. 101 210-705-1232 www.ditiimaging.com

SCHOOLS TEXAS HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY Auxiliary Classroom in San Antonio 9240 Guilbeau Road 210-901-1234 www.thsu.edu

Thanks to a collaboration between THSU and University of the Incarnate Word, you can now take classes toward a master’s/bachelor’s degree in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine right here in San Antonio at the UIW Saidoff Center. The next session starts Jan. 4, 2017. Visit www.thsu.edu to learn more. See display ad on page 15.

SOUND THERAPY

Digital thermography is a “do no harm” approach to breast screening that does not require a doctor’s referral and is totally pain free—nothing touches the body. Early detection is important, and thermography is a great way to help identify an abnormal physiology. When used with other procedures, the best possible evaluation of breast health is made. See display ad on page 20.

YOGA AC POWER YOGA

Amanda Cepeda 210-296-7718 www.acpoweryoga.com 3609 Broadway, SA 78209

SOUND THERAPY

With Crystal Singing Bowls Flicka Rahn - M.M., M.S. 7122 San Pedro, Ste. 106 888-841-4034, 210-967-4400 www.integrativehealingsa.com

Experience the healing tones emanating from 99.9 percent pure crystal singing bowls. The vibrations from the tones are effective for chakra balancing, pain reduction, achieving a meditative healing state and improving physical function. Call today to schedule a session.! See display ad on page 13.

SPIRITUALITY CENTER FOR PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY

Don’t let the past steal your present. ~Taylor Caldwell

The Living Church of Today 7150 W. IH-10, in the Jefferson Building 210-201-3396 • www.c4ps.org

Replenish, renew, rejuvenate. Join us Sundays 2-3 p.m. The Center for Practical Spirituality (C4PS) practices an extremely positive approach to life, seeking to accept the good in all people and in all life. God is seen as having many attributes, the most important being, “God is LOVE.” See display ad on page 15.

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Natural Awakenings San Antonio FOR SALE! For more information, visit our website NaturalAwakeningsFranchise.com or call 239-530-1377

*Natural Awakenings recently received the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review.

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WANT TO CONNECT WITH OUR READERS? THREE -MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR AND MARKETING PLANNER

Health & Wellness Issue plus: Affordable Complementary Care Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Acupuncture • Alternative Healing • Chiropractic Energy Healing • Fitness Centers/Gyms Integrative & Natural Healthcare Providers Herbalists • Holistic Dermatology • Massage Natural/Organic Foods • Physical Therapy Weight Loss • Wellness Trainers • Yoga ... and this is just a partial list!

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Conscious Dying

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plus: Children’s Dental Health

Our Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Earth-Friendly Burial Services • Estate Attorneys Estate Auction Houses • Faith & Charitable Ministries Family Counselors • Financial Planners • Florists Hospice & Care Facilities • Sacred Dying Doulas Holistic Dental Care • Orthodontists Periodontists • Alternative Pediatric Physicians ... and this is just a partial list!

Food Sensitivities plus: Holistic Eye Care

Readers Are Seeking These Providers & Services: Allergists • Cooking Classes Co-op Marketers • Dietitians & Nutritionists Garden Supplies • Health Food Stores Healthy Restaurants • Herbalists • Homeopathy Natural Eye Care • Natural Health/Vision Supplements Senior/Sports Eye Care Specialists ... and this is just a partial list!

To advertise or participate in our next issue, contact 210-854-0362 or [email protected].

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