February 2016 Natural Awakenings Peace River

The Power of Friendship

It Sustains, Nourishes and Supports Us

Your Mouth Tells a Story

Oral Health Offers Clues to Whole-Body Health

Today’s Best TweetsBird Watching for Beginners

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

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February 2016 | Englewood • North Port • Port Charlotte • Punta Gorda • Venice | PeaceRiverNA.com

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As we transition away from the season of New Year’s resolutions into

the month synonymous with romance, now is a perfect opportunity to pause and reflect on all the positive relationships that enrich our lives. Love is undoubtedly in the air this time of year, and our February issue is filled with tips for enhancing your intimate connections—both romantic and otherwise.

A cornerstone of any healthy, meaningful relationship is understanding and validating the other person’s point of view, so be sure to read “The Art of Deep Listening” for advice on cultivating this skill. Also, environmentally-conscious couples (and singles, too!) will enjoy our “Green Dating” feature. And, let’s not forget about friendships—check out “Friends are the Family We Choose,” which celebrates those bonds that keep us grounded and make our days brighter.

February isn’t all starry-eyed bliss, though. Instead, it might leave feelings of guilt when your Valentine plies you with chocolate, candy hearts and other sweet treats. So, if these well-intentioned gifts distract you from eating healthy, our “Ancient Grains 101” article will help you rediscover balanced nutrition. But, by all means—indulge in moderation!

As always, feel free to email any comments or suggestions to [email protected]. I hope you’ll find this issue both enlightening and enjoyable. Happy Valentine’s Day, dear readers!

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5natural awakenings February 2016

14

6 newsbriefs

10 healthbriefs

12 globalbriefs

14 ecotip

19 wisewords

20 greenliving

21 consciouseating

24 naturalpet

25 inspiration

26 calendar

26 classifieds

31 resourceguide

10

12

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

16 THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP It Sustains, Nourishes and Supports Us by Judith Fertig

19 ALYSSA MILANO’S ANTI-AGING SECRETS Her Natural Lifestyle Choices Keep Her Young by Gerry Strauss

20 ECO-FRIENDLY DATING Going Online Makes it Easier by Avery Mack

21 ANCIENT GRAINS FOR MODERN PALATES Gluten-Free and Eco-Friendly Grains Gain Favor by Judith Fertig

24 BIRD-WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS Start with a Bird Feeder and Binoculars by Sandra Murphy

16

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Siesta Dental Offers Solution to Help Prevent Snoring

Snoring is not only embarrassing, but it can also negatively affect on your physical

and mental health. Habitual snorers face an increased risk of developing multiple serious health problems. Snoring is often left untreated, as few people realize the consequences or the danger they are in.

In fact, snoring can become more harmful than being overweight, smoking or having high cholesterol. So, if you are a snorer and want to protect yourself these health concerns, there are solutions like using an Anti-Snoring Jaw Supporter.

When your jaw opens during sleep, your tongue moves to the back of your throat, blocking your airways and limiting the air you can inhale. As previously described, oxygen that cannot pass through this airway causes the noisy vibrations we all know as snoring.

The Stop Snoring Today chin strap works by supporting the jaw and keeping both the jaw and tongue in correct alignment, thereby preventing the airway from becoming obstructed. This helps correct the irritating and potentially dangerous issue of snoring.

Made from lightweight materials with the sleeper’s maximum comfort in mind, this chin strap has helped thousands get the sleep their bodies need each night. Because Stop Snoring Today is certain the chin strap will solve your sleep apnea problems, this product is offered with a 30-day money back guarantee. There is no risk in testing out this life-changing device.

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spotlightartistYou Are LoveGloria di Simone

Artist Gloria di Sim-one’s featured cover painting, You Are Love, reflects her long-held passion for color. She refers to her paintings as “axquarelli”, her unique variation on the Italian word for watercolor, saying, “They are—tempera—a rather diluted paint on watercolor paper.” In many of her paintings, she also adds diamond water and gold for un-usual effects. “My images are focused on vibra-tion and energy,” explains di Simone. She leads workshops in creative painting that focus on freeing the inner child in everyone. “My creativity and passion for color has been my life focus, and it brings me great joy to share that,” says di Simone. She describes her axquarelli paintings as intuitive and heartwarming: “I hope they bring peace and exude a balancing of envi-ronmental energies.” Through her innate abilities, she blends colors to embed her paintings with healing vibrations. A native of Naples, Italy, di Simone current-ly makes her home there after spending 28 years in Rome. In addition to being an artist, she has also worked as an architect, graphic designer, art director, furniture designer and teacher.

View the artist’s portfolio at GloriaDiSimone.WordPress.com.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call 941-564-0885

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The Hidden DeficiencyHaving the proper amount of iodine in our system at all times is critical to overall health, yet the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that iodine deficiency is increasing drastically in light of an increasingly anemic national diet of unpronounceable additives and secret, unlabeled ingredients. This deficit now affects nearly three-quarters of the population.

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A Growing EpidemicSymptoms range from extreme fatigue and weight gain to depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, fibrocystic breasts and skin and hair problems. This lack of essential iodine can also cause infertility, joint pain, heart disease and stroke. Low iodine levels also have been associated with breast and thyroid cancers; and in children, intellectual disability, deafness, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impaired growth, according to studies by Boston University and the French National Academy of Medicine.

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healthbriefs

Kids Get Fewer Cavities When Mothers Chew Xylitol GumResearch published in the

International Journal of Pae-diatric Dentistry has concluded mothers that chew natural xy-litol gum regularly will signifi-cantly reduce oral infections of mutans streptococcus bacteria in their infants. Five research teams and 11 randomized studies of 601 mothers and their children showed 46 percent fewer infections of the bacteria, which is the central species responsible for dental caries and periodontal disease. The studies included children that were 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months old. Other research supports the claim of xylitol’s beneficial nature. A study from the University of Manchester, in England, analyzing data from 4,216 schoolchildren, showed that using toothpaste containing xylitol with fluoride resulted in 13 percent less tooth decay than using toothpaste with fluoride only.

Note: Xylitol is toxic to dogs; if ingested, consult a veterinarian.

Olive Oil Compound Kills Cancer CellsResearchers from Rutgers University have found

that an ingredient in olive oil will kill cancer cells in under an hour. The researchers tested a compound called oleocanthal, a central component of extra virgin olive oil, and found that it caused the premature death of cancer cells in the laboratory by puncturing cancer cell vesicles, called lysosomes. “We needed to determine if oleocanthal was targeting that protein and causing the cells to die,” says Paul Breslin, Ph.D., a professor of nutritional sciences in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers and co-author of the study, published in Molecular and Cellular Oncology. The research also found that the olive oil compound didn’t damage healthy cells. Breslin states that the compound merely “put them to sleep” for a day, after which they resumed their normal, healthy functioning. Senior author David Foster, Ph.D., of Hunter College, points out that additional studies are necessary to determine if the compound halts tumor growth. “We also need to understand why it is that cancerous cells are more sensitive to oleocanthal than non-cancerous cells,” he says.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Neti Pot Solutions for Sinus ProblemsNeti pots, used for centuries in Asian

cultures to support nasal health and eliminate toxins from the nasal mucosa, have become increasingly popular in the Western world.

People use the small Aladdin’s lamp-looking pots to help flush sinuses, usually by pouring a mild solution of unrefined sea salt and water from one nostril through the other (avoid common table salt because it can irritate mucous membranes). The process flushes out unwanted mucus, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms.

Frequent nasal flushing is credited with preventing and relieving sinus infections. Some experts recommend a stronger remedy if an infection is present.

“The bacteria and fungus stick rather well to the nasal mucosa and few are flushed out with saline flushes,” remarks Herbalist Steven Frank, of Nature’s Rite, LLC. “Most of these nasty pathogens adhere to the mucosa with what is called a biofilm. Within this slime layer, they are well protected and thrive within the warm moist sinuses, so a small saline bath once a day doesn’t bother them much at all.”

To deal with stubborn sinus problems, Frank likes using the neti pot with a colloidal silver wash that is retained in the nostrils for ten minutes. This can be supported with regular intra-nasal spraying of the colloid throughout the day.

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High-Fructose Sweetener Aggravates Asthma and BronchitisA large study from the New York Medical College and the University of

Massachusetts found that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is linked to a greater risk of asthma and chronic bronchitis. The research included 2,801 people between the ages of 20 and 55 years old. The scientists utilized health data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2003 to 2006 to compare people with a history of chronic bronchitis. The study measured the types of soft drinks consumed, eliminat-ing risks related to known asthma relationships such as smoking. The researchers found those that drank five or more HFCS-containing sodas per week had an 80 percent increased incidence of chronic bronchitis. Greater intake of HFCS has also been linked with higher risk of other health conditions, including diabetes and obesity.

Bifidobacteria Probiotic Fends Off Colds and FluIn a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition,

researchers found that supplementing with bifido-bacteria probiotics will reduce colds and flu. The study followed 581 college students for six weeks as they prepared for their final exams. During the study period, the students consumed a placebo or a daily supplement with one of three probiotics, including Bifidobacterium bifidum. The students given the bifidum supplement expe-rienced significantly fewer cold or flu infections, and when they did succumb, the infection was generally less severe. The other probiotic supplements did not reduce colds or flu compared to the placebo for the six weeks.

Kids Learn Social Skills Through Pretending and JokingResearch published in the journal

Cognitive Science has found that toddlers with parents that played with them using humor and fantasy gained increased skills for learning, imagin-ing and bonding, along with thinking in abstract ways. The researchers tested children between 16 and 24 months old in two phases. The first utilized action play among 25 kids and the second utilized verbal play among 40 children. The parents and children pretended to do activities such as washing their hands with no soap or creating situations using a toy. During the second phase, the children and parents played around jokingly by using words, identifying things in funny ways and making believe they were doing things. The researchers found that jok-ing and pretend play allowed the kids to distinguish cues that helped them communicate and develop skills to understand intentions. The study also found that older toddlers relied more on verbal cues to understand pre-tending and joking communications.Mediterranean Diet Sustains

More Youthful Brain SizesAs we age, our brains shrink, a condition

linked to cognitive impairment. Accord-ing to a study from Columbia University, a healthy diet can help reduce such occurrences. The researchers studied 674 adults with an average age of 80. They were divided into two groups, depending upon their diets, and given magnetic resonance imaging scans to measure total brain volume and thickness.

It was found that those following diets that most closely resembled the Med-iterranean diet—less meat and more vegetables and fish—had larger brain sizes with less shrinking. The researchers equated the average size difference between the groups to about five years of aging. Dr. Yian Gu, a neuropsychology professor at Columbia University, says, “This is another study consistent with previous studies that indicate the Mediterranean diet is an overall healthy diet.”


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

Nice SpiceMcCormick Going Non-GMOMcCormick, the world’s largest spice company, plans to eliminate almost all genetically modi-fied (GMO) ingredients from their product line by 2016. In response to increased consumer demand for healthier options, 80 percent of its overall gourmet herb and spice business in the U.S. will be both organic and non-GMO by 2016, as well as all McCormick-branded herbs, spices and extracts sold in the U.S. They will voluntarily label the updated products to inform consumers as part of a commitment to transparency and consumer education. The first product introduced, a non-GMO vanilla extract, is already available. McCormick also uses steam treatments in its processing to preserve the health benefits of spices instead of the ionizing irradiation used by competitors. Although food radiation is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some stud-ies link it to significant health problems. “Our consumers are increasingly interested in quality flavors with pure ingredients in their food,” says McCormick President and Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Kurzius. “Our efforts prove that we are listening to consumers and are committed to continuing to evolve.”

Source: NaturalNews.com

Green GoalpostsSuper Bowl Eco-Stadium Gains National SpotlightThe 50th Super Bowl will take place February 7 at the brand-new Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara, outside San Francisco, and the anniversary isn’t the only thing that’s

historic. As part of a trend toward sustainability in ath-letic facilities, it’s the greenest and most technological-ly advanced professional football stadium in the U.S. The structure is designed to support sustainability, located on a site with accessible public transportation plus a bike path to encourage fans to pedal to and from games. Its predominantly open and airy, environ-mentally friendly building plan also takes advantage of the Silicon Valley climate. One outstanding feature is the green roof atop the suite tower on the west side of the stadium. Another is the three solar bridges connecting the main parking area to the stadium that generate energy from hundreds of solar panels. All of the wood used was repurposed from a lo-cal airplane hangar at Moffett Field, in Mountain View, California, and other reclaimed building products

were used where possible. Reclaimed water sources serve potable and non-pota-ble uses, including playing field irrigation. The local suppliers providing farm-to-table food menus also are required to practice composting and recycling to the greatest extent possible.

For more information, visit LevisStadium.com.

Seeing ChangeYoung Children Can Unlearn Racial SterotypingNew research by Paul Quinn, a profes-sor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Delaware, and his collaborators across the globe, have found a simple exercise that can undo the unconscious racial biases that may begin to develop as early as infancy. Quinn learned that 3-month-olds begin showing a visual preference for the same race they see most often in their daily lives. By 9 months, infants not only distinguish racial categories, but also become less able to tell differ-ent individuals apart if they are mem-bers of a less-familiar race. In the experiment, the scientists morphed together photos of African and Asian faces to create ambiguous images that looked equally African and Asian. As a result, Quinn reports, “At 9 months, they didn’t respond to the differences between the African and Asian categories, but instead they had two less discriminatory broad catego-ries; ‘own race’ and ‘other race’. We think it might be a precursor to an ini-tial ‘in group/out group’ differentiation and suggest that perceptual and social processing of faces may overlap, even in infants.”

Source: LaboratoryEquipment.com

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Lions UntamedShrine Circus Ends Wild Animal Acts

Bill Cunningham, CEO of Dallas-based Fun Time Shows, the largest Shrine Circus producer in the country, says he’ll no longer produce shows featuring elephants, tigers, lions or other wild animals. Cunningham says, “These animals are very special; we cohabit the Earth with them and they are deserv-

ing of our respect and awe. They’re not here to perform tricks for our entertainment.” He says, “I’ve tried to listen to the mothers that said they didn’t want their kids to grow up and learn that the animals they saw had been probed, poked, prodded and chained to a floor.” The move has received an outpouring of support from outside the industry, including People for the Ethical Treat-ment of Animals. Cunningham’s Shrine Circuses will still feature high wire acts, human cannonballs, trapeze artists and motorcycle tricks, along with performing horses and dogs. “The horses and dogs act in true collaboration with their owners,” says Cunningham. “We feel the audience still wants to see domestic animals.”

Source: GreenSourceDFW.org

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Eco-CappuccinoReducing Coffee Shop WasteFor many, getting a coffee to go at a favorite spot on the way to work or while dropping the kids off at school and running errands is a weekday ritual. It also warms up the body on cold mornings in northern regions this time of year. The java might taste even better if we reduce the amount of waste traditional-ly involved. Here are a few ways to better cherish Earth’s resources. Avoid the paper cup; carry a reusable thermos or insulated bottle instead as a matter of routine. Author and activist Beth Terry, in her book Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Habit and How You Can Too suggests both stainless steel beverage containers and mugs. She also recommends glass mason jars and points out that EcoJarz

ecotiprecently began making stainless steel caps and lids instead of plastic. Learn more at MyPlastic FreeLife.com. Terry further cites the unhealthy aspects of continual use of paper cups because, “Many are lined with

plastic, and the plastic lids are often the equivalent of Styrofoam.” If caught without a favorite reusable container, Treehugger.com’s Katherine Martinko recommends at least giving an old paper cup one more turn. “It’s not a zero waste solution, but if you’ve already got a paper cup in your car or kitchen, you might as well extend its life. Wash and hand it over the next time you get a coffee,” she suggests. “It will still do the job.” For those that add cream, milk or sug-ar to coffee, consider the waste involved just in the plastic and wood stirrers provided by the shop that are tossed in the trash after serving their one-time function. “Avoid all of them,” advises Terry. “Carry a clean utensil in the car,”

such as a bamboo tableware or a spork (combination spoon and fork). Cutting down or weaning off of dairy, sugar and especially sugar substitutes is another healthful move.


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Childhood friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck collaborated on the Oscar-winning screenplay

for Good Will Hunting. Fierce tennis competitors Serena Williams and Car-oline Wozniacki like to get together for a gal-pal getaway after a major match. Country music artists Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood married following an 18-year friendship; “We had a lot more in common than I ever dreamed we did,” says Brooks. Rafts of research confirm how friendship enriches us. Carlin Flora, of New York City, spent years as a Psy-chology Today writer and editor before penning Friendfluence: The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We Are. She notes that among the varied and perhaps unforeseen benefits, friend-ships can help us “shed pounds, sleep better, stop smoking and even survive a major illness.”

An ongoing, two-decade-plus study of nearly 1,500 seniors by the Flinders University Centre for Ageing Studies, in Australia, found those with a large network of friends outliving others with the fewest friends by 22 percent. The University of Chicago National Opinion Research Center also reports people with five or more close friends as 50 percent more likely to describe themselves as “very happy” than those maintaining fewer confidants. “Friends past and present play powerful and often unappreciated roles in determining our sense of self and the direction of our lives,” says Flora. “Even in a supposedly merito-cratic society, friends give jobs and assignments to each other, so having friends that share your career interests and aspirations can get you much farther than you could ever get on your own.”

Make New Friends, Keep the OldToday, making and keeping friends can be challenging, due to distance, frequent life changes, overprotective parenting and substituting social media for more intimate face time. It all makes friendship more fluid than we might realize, says Shasta Nelson, the San Francisco founder of GirlFriendCircles.com, a women’s friendship matching site and author of Friendships Don’t Just Happen: The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends, plus the upcoming book, Frientimacy, about deepening such relationships. “Most of us replace half of our close friends every seven years,” says Nelson. Although this might seem alarming, she considers it a natural ebb and flow. “We all need a couple of very close friends, while others that come and go might just be what we currently need—at work or school, among first-time parents, in a new neighborhood, starting a job, in retirement or during some other life change,” she says. Canadian Greg Tjosvold, a married middle school teacher in Vancouver, Canada, has enjoyed great friendships with women, including his wife, partly because he doesn’t relate to men’s gen-erally competitive nature and interest in sports. But when a close female friend moved away, he wanted to expand his circle to include men. He joined a group called The Barley Brethren that sample craft beers and talk about life. Although not into suds, he values “having a safe and enjoyable place to discuss deep issues, victories and temporary setbacks.” He admits, “That’s over-simplification, though.” Finding a group of men he can feel a part of has validated him, making this unique man still feel like one of the guys. Nelson categorizes the concen-tric circles of developing friendship as starting with a mutually agreeable acquaintance or contact, and then mov-ing emotionally closer with someone that we find similarities with. Then the original bond can enter the confirmed friend category. A group of friends, like a longtime book club, can constitute a community. The highest level is the committed friend that has evolved into a trusted and valuable life companion.

THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP

It Sustains, Nourishes and Supports Us

by Judith Fertig

For a reason, a season or a lifetime, friends help us cope with challenges, motivate our best work and celebrate life. Friendships take many forms, crossing generations and self-imposed boundaries, and even spring up between unlikely confidants.


Sarah Huntsman Reed, a medical counselor in Kansas City, Missouri, has such a lifelong friend. She met Doug Reed, now a pharmacist, when both were in their high school musical, Once Upon a Mattress. Reed had a great sense of humor, Sarah remembers. “He’s still the most honest yet kindest person I’ve met,” she says. Soon, their mothers became friends, too, and the two teens would pair up for family weddings. Then she went to college and married and he moved away; yet they stayed in touch through mutual friends and their moms, catching up in person when he returned to his hometown. Seventeen years after they first met, by which time Sarah was divorced, the two discussed taking their friendship to the next level and soon married. “It was a big decision to commit, because we knew so much about each other,” she says. “But we prefer each other’s compa-ny, and it was the best thing we ever did.”

Safety NetIn trying times, friends can surround us with positive energy, says Madisyn Taylor, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the spiritual blog DailyOm, in Ashland,

Hallmarks of good friendship include

staying in touch and being consistently positive

and vulnerable, so as we reveal ourselves over time, we can be authentic

with each other. How to Make Good Friends

by Shasta Nelson

Three Necessary IngredientsBoth friendship and romantic bonds are developed when three things occur: We feel satisfied, which hap-pens when an interaction has more positivity than negativity. We feel safe, which comes when we commit to consistent time with each other. We feel seen, which we experience when we practice revealing ourselves and expressing vulnerability. Here’s a formula for creating meaningful connections: Positivity + Consistency + Vulnerability = Frientimacy.

Two StepsIt usually takes most people six to eight interactions with someone new before they start feeling like friends. The sooner they schedule such occa-sions, the sooner the rewards.c Be open to making new friends.c Make the first move; repeat.

One RatioTo keep a friendship going, remember that it has to have a positivity-to-nega-tivity ratio of at least five-to-one. That means sharing five times more fun and feel-good moments than stressors that can range from disappointments and frustrations to jealousies. By defi-nition, to be and keep a good friend requires that both parties bring satisfy-ing positivity to the relationship.

Source: Adapted from Frientima-cy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Intimacy by Shasta Nelson; scheduled for release in March.

IT JUST KEEPSGETTING BETTER!Natural Awakenings’ healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app has a new look and more features.• Updated every month with new content• Search healthy products in our National Directory• Find your local magazine• Read feature stories En Español• Sign up for Promotions

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Oregon. “The people we love form a protective barrier that buffers and shields us from many of the world’s more crippling blows,” including receiving hurtful slights from others. How we make friends has been altered by today’s social landscape, which includes working parents and Amber Alerts. The days of children freely roaming their neighborhood discovering friends to play with are, unfortunately, over, says Jennifer S. White, a Toledo, Ohio, blogger and author of The Art of Parenting: Love Letters from a Mother. “My long-term friendships from childhood were all built around being neighbors and playing together just because we wanted to,” recalls White.


cial media [especially Facebook posts] is how I meet and make personal friends and keep in touch on a daily basis. As an expat, this is important because I often feel far from family and friends that understand me, share common interests and ideas and speak the same language—and I don’t necessarily mean English.” Her high-tech circle ranges from hometown pals to new friends in the food community and political forums. She raves, “It’s a place where I find them all at the same time!” Nelson remarks, “No one is saying Facebook should replace visits, nights

out and phone calls, but in a world where most of us wish we felt closer to a few more people, it doesn’t hurt to use every tool at our disposal for creat-ing connections.” Differences in age needn’t be a hurdle in forging friendships. Can-delaria Silva-Collins, an arts marketing professional in Boston, attended area social gatherings where she regularly encountered a museum director and his wife. “They seemed like a fantastic cou-ple,” she says, and began a friendship with the older woman, despite their being from different generations. “My friend teaches me a lot about being vital and vibrant,” she says.

Expanding CirclesBecoming friends with people of different ages, languages and social standing gives us a spiritual workout, advises Nelson. With a master’s degree in divinity, Nelson views friendship as a type of health club in which we develop our empathy, forgiveness and compassion muscles through practice. “Friendships are the way we become better people,” she says. Furthermore, the process, espe-cially with people unlike us, leads to a better world. “Being able to inherent-ly care for people we know makes it easier to do the same for people we’ve not met yet,” says Nelson. World peace happens one friend at a time.

Freelance writer Judith Fertig also blogs at AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

Everyone from contemporary scientists to ancient philosophers

agrees that having strong social bonds is probably

the most meaningful contributor to happiness. ~Gretchen Rubin, author of

The Happiness Project

With today’s safety concerns and work-life challenges, parents now set up playdates, a more structured, less organic way of fostering childhood friendships, and they must be proac-tive to ensure success. White has some misgivings about this modern-day approach. “When I think about that one little gleaming seed of truth at the heart of why, it’s often because I don’t think it’s fair that I have to be a popular ‘playdate mom’ for my kid to have some friends.”

Besties and BuddiesAutomatic playdates—with siblings—of-ten enhance family ties through lifelong friendships. Sally Ekus is a culinary talent representative in Florence, Massachusetts. Her younger sister, Amelia, is the general manager of Twitter Cafe, in New York City, and lives in Brooklyn. Both foodies have knife-and-fork tattoos. Sally is more into meal ingredients and preparation, while Amelia loves pouring wine and making sure everyone is comfortable. “Together,” says Sally, “we create total hospitality, from lavish Passover seders to Friday nights with friends.” She notes that her sister is the only other person who understands what the world looks like through the Ekus girls’ perspective. Some adults might never meet face-to-face, but become friends via social media. American Jamie Schler, co-owner of the Hotel Diderot, in Chinon, France, with her native-born husband, says, “So-

http://experiencelife.com/article/ageless-vitality/


wisewords

Alyssa Milano’s Anti-Aging Secrets

Her Natural Lifestyle Choices Keep Her Youngby Gerry Strauss

Alyssa Milano has grown up, and most of us have grown up

with her. From her days as preteen tomboy Samantha Miceli on Who’s the Boss? to witchy woman Phoebe Halliwell on Charmed, the actress has been a vibrant, relatable and beautiful persona we’ve come to know via television. She was even named a UNICEF ambassador in 2004. Today, with a young family, her Touch licensed sports apparel line, and the wisdom that accompanies adult-hood, her commitment to a natural, eco-friendly lifestyle has become anoth-er hallmark of her life. What connection do you see between eating organic foods and maintaining the energy level that your busy life requires?I think everything that you put into your body has a connection to how well we function in daily life. As a mom of two, eating organic is a priority; when organ-ic is not an option, it’s about finding the healthiest accessible choices. I eat tomatoes like other people eat fruit and love papaya. I would put avocado on anything. I also like to cook with healthful herbs and spices like garlic and onions, which is natural for an Italian like me. We keep genetically modified foods out of our house. Which fitness habits embodied by others have you made your own?In my Who’s the Boss? days, Tony Danza and Judith Light were always active

and athletic. Tony would bring in a tap dance teacher and Judith a pri-vate trainer during lunch breaks. Being tutored on the set, I had no physi-cal education classes or sports activities, so it was super-important for me to see how self-motivated they were to stay fit and in shape. Their example

instilled a desire to take care of myself as an adult. What role does nature play in your daily life?I love being outside in my organic garden three or more times a week. Also, the kids and I regularly head outside, which is an easy place to keep them happily and healthfully occupied without my having to jump through hoops. As an advocate of breast- feeding, which benefits do you think are especially good for mother and child?In the beginning, a primary benefit is giving your child quality nourishment, including healthy antibodies and other goodies to support health. As they start eating solids, it’s still about maintaining that intimate connection until they’re ready to be weaned and you’re ready to surrender this last physical bond. How do you balance family life with your acting career? It’s a hard balance for anyone, espe-cially one who’s detail-oriented and a bit of a perfectionist, like me. The most important thing is to be in the

moment, doing the best I can every day. I’ve also learned to be kind to myself when I’m failing to do so or something is annoying me due to some unfortunate imbalance. How do you and your husband keep both your friendship and love vibrant? We work hard at maintaining a good and healthy marriage, which can be tested in tough times. I believe that it’s vital to have the ability to laugh; you have to find humor in things, reminding yourself and each other that there is something funny in every daily activity, no matter how mun-dane or hard. When there’s no time to eat together or be intimate, shared laughter is an easy thing to achieve together. Done daily, it can only make the marriage stronger. We enjoy date nights once or twice a week when my parents take care of the kids. I’ll put on mascara and change out of yoga pants, even if we’re just hanging out together. Then we do little things like asking how each other’s day went and caring about the answer. We also look for ways we can help each other through-out the week. What actions does your family emphasize in being stewards of the Earth?We try to be as eco-friendly as possi-ble, including having lights on timers, conserving water and being kind to animals. I cannot stress how important it is to visit a farm and organic gardens and orchards with children so that they see where their food comes from. We can’t take good food for granted. In addition to a naturally healthy lifestyle, what else do you credit for your enduring youthfulness?My secret is happiness. I’ve always said that as long as my laugh lines are deeper than my frown lines, I’m living a good life. Gerry Strauss is a freelance writer in Hamilton, NJ. Connect at [email protected].


Americans are staying single lon-ger these days. Instead of mar-rying in our early 20s like in the

1960s, today we’re more likely to be upwards of 27 before committing. Ca-reers and family obligations are among the factors causing delays, allowing couples to learn what really matters before they walk down the aisle. “A good partner is someone that en-courages you to be your authentic self,” says Jill Crosby, host of the online dating website NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com from Mount Shasta, California. “There are always some compromises, but similar core values and respect for each other make a good relationship even better.” Online dating isn’t just for the un-married, post-college crowd. Widowed and divorced singles also find it a good way to ease into a renewed social life. According to a Northwestern University study, typical benefits include access to

professional matching, a wider range of singles and better communications with potential partners.

Identifying CandidatesDates can still spring from chance meetings, fix-ups by friends and family or workplace encounters, but these generally have the same success rate as finding the proverbial needle in a hay-stack. Adding must-have characteristics such as an eco-friendly lifestyle might land an aspirant in the shallow end of the dating pool unless it is pre-screened by a conscious dating site. Discovering a potential partner via a dedicated online site enables members to refine their list of desired attributes versus deal-breakers, modifying their own profile accordingly. Elements of success stories usually include both prospects keeping an open mind while exploring a mutually compatible dating site. Honest communication is the most vital link in this get-to-know-you venue, but the goal is to meet, not become pen pals. When interest proceeds beyond onsite messaging, texting may follow, which tends to diminish fears of saying the wrong thing that could delay or pre-vent a more in-depth reply. Textpert, a free app that crowdsources text messag-es, comes to the rescue with suggested responses by other members to help anyone encountering writer’s block.

Distance HurdlesLong distance isn’t often a deterrent when love is right. A California vegan that spent four years on multiple vegan dating sites found her match thousands of miles away in New York through NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com. When an eventual first meeting is more than a quick coffee date, prior Skype or FaceTime chats can confirm that the photo is current and messages were more than pickup lines. “Technology has made a tremen-dous difference in price, accessibility and reach,” says Crosby. “Members now post selfies as headshots, shoot their own videos and can access poten-tial matches anywhere in the world.”

Discerning Kindred Spirits

ECO-FRIENDLY

DATINGGoing Online

Makes it Easierby Avery Mack

Not all online relationships are love matches. Sometimes it’s enough to find like-minded people. “Natural AwakeningsSingles.com is a safe place to talk about spiritual awaken-ing without someone looking at you like you have three heads. I’ve met a number of people who speak my language,” says Sharmaine Monteith, a sales manager in Edmonton, Alber-ta, Canada. “When people care about the environment, it changes who they are and how they live. My profile maps my beliefs and my heart.” A University of Chicago study asked 20,000 people that married between 2005 and 2012 how they met. One third said online; half used another kind of dating service. Anoth-er telling statistic showed that those that met at work, in a bar or by blind date were 25 percent more likely to divorce. Researchers think this is because online daters know each other better before meeting. When folks fudge a bit in their profile, it’s mostly about weight and height.

Green Hot Spots“It’s easier to find a vegan date in the produce aisle of the grocery store than at the beach,” advises April Masini, a New York City author of four relation-ship books and the AskApril.com ad-vice column. “Whether you’re looking in person or online for dates, focus on the areas where you’d naturally find others who are green like you.” Com-munity gardens, river cleanups and Earth Day celebrations spring to mind. Make a green impression by wearing clothing made of sustainable fabrics and offering a small gift of a fair trade item, organic chocolates or native wildflower bouquet. The choice of going to a locally sourced restau-rant will include an eco-friendly ride to get there. A 2014 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 50 percent of Americans over the age of 16 are unmarried—yet most believe marriage is extremely important. With all the people still looking for love, online meet-ups can dramatically improve success.

Connect with the freelance writer via [email protected].

greenliving


Ancient Grains for Modern Palates

Gluten-Free and Eco-Friendly Grains Gain Favor

by Judith Fertig

consciouseating

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic and non-GMO (genetically modified) ingredients whenever possible.

Ancient grains are making a comeback. Grown since Neolithic times about 10,000

years ago, varieties of barley, corn, millet and rice have helped assuage the hunger of many communities. Today, yellow millet, dark red whole-grain sorghum, brown quinoa and exotic black rice can help alleviate food shortages. According to Harry Balzer, an ex-pert surveyor of food and diet trends with The NPD Group, concerns about grains and gluten have prompted about a third of Americans to try to cut back on both since 2012. About 1 percent of the population has celiac disease, estimates the Celiac Disease Foundation, but many more prefer not to eat gluten. Many ancient grains are naturally gluten-free, including amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, rice and teff. “Some think that a grain-free way

of eating is healthier and also better for the planet,” says food writer Maria Speck, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, author of Ancient Grains for Modern Meals and Simply Ancient Grains. “But that may be too simplistic, a characteristic of many diet trends.”

Better for Our HealthWhole grains fill us up and provide fiber, both necessary for maintaining optimum digestion and weight, says Kathleen Barnes, a widely published natural health expert in Brevard, North Carolina. Eating more whole grains has been previously associated with a lower risk of major diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, based on studies by the University of Minnesota and Lund University, in Sweden. Qi Sun, assistant profes-sor in the Harvard School of Public Health department of nutrition, agrees

that whole grains are one of the major healthful foods for prevention of major chronic diseases. He’s the lead author of a new Harvard study of data associ-ating consumption of whole grains with a 9 percent reduction in overall mortal-ity and up to 15 percent fewer cardio-vascular fatalities during two 25-year-long research initiatives that followed 74,000 woman and 43,000 men. The researchers cited substituting whole grains for refined grains and red meat as likely contributors to longer life. “Whole grains are nutritional powerhouses, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beneficial fiber and even some protein,” observes Speck. With a German father and a Greek mother, she grew up in two cul-tures where grains are a part of every-day meals. “We eat them because they taste good.”

Better for Local FarmersSourcing and eating more organic and GMO-free whole grains (absent modified genetics) can help support local farmers, Speck maintains. Choose barley from Four Star Farms, in Mas-sachusetts; heirloom grits from Anson Mills, in South Carolina; quinoa from White Mountain Farm, in Colorado; or heirloom Japanese rice from Koda Farms, in California.

Better for the PlanetAncient grains require fewer natural resources to plant, grow and harvest. According to the Water Footprint Net-work, a pound of beef, millet and rice require 1,851, 568 and 300 gallons of water, respectively, to produce. Substituting grains in diets is a sustainable alternative to meat, and they grow on grasslands that now inef-ficiently support livestock. According to University of Cambridge Professor of Engineering David MacKay, it takes about 25 times more energy to produce one calorie of beef than one calorie of natural grain. Ancient grains can add variety and flavor to meals and a wealth of them are as close as the gluten-free aisle of a neighborhood grocery or health food store.

Judith Fertig blogs at AlfrescoFood AndLifestyle.blogspot.com from Overland Park, KS.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/qi-sun/

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutrition/

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/topic/chronic-disease/


Buckwheat and Beet Soup

Yields: 4 servings

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil1½ cups chopped red onion (1 medium)¾ tsp fine sea salt2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)¼ tsp dried thyme¾ tsp dried savory or ½ tsp more dried thyme¾ cup raw buckwheat groats (not kasha)4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper2 cups raw shredded beets, preferably red (1 large or 2 small)1 to 2 tsp honey1 cup purified water (approximately)2 tsp sherry vinegar, or more as needed

Horseradish Yogurt¾ cup whole milk or 2% Greek yogurt3 Tbsp retail horseradish, with liquid¼ tsp fine sea salt¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

To make the soup, heat a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Swirl in the oil and wait until it shimmers.

Add the onion and ¼ tsp of the salt. Stir occasionally, until the onion just starts to brown at the edges, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and the herbs thyme and savory, and then cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Watch closely, so as not to burn the pieces.

Stir in the buckwheat groats and cook, stirring occasionally and monitoring, until the grains take on some color, about 2 minutes.

Add the broth (beware of splatter), the remaining ½ tsp salt and the pepper and bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of the pan.

Decrease the heat to maintain a sim-mer, cover and cook until the buck-wheat is tender, about 15 minutes.

While it simmers, prepare the horserad-ish yogurt topping: Combine the horse-radish, salt and pepper in a small bowl and beat until smooth using a fork. Sea-son with more salt and pepper to taste.

To finish, stir in the beets and 1 tsp of the honey and then add about 1 cup of water to reach a preferred consistency.

Remove the pot from the heat, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.

Add the vinegar and taste for seasoning. Depending on the beets’ sweetness, maybe add another teaspoon of honey and a bit more vinegar to balance it, and perhaps a tad more salt and pepper. The seasoning is forgiving because the topping will bring the flavors together.

Ladle the soup into four bowls, garnish with a dollop of the yogurt topping and serve at once.

Cardamom-Infused Black Rice Porridge with Blueberries and Pistachios

Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Black Rice¾ cup black rice2 whole green cardamom pods1½ cups boiling purified water

Porridge1 cup half-and-half, plus more as needed3 Tbsp maple syrup, or more as needed¾ tsp ground cardamom1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries4 to 6 Tbsp pomegranate seeds, for garnish3 Tbsp lightly toasted chopped plain pistachios, for garnish

Start the rice the night before: Add the rice and cardamom pods to a large, heavy saucepan. Pour over the boiling water, cover and let sit at room tem-perature or overnight (or chill, covered, for up to 2 days).

The next morning, make the porridge: Add 1 cup of half-and-half, the maple syrup and ground cardamom to the saucepan with the rice, cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Cooking with Ancient Grains

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Uncover, decrease the heat to retain a lively simmer, and cook, stirring once occasionally, until the rice is tender with a slight chew, 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove the cardamom pods, if pre-ferred. Add the blueberries and simmer gently until they are warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes more.

To finish, add ¼ to ½ cup more half-and-half to reach a desired consistency. Taste for sweetness and adjust with more maple syrup if needed.

Divide between 4 to 6 breakfast bowls. Top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of pomegranate seeds and 1 teaspoon of chopped pistachios. Serve warm.

Greek Millet Saganaki with Shrimp and Ouzo

Millet1¼ cups purified water¾ cup millet 1 bay leafPinch of fine sea salt

Saganaki1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (1 small)1 clove garlic, peeled and slightly crushed1 small hot green chili, minced (optional)¼ tsp fine sea salt2 Tbsp tomato paste1 (28-oz) BPA-free can whole toma-toes, crushed in a bowl¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ½ cup green pimiento-stuffed olives, halved if large4 oz coarsely crumbled Greek feta cheese (about 1 cup), preferably made from sheep’s milk

Shrimp1 lb jumbo shell-on shrimp from a reputable fishmonger, deveined and patted dry (or substitute firm tofu, cut into bite-sized pieces) Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup ouzo or other anise-

flavored liqueur¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

To prepare the millet, bring the water, millet, bay leaf, and salt to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan.

Decrease the heat to maintain a sim-mer, cover and cook until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let sit covered for 5 to 10 minutes. Uncover, remove the bay leaf and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, make the saganaki. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion, garlic, chili and salt; cook, stir-ring frequently, until the onion softens and turns light golden, about 5 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and cook, stir-ring, until it darkens, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes with their juices and the pepper; bring to a boil over medi-um-high heat.

Decrease the heat to maintain a light boil and cook, uncovered, for 3 minutes.

Stir in the millet and green olives.

Taste for salt and pepper and adjust (keeping in mind that olives and feta cheese are typically salty).Remove the pot from the heat, sprinkle with the feta and cover to allow the cheese to soften.

To prepare the shrimp (or tofu), season them with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until it shimmers. Add the shrimp. Cook, undisturbed, until the shrimp or tofu pieces turn golden, 1 to 2 minutes, and then flip them with a spatula and cook until the shrimp are just opaque throughout or the tofu has warmed through, 1 to 2 more minutes, depending on the size.

Add the ouzo and cook until it’s syrupy, about 30 seconds. Using a spatula, briskly remove the shrimp from the pan and arrange on top of the millet.

Sprinkle with the parsley and serve at once.

All recipes adapted from Simply Ancient Grains or Ancient Grains for Modern Meals, by Maria Speck, courtesy of Ten Speed Press.

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naturalpet

For those that love animals but can’t provide a home to a domes-tic pet, wild birds are just outside

the window. Between 50 and 60 mil-lion Americans list bird-watching as a hobby. To start, all we need is a bird feeder. For safety and comfort, position feeders near a tree or bush at least 15 feet from windows. Scott Logan, an Audubon Society board member in Sherman Oaks, California, cautions, “Birds stay alert for predators. An un-marked window looks like an escape route. They won’t see the glass.” Prod-ucts like Window Alert, a decal that reflects ultraviolet rays birds see but humans don’t, can prevent a crash. A book on local birds will de-scribe the best food to attract them, whether residents or just passing through. Bluebirds love mealworms. Hummingbirds like floral nectars and orioles prefer citrus flavors. Cardinals and jays dine on sunflower seeds. Always provide unseasoned, unsalted seeds. In cold weather, also remember to hang homemade suet combining one part organic regular fat peanut butter with five parts organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) corn meal. Pour fresh water in the birdbath daily, change hummingbird nectar ev-ery three days and discard moldy seeds and old suet. Feeding year-round doesn’t inter-fere with migration, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in Ithaca,

Bird-Watching for BeginnersStart with a Bird Feeder and Binocularsby Sandra Murphy

New York. Migration, nest building, feeding a new family and staying warm in colder weather require substantial calories. “American goldfinches are so-cial and will stay to eat,” adds Logan. “Blue jays and titmouses are ‘grab-and-go’ birds.”

Join in the FunIn Arlington, Texas, Cathy Stein, owner of EclecticDesignChoices.com, will participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count this year from February 12 to 15 (Audubon.org/content/about-great-backyard-bird-count). “One easy resource for identifying birds is Merlin, the free app from Cornell Lab,” says Stein. “Take the bird’s picture, which is helpful in identifying details that can be overlooked or forgotten otherwise.” Merlin works like facial recognition for birds, comparing eyes, beaks and tails to species in its database by location (Merlin.AllAboutBirds.org). Audubon’s free app includes birdcalls (Tinyurl.com/AudubonFreeBirdApp). Jon Weber-Hahnsberg, a 12-year-old volunteer at the Dallas Zoo, and his seven-member team won last year’s statewide birding competition hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by identifying 72 species in 12 hours. “Now I’m hooked,” he says. “Outside the city, there are snowy egrets, water-fowl, hawks and owls to see.” National wildlife refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are suitable birding sites for both

I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand

quietly and see what comes. Some people are very competitive in their

birding. Maybe they’ll die happy, having seen a thousand species… but

I’ll die happy knowing I’ve spent all that quiet time

being present.

~Lynn Thomson, Birding with Yeats: A Memoir

novices and pros. Here are some tips for beginners. Focus on big, easy-to-see birds. Sandhill crane tours are a hit in Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states (fws.gov/refuge/Mississippi_Sandhill_Crane). Concentrate on birds that travel in flocks. Common redhead ducks migrate in great numbers to the Texas coast each winter (Tinyurl.com/ LagunaAtascosaBirdlife). Look for standouts, birds with characteristics that capture the imag-ination, like the speed of a peregrine falcon, large wingspan of a California condor or unusual color of Florida’s roseate spoonbills. (Visit fws.gov/refuge/Cape_Meares and fws.gov/refuge/JN_Ding_Darling.) In Maine, see puffins at the only colony that allows visitors to go ashore for a close-up look (MaineBirdingTrail.com/MachiasSealIsland.htm). Not a

http://tinyurl.com/LagunaAtascosaBirdlife

http://tinyurl.com/LagunaAtascosaBirdlife


Perhaps one of the most precious and power-

ful gifts we give another person is to really listen to them with quiet, fascinat-ed attention and our whole being; fully pres-ent. Deep listening occurs at the heart level, and we must ask ourselves how often we listen to each other so completely. Such listening is a creative force. We expand, ideas come to life and grow and we remember who we are. It brings forth our inner spirit, intelligence, or true self, and opens up the space for us to thrive. Sometimes we have to do a lot of listening before another’s inner being feels replenished. Some people just need to talk and go on and on, usually in a superficial, nervous manner. This often happens because they have not been truly listened to. Patience is required to be a listening presence for such a person long enough that they get to their center point of tranquility and peace. The re-sults of such listening are extraordinary. Some would call them miracles. Listening well takes time, skill and a readiness to slow down to afford time

DEEP LISTENINGOur Wholehearted Attention

Is Our Greatest Giftby Kay Lindahl

inspiration

for reflection and to let go of expectations, judgments, boredom, self-assertiveness and defensiveness. When two people

listen deeply to one another, we sense that

we are present not only to each other, but also to some-

thing beyond our individual selves; something spiritual, holy or sacred.

Once we experience the depth of being listened to like this, we naturally begin to listen to be present with an-other. We notice what occurs when we interrupt someone and when we don’t. We watch what unfolds when another stops speaking and we ask, “Is there anything else?” Listening is an art that calls for practice. Imagine if we all spent just a few minutes each day choosing to prac-tice the art of listening; of being fully present with the person we are with. Being truly listened to and understood yields a sigh of contentment and joy.

Kay Lindahl, of Long Beach, CA, is the author of The Sacred Art of Listening, from which this was adapted with per-mission from SkyLight Paths Publishing.

Fine Feathered FactsWhat to do with a stranded baby bird:

Tinyurl.com/OrphanedBabyBirds

Comparing bird and human vision: WindowAlert.com/bird-vision

Find wildlife refuges by state: fws.gov/refuges

Live bird cams: Cams.AllAboutBirds.org

refuge, ownership of the island has been disputed for two centuries.

Incredible Hobby“Keeping a life list of birds you’ve seen, when and where, is not only fun,” says Nate Swick, author of the recent Birding for the Curious, in Greensboro, North Carolina. “It brings back memories of a time and place. Birding takes you places you wouldn’t think of. I’ve bird-watched in local landfills, as well as in India and Central America.” A particu-larly impressive sight was a shearwater, found 30 to 40 miles into the Atlantic Ocean off the North Carolina coast, a species that only comes to land during breeding season. “Each bird has an incredible story,” he says. “Migrating birds that arrive ex-hausted and hungry after flying hundreds of miles will often look for local birds like chickadees that act as the welcome wagon, showing where food, water and a safe rest area can be found.” Erika Zar, a catalog copywriter in Madison, Wisconsin, happened upon the nearby Horicon Marsh Bird Festival (HoriconMarshBirdClub.com/for-visi-tors). “Everyone seemed so meditative, hiking in quiet groups. It was peace-ful,” she says. “Listing the birds they saw on checklists was like a scavenger hunt for adults.” Zar immediately bought binocu-lars, but soon traded them for a better pair. “Bird-watching opened my eyes to a new world right in front of me,” she says joyfully. “I’d just never looked or listened closely enough before.”

Connect with Sandra Murphy at [email protected].

Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.

~Leo Buscaglia


NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 12th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email [email protected] for guidelines. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit NASRQ.com to submit online.

calendarofevents

SERVICES

CREATIVITY COACH FOR SENIORS. Personalized arts. Private home sessions. Spe-cializing in dementia. Caregiver and family training. Excellent résumé. 941-549-1317. [email protected].

classifieds

Effective Listening Practices

by Kay Lindahl

Pay attention to the environment. Stop other activities to listen. Clear your desk. Turn off background noise or move to a quiet corner.

Be present. Listen with an open, appre-ciative and curious mind rather than evaluating what’s being said. Put your own agenda aside.

Stop talking. One person speaks at a time without interruption.

Listen for understanding. No one is required to agree with or believe what they hear. Let empathy and compassion take the lead; put yourself in their shoes.

Ask for clarification. It can help a listen-er understand what’s being expressed.

Pause before speaking. Allow the speaker to complete their thought, and then wait a few seconds before responding. Also ask, “Is there anything else?” There almost always is.

Listen to yourself. Inquire of your inner voice, “What wants to be ex-pressed next?”

Signal that they’ve been heard. Encour-aging body language includes empa-thetic facial expressions, nodding and sympathetic postures.

Adapted from The Top Ten Powerful Listening Practices on the author’s website SacredListening.com.

A smile is a curve that sets

everything straight.~Phyllis Diller

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Yanni – 8pm. Legendary composer and live per-former, Yanni has brought hundreds of millions of fans and fellow world citizens together via his concerts, with countless more experiencing the magic of his music through television broadcasts. Location: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. Info, 941-953-3368, Van-Wezel.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

John of God, Crystal Light Bed Session – Also Feb 4. Call or email to book your session with Michele Denise, authorized John of God guide. 828-423-1482. [email protected]. The Cos-mic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4

32nd Annual Glendi Greek Festival – 11am-9pm Feb 4-6. Noon-8pm Feb 7. Authentic Greek food & wines, live entertainment & dancing, mar-ketplace, crafts, children’s kid zone, church tours & more. Win a Mercedes, $7500 or trip anyway in the world. Details on website or in church of-fice. Thursday admission benefits Take Stock in Children. $4. Free/Children under 12. St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 N Lockwood Ridge Rd (at Tallevast Rd), Sarasota. Info, Denise Chim-bos -941-355-2616. [email protected]. StBarbaraFestival.org.

Ancient Aliens: The Lost Episodes – 7-9pm. Join William Henry, the spiritual voice of the His-tory Channel’s hit TV show Ancient Aliens for an exploration of topics “too hot to handle” for the network. As a story contributor to Ancient Aliens, William knows firsthand that there are ancient alien accounts that are banned due to their contro-versial nature. William brings these stories to you and more. WilliamHenry.net. $25. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Register, Cosmic Center 941-371-9333 or visit WilliamHenry.splashthat.com.

“Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi – 7:30pm. A most beloved tale of the mythic love triangle be-tween a slave, a vengeful princess and a great warrior, conducted by Victor DeRenzi, staged by Stephanie Sundine and with new sets by Da-vid P Gordon, this opera features arias such as “Celeste Aida” and “O Patria Mia.” $19 - $125. Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave. Info 941-328-1300, SarasotaOpera.org.

Masters of Illusion - Believe the Impossible – 7:30pm. Nothing beats the experience of seeing a magic show in person. You will see grand illu-sions, levitating women, appearances, vanishes, escapes, comedy magic, sleight of hand and beau-tiful dancers all rolled up into America’s largest touring magic show! Only the best, most unique, amusing, astounding and amazing performers have been chosen to perform in this huge stage phe-nomenon. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. Info, 941-953-3368, Van-Wezel.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Psychic Intuitive & Trance Channel Readings – 10:30am-5:30pm. Sherry Lord is a versatile chan-nel who can assist you on your path. 15 mins/$40; 30 mins/$75; 60 mins/$125; Deep Trance Channel Sessions 50 mins/$175. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. RSVP 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

Workshop-Pathways to Ascension: Revealing the Lost Knowledge and Healing Wisdom of Humanity’s Greatest Avatars – 7-9:30pm Fri. 10am–5pm Sat. Feb 5-6. Ascension teachings and light body empowerments of Akhenaton and Ne-fertiti, Jesus and Mary Magdalene, Padmasambha-va and Yeshe Tsogyal, St Francis and Clare of Assi-si among others. With William Henry, author of 18 books and featured on Ancient Aliens. WilliamHen-ry.net. $175. Seating is limited. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Register, Cosmic Center 941-371-9333 or visit WilliamHenry.splashthat.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

ReptiDay Sarasota Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo – 10am-5pm. Featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages and merchan-dise as well as live animal seminars and frequent free raffles for coveted prizes. Exciting, education-al, family-oriented fun for everyone! Adults $10, Children (5-12) $5, Under 5 Free. Visit website for special offers on Early Entry VIP tickets. Sarasota County Fairgrounds Potter Building, 3000 Ring-ling Blvd. Info 863-268-4273, ReptiDay.com/sara-sota.html.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7

ECK Worship Service – 10-11am. This month: What is Spiritual Freedom? Come learn what hav-ing Spiritual Freedom can mean for you and how you can gain it. Free, Charlotte County Cultural Center, Rm I, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, 941-764-1797, Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.

Open Heart Divine Healing Service – 12:15pm. The first Sunday of each month. Through the gath-ering of the Faithful, experience and co-create the Anchoring of Powerful Divine Healing energies within the Sacred Circle. Expect Miracles! Rev-erend Sharon Elizabeth James. Love offering. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.

mailto:[email protected]


http://vanwezel.org/



http://www.CCOSL.com


http://www.williamhenry.net

http://www.williamhenry.splashthat.com/

http://www.sarasotaopera.org/



http://www.ElysianFieldsOnline.com



http://www.williamhenry.splashthat.com/

http://www.reptiday.com/sarasota.html†or 863.268.4273

http://www.reptiday.com/sarasota.html†or 863.268.4273



TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Monthly Anchoring Light Channeled Medi-tation – 7pm. With Reverend Sharon-Elizabeth James. Serving the Ascension of our planet with the Ascended Realms as Anchors of Light. Love Offering. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. For location and direction, 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10

Angelic Healing – 7-9pm. Divinely guided heal-ing, crystal bowl meditation, group & personal healing as Alysia Sargent & Melissa Parks channel Archangels & divine healers. Profound healing & guidance on all levels to align with soul purpose. $25. 941-536-1045. EarthAngelsOfSarasota.com.


Intuitive & Healer Readings – 10:30am-5:30pm. Also Feb 25. Join Deborah Chadwick who com-municates with her guides and angels, quickly re-ceiving very specific information for her clients. 15 mins/$30; 30 mins/$60. Elysian Fields, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, Elysian-FieldsOnline.com.

Tired of Searching for Love? Let Love Find You! – 7-9pm. This class with Indira explores how to clear energy and accelerate the process of man-ifesting your most compatible soul mate. Elysian Fields, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Circus Sarasota Winter Production – 7pm. Feb 12-26. Under the Big Top for over 18 seasons, an international, all-star lineup of circus artists with an unparalleled array of thrilling acts will once again amaze audiences celebrating the unique cir-cus heritage of this community. Sells out early. Big Top, SE corner of University Town Center Mall, 140 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota. Info & tickets, 941-355-9805.

Meditation & Spirit Circle – 7-8:30pm. 2nd and 4th Friday. Learn how to prepare for medita-tion. Experience a guided meditation. Participate in a Spirit Circle. $10. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. [email protected], An-gelMinistriesfl.org.

Group Channeling with Source – 7-9 pm. El-liott Eli Jackson, international channel, bestselling author and Source’s monthly articles in the Sedo-na Journal of Emergence, will also offer private sessions on Sat 2/13, 10am-6:30pm & Sun 2/14, 3-8pm. $130/1 hr. $75/30mins. The Cosmic Cen-ter of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Appointments, 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

Valentine Celebration/Getaway Weekend & Tantra Workshop – 7pm-Sun 2pm. Feb 12-14. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach get-away. Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Celebrate your love. Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/couple. Si-esta Key Beach, Sarasota. More info, other dates & locations, brochure, 941-349-6804, IntimacyRe-treats.com.


Shaman Journey Experience – 2-5:30pm. Similar to guided meditation enhanced by the heartbeat of the large mother drum. You open to your own sha-man dream where mysteries open and unfold. The Journey itself is 30-40 mins. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com. RSVP, Rev Zan Butterfly Deerwoman, 941-922-7839, [email protected], Woman-Spirit.com.

True Love Never Dies – 8-9:30pm. Have you ever seen a medium work live? Do you yearn to hear from a family member who has passed? Wish to communicate with Spirit yourself? During this amazing evening you’ll meet one of the country’s top psychic mediums, Victoria Ackerman, and others who will not only deliver live readings and messages for many audience members, but will show you how to discover your innate intuitive abilities. Tickets on sale now, limited seating! $20. The Players Theatre, 838 N Tamiami Trl, Saraso-ta. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY♥

Siesta Key Valentine’s Day I Do’s – 6pm. Couples can say “I do” again on the white sands of Siesta Key this Valentine’s Day. More than 300 couples took part in last year’s vow-renewal ceremony on Siesta Public Beach. The County has hosted the an-nual ceremony for many years, and the event con-tinues to grow. Info, ParksOnline.scgov.net.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Paddle Myrtle Creek with Jim Story – 9am-2pm. Join Florida Master Naturalist Jim Story as he leads us through a freshwater jungle to tidal Shell Creek waterfall and dam. Participants must provide their own watercraft, PFD, and be able to swim. Free to the public. Voluntary donations to the Sierra Club are always gratefully accepted. Must reserve, 941-505-8904.

Astrology Discussions with Catherine Rosen-baum – 7-9pm. This class delves into the two-year period of Saturn that is transiting Sagittarius. Explore the areas of life that Saturn, the Master Teacher/Guide, is activating for you. $25. Elysian Fields, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

Introduction to Evidential Mediumship – 7:15-8:45pm. This is a class about evidential medium-ship, the ability to communicate with Spirit loved ones and bring through evidential information. We will discuss the difference between a psychic and a medium, what mediumship is and isn’t, and more. Your questions are welcome. Take this op-portunity to check out your interest and potential for evidential mediumship! Note: This class is the prerequisite for the Foundations of Evidential Me-diumship Skills course starting Feb 22 (5 classes). With Shanna Spalding St Clair. $15. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiri-tUniversity.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Chakra Class & Healing – 1-3pm. Learn how im-portant chakras are to body, mind & spirit health.

Discover chakras 8-12. Alysia Sargent & Melissa Parks channel Archangel Metatron & other healers to give a complete chakra healing, open your 8th chakra and give you a sacred geometry symbol. $25. 941-536-1045. EarthAngelsOfSarasota.com.

Master Share for Reiki III – 7-9pm. Masters of all lineages come together to share, expand, enhance and brush up on their Reiki. Wear com-fortable clothes. $5 Suggested Donation. Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham. 941-922-7839. [email protected], Wom-an-Spirit.com.


Interiorology: Mind, Body & Spirit of Home Se-ries – 7-9pm. In this class with Laurel James, learn to awaken the possibilities, positive aspects, and ex-pressions of your True Self within your home. $20. Elysian Fields, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.


Basic IET Certification – 10am-4pm. In the Basic IET class you will be attuned to the energy ray acti-vating the 1st and 2nd DNA pairs that empower you. You will learn to conduct the 5-minute empower-ment self-balancing and clearing session. You will learn to conduct an absentee IET session, increase your ability to be an energy intuitive and “read” energy, and so much more. $180/0.5 college cred-it. Angel Ministries College, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. An-gelMinistriesfl.org.

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Readings, healings, message gallery, free lectures. Psychic Read-ers will use their intuitive abilities to assist you in making choices and in answers for personal growth. Readings and Healings are 15 minutes, so you have time to sample different reader styles. If you’ve never had a reading, now is the time to give it a try! Join in the fun, and see how spirit is helping you! $20/15 min. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Reiki II Attunement and Certification Class – 11:30am-5:30pm. The 2nd of 4 classes towards a Reiki III Master Healer Certification into the Usui Method. Teacher, Rev Zan Benham. $122. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ring-wood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com. Info, [email protected], Wom-an-Spirit.com.

Reiki II Certification – Noon-5pm. Learn three reiki symbols & how to draw them correctly. Dis-cover their meanings & when to use them. Be sure to bring a pen with purple ink. Receive second de-gree attunement. Learn about raku-kei, crystals and more. $75 class/$15 Manual /0.5 College Credit. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995. [email protected], AngelMinistriesfl.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Divitarot Readers of Sarasota – 2-4pm. This group will be focused on learning the tarot, devel-oping your intuitive skills and ultimately reaching a point where you feel comfortable reading for yourself, as well as others. Tarot is steeped in his-tory which we will review. The tarot will be our fo-cus, however other oracle decks will eventually be


http://www.earthangelsofsarasota.com




mailto:941-492-4995

mailto:941-492-4995


http://www.angelministriesfl.org/






http://www.TheSpiritUniversity.com

http://www.parksonline.scgov.net/








mailto:941-492-4995








mailto:941-492-4995





introduced. This group will meet again every two weeks. With Bridget Fortune Burns, PhD. $10. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

A Reiki Share – 6-7pm. For healing practitioners to participate in giving and receiving Reiki with-in an atmosphere of friendship and love. Benefit from combined wisdom and skill. Align with your Spirit, feel more centered, release fear and stress, and experience connection. For anyone who is interested in finding wellbeing and creating har-monious changes in their life through personal healing, transformation, and awakening. All are welcome to come and receive a healing. Free. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheS-piritUniversity.com.

Celebration Sunday – 7-8:20pm. Come togeth-er each month in community and joy. Celebrate, be strengthened, be encouraged, and seek truth while continuing to learn and grow. Interesting, inspirational, and informative speakers help stim-ulate thinking and introduce us to new ideas and knowledge of the world around us. Mediumship Message Demonstration (contact with those in the afterlife), Meditation, Music, Fellowship. Hosted by Shanna Spalding St Clair. Come early for the Reiki Share at 6pm if you are interested. Free. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheS-piritUniversity.com.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Foundations of Evidential Mediumship – 7:15-8:45pm. This course with Shanna Spalding St Clair focuses on developing and establishing the skills and supporting practices that lead to com-munication with Spirit/ loved ones, such as how to connect with the Spirit Communicator and your Gatekeeper, recognizing and communicating evi-dence that confirms consciousness continues after the transition called death, creating trust and con-fidence as a medium, and more. Five-class course. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor (216-402-0597, [email protected]), Intro-duction to Evidential Mediumship, or two prior Foundations classes. $15. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Concert: Studio and Apprentice Artists – Noon. Sarasota Opera Studio and Apprentice Artists present an hour-long program of arias and scenes from Sarasota Opera’s 2015-2016 season. $5. Sarasota Opera House, Peterson Great Room, 61 N Pineapple Ave. Info, 941-328-1300, Sarasota-Opera.org.

Conversations with the Other Side – 7-9pm. Trance/channel mediums Alysia Sargent & Melissa Parks step back to allow their guides to speak with the group. Ask questions, get insight & wisdom from ascended teachers & galactic beings. Receive a healing from multi-dimension healing group. $25. 941-536-1045. EarthAngelsOfSarasota.com.

Speaking to Heaven – 7-9pm. With Joseph Lo-Brutto communicating directly with loved ones. During his gallery he brings through clear evi-dence about your loved ones in spirit, often clar-ifying questions you might have had since their

transition. Recognized as a loving bridge to the departed, he brings comfort and joy as he random-ly reads the audience delivering heartfelt messages that will make your evening an unforgettable expe-rience. $40 (or Weekend Savings). The Spirit Uni-versity, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniver-sity.com.


Peace & Adventure Women’s Retreat – 9am-3pm. P&A retreats are about bringing women to-gether with yoga, adventure, community and shar-ing fabulous meals. Join Patty Seidensticker and Mandy Main exploring the TreeUmph Adventure Course in Bradenton, beginning with yoga stretch-es and centering, opening ourselves up to the day ahead. Learn the ropes first on the training course and then move at your own pace to experience the various course challenges. Enjoy the woods, ex-ploring, soaring, climbing, swinging with all sorts of wobbly bridges, hanging nets and other rope challenges. Snacks and lunch provided. $85. Ad-vance Reservation requested by February 13. Patty 941-380-1206, [email protected] or Mandy 941-893-7245, [email protected].

Community HU Song – 11am-noon. Come ex-perience for yourself, with others, how your days can be enhanced by singing the word ‘HU’ from your heart to God, for 20 minutes. You can do this exercise on your own at any time. It is for every-one of any background or religious beliefs. Light refreshments follow. Free, Mid-County Regional Library, room B, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte, 941-764-1797, Meetup.com/Eckankar-InSarasota.

Intuitive Faire Readings and More – 11am-4pm. A monthly event with Intuitive and Mediumistic Readings, Spirit Artist, Palmistry, Astrology and Numerology Reports. Something for everyone. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ring-wood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

Unlock Your Psychic Mind – Noon-2pm. With Joseph LoBrutto, explore the subject of Psychic Awareness utilizing your psychic strengths. Learn tips on raising your vibrations and how to send & receive psychic information. Color and energy sensing along with Billet Reading. Joseph will share a unique technique in giving a psychic read-ing by using Psychometry and Numerology. $35 (or Weekend Savings). The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Connecting with our Angels & Spirit Guides – 4-6pm. With Joseph LoBrutto, learn techniques in channeling. Joseph will actually put everyone under in a deep trance using hypnosis. His Spirit Guides will work through him manipulating the energy field around each student increasing their vibrational frequency higher into the alpha state causing a strong connection. By this method you will connect with your Higher Self, Angels, Spirit Guides or meet your loved ones on the other side. $35 (or Weekend Savings). The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Light Chasers 5th Annual Art Show/Sale Sat-urday Gala – 5-8pm. More works by the Light Chasers of the Sun Coast Plein Air Painters plus

local as well as nationally known artists. A por-tion of the proceeds will be used to complete the restoration of the Farmhouse on the Phillip-pi Estate, in time for its 100th anniversary this year. Phillippi Estate Park 5500 S Trail, Sarasota. Info 941-861-5000, LightChasersInc.com.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Divine Healing –- 3-5pm. With Joseph LoBrutto. Many have witnessed the miraculous healing of diseases, depression, and trauma along with re-ceiving spiritual balance for a healthy mind, body & spirit. The Healing Masters will work on each person’s mental, physical and spiritual self. Find clarity in making decisions, to forgive and let go of all fears. Feel a closer connection with God and be greeted by your loved ones on the other side mak-ing your connection an unforgettable memory. $40 (or Weekend Savings). The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

plan ahead

FRIDAY, MARCH 4

Powerful Therapy to Health and Wholeness with Intuitive Biomagnetist, Ralph Serrano – A regis-tered nurse, Ralph’s true healing power comes from his ability to communicate with Spirit Guides in help-ing people find their true illness, and through the pro-cess of Biomagnetic Pair Therapy–a revolutionary, scientific and therapeutic approach–he is able to help people heal. This therapy is free of side effects, com-patible with traditional or alternative practices. Other dates are 3/9 and 3/11. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Ap-pointments, 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5

Learn Palmistry with Myrna Lou, Master Palm-ist – Noon-2pm. Learn to read your own hand so you can read others. Easy to digest material. Myrna Lou is an award winning author. The Cosmic Cen-ter of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 6

Reiki 2 Certification – 1-5pm. Teaches Distance Healing and opens additional energy centers. In-cludes Reiki 2 Attunement. We will also touch on animal healing. Prerequisite is Reiki 1 Certification. Class size is limited, so pre-registration is required. $98 in advance, $118 at the door. With Dawn Free-man. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sara-sota. 941-544-5874, [email protected], TheSpiritUniversity.com.

TUESDAY, MAY 31

American Holistic Nurses Association Annual Conference – May 31-June 5. “Interconnected-ness: The Soul of Holistic Nursing.” Attendees will learn about holistic nursing practice, education and research from various types of healthcare and nursing experts. Registration opens January 2016 with discounted Early Bird rates before February 15, 2016. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Bonita Springs. Info & Registration, 800-278-2462, ahna.org/conference/registration.






























http://www.LightChasersInc.com









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ongoingevents

sundayBeach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Community Book Study: Aging as a Spiritual Practice – 9am. A contemplative guide to growing older. Buddhist meditation teacher, Lewis Rich-mond, helps us understand how aging can bring new possibilities and a depth of gratitude that profoundly affects us. Whether you are enjoying growing old, hating it or in denial, this study is for you. All beliefs and “unbeliefs” welcome. Faith United Church of Christ, 4850 SR 64 E, Braden-ton. 941-746-8890, FaithChurchucc.com.

Amrit Level 1 Yoga – 9:30-10:15am. Specifically designed to lead students into a deeper experience of integration. You will be guided into proper align-ment for your body type through energetic exten-sions and press points. Working with the 1st and 2nd half of the posture brings the nervous system into balance and body into homeostasis. Intention-ally repeating this sequence is similar to chanting a mantra repeatedly, focusing the mind so that the body can relax fully. All levels welcome. $15/1, $125/10, NEW student special $57/unlimited-1x offer. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.

Bridge Street Market – 10am-3pm. Open-air market. Live music every week. Bradenton Beach, Anna Maria Island. BridgeStreetMerchants.com.

Silent Retreat – 10am-3:45pm. 2nd Sun. Venice Mindfulness Community. Come to all or part. Si-lent brown bag lunch Noon-1:30pm. Venice Ho-listic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice, RSVP 941-615-7613.

A Cosmic New Thought Service – 10:30-11:30am. A metaphysical universal service with music, talk, meditation and chants, to educate & expand our understanding and concepts to clarify and empower our connection with Infinite Spir-it, Divine Source. Free energy healings at 10am. Love offering. The Cosmic Center, 5041 Ring-wood Meadow, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham 941-922-7839, [email protected], CCOSL.com.

Sunday AM Service – 10:30am-Noon. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, [email protected], angelministriesfl.org.

Chess – 11am-3pm. The Cultural Center of Char-lotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte. Info & sign-up 941-625-4175.

Cosmic In-Service – 12:15-1:30pm. Gathering of Lightworkers. A call to Planetary World Servers to anchor Light and work with our family of light to bridge Heaven and Earth. Love Offering. The Cos-mic Center, 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. Rev Sharon Elizabeth James, 941-371-9333, CCOSL.com.

Sunday PM Service – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Wel-come. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Ven-ice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, [email protected], angelministriesfl.org.

mondayBeach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Yoga Infused – 8:30-9:45am. A fun class, blending yoga fit & Pilates to build full body strength, im-prove posture, increase endurance, stamina & flex-ibility. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. [email protected], LovingLightYoga.com.

Paddleboard Lessons & Tour – 9-10:30am. Learn how to stand up paddleboard while exploring the barrier islands that surround the North Jetty. Great opportunity to see dolphins, manatees and other wildlife. $25. N Jetty, Nokomis. 941-234-4311. SUPEnglewood.com.

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Sunlight Yoga – 9:30-11am Mon, Tues, Thurs. 5:45-7:05am Wed. With Debbie Downing. Gentle flowing hatha yoga for range of motion, balance, re-laxation. Mixed level. $10. The Power of One, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice Centre Mall/KMI Bldg, Rm 250. 941-468-0403. [email protected].

Amrit Yoga Therapeutics – 10-11:30am. 6-7:30-pm Thursdays. Over time, patterns of thinking and feeling are energetically and physically held in the body. Left unsolved, they can manifest as tension, agitation, health imbalances and other problems. Through this understanding and the use of yoga postures to free prana, the body mind complex can begin to heal and integrate itself. The focus of this class is learning to relax with forms of energy one would normally resist and recognizing that even the most intense, uncomfortable sensations lead back to stillness and calm. All levels of students welcome. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimit-ed-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Com-plete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.

Gentle Yoga with Lata – 11am-12:30pm. A heart centered gentle flow of postures and deep stretching, breathing techniques and relaxation helping you to release tension and stress in the body and mind. En-glewood Yoga Center, Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, 941-473-0135. [email protected].

Slow Flow Kripalu Yoga with Angelena Craig – 4-5:15pm. A gentle, yet energetic approach to traditional yoga, suitable for beginners or the more advanced. First time student special $15/ first class, second one is free; $55/5 class packages. Circusoul Yoga Studio, 4141 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-822-9620, ANewAgingMovement.com.

The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra – 6-7pm. Ex-perience a guided meditation technique with the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and reju-venation take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Medi-tation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.

Evening Yoga Flow – 6-7:15pm. Join Lata in this evening slow flow vinyasa practice. Bring your focus to releasing stress and tension in the body and mind while opening the heart and freeing the spirit, slowing down from your busy day as we link breath and movement with grounding asana sequencing and longer held forward bends to relax and re-new. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. [email protected], LovingLightYoga.com.

tuesdayBeach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Yoga with Robert – 8:30-10am. Class includes gentle warms ups, yoga postures & relaxation, all levels are welcome. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. [email protected], LovingLightYoga.com.

WSLR Peace & Justice Show – 9-10am. Tune in to 96.5 on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month for The Peace and Justice Report. Submit any event announcements for the show to [email protected].

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Deep Water Aerobics – 10-10:45am Tues & Thurs. Come join the fun. Some swimming ability required. $3, South County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda, 941-629-0170, 941-505-8686.

Gentle Yoga Flow – 11am-12:30pm. A flow of postures designed to increase strength, flexibility and the flow of vital energy. Ending with a guid-ed deep relaxation to restore body, mind and spirit. Beginner friendly. Loving Light Yoga Studio, E Englewood. 941-473-0135, [email protected].

Transformative Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. The literal translation of Nidra is sleep. However, Yoga Ni-dra is a dynamic state, not the unconscious sleep of nighttime. It has the ability to alter your uncon-scious programming. You tap into creative powers beyond the ego-mind and have access to healing on physical, mental and emotional planes. First class complimentary, $10 thereafter. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice. Register, Facilitator Rick Rabalais 941-539-9149.

Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing – 6-7pm. First Tuesday monthly. A time to relax, restore and re-new. A deep guided meditation that will take you into the deepest levels of relaxation. Through the use of guided imagery, breath awareness and the healing sounds of the Crystal Bowls, Yoga Nidra

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will help to alleviate not only muscular tensions, but also mental & emotional stress, healing the body, mind & spirit, bringing you into balance, harmony and peace. Open to all ages. Bring your favorite blanket and pillow. $18. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Must Pre-register, 941-473-0135, [email protected], LovingLightYoga.com.

Yin/Restorative and Sound Healing – 6-7:15pm. A gentle yin practice with the crystal healing bowls. Relax and surrender into sensations and unlock deep rooted tensions in the body, quite the busy mind as you allow every cell of your bod y to be bathed in sound healing and vibration. A Spiritual Uplift for body, mind and soul! Englewood Yoga Center/Loving Light Yoga. Must pre-register, 941-473-0135, LovingLightYoga.com.

Community Book Study: Aging as a Spiritual Practice – 6:30pm. Beginning Feb 16. A contem-plative guide to growing older. Buddhist medita-tion teacher, Lewis Richmond, helps us understand how aging can bring new possibilities and a depth of gratitude that profoundly affects us. Whether you are enjoying growing old, hating it or in denial, this study is for you. All beliefs and “unbeliefs” wel-come. Faith United Church of Christ, 4850 SR 64 E, Bradenton. 941-746-8890, FaithChurchucc.com.

wednesday

Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Yoga for Well-Being – 8:30-10am. Guided medita-tion, breathing exercises, sun salutations and an en-ergizing flow of postures with a guided relaxation. All levels welcome. $12; $55/5; $100/10. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com.

The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra – 10-11am. Experience a guided meditation technique with the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and reju-venation take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Medi-tation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.

Yoga/Pilates Flow, Level One – 11am-12:15pm. With Lata. Great for beginners and all levels. A flow of yoga postures and Pilates to strengthen, tone and stretch the entire body. Packages available. 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lov-ingLightYoga.com.

Free Healing Clinic – 4-6:30pm. Our Masters tap into the Divine Source of energy to balance and heal your being. Relax and enjoy this renewing and enlightening experience. Love Donation Appreciat-ed. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, [email protected], angelministriesfl.org.

Sunset Yoga – 5pm. Relax, breathe, stretch & enjoy the sunset on beautiful Englewood Beach. Begin-ner friendly. Donation. Sponsored by Loving Light

Yoga, Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com.Debbie Downing Yoga – 5:45-7:15pm. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.Square Dancing – 7-9pm. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175.

thursdayKundalini Yoga/Gong Meditation – 8-9:30am. A blend of postures, mantra & gong meditation offering a technology that aligns with the ever-evolving uni-verse. All levels. $15; $52/4; $88/8. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941-812-8695.

Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beau-tiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Yoga Infused – 8:30-9:45am. A fun class, blending yoga fit & Pilates to build full body strength, improve posture, increase endurance, stamina & flexibility. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, En-glewood. 941-473-0135. [email protected], Lov-ingLightYoga.com.

Zumba/Yoga Class with Allison – 9-10am. Feel young & energetic on Venice Beach. Dance & relax. Donations. W Venice Ave, on the Beach, Venice. VeniceInformationCenter.com.

Englewood Farmers’ Market – 9am-2pm. Find a wide range of fruits, organic vegetables, fresh baked German breads, gourmet French foods, fresh sea-food, bonsai plants, orchids, garden plants, kettle corn and much more! Olde Englewood Village, W Dearborn St, Englewood, EnglewoodFarmersMar-ket.org.

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed lev-el yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Deep Water Aerobics – 10-10:45am. Some swim-ming ability required. $3, S County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda. 941-629-0170, 941-505-8686.

Awakening Spirit Kundalini Yoga – 11am-12:15pm. Awaken spiritual energy with breath, movement and meditation, with Jana and Hannah. $10. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Sham-rock Blvd, Venice. Register 941-488-1828.

Gentle Yoga Flow – 11am-12:30pm. A flow of pos-tures designed to increase strength, flexibility and the flow of vital energy. Ending with a guided deep relax-ation to restore body, mind, and spirit. Beginner friend-ly. $12; $55/5; $100/10. Loving Light Yoga Studio, E Englewood. 941-473-0135, [email protected].

Open Gym Basketball – 5-8pm. Drop in & enjoy a game of indoor basketball. Shoot some hoops. Play 3 on 3, 5 on 5 or a pickup game with friends. Times subject to change. $2/player. Tringali Recreation Ctr, 3460 N Access Rd, Englewood.

Gentle Restorative Yoga – 6pm. Unwind the body with this gentle restorative class. All levels. $15/first class free. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941-266-6962.



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GOOD NEWS PEST SOLUTIONSDean Burnside, President Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice 941-371-1311 GoodNewsPestSolutions.com

Go Green Plus 3 • Pest Control, Termite Control • Rodent Proofing and Trap-ping • Bat and Bird Exclu-sion • Mosquito and Mole Suppression • Bed Bug

Control • Residential and Commercial.

PEST CONTROL

LOVING LIGHT YOGA & HEALING CENTER3455 S. Access Rd., Englewood 941-473-0135 LovingLightYoga.com

Yoga for Every Body. Restore your Body, Mind & Spirit!

YOGA

communityresourceguideConnecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email [email protected] to request our media kit.

MINERAL SPRINGS/SPATHE SPRINGS AT DAYS INN18051 S Tamiami Tr., Fort Myers 239-267-7900 TheSpringsResortFL.com

From over 1,000 feet below, warm mineral spring waters bubble to the surface and cascade from our large fountain beneath our domed pool. Even those with sun sensitivites can enjoy our local fountain of youth. Come and enjoy the healing and re-sorative powers of our high-miner-

al-content waters. Just 30 minutes away.

ORGANIC SALONSEUROPEAN HELIX HAIR DESIGNERSJutta Mestas, P.H.D. The Vines , 701 JC Center Court, Unit # 10 Port Charlotte, FL 33954 941-629-0074Discover the “Magic” of Helix. Adds Volume, Body, Curls or Waves. We do with Scissors what others do with Chemicals.

Restorative Yoga and Sound Healing – 6-7:15pm. Restorative yoga with the use of props to help you relax and surrender into gravity, with sound healing concert of the crystal bowls that will take you into the deepest levels of relaxation and healing. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. Must pre-register, 941-473-0135. LovingLightYoga.com.Amrit Yoga Therapeutics – 6-7:30pm. Over time, patterns of thinking and feeling are energetically and physically held in the body. Left unsolved, they can manifest as tension, agitation, health im-balances and other problems. Through the use of yoga postures to free prana, the body mind com-plex can begin to heal and integrate itself. The fo-cus of this class is learning to relax with forms of energy one would normally resist and recognizing that even the most intense, uncomfortable sensa-tions lead back to stillness and calm. All levels of students welcome. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.Healing & Messages – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual messages with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Wel-come. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Ven-ice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, [email protected], angelministriesfl.org.

fridayBeach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.Yoga for Well-Being – 8:30-10am. Guided medita-tion, sun salutations and an energizing flow of pos-tures with a guided relaxation. All levels welcome. Loving Light Yoga Studio, 3455 S Access Rd, En-glewood. 941-473-0135, LovingLightYoga.com.Amrit Gentle Yoga Class – 10-11am. Through breath you learn to release limitations felt in your body and keep the mind present in the experience. You will be guided into your body’s energetic ex-tensions and press points present within each pos-ture. By working with press points and extensions the body naturally is held into the pose without force or strain, allowing you to find your full ex-pression in the posture, opening the energy chan-nels in your body to release trapped energy and tensions, effortlessly bringing you back into har-mony. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Studio, 265 E Mar-ion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.Gentle Yoga with Lata – 11am-12:30pm. A heart centered gentle flow of postures and deep stretching, breathing techniques and relaxation helping you to release tension and stress in the body and mind. Englewood Yoga Center, Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, 941-473-0135. [email protected] Fridays at The Power of One – 11am-3pm. Know thyself and know what’s coming in your future. New relationship, order a synastry chart. Accurate, affordable prices. Call for an ap-pointment or stop by the store to talk. Ask for As-trology Bob. $35/Natal or Progressed chart. The Power of One Metaphysical Shop, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-493-6096.

Amrit Yoga Nidra Class – 6-7pm. The Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation tech-nique, accessible to everyone. It has the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relax-ation where your whole body and being is perme-ated by peace of mind and profound stillness. Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the ordinary state of mind where the deepest level of healing and rejuvena-tion take place effortlessly. $15/1, $125/10, special $57/unlimited-1x offer/new students only. Journey Into Complete Wellbeing Yoga & Meditation Stu-dio, 265 E Marion Ave, Ste 117C, Punta Gorda. 772-485-0605. JourneyInStudio.com.Friday Night Concert – 7-9pm. Join us in Down-town Venice for our Free Friday Night Concert series at the Gazebo in Centennial Park. 200 W Venice Ave, Venice. Info MainStreet.com.

saturdayVenice Farmers Market – 8am-1pm. Every Sat-urday morning, local farmers, fisherman, crafts-men, bakers, artists and others gather in the heart of historic downtown for a weekly celebration of the best of Venice were you can get fresh season-al Florida fruits and vegetables direct from local farms. You can’t find any fresher shrimp or sea-food. There’s incredible tasty homemade baked goods, trinkets, crafts, soaps, flowers, plants, local-ly roasted coffee, and more. Tampa Ave between Nokomis & Nassau. 941-929-5304. TheVenice-FarmersMarket.com.

Punta Gorda Farmers Market – 8am-Noon. Vot-ed the ‘Best Small Market in Florida’ and 15th in the USA, we have a large number of vendors of-fering fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, Italian bakery, fresh homemade pasta, kitchenware, cupcakes, beef and fresh seafood, fresh citrus, jew-elry, candles and soaps, dip mixes, Florida arts and crafts, cheese, French bakery, baguettes and olives, homemade pies, orchids, organic produce, personal-ized pens, kettlecorn, coffee beans and drinks, native and exotic plants.Taylor St (across from Historic Charlotte County Courthouse), Punta Gorda. 941-391-4856. [email protected].

Beach Yoga for Everybody – 8:30-9:30am. Relax, breathe, stretch & greet the beautiful morning on beautiful Englewood Beach (N end). 941-473-0135. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. [email protected]. LovingLightYoga.com.

Yoga with Robert – 8:30-10am. Class includes gentle warms ups, yoga postures & relaxation, all levels are welcome. Loving Light Yoga, 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-473-0135. Lov-ingLightYoga.com.

Psychic Fair – 10am-3pm. 2nd & 4th Saturdays. Are you searching, questioning and seeking an-swers? Choose from some of the best Intuitive Art-ists in the Area! See what your future holds! Com-plimentary refreshments. Private Readings $1/Min. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, [email protected], angelministriesfl.org.


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February 2016 Natural Awakenings Peace River

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