a season to go within - World of Wellness magazine promotes ...

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT ● NATURAL FOODS ● HOLISTIC HEALTH ● MIND & EMOTIONS ● SPIRITUAL UAL GROWTH
World of Wellness ss
THE MAGAZINE FOR BALANCED LIVING WINTER 2007
WINTER
A SEASON TO
GO WITHIN
Living with
Vitality
in a
Virus-Filled
World
Ayurvedic
Food &
Health
Tips
A Wellness Connections Publication ● Serving California’s Central Valley ● Published Quarterly
Premiere
Issue
Winter
Animal
Care
Gratitude
is the
Secret

WORLD OF WELLNESS
Winter 2007
WELCOME
2 Introducing Wellness Connections
by Faye Saxton
EDITORIAL
3 Your Right To Choose: Are Raw Foods
Getting A Raw Deal?
COVER STORY
4 Winter -- A Season To Go Within
by Jo Ridgway
FEATURE STORY
5 Living With Vitality In A Virus-Filled World
by Matthew K.Norton, D.C.
HOLISTIC HEALTH
8 Optimal Health In The Winter
by Dan Blodgett, M.D.
10 Winter Animal Care
by Cindy Lea Sambueso
11 Can You Lighten Your Toxic Load?
by Cynthia Williams
BY MIKE ROY NEER, PUBLISHER
We hope you like this fi rst issue of World
of Wellness Magazine. The name, in our
minds, represents the wide range of healthrelated
modalities, treatments, and practices
that view the human being as a whole person.
It also represents our kinship with nature --
our world of waves, clouds, and plants with
whom we exist -- and with whom we can fi nd
more harmony.
As our tagline says, this is the magazine for
balanced living. That means we’ll be reporting
to you the many ways that all of us in the
Central Valley are fi nding greater balance
in our lives -- a balance between work and
play, between humans and nature, between
earth and heaven, between whole and parts,
between inner and outer.
CONTENTS
NATURAL FOODS
14 Ayurvedic Food & Health Tips For Winter
by Monika Joshi, RN, CAS
15 Recipe: Raw Sunfl ower-Almond Paté
by Judy Nelson
MIND & EMOTIONS
16 Release The Emotions, Release The Weight
by Jo Ridgway, CMCH
17 Gratitude Is The Secret
by Margot Tepperman, LCSW
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
18 Evolution, Spirituality, And Awakening
by Lynda Brown, Ed.D.
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
19 La Querencia -- Fresno’s First Cohousing
Community by Lynnette Bassman
20 Jump Start Your Personal Breathing Zone
by Nancy Flynn
Departments
12 Calendar
21 For Kids Of All Ages
Welcome to the World of Wellness
It is our intention to hold up the vision of an
ideal life for all of us living here. We want to
focus on what’s right and what’s working,
not what’s wrong or not working. We believe
what we put our attention on grows in our
lives -- and we need to put our attention on
the ideal of how we truly want to live!
We believe there is an emerging community
of people in this area who believe the
solutions to our problems depend on each of
us living a more balanced life. This magazine
will be a resource and a voice for those who
appreciate holistic health, natural foods, a
healthy environment, harmonious mind and
emotions, and spiritual growth.
22 Community Resources
24 Earth Prayer
Won’t you join us in helping to create a
better, more balanced life for us all by
attending Wellness Connections events
and supporting the advertisers who display
in our pages? We look forward to seeing
you at our events -- and while you’re at it,
why not subscribe to World of Wellness? It
comes out every season, and is distributed
widely. But for only $12 a year, you can have
it mailed to you. Visit the website at www.
worldofwellnessmag.com.
Let me hear from you about
topics you want covered. This
is your magazine. Email me
at mike@worldofwellnessmag.
com.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 1

WELCOME
Introducing Wellness Connections
BY FAYE SAXTON
Congratulations! You are holding the newest offering from
Wellness Connections. It represents our dedication to getting
information into your hands to help you fi nd your personal,
optimal way to health and well-being. This is our Vision for
our valley home.
Wellness Connections is a community association of holistic
healthcare providers. Started in 2002 by 19 individuals, this
group has grown to over 100 members who are dedicated to
educating ourselves and others about our wellness choices.
WORLD OF WELLNESS
Publisher: Mike Neer, mike@worldofwellnessmag.com
Editor: Jo Ridgway, editor@worldofwellnessmag.com
Graphics: John Mise
Sales: Alan Kandel, 559-360-7776
Creative Advisor: Faye Saxton
Produced by Veda Communications Co.
on behalf of Wellness Connections
4709 N. El Capitan, Suite 103, Fresno, CA 93722
559-275-3675, info@worldofwellnessmag.com
To submit articles or calendar info, contact the editor, or visit
www.worldofwellnessmag.com
Copyright © 2007 Wellness Connections
Purpose: The purpose of World of Wellness magazine is
to be a voice to promote balanced living in Central California
by educating the community about healthy options for mind,
body, spirit, and environment, and building awareness of the
holistic businesses who offer these services locally.
Rights & Opinions: All statements of fact or opinion are
the views of the respective authors and do not necessarily
represent the views of the publisher or Wellness Connections.
Information is gathered from sources considered to be
reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be
guaranteed. The information is also not intended as medical
advice and should not replace the advice of your health care
provider. Distribution of this publication does not constitute
an endorsement of the products and services advertised
unless specifi cally stated. The publication is copyrighted,
and reproduction in whole or part without written permision
is prohibited.
2 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
We believe that if you do not know what your choices are, you
have no choice at all.
Our Mission is to provide the public with a solid basis to make
good decisions. There is no one-size-fi ts-all way to health. New
advances in science and old, time-honored traditions can both
play a part in our personal lives. Our wish for you is that inside
these pages, you will fi nd interesting reading, good references
and new ideas to enhance and balance your life.
We also hope you will watch for other resources from Wellness
Connections. Some of these are:
● The annual Health & Wellness Fair, held the last Sunday
in January, where you can meet providers
● The annual Resource Directory, available at multiple
locations, listing products and services in our local
communities
● Our Web Site: www.wellnessconnections.net with
Online Directory and Calendar
For further information on the group, visit our website or call
559-435-5640, our message line.
Health Care and Healing Arts
in the Central Valley
The Vision of Wellness Connections is to create optimal
health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit for all people
of the Central Valley.
The Mission is to promote wellness for every individual in
the Central Valley through a connected community of health
care providers who educate people about wellness -- what it
is, methods to use, and practitioners who specialize in it.
Information on Wellness Connections is available at 435-
5640 or fsaxton@attitude.com.
Website: www.wellnessconnections.net
Executive Director: Faye Saxton
Leadership Council:
Doug Griffi th, Jerry Kossack, Sherrie Olp

EDITORIAL
YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE
Are Raw Foods Getting A Raw Deal?
For the latest update on the
raw milk legislation, go to
www.organicpastures.com
In each issue
you will be
informed of
changes taking
place that
affect your
choices about
food
and health.
Stay tuned!
Stay informed!
One of the great things about living in this country is the freedom to make choices.
We make choices every day from little things to major life decisions. You can choose
what career to pursue, what area to live in, or what car to drive.
You can choose the type of food you desire to eat – whether the diet consists of
meat, raw dishes, or fast food. However, recent legislation has changed how some
food is being processed before it is available to be purchased.
ALMONDS
As of September 1, 2007, new rules by the Almond Board
of California, and backed by the USDA, mandated the
pasteurization of all commercially grown almonds in
California, including organic. Some methods of pasteurization
include:
1) the use of propylene oxide (PPO) fumigation, which is rated by the California
Prop 65 as a carcinogen;
2) high heat, which may degrade the enzyme structure of the nuts; and
3) steam pasteurization, which can devalue the nutrients, enzyme activity, and
the antioxidants.
The almonds can still be labeled as raw, even after they have been pasteurized.
Petitions have been circulated to repeal this action.
RAW MILK
Recently passed California bill, AB1735,
takes effect January 1, 2008. It requires
the bacterial count in the production of raw
milk to be 10 coliform bacteria or fewer
per milliliter. According to Mark McAfee of
Organic Pastures, this does not increase the safety of raw milk and it will make the
production of raw milk in California nearly impossible. Mark states that coliform does
not cause disease, but instead acts to protect the raw milk against pathogens.
Compliance with the legislation will essentially eliminate the choice for the consumer
to obtain raw milk. As this publication was going to press, McAfee and others were
taking steps to get this action reversed. At the same time, Ron Paul, congressman
from Texas and presidential candidate, has introduced HR4077 to allow the interstate
shipment of unpasteurized milk, which would make the choice of raw milk available
to more people.
Whether you consume almonds or raw milk is not necessarily the issue. What is
most important is our continued right to choose foods in the natural form that Mother
Nature provided. You may wish to make your thoughts known to the governor and
your representatives regarding these actions.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 3

COVER STORY
WINTER
A SEASON
TO GO WITHIN
BY JO RIDGWAY
World of Wellness Editor
It is in the silence that we
are able to get in touch
with our true essence
and appreciate what is
important to us, what we
value, and what steps
we need to take to move
forward on our path of
learning and growing.
4 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
The frost on the morning lawn, the cool crisp air, and the shorter days with the sun
occasionally breaking through the valley fog, all let us know winter has arrived.
Each season brings its own beauty and its natural purpose for the fl ow of nature.
In winter the trees have gone dormant; animals are hibernating; and in some areas, the
snow covers the ground with a white blanket of moisture and protection.
We humans also naturally become less active and quieter, moving inward to rest and
refl ect on who we are and our part in this vast universe. As we take that time to go within,
the opportunity is presented to truly understand our reason for having chosen to be on
the planet at this time in history. Much is happening and the role each of us is to play
has signifi cance.
Often we keep ourselves so busy that we fail to be aware of the subtle messages coming
from our own spirit. Take those quiet moments of winter to really listen. It is in the silence
that we are able to get in touch with our true essence and appreciate what is important
to us, what we value, and what steps we need to take to move forward on our path of
learning and growing.
Enjoy that experience of reconnecting with your inner self. Curl up in front of a glowing
fi re, walk through the barren trees of the park, or soak in a warm bath with scents that
speak to your spirit. So when spring arrives once again, like the plants that break through
the earth and the butterfl ies that emerge from the cocoon, we too can spring forward,
allowing ourselves to fully blossom, with a renewed sense of purpose. Everything has
its time and season.
The time and season has come for this magazine as well. People of the Central Valley
are ready for more natural ways to create wellness in all aspects of their lives. We are
so excited to provide this valuable information to those open to learning.
Wonder of Winter
Wealth of Within
World of Wellness
What a great combination for a new year!
WOW!
Welcome to the fi rst issue of World of Wellness. Together we will create 2008 as a great
year to be alive.
Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.
- Charles Dickens

FEATURE STORY
Living with Vitality in
a Virus-fi lled World
BY MATTHEW K. NORTON, D.C.
“Truth only reveals itself when one gives
up all preconceived ideas.”
- Shoseki
FLU PARADIGM
One foundational “truth” about this season of the year is the
widespread presence and danger of the fl u. As this fear is virally
propagated through our culture, you will be strongly encouraged
to prepare for the assault by participating in the annual fl u shot
ritual. But does this conventional recommendation fl ow from
wisdom or from propaganda based upon a fl awed paradigm,
inadequate science, and the urge of big business to expand
its revenue?
A growing body of research is questioning various vaccination
assumptions, casting increasing doubt on the overall approach.
Even within the “vaccines are the answer to illness” worldview,
fl u shot effectiveness is being challenged.
According to the National Vaccine Information Center,
a recent report out of Canada revealed that two
of the three strains selected for North America
by doctors at the World Health Organization
and Centers for Disease Control “appear to
be drifting and mutating, raising questions
about how much protection this year’s fl u
vaccine will offer.”
FLU VACCINE QUESTIONED
A study conducted in Ontario, published
in 2006, evaluated the six years following
the introduction of the Universal Infl uenza
Immunization Campaign. The authors
concluded, “despite increased vaccine
distribution and fi nancial resources towards
promotion, the incidence of infl uenza has not
decreased.”
In another study in the British Medical Journal published in
2006, the safety and effi cacy of the current fl u vaccine policy
is challenged. Their summary stated that “evidence from
systematic reviews
shows that inactivated
vaccines have little or no
effect, little comparative
evidence exists on the safety of these vaccines, and given the
huge resources involved, a re-evaluation should be urgently
undertaken to narrow the gap between policy and evidence.”
Is the fl u vaccine simply benignly ineffective or are there also
potential risks with its use? The majority of fl u shots in the
U.S. continue to include the mercury-containing preservative
thimerosal, which is a well-documented neurotoxic poison,
as well as an array of other chemicals such as aluminum and
formaldehyde.
Mercury exposure alone can cause a devastating collection
of problems including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease,
autism, and various central nervous system disorders. Are you
still comfortable injecting this concoction directly into your veins
or those of your loved ones?
Everyone
can
radiate
vitality!
GERM THEORY
Consider that our illness-prevention
approach may be off target because it
has been based upon some faulty preconceived
ideas. If it is all about the germs,
then why are some in your home or offi ce
“catching” them and others rarely do.
Louis Pasteur, the French chemist,
bacteriologist, and father of the germ
theory, initially believed external microbes
that invaded the body caused all disease.
He later came to a different conclusion,
and before he died, acknowledged that
the critical factor was the person’s internal
environment. The empowering truth within his
insight is that for the most part you can determine your health
status by lifestyle and healthcare choices.
Continued on page 6
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 5

6 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
FEATURE STORY
YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM
You were designed with an amazing self-regulating and selfhealing
body to thrive amidst frequently hostile surroundings.
This natural capacity is coordinated by your nervous system,
which directs your immune response. We are made to coexist
with viruses and bacteria in and around us. They serve very
important purposes in the life cycle of our personal and global
ecosystems.
According to cell biologist Dr. Bruce Lipton, author of the book
Biology of Belief, “it is the nervous system’s job to monitor
environmental signals, interpret them, and organize appropriate
responses. When it recognizes a threatening environmental
stress, like a germ exposure, it alerts the immune system to
the danger so it can mobilize protective actions.”
The empowering truth
within his [Pasteur’s]
insight is that for the most
part you can determine your
health status by lifestyle and
healthcare choices.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Chiropractic care is one of many natural healing methods that
support and expand your self-healing capacity. It accomplishes
this by releasing the spinal blockages that result from injury
or overwhelming stress, which disturb your critical nervous
system communication.
Here is some interesting history that reveals these powerful
effects. Twenty million people died worldwide during the
1917–18 fl u epidemic, including about 500,000 Americans. It
was chiropractic’s success in caring for fl u victims that led to
the profession’s licensure in many states.
Researchers reported that during the fl u epidemic medical
doctors lost one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the
Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, adjusted
1,635 cases, with only one death. Chiropractors in the rest of
the state cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths—one out
of 866.

FEATURE STORY
During the same epidemic in Oklahoma, only seven people died
out of 3,490 fl u patients under chiropractic care. Furthermore,
chiropractors were called in on 233 cases that had been given
up as lost after medical treatment. They saved all but 25 of
them.
“These results are not so surprising given what we know about
the interaction between the nervous system and the immune
system,” states Dr. Matthew McCoy, editor of the Journal of
Vertebral Subluxation Research. “Through research we know
that chiropractic has benefi cial effects on immunoglobulins,
B-lymphocytes (white blood cells), lung function, and other
immune system processes.”
HEALTHY ACTION STEPS
How would you like a safe, health nurturing approach that
fi rst does no harm and then enhances your own self-healing
instead of an invasive and potentially dangerous crapshoot?
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, there are other action
steps you can take to support your vitality and minimize illness
risk. Here are a few:
● Wash your hands frequently
● Drink plenty of pure water
● Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night
● Eat a wholesome diet with high vegetable and healthy
protein intake
● Eliminate refi ned sugar
● Get daily sunlight exposure
● Take pharmaceutical-grade supplements
● Get 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3-4 days
a week
● Lower negative stress.
Your body was designed to adapt and thrive in a world of
microbes long before vaccines existed. You can choose a
lifestyle that supports your self-healing design.
Dr. Matthew Norton, a practicing
chiropractor for 25 years, specializes
in nervous system correction. He is
a speaker and the author of the lifetransforming
new book, Where Does It
Hurt? Surprising Stories and Insights
for Releasing Pain and Restoring
Whole Body Health. He may be
reached at 559-490-9550 or through
www.DrMatthewNorton.com.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 7

HOLISTIC HEALTH
OPTIMAL HEALTH IN THE WINTER
BY DANIEL BLODGETT, M.D.
When winter arrives, the days are shorter and the weather
cooler. Many of us are exhausted by the holiday activities. It
is especially important to pay attention to the signals your body
and emotions are giving you.
The dark days of winter are a diffi cult time of year for me
personally. My energy and emotions reach a low every year at
this time. I have come to the conclusion that I am very connected
to the earth’s rhythms.
PREVENTING WINTER ILLNESSES
Winter is the time of year when colds and fl u come more often.
The best way to avoid prolonged illness from viral infections
is to keep your immune system balanced and strong. You can
do this through a healthy lifestyle.
ADEQUATE REST
In cultures that do not live by the clock, the amount of time spent
sleeping during the short winter days increases substantially.
If you are feeling tired and rundown, get an extra hour of
sleep each night. Most people require 7 to 8 hours of sleep to
support good immunity. I personally sleep more and cut back
my activities to remain vigilant towards preventing illness.
Should you feel a cold virus
starting, the single most
important action is to get
more rest.
● Take a nap.
● Take a sick day.
● Cancel engagements.
● Go home and pamper your body.
VITAMIN D
Adequate Vitamin D is necessary for good health. Since Vitamin
D is made in our skin by the interaction of ultraviolet light and a
Vitamin D precursor molecule, we must get at least 30 minutes
of outdoor sunlight daily or take Vitamin D supplements.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is very common and is
related to lack of sunlight exposure. This low mood state affects
millions and can be effectively treated by increasing sunlight
exposure to 45 to 60 minutes daily. For areas with cloudy or
severely cold weather, a full spectrum light source that you sit
in front of for 45 to 60 minutes daily is helpful.
8 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
My body is like a battery
and needs lots of sunlight to
stay energetically charged
up. I use a light box and
take extra Vitamin D during
the winter season.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise is
important all year round.
If your body feels stiff, spend time each day stretching or
practicing yoga. Excess exercise lowers immunity, so avoid
overdoing it.
Other things to incorporate in your life to support a healthy
immune system are to
● eat a diet high in whole unprocessed foods
● avoid excessive fatigue or stress by maintaining a
daily practice such as meditation, nature walks, prayer,
and
● keep a positive attitude (www.refl ectivehappiness.
com).
TREATING THE ILLNESS
Sometimes even with the best efforts to maintain a strong
immune system, colds and fl u take hold. Be aware of the early
warning signs, such as unusual fatigue, scratchy throat, mental
fog and other symptoms that mean you are getting sick. Begin
treatment immediately.
● Drink plenty of hot water with lemon or herbal teas.
Dehydration is often a problem since we tend to drink
less water in colder weather.
● If a fever starts, do not suppress it. Fever helps the
immune system eliminate infection.
● Take a good quality immune boosting supplement.
Standard Process makes several very good ones,
including Immuplex, Congaplex and Echinachea
Premium (available only from qualified health
professionals). Keep these on hand so you can start
the same day you feel sick. I immediately start immune
boosting supplements if I feel a virus entering my
body.
TREATING COUGHS
Coughing is one of the most distressing symptoms of an upper

HOLISTIC HEALTH
respiratory infection. A dry cough can be suppressed with wild
cherry bark extract or licorice extract. Licorice boosts immunity
and provides a soothing effect on the mucous lining of the
respiratory tract. Other soothing herbs are slippery elm bark
and marshmallow root. The over-the-counter cough suppressant
dextromethorphan is a synthetic narcotic-like compound that
can be very helpful. It is often marketed with antihistamines
added to the formula.
A cough that brings up sputum from the bronchial tree (classic
bronchitis) is helping the body to clear the infection from the
lungs. Antihistamines dry out the mucous linings and should
usually be avoided if the infection is in the bronchial tree. Avoid
suppressing the cough refl ex unless the cough is so protracted
or violent that you are unable to sleep or become exhausted.
Stimulant expectorants that help the lungs expel the infection
include garlic, thyme and eucalyptus oil. Guaifenesin is a
synthetic expectorant that can be helpful. Breathing warm
humidifi ed air is soothing to irritated bronchial linings. A bedside
vaporizer or humidifi er is helpful. Irrigation of the nasal passage
with warm saline water can be useful.
AVOID SUGAR
A 2005 article by Ottoboni in the Journal of Orthomolecular
Medicine shows how sugar antagonizes the action of ascorbic
acid (Vitamin C) on the immune system. Excess sugar blocks
the ability of the immune cells to make the reactive oxygen
species that attack bacteria and viruses. It also blocks the
immune system from making new cells that help in combating
infection. This confi rms that restricting sugar intake during an
infection is an important way to boost immunity.
Winter is a time for refl ection and introspection. In addition to
the suggestions above to maintain a healthy body, take the
time to process the signifi cant events and changes in your
life during the past year. Set goals and plan activities for the
coming warmer months ahead.
Daniel Blodgett, M.D. has a holistic medical
practice in Fresno and Oakhurst. He is
accepting new patients. For information on his
practice, visit his website at www.drblodgett.
com.
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Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 9

HOLISTIC HEALTH
Winter Animal Care
BY CINDY LEA SAMBUESO
Just like humans, animals have special needs to stay healthy
during the cold winter months.
1. Keep them warm. Sweaters or coats really make a difference
to the smaller and shorthaired animals. If they are outside pets,
have a covered area for them to stay in out of the weather.
2. Keep them dry. Dry them off when they come in. Check
their bedding daily to make sure it is free from dampness. Wet
blankets are no fun to sleep on when it is cold outside.
3. Animals need more food rations in the cold weather, due
to the fact that they burn more calories to keep warm.
4. Remember to keep their water dish full as winter weather
is dehydrating for all pets.
5. If your grass goes dormant during the winter, carrots are
a great digestive aid replacement. They help trigger the gall
bladder to empty bile from the intestines. Then they act as an
indigestible fi ber matrix cleaning the gut lining, clearing the
digestive tract and carrying toxins out of the body.
10 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
Always check with your veterinarian if your pet shows any
abnormal behavior or if you have concerns about special
dietary needs for the cold winter months. During any time of
the year, it is important to make sure your pet’s tags are up to
date and readable!
Have a safe and warm winter season with your companions!
Cindy Lea Sambueso, owner of Healthy Touch for Animals,
provides massage therapy, cranial sacral, and reiki for your
animal companions. She can be contacted at 559-917-5993.
When health is absent
Wisdom cannot reveal itself,
Art cannot become manifest,
Strength cannot be executed,
Wealth is useless, and
Reason is powerless.
Herophilies - 300 B.C

HOLISTIC HEALTH
Can You Lighten Your Toxic Load?
BY CYNTHIA WILLIAMS
Detoxifi cation is a necessary step for optimal health of all people,
not just for those who abuse their body with alcohol, drugs, and
unhealthy food. In a 2000 study by the Centers for Disease
Control, of the 2500 people tested, none came out squeaky
clean. All had some toxic chemicals in their system.
These days in our polluted environment, we are all taking in
more and more chemicals – through our skin, in the air we
breathe, and even in the foods we eat. Signs of this toxic
overload can be:
● constipation
● potbelly
● headaches
● bloating
● gas
● skin problems such as acne and psoriasis
● chronic fatigue and more.
Why go through life feeling lousy? There are simple ways to
lighten your toxic load. Seven possibilities include:
● dietary changes
● herbal cleansing programs
● colon hydrotherapy
● steam baths & saunas
● fasting
● nutritional supplementation
● exercise.
Changing your diet to focus on more fi ber foods and more
fruits and vegetables can help. Saunas and exercise help you
sweat out the toxins. Supplements and herbal cleanses assist
in gradually eliminating some of the toxins. Fasting, particularly
with juices, is a time-tested procedure for allowing the body to
naturally cleanse itself.
However, one of the most effi cient, total body detoxifi cation
programs is colon hydrotherapy. It can literally wash the toxins
away in a 45-minute session, leaving you feeling lighter, relieved,
and more energetic. People report they feel so much better that
they are ready to then make dietary and other changes. It’s as
if they were turning over a new leaf in their lives.
Naturopathic Doctor Jo-Ann Langseth says, “The average middleaged
person that has eaten the Standard American Diet carries
around as much as 10 to 20 pounds of un-eliminated feces in his
bowels.” If not removed, toxins are stored in fat cells, contributing
to the obesity epidemic that we currently face in the U.S.
Toxins in the body are also a factor in
aging and degenerative diseases. So
if you want to end constipation and the
debilitating effect of toxic chemicals in
your body, then colon cleansing may
be just what you need.
Our bodies, which are 75% water, should fl ow smoothly on the
inside and be full of energy for our daily tasks. Don’t let the
sluggish build-up of toxins take the joy out of your life. Make a
plan now to restore your energy and vitality by lightening your
toxic load. You’ll be glad you did.
Cynthia Williams is the owner of A New Leaf Natural Therapies
Center in Fresno. With advanced level certifi cation from the
International Association of Colon Hydrotherapy and over 25
years experience, she specializes in detoxifi cation and weight
loss programs. She can be reached at 559-286-8046.
A New Leaf Natural Therapies Center
SPECIALIZING IN
VERY EFFECTIVE
COLON HYDROTHERAPY,
ALSO KNOWN AS COLONICS
Cleansing of the large intestine (colon)
is associated with longevity, good
health, and relief from constipation.
� FDA registered equipment
� Sterile environment
� Disposable speculums
� Purifi ed fi ltered water
� Owner Cynthia Williams has advanced level certifi cation
from the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy,
and over 25 years experience in colon hydrotherapy.
� Specializing in detoxifi cation and weight loss programs
� Massage and aromatherapy included with treatments
� Natural Health Consultant (CMT, CST) available on site
559-286-8046
Free gift
with mention
of this ad
659 W. Shaw Ave., Suite F, Fresno,
Across the street from Whole Foods Market at Fig Garden Village.
By appointment only.
Please call for further information and pricing.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 11

JANUARY
Calendar Classes, Lectures, Events That Promote Balanced Living
JANUARY 5 & 6 - Advanced Pranic Healing, 9:00 am to 6
pm each day, 845 E Fern Ave. Presented by Kathryn Barile
and Scott Alexander, 559-259-5423, www.pranichealing.net
JANUARY 8 – Toxins Are Destroying Your Health, 6:30 pm,
Oakdale Heights, 7442 N. Millbrook. Presented by Waiora,
559-227-3828, MyWaiora.com/486469
JANUARY 10 – Winter Warmer Meditation, four Thursdays
from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, Oakdale Heights Assisted Living,
7442 N. Millbrook. Presented by Carmen Ilic, 559-324-6504,
www.mbsrfresno.com
JANUARY 11 - Ayurvedic Nutrition, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, Perfect
Balance Yoga, 5091 N Fresno St., Suite 133. Presented
by Monika Joshi, 559-222-6212, www.pbyoga.com, call for
reservations
JANUARY 11 & 12 - Taizé Prayer Weekend, Friday, 6:30 – 9:00
pm, Saturday, 8:30 – 4:00 pm, University Presbyterian Church,
1776 E. Roberts, Taizé Labyrinth Committee, 559-291-9783
JANUARY 12 – Jumpstart Your Life and Slay Your Fears,
Saturday from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Presented by Dr. Lynda Brown,
559-269-0424, www.drlyndabrown.com
JANUARY 14 – Sustainable Weight Loss through Yoga and
Ayurveda, fi ve Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Fig Garden
Yoga Studio. Presented by Nancy Tan, 559-222-5100, www.
FigGardenYogaStudio.com
JANUARY 15 – Introduction to Meditation, four Tuesdays
from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Fig Garden Yoga Studio. Presented by
Nancy Tan, 559-222-5100, www.FigGardenYogaStudio.com
JANUARY 17 – Wellness Connections Meeting, 7:15 to 8:30
am, Kaiser Hospital, 559-229-2664, www.wellnessconnections.
net
JANUARY 18 – Introduction to Ayurveda, 6:00 to 8:00 pm,
Blue Moon Yoga, 1144 E Champlain Drive #104. Presented by
Monika Joshi, 559-434-2469
JANUARY 19 – Making Pain Disappear, 10:00 am to 12:00
pm, Transitions at 171 N Van Ness. Presented by Margot
Tepperman, LCSW, ACC, 559-233-7250.
12 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
JANUARY 22 – Mindful Eating – Eat with Peace, Pleasure
& Purpose, six Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 pm near
Millbrook and Nees. Presented by Dr. Diane Dimon, Matters
of the Mind, 559-447-5850, www.MattersOfTheMind.net
JANUARY 23 - Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP),
2 morning and 17 evening sessions at various times ending
March 9 in Exeter, CA. Presented by Dr. Hans Diehl, DrHsc,
MPH, 559-334-7901, www.DesignedWellness.com
JANUARY 24 – Yoga for Back Care: Lower Back & Hips,
five Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:30 pm, Fig Garden Yoga
Studio. Presented by Audrey Tan, 559-222-5100, www.
FigGardenYogaStudio.com
JANUARY 27 – Wellness Fair, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm,
Regency Palace Event Center. Presented by Wellness
Connections. Contact Frank Saxton, 559/577-2256, www.
wellnessconnections.net
JANUARY 28 – Toxins Are Destroying Your Health, 6:30 pm,
Go Natural Wellness Center, 5091 N. Fresno St. Presented
by Waiora–Marcy Littlejohn, 559-227-3828, MyWaiora.
com/486469
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 3 – Reiki Level I Training, Sunday, 9:30 am to
4:30 pm. Presented by Reiki Master / Teacher Jo Ridgway,
559-292-1562
FEBRUARY 3 – Beginning Meditation – Skills for Health,
Happiness & High Performance, four Sundays from 2:30 to
4:30 pm, near Millbrook & Nees. Presented by Dr. Diane Dimon,
Matters of the Mind, 559-447-5850, www.MattersOfTheMind.
net
FEBRUARY 4 & 6 – Consumer Beware: Reading Labels and
Understanding Ingredients, Monday and Wednesday from
7:00 to 9:00 pm. Presented by Jo Ridgway, 559-292-1562
FEBRUARY 5 – Toxins Are Destroying Your Health, 6:30 pm,
Oakdale Heights, 7442 N. Millbrook. Presented by Waiora-Dr.
Casey, 559-227-3828, MyWaiora.com/486469
FEBRUARY 6 – Coaching For Life, four Wednesdays from
6:00 to 8:00 pm, Transitions at 171 N Van Ness. Presented by
Margot Tepperman, 559-233-7250, www.transitionscoaching.
com

Calendar Classes, Lectures, Events That Promote Balanced Living
FEBRUARY 7 – Stress Reduction Through Mindfulness
orientation. Classes follow on eight Thursdays from 9:30 am
to 12:00 pm or 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Oakdale Heights Assisted
Living, 7442 N. Millbrook. Presented by Carmen Ilic, 559-324-
6504, www.mbsrfresno.com
FEBRUARY 9 – First Aid For Couples Seminar, Saturday
from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Presented by Dr. Lynda Brown, 559-
269-0424, www.drlyndabrown.com
FEBRUARY 9 - Where Does It Hurt? Book Signing Party/
Celebration with Author Dr. Matthew Norton, Saturday from
4:00 to 7:00 pm at Go Natural Wellness Center, 5091 N. Fresno
St., Suite 122 (North of Shaw) 559-227-3828
FEBRUARY 21 – Wellness Connections Meeting, 7:15
am to 8:30 am, Kaiser Hospital, 559-229-2664, www.
wellnessconnections.net
FEBRUARY 25 – Tai Chi Easy & Qigong, fi ve Tuesdays from
6:00 to 7:00 pm, Fig Garden Yoga Studio. Presented by Nancy
Tan, 559-222-5100, www.FigGardenYogaStudio.com
FEBRUARY 25 – Therapeutic Deep Relaxation with Yoga
Nidra, fi ve Mondays from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, Fig Garden
Yoga Studio. Presented by Nancy Tan, 559-222-5100, www.
FigGardenYogaStudio.com
FEBRUARY 25 – Toxins Are Destroying Your Health, 6:30
pm, Go Natural Wellness Center, 5091 N. Fresno St. Presented
by Waiora, 559-227-3828, MyWaiora.com/486469
MARCH
MARCH 1 – How To Recover From Burnout, and Compassion
Fatigue Seminar, Saturday from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Presented
by Dr. Lynda Brown, 559-269-0424, www.drlyndabrown.com
MARCH 6 – Yoga For Back Care: Upper Back, Neck &
Shoulders, four Thursdays from 7:15 to 8:30 pm, Fig Garden
Yoga Studio. Presented by Audrey Tan, 559-222-5100, www.
FigGardenYogaStudio.com
MARCH 11 - Stress: Who Needs It? Tuesday from 6:45 to 8:30
pm, Norton Chiropractic Wellness Center, 5670 N Fresno St.
Suite 102. Presented by Dr. Matthew Norton, 559-490-9550
to reserve a seat. www.Dr.MatthewNorton.com
MARCH 15 & 16 - Pranic Healing course, 9am to 6 pm each
day, 845 E Fern Ave. Presented by Kathryn Barile and Scott
Alexander, 559-259-5423, www.pranichealing.net
MARCH 20 - Wellness Connections Meeting, 7:15 to 8:30 am,
Kaiser Hospital, 559-229-2664, www.wellnessconnections.net
ONGOING
Reiki Sharing, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Date and Location vary,
contact Bill Owen, 559-264-5945.
Hypnosis Certification Classes offered by the Academy
of Excellence at The Center, Bridging Body, Mind and Spirit
located at 1233 W. Shaw, Suite 105. Contact Diane for more
information. 559-960-0211
Where Does It Hurt? Part 1 – Releasing the Pain That’s
Stopping You From Fully Living, every two weeks from 6:30
to 7:45 pm alternating between Tuesdays and Wednesdays at
Norton Chiropractic Wellness Center, 5670 N Fresno St. Suite
102. Presented by Dr. Matthew Norton, 559-490-9550 to reserve
a seat. www.DrMatthewNorton.com
Where Does It Hurt? Part 2 – Revealing the Secret to
Restoring Whole Body Health, monthly from 6:30 to 8:30
pm at Norton Chiropractic Wellness Center, 5670 N Fresno St.
Suite 102. Presented by Dr. Matthew Norton, 559-490-9550 to
reserve a seat. www.DrMatthewNorton.com
Nutrition Based Weight Loss – Tuesdays, 6:30 pm at Go
Natural Wellness Center, 5091 N Fresno St., Suite 122.
Presented by Sherrie Olp, 559-227-3828
Raw Food Potluck - 2nd Saturday of every month, 6:30 pm at
Canyon Springs Clubhouse, 6185 N Figarden Dr. Hosted by
Cathie Garnier, 559-261-5746, www.deliberatehealth.net
Raw Food Snack & Movie Night – 4th Friday of every month
beginning in January, 7:30 pm at Canyon Springs Clubhouse,
6185 N Figarden Dr. Hosted by Cathie Garnier, 559-261-5746,
www.deliberatehealth.net
Awareness Through Movement® Classes – The Feldenkrais
Method®, morning/evening classes at Body in Motion.
Presented by Madeleine Perrone, 559-240-7895.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 13

NATURAL FOODS
Ayurvedic Food & Health Tips For Winter
BY MONIKA JOSHI, RN, CAS
Short days, long nights, cold weather, sweaters and warm
clothes should not be associated with fl u, dry skin and
depression. It becomes necessary to change our diet and
lifestyle to stay in tune with the external environment. By
living in accordance with the natural laws of the seasons, a
balanced mind and body can be maintained and a stronger
natural immunity can be achieved. Winter is dry, cold and
rough, so remember to counter it with moisture and warmth in
the diet as well as on the skin.
ENJOY THE WINTER BY FOLLOWING
AYURVEDIC TIPS FOR THE SEASON.
1. Eat warm and cooked foods to ensure balance in your
body. Avoid cold cereals with cold milk, cold salads, and
cold sandwiches to prevent imbalance.
2. Avoid cold or frozen treats as they decrease the digestive
fi re.
3. Use olive oil or ghee (clarifi ed butter) in cooked foods to
soothe and calm the roughness of the winter.
4. A hearty soup with bread, or warm cooked vegetables
with rice will make a delicious winter meal.
5. Cooked oats with a dab of ghee makes an excellent
breakfast.
6. Nuts, like cashews, pistachios, and soaked peeled
almonds, are good. Sesame seeds are warming for the
season.
14 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
7. Drink plenty of warm water to hydrate the system.
8. Enjoy warming teas such as cinnamon, cloves and ginger.
9. Hot milk boiled with spices is a treat for bedtime to ensure
a good night sleep.
10. When you are eating, do nothing else but eat. Avoid
watching TV, driving or reading.
11. Maintain regular routines of rest and activities to avoid
imbalance, such as insomnia and restlessness.
12. Long, steamy and warm baths with a few drops of oil will
counteract the cold and dryness.
13. Massage your body with warm sesame
oil, which provides warmth and moisture
for the skin.
14. Practice yoga to let the energy fl ow.
15. Seek out the warm rays of the sun.
In addition to following general dietary tips for winter, it is recommended
that your diet and life style should be adjusted to your
body type. To fi nd out more visit www.ayurvedainsight.com
Monika Joshi is a Clinical Ayurvedic specialist,
graduated from California College of
Ayurveda and is certifi ed by the American
Institute of Vedic Studies under Dr. David
Frawley. She is a member of the National
Ayurvedic Medical Association and can be
contacted at 559-355-0743.
What is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is India’s traditional, natural system
of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000
years. The patient is classifi ed according to three metabolic
body types: vata, pitta, and kapha. This complete
holistic health system for mind, body, and spirit treats the
patient as a whole rather than treating symptoms alone. It
works as a preventative means of coping with imbalance
and disease.

NATURAL FOODS
RECIPE:
RAW SUNFLOWER-ALMOND PATÉ
BY JUDY NELSON
Yields 1 1/2 cups. 3 to 4 servings
Sunfl ower-Almond Paté can be
eaten with a green salad, served
as a dip with raw vegetables, or
stuffed into tomatoes or sweet,
red bell peppers.
Place 1 cup raw, shelled
sunfl ower seeds and ½ cup raw
almonds in a bowl, covering
them with water. Soak overnight or at least 8 hours before
preparing. After soaking, drain off the water, rinse the seeds and
nuts well under running water, and then let them drain again in
a strainer to remove excess water. (Soaking raw seeds and
nuts for at least 8 hours before use releases enzymes inhibitors
and makes them easier to digest.)
Place the following ingredients in a food processor fi tted with
an S blade and process into a paste. Scrape down the sides of
the bowl as needed with a rubber spatula so that all ingredients
are well processed.
1 cup soaked raw sunfl ower seeds
1/2 cup soaked raw almonds
3-4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon Nama Shoyu (unpasteurized soy sauce)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
When processed to a paste, transfer to a bowl and mix in
the following ingredients:
1/2 cup fi nely diced celery
3 tablespoons minced red onion or finely minced green
onions
2 tablespoons minced, fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill (optional,
but really adds fl avor)
Best if eaten within a day or two. However, it will keep in a tightly
covered container in the refrigerator for up to fi ve days.
Judy Nelson is a Hallelujah Acres Health Minister and Living
Light Associate Chef and Instructor in raw food preparation. For
class information or to have Judy speak to your organization
on the health benefi ts of a diet rich in raw, living foods, call
559-277-5242.
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 15

MIND & EMOTIONS
Release the Emotions, Release the Weight
BY JO RIDGWAY, CMCH
A very common New Year’s resolution is the goal to lose weight.
65 million Americans are dieting at any one time. The obesity
rate in this country continues to rise, so taking steps to achieve
a healthy body is important.
People often start by choosing different foods in smaller
quantities, counting calories, or following the latest diet fad.
Some join a gym or purchase exercise equipment with the
intent to work out on a regular basis. Unfortunately for many,
the motivation disappears before the weight.
Dieting is a $50 billion dollar a year
industry. There is never a shortage
of weight loss programs available
to choose from. Then why are
so many people unsuccessful in
losing the excess pounds?
Food and exercise play a part in the
amount one weighs. However, they
are not the only factors involved.
The mind and spirit are often
overlooked in a weight reduction
program.
Being overweight is not so much about the foods we eat as it is
about the emotional baggage we carry in our body, mind, and
spirit. As you learn to nourish your true self and release the
emotions that are “weighing” you down, the body will naturally
respond, losing the extra pounds.
Ask yourself – What purpose is the excess weight serving in my
life? We only do things that have a payoff. Awareness of that
payoff may not be at a conscious level. A common response to
the purpose of the excess weight is protection. People create
a protective layer of weight to prevent them from going for a
better job, from dating, or from traveling. Weight can serve as an
excuse holding you back from risking and moving forward.
16 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
Many of us spend our whole lives running from feeling,
With the mistaken belief that you cannot bear the pain,
But you have already borne the pain,
What you have not done
Is feel all you are beyond that pain.
- Kahlil Gibran
For some, the beliefs
around food and weight
were programmed early
in childhood. Food is
often used as a reward
or as punishment.
You got dessert if you
cleaned your plate or
did your chores. A
child who felt deprived
and bad when a treat
was withheld, may comfort himself or herself as an adult by
eating extra helpings. Children who were molested may gain
weight as protection with the unconscious belief that the opposite
sex will no longer be sexually attracted to them.
The early programming we have around food can determine
the success in losing weight. When your willpower
comes into conflict with your subconscious, the
programming will always win. This is where hypnosis
and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can truly
assist in taking one to a deeper level, listening to
your inner voice for the answers, and replacing the old
programming with new healthy beliefs.
Are you ready to understand and release old beliefs you have
regarding food and weight so in 2008 you can be successful in
permanently achieving your goal of a healthy body?
Jo Ridgway, owner of A Life In Balance, is
a Certifi ed Master Clinical Hypnotherapist,
level two EFT practitioner, Reiki Master /
Teacher, speaker, healthy living consultant,
and editor of World Of Wellness Magazine.
She can be reached at 559-292-1562.

MIND & EMOTIONS
Gratitude is the Secret
BY MARGOT TEPPERMAN, LCSW
The rainbow is the eternal
symbol of gratitude.
will attract even more negative feelings.
As you contemplate the
New Year, it’s time to
acknowledge what you
are grateful for and what
you appreciate.
Gratitude and appreciation
are important parts of the
Law of Attraction.
Here are a few steps you
can follow to get into the
mood of appreciation.
Step One
Appreciate what you have
right now. This will create
a feeling of abundance.
If you focus on wanting
or on being discontent,
those negative thoughts
Step Two
Write a list of what you appreciate about the people close to
you. Include family, friends and co-workers. You will be amazed
at how much more you love and enjoy each person once you
start focusing on his or her good points.
Step Three
Keep a gratitude journal. Write down 5-10 things you
appreciated in your day. Do this nightly. You will fi nd it becomes
a habit. This will help you focus on the positive parts of your
day, accepting your good.
Step Four
Keep a Victory List. Write down your successes, small and
large, rereading on a down day. You’ll be surprised at how
much you accomplish. This takes the focus off the “haven’t
done it yet” list.
Step Five
Create a bulletin board at home and at work, posting appreciation
messages for family members or co-workers. Remember
that popular book The One Minute Manager. It said “catch
somebody doing something right.”
Step Six
Send thank you notes. Let people know you appreciate
them.
Here is one I wrote recently and sent to several friends: “I
think of you often. Your support is always with me, and the
memories of our times together. It’s my network of friends
that provides some of the strands of well-being in my life. So
I reach out today in appreciation for all you’ve been in my life
and all you will be in the future.”
Here are some topics
to consider in your
appreciation practice:
● Uniqueness
● Nature
● Your Body
● Relationships
● Gifts
● Health
● Living in the Now
The Law of Attraction dictates that as we sow so shall we
reap. Through appreciation of what you have, more of what
you want will follow!
That’s “The secret.”
Margot Tepperman, LCSW, ACC, is a Career
& Life Strategy Coach, psychotherapist,
EMDR practitioner and hypnotherapist. She
can be reached at 559-233-7250 or at her
website at transitionscoaching.com
Gratitude is the heart’s memory
- French proverb
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 17

SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Evolution, Spirituality, and Awakening
Where your heart is, your spirit shall be also.
BY LYNDA BROWN, Ed.D.
People are more interested in spiritual issues
than they have been in the past hundred
years. The Gallup Guide: Reality Check
for 21st Century Churches found that
Americans are experiencing an intense
search for spirituality and an unprecedented
desire for spiritual growth. As a result, they
want books and movies about spirituality.
This trend may have escalated in the wake
of the September 11, 2001 terrorists’ attacks,
disasters, and the ensuing wars. These
situations left some people feeling fearful
and vulnerable. Many people express that
they’re reevaluating their lives and looking
to spirituality to fi nd meaning and purpose.
Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul,
writes in the magazine, Spirituality and
Health, “Today, we all are looking for a
spiritual viewpoint to make sense of a chaotic world.”
In the June 2002 Journal for the Scientifi c Study of Religion,
a national sample of American Protestants fi nds that Americans
are becoming more spiritual and less religious. Spirituality is
a universal defi nition that includes religious and nonreligious
beliefs.
Some people see spirituality and religions as synonymous,
while others make a dramatic difference between the two.
They say that religion is dogma, rigid rules, and judgments
made by people, while spirituality is a personal experience with
God during illumination. Some people don’t use any words like
spiritual or religious. They just believe in God or spirit.
In The Gallup Guide: Reality Check for 21st Century
Churches, the authors found that Americans are doing their
own thing by choosing among beliefs and practices of various
religious traditions. Some call it an integrative or interfaith
spirituality for those who are seeking spirituality insights and
other paths outside the traditional religions. Others keep their
original religion but augment practices from other faiths.
A client told me, “What I really want is a spiritual book for
practical living. I want to know why I am here and what am I to
do in my life?” Many people have a genuine thirst for spiritual
18 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
knowledge, wanting to live a spiritual life and
to understand why they are here. For many,
spirituality gives individuals the foundation
for their lives.
If we are to have a peaceful world, we need
to understand people by learning their cultural
and religious beliefs, rather than intolerance
that keeps us separate. As a result, some
Christian seminaries now require comparative
religion courses for divinity degrees.
Dr. Edward Shafranske, a psychology
professor at Pepperdine University says,
“There’s evidence that bringing spiritual
issues into therapy creates hope and helps
people to cope better.”
With the growth of holistic health and
alternative medicine, and the integration of spiritually into
healthcare, most people want to be treated as a whole person.
These same type people want physicians to consider spiritual
issues as a part of their medical care. As a result, fi fty medical
schools currently offer courses in spirituality.
Dr. Lynda Brown is a licensed Psychologist
with several degrees in Health Science. She
has integrated these areas with intuition and
spirituality to work with the whole person.
In private practice, she is also a Medical
Intuitive, and offers seminars. 559-269-
0424, www.drlyndabrown.com
The secret of a good sermon is to
have a good beginning and a good
ending; and to have the two as
close together as possible.
-George Burns

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
LaQuerencia—Fresno’s First
Cohousing Community
BY LYNETTE BASSMAN
A new, more health-supportive way of living is coming to Fresno.
La Querencia/Fresno Cohousing is a group of families, couples
and individuals creating an earth-friendly, intergenerational
neighborhood of twenty-eight households.
Cohousing communities cluster privately-owned, self-suffi cient
homes around common facilities similar to an old-fashioned village
where neighbors know each other and kids run and play in
between the houses. There are extensive shared amenities that
typically include children’s play areas, a workshop, a pool, spa
and exercise facility, a teen hangout, and a beautiful common
house with gourmet kitchen, large dining room for community
dinners and other gatherings, a sitting area, guest apartment,
kid’s room and a shared laundry facility.
Cohousing emphasizes green living, with highly energy effi -
cient homes using non-toxic materials and energy conserving
materials and design. There are approximately 100 other
cohousing communities around the country, and another 100
in formation.
In addition to the obvious social advantages of living near
friends, residents of cohousing have more free time because
many of the routine activities of life are shared such as meal
preparation and yard work. Expensive or rarely used tools and
recreational equipment owned by the group are available to all.
Car-pooling and childcare may be easier to arrange.
Each home in the local co-housing neighborhood is complete
with kitchen, dining and living rooms, bedrooms and baths,
large front porches, and individual back yards. The architect
worked with community residents to maximize effi ciency of
space and energy.
By giving careful consideration to the placement of residences,
parking, walkways, swimming pool, play and garden areas,
open spaces, and the common house, cohousing maximizes
opportunities for neighbors to cross paths throughout the day.
The homes will face each other across a courtyard, and cars
will be parked on the periphery allowing for pedestrian walkways
and gathering spots between the homes.
LaQuerencia, like most cohousing, has no political, religious,
or ideological orientation. The only expectations are agreement
with the principles of cohousing and with the vision and values
statement. As in any healthy community, people will be tolerant
and respectful toward others. Members value privacy as
well as social contact, and the neighborhood design refl ects
a respect for each of these needs. Important decisions are
made through consensus.
Lynette Bassman is a licensed psychologist, Wellness
Connections member, and future resident of La
Querencia. For more information, call 866-246-7717, email
info@fresnocohousing.org or visit www.fresnocohousing.
org.
Do not go where the path may
lead, go instead where there is
no path and leave a trail.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 19

HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Jump Start Your Personal Breathing Zone
BY NANCY FLYNN
Did you know that one quick way of improving the breathable
environment in your home and offi ce is to add fresh fl owers
and plants? There are dozens of varieties of houseplants and
fl owers that effectively fi lter pollutants and toxins from the air
you breath.
The fact is that we spend more than ninety percent of our
time indoors in tightly sealed energy effi cient buildings full of
chemical vapors emitted by synthetic materials. If you suffer
from chemical hypersensitivity, asthma or allergies, there are
over 50 varieties of plants to choose from that will jump-start
the air you breath.
The good news is that The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) studies of closed life-support environments
produced evidence that common houseplants as well as certain
varieties of fresh fl owers are highly effective natural air purifi ers.
Additionally, common houseplants and fresh fl owers humidify
air that tends to be dry during winter months.
PLANTS AS NATURAL AIR FILTERS
Here to help you fi ne tune the personal breath zone in your
offi ce and home, is an abbreviated list of plants and fresh fl owers
that remove toxins from the air you breathe:
Plants:
● Lacy Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
● Oakleaf Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)
● English Ivy (Hedera helix)
● Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)
● Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
20 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
Flowers:
● Florist’s Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
● Moth Orchid (Phalenopsis sp.)
● Dendrobium Orchid (Dendrobium sp.)
● Anthurium (Anthurium andracanum)
● Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)
For a complete list of houseplants and fl owers that remove
toxins, read How To Grow Fresh Air by Dr. B.C Wolverton
(Penguin Books).
ELEVATING LIFE FORCE
Keeping mold and
allergens under control
during months when
doors and windows are
closed tightly also means
checking for stagnant
standing water that may
have accumulated at the
bottom of plant containers.
Emptying and washing
plant containers on a
regular basis discourages
stuck chi (life force) from
accumulating. A new nest
of soil can rejuvenate
houseplants you have had
for awhile.
Finally, give yourself the gift of a weekly bunch of heavenly
fresh fl owers to lift the spirit and feed the soul in addition to
jump-starting your personal breathing space! Stargazer lilies,
carnations, a single rose or a simple bunch of evergreen boughs
are uplifting reminders of our connection to nature. When life
force is encouraged and elevated, an opening is created for
increased consciousness and opportunity.
Nancy Flynn, resides in Fresno and owns
Wind & Water Environmental Balancing. She
offers residential and corporate Feng Shui
consultations. She can be reached at 559-
790-2299 or windwaterfengshui@earthlink.
net.

FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
Healthy Living Clues
For Kids of All Ages will be a regular feature of each issue
of World of Wellness, giving you an interactive opportunity
to allow the kid in you to play and learn. The content will vary
with puzzles, a story, or other interesting activity.
The goal is to engage you, and
your children, with simple information
on the topic of healthy living.
We hope you enjoy this section.
Some of the answers to the crossword
puzzle can be found in the
stories in this issue; others we trust
you will already know. Answers to
the puzzle can be verifi ed on our
website,
www.worldofwellnessmag.com.
And remember to take time to play
every day!
ACROSS
3. Breakfast juice from a fruit whose name is the same as its
color.
6. The aerobic type done regularly is good for you.
8. Natural air fi lters in your home.
9. Helps the immune system eliminate infection.
11. Beverage that comes from a cow.
12. Do this to your hands often to minimize illness risk.
DOWN
1. A special kind of market for buying local produce.
2. Grapes are dried to make these.
4. Produce grown without pesticides.
5. Separating paper, garbage, and yard waste is a good
example of this.
7. Healthy beverage to keep you hydrated.
10. Life goes better when you get enough of this.
The true object of human
life is play.
- G.K. Chesterton
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 21

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
22 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
Business and Professional Services

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
ALLERGY ONE TM
Breathe.
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Philanthropic
Female-empowering!
Mite Proof Bed Encasings � House Air
Purifi ers / Filtration � Blankets � Personal
Care � Anti-Allergen Cleaning Products
� Cat & Dog Allergen Control
559-432-1900
www.AllergyOne.com
1 Free Class!
(New students only)
Montecito Plaza (NW Willow/Nees) 298-1444
www.sistersyoga.com
Business and Professional Services
Winter 2007 ● World of Wellness ● 23

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
EARTH PRAYER
24 ● World of Wellness ● Winter 2007
Business and Professional Services