Natural Awakenings Twin Cities December 2019

FREE
HEALTHY LIVING
HEALTHY PLANET
Joyful
Giving
How Generosity
Transforms Us
Conscious
Breathwork
How Breathing
Deep Heals
Beyond
Calcium
Full-Spectrum
Bone Health
Vegan
Holiday
Treats
Tasty and
Healthy Sweets
THE EVOLUTION
OF COMMUNITY
Gathering to Make a Difference
December 2019 | Twin Cities Edition | NAtwincities.com

7550 France Ave S. Suite #200 | Edina, MN 55435
612-564-8714 | Bhakticlinic.com
Macular Regeneration
acupuncture and more for degenerative eye diseases
Keep reading, working,
driving and living your
best life longer!
There is hope! Call Today!
Cassandra Rose, L.Ac. | (612) 564-8714
CANNABIS CERTIFICATION
at Bhakti Wellness Center
For more info:
612-517-7716 | Mperialhealth.com
Orthopedic Acupuncture
& Bodywork
John integrates Neuromuscular
and Myofascial Therapies with
Acupuncture and Dry Needling
to treat the root of the problem.
Auto insurance referrals are welcome.
A whole-person approach
to chronic pain and injury.
John Montes LAc. CMT
612-568-8889
Functional Medicine for Macular Degeneration
Functional Medicine approach to chronic
degenerative eye conditions using
Acupuncture, Microcurrent therapy,
Herbs and Supplements.
This treatment regimen is shown to be
up to 85% effective by clinical outcome
measures, offering real hope where there
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CALL TODAY - CASSANDRA ROSE
612-564-8714 | BHAKTICLINIC.COM
2 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

December 2019
3

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
letter from the publisher
TWIN CITIES EDITION
PUBLISHER Candi Broeffle
EDITORS Cheryl Hynes
Randy Kambic
WRITER Jackie Flaherty
AD SALES Candi Broeffle
SchaOn Blodgett
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Sara Shrode
CONTACT US
P.O. Box 27617
Golden Valley, MN 55427
Ph: 763-270-8604
NAtwincities.com
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This holiday season, as there seems to be so much that can
divide us, I encourage all of us to extend our love and understanding
to those who may not fully share our beliefs,
and take some time to better understand one another’s point of
view. This time of the year is traditionally the time to come together,
and more importantly, this time in our history is urging us
to do just that. It is up to each of us to build the community we so
long for, not wait for our leaders and politicians to do it for us.
In this month’s uplifting feature by Linda Sechrist, “The
Emerging Power of ‘We’: Awakening to the Evolution of Community”,
you’ll find a compelling argument that collective wisdom,
Candi Broeffle
collaborative change and the need to evolve from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we” may
be the key to addressing the major challenges that confront humankind.
One way in which I personally practice this is with a group of powerful women who
meet several times a month to hold intentions and positive thoughts for one another as we
move through the celebrations and difficulties in life. We have met through virtual meeting
spaces and over the phone for two years, and the changes we have created have been
incredible, including strengthening our relationships with our families, easily maneuvering
through what would otherwise be difficult transitions, building our businesses and improving
our health. Imagine what could be accomplished if all of us came together in our collective
wisdom to make the change we hope to see in our communities? I hold the intention
that 2020 will be the year we do so.
Having read 7 Lessons from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live a Joy-Filled Life, I
am excited to share the interview with the author, Mary Neal, in this month’s Wise Words.
Dr. Neal is an orthopedic surgeon who shares her account of a near-death experience in
which she believes she penetrated the veil dividing the physical and spiritual worlds. Her
life-altering experience prompted her to pay more attention to those things that are truly
important: faith, family and relationships with others. I am confident that her message will
resonate in some way with you this holiday season.
As you prepare for the holidays and seek to find the perfect gifts to share with your
loved ones, I encourage you to share the gifts of good health. The advertisers who support
this magazine provide services and goods that will make your gift giving both easy
and welcomed by your loved ones. Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated by all and you
will have the satisfaction of knowing that you supported a local small business owner—
one of your community members.
Wishing you peace, joy and wellness,
Candi Broeffle, Publisher
4 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 70 healthy
living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the
communities we serve with the tools and resources we
all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.
Contents
ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS
HOW TO ADVERTISE
To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a
media kit, please contact us at 763-270-8604 or email
Publisher@NAtwincities.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th
of the month.
EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS
Email articles, news items and ideas to:
Publisher@NAtwincities.com.
Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS
Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@NAtwincities.com.
Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.
REGIONAL MARKETS
Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!
Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised
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1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309.
For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit
NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
16
14 THE GENEROUS HEART
18
How Giving Transforms Us
15 SURGEON MARY NEAL
On Lessons From Heaven
16 THE EMERGING
POWER OF ‘WE’
Awakening to the Evolution
of Community
18 WASTE-FREE FEASTING
How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste
20 THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
23 KEEP THE HOLIDAYS
HAPPY FOR YOUR HIGHLY
SENSITIVE CHILD
24 BEYOND CALCIUM
Full-Spectrum Bone Health
26 PERFECT PET
PRESENTS
Safe and Eco-Smart Toys
28 INHALING THE
JOY OF LIFE
Conscious Breathwork
30 REFRESH HOLIDAY
TRADITIONS
Making the Old New and Green
DEPARTMENTS
6 news briefs
7 business
spotlights
8 health briefs
10 global briefs
13 eco tip
14 inspiration
15 wise words
18 green living
20
26
20 conscious
eating
24 healing ways
26 natural pet
28 fit body
30 healthy kids
33 calendar
35 resource guide
December 2019
5

news briefs
Three Weeks of
Profound Workshops
at Cabo Breath Fest
In celebration of Natural Awakenings’
commitment to promoting higher
consciousness during the last 25 years, the
Cabo Breath Fest will offer many lifechanging
workshops plus other activities
from February 1 to 21, in San Jose del Cabo,
Mexico.
Some of the 20-plus international experts
offering workshops include event founder
Dan Brule, author, breathwork pioneer and the creator of Breath Therapy; Stig Avall Severinsen,
champion free diver and author of the bestselling book, Breatheology: The Art of Conscious
Breathing; Dr. Jim Morningstar, author and founder of the School of Integrative Psychology;
and Lena Kristina Tuulse, breathwork pioneer who introduced conscious breathing to much of
Europe and author of Passion for Life.
As this historic event is a co-creation of the trainers and guests, attendees are also invited
to make presentations during some of the 100 available sessions. There will also be yoga on
the beach, drumming circles, concerts, social gatherings, great food, dances, art and other
enriching activities.
Tickets: $100 for any or all workshops. For more information, tickets and cheap
accommodations, call 800-568-7957 or visit CaboBreathFest.com or Facebook.com/
cabobreathfest.
Valerie Marsh
Seeking Women for
Support Group Analysis
Valerie Marsh, LMFT, of Positive Power Psychology, is seeking
women who have experienced emotional, verbal and/or
physical abuse in a love relationship, for an informational/support
group to help heal and become empowered again. Marsh has
many years of experience facilitating groups for women recovering
from these issues.
She is currently wanting to speak to interested women to
find a convenient time for potential members to convene. This
would be a four-week-long, once-a-week, 90-minute, closed group, and can take place
afternoons or evenings.
Location: 600 Twelve Oaks Center Dr., Ste. 206, Wayzata (conveniently located off
highways 494 and 394). For more information and to connect, call 612-772-2808 or
visit PositivePowerPsychology.com. See ad, page 12.
NA Fun Fact: Natural Awakenings’ free app has
been downloaded by more than 40,000 iPhone users
and is available on the Android platform.
To advertise with us,
call 763-270-8604
Gifts from the
Ocean: A Holiday
Seafood Box
With the fishing season wrapped
up in Alaska and the snow
already falling on the ground here in
Minnesota, there is only one thing to
do: hibernate and dream of turkey, lefse,
caramels, ham, squash, king salmon and
halibut. In the greatest season of giving
and receiving, Sitka Salmon Shares,
your local community-supported fishery,
has prepared two Holiday Boxes for
members and nonmembers alike.
Seafood can be an ideal gift this
holiday season. “The idea of supporting
a sustainable community of hard
working, traditional fishing families
whilst also giving, hands-down, the
most incredibly delicious food from
the ocean, is a win-win,” says Minnesota’s
community manager, Richie
Mann. “Mother Ocean produced a
bounty for our fishermen this season
and sharing it with our Midwestern
family is only neighborly.”
Sitka Salmon Shares has brought
Alaska’s most sustainable, wild, linecaught
seafood to the doorsteps of
Midwesterners for 10 years. Putting
fishermen and the environment first
and taking the artisanal approach to
the process of their seafood not only
create a trust between ocean and fisherman,
but also between fisherman
and customer.
The 2019 Holiday Box program, with
species like king salmon, Dungeness
crab, halibut, coho, spot prawns and
more, can be ordered through the Sitka
Salmon Shares website at SitkaSalmon
Shares.com. Holiday Boxes are available
to order until December 15 and will ship
before Christmas. See ad, page 3.
6 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

usiness spotlights
Not All CBD is
Created Equal
The people of Minnesota have long
waited for a reputable CBD company
to open its doors. Luckily, Nothing
But Hemp now operates in multiple
locations, including Uptown; Grand Avenue
(St. Paul) Downtown; White Bear
Lake, Maplewood Mall and Forest Lake.
Nothing But Hemp carries labtested
and award-winning products
most commonly available in medical
and recreational cannabis dispensaries
throughout California, Oregon and
Colorado. They also partner with local Minnesota hemp farmers
and carry locally grown Minnesota hemp CBD products.
The Best Quality. These highly sought after CBD products
from out west have been featured in Forbes, Woman’s Health, High
Times, Health and Herb. The CBD products have also won prestigious
awards, including The Dope Industry Awards, The Cannabis
Cup, The Cannabist Awards and Minnesota Legacy CBD Cup.
Nothing But Hemp’s sterling reputation and products are
also backed up by various degrees of scientific research, and the
company has been featured in the media, including Minnesota
Public Radio, FOX, ABC, CBS, the Tom Barnard Show and Marijuana
Ventures.
Money-Saving Opportunity. Those interested in experimenting
or who already take CBD can also look to save a pretty
penny with Nothing But Hemp. They
partner and work directly with farmers
and hemp manufactures so customers
see direct savings.
A Wealth of Experience. Nothing
But Hemp CEO Steven Brown is
the only CBD store owner in the Twin
Cities who boasts a cannabis industry
background. During his time in
the business, he has worked with and
advised some of the largest cultivating
facilities in western states. He is also a
founder of the Minnesota Hemp Association,
an industry group with over
100 members.
Further, Brown has even helped to design a dispensary featured
on the popular Playboy TV series High Indulgence, hosted
by Shanley McIntee.
Nothing But Hemp industry education is second to none,
and Brown empowers customers with a unique expertise and
approach—one of the professional connections to knowledgeable
representatives who do their very best to give people the muchneeded
relief and improvement they require.
Locations: Uptown, 617 W. Lake St., Minneapolis; Downtown,
844 Grand Ave., St. Paul; Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave.
(upstairs near the food court), Maplewood; 143 Lake St. N., Forest
Lake; 4762 Banning Ave., White Bear Lake. For more information,
visit NothingButHemp.net. See ad, page 40.
Erin Thole: Certified Natural
Healthcare Practitioner
Erin Thole
Many people have
come to realize that
the current healthcare
system is one that compartmentalizes
the body
and typically addresses the
symptoms instead of the
root cause of diseases and
conditions.
As a natural healthcare
practitioner, I see the body
as one whole unit and am
not interested in addressing
symptoms; I am looking
to get to the root of an individual’s health conditions. I often
have clients come to me with various diagnoses from their
medical doctors and they are on various cookie cutter medications
meant for those with that same label (i.e. diagnosis).
However, 100 people could have the same diagnosis, based on
their symptoms, yet they could all have a different root cause
for those symptoms leading to that particular diagnosis.
Due to this, many people end up never finding relief for
their ailments and become attached to a “label” diagnosis. In
my practice, I am always chasing the “why”: Why do you have
digestive issues? Why do you have a thyroid condition? Why are
your hormones out of balance? Why do you have constant fatigue
and poor sleep? If we continue to ask the why questions, we can
eventually get to the root of the health condition and address it.
I approach each client as an individual. This means there is no
one-size-fits-all program. I conduct a series of functional medicine
lab tests, an extensive health history review and symptomatology
reports to figure out each individual’s “why” and put together an
individualized program based on these results and findings.
For more information and to request a free 45-minute phone consultation,
email Thole.Erin@gmail.com or visit ErinThole.com. See
ad, page 12.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
~Dalai Lama
December 2019
7

health briefs
Eat Mushrooms to Lower
Risk of Prostate Cancer
Researchers followed more
than 36,000 Japanese
men older than 40 for an
average of 13.2 years.
They found that those
that consumed culinary
mushrooms three times a
week had a 17 percent lower
chance of developing prostate cancer compared to those
that ate mushrooms less than once a week. Participants
that ate mushrooms once or twice a week had an 8 percent
lower risk. The trend was even greater for those men over
the age of 50 and was unrelated to other dietary habits.
Maintain a Healthy Diet and
Weight to Lower Cataract Risk
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition used
adherence to dietary guidelines and total diet scores to
assess the effects of diet on cataract risk.
The researchers followed 2,173 older Australians
for five and 10 years in two phases. They found that
maintaining a healthy body mass index
(BMI) of less than 25, combined with a
healthy diet, reduced the risk of
developing cataracts.
Eat a Better
Diet to Improve
Gut Bacteria
Researchers at the University of
Hawaii Cancer Center tested stool
samples of 858 men and 877 women
in Los Angeles and Hawaii with a mean
age of 69—regarded as an ethnically
diverse study population with varied
food intakes. The study found that
those with higher quality diets also
had significantly better gut bacteria
diversity, a factor linked to reduced
risk for a variety of diseases. Diet quality and a
reduced risk of developing chronic disease is
strongly associated with fecal microbial diversity.
8 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
Reduce Blood Pressure and
Heart Attacks With Better
Gut Bacteria
New research offers potential
paths for treatment
for the nearly 20 percent
of patients with high blood
pressure that don’t respond
well to medications. University
of Florida College of
Medicine researchers, testing
105 volunteers, found
that the populations of gut
bacteria differed between
hypertensive individuals
with depression and those without depression. A second
study by Italian researchers found that patients with heart
attacks had different bacteria in their guts than patients
with stable angina.
Train Students in
Mindfulness to
Reduce Stress and
Improve Grades
Sixth-graders that received mindfulness
training each day for eight weeks
experienced lower stress levels, less
depression and improved academic
performance compared to their
peers in a control group
that studied computer
coding, report
Massachusetts
Institute of
Technology
researchers. In
addition to that
100-student
study, researchers
surveyed 2,000 students
in grades five
through eight and found
those that showed more
mindfulness tended to
have better grades and test
scores. They also had fewer
absences and suspensions.
Hong Vo/Shutterstock.com
SK Design/Shutterstock.com
Daxiao Productions/Shutterstock.com

dencg/Shutterstock.com
Marry to Halve the Risk
of Dementia
Wedlock tends to
stave off dementia,
according to a new
Michigan State University
study. Analyzing 14 years of data on
15,000 people older than 52, researchers found those in
all unmarried groups—cohabiting, divorced, separated,
widowed and never married—had significantly higher
odds of developing dementia than their married counterparts.
The differences were most acute for those divorced,
separated or widowed—about twice as prone as married
people to develop dementia, with the men faring worse
cognitively than the women.
Fascinadora/Shutterstock.com
Extreme Weather Events
Affect Mental Well-Being
People that experience storm and flood damage to their
homes are about 50 percent more likely to experience
depression and anxiety, British researchers report. Surveying
more than 7,500 people after the 2013-2014 season of
severe weather, they found that those with homes damaged
by wind, rain, snow or floods had mental health risks similar
to living in a disadvantaged area. This occurred even when
the effects of the extreme weather were relatively minor and
did not force people to leave their homes.
Eat Nuts to Reduce Odds of
Death From Heart Disease
651-429-4153
Adults that ate nuts two or more times per week had a 17
percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke,
reports an Iranian study that followed 5,432 adults for
12 years. The research was presented in August at the
European Society of Cardiology.
“Nuts are a good source
of unsaturated fat and
contain little saturated
fat,” says
study author Dr.
Noushin Mohammadifard,
of the Isfahan Cardiovascular
Research
Institute. “They also
have protein, minerals,
vitamins, fiber, phytosterols
and polyphenols which
benefit heart health.”
Susan M. Swanson, D.V.M.
1524 Mahtomedi Avenue, Mahtomedi, MN 55115
www.HolisticCatClinic.com
PARENTING THE HSC
& INTUITIVE
READINGS
AMYVASTERLING.COM
612-405-0916
Amymvasterling@gmail.com
Speaker + Writer + Teacher
Offering a Blend of Western
& Eastern Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Herbs
• Nutritional Therapy
• Behavior Counseling
• House Calls Available
Parenting - Highly Sensitive Children
Intuition - Wisdom Gatherings & Readings
December 2019
9

global briefs
Lab Steak
Making Meat Without Animals
Five major food technology
companies have converged
to form the Alliance for
Meat, Poultry and Seafood
(AMPS) Innovation, which
seeks to create real meat
from animal cells without
the need to slaughter
animals. The founding
members of the coalition
are both cell-based seafood
companies BlueNalu
and Finless Foods and meat makers Fork & Goode, San
Francisco-based JUST Inc., and Memphis Meats.
AMPS Innovation (ampsinnovation.org) intends to
tackle obstacles presented in the cellular agriculture
industry and bring products to the consumer faster with
transparency and proper regulatory frameworks for
cell-based products. Each member company has made
significant strides in the development of these products
with the hope they will soon be options
in the everyday diets of
individuals, as well as
a nutrition source for
a human population
projected to grow to
10 billion by 2050.
Nature Cure
Forests and Shrubs Lower Medical Costs
A new study based on the National Land Cover Database
of 3,086 of the 3,103 counties in the continental U.S.
published in the journal Urban Forestry and Urban Greening
found that increases in forest and shrub cover corresponded
to decreases in Medicare health care spending, even when
accounting for economic, geographic or other factors that
might independently influence healthcare costs.
Urban and rural counties with the lowest socioeconomic
status appeared to benefit the most from increases
in forests and shrubs. University of Illinois graduate
student Douglas A. Becker, who led the new research with
Matt Browning, a professor of recreation, sports and tourism,
says, “It occurred to me that low-income communities
are getting the biggest bang for their buck because
they probably have the most to gain.”
Other studies have shown that people in intensive
care units recover more quickly and have fewer complications
after surgery if their hospital rooms look out over
trees rather than parking lots and that forest walks can
influence potentially health-promoting hormone levels or
anti-cancer immune cells in the blood.
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
BK foto/Shutterstock.com
Charge It
Electric Vehicles Get Their Own ‘Gas’ Station
The RS Automotive
gas station,
in Takoma
Park, Maryland,
has
been around
since 1958,
and Depeswar
Doley has been
running it for 22
years. Now, frustrated
by the complicated
rules, requirements
and contracts of oil and gas
companies, he has completely
transitioned away
from offering petroleum
and become the country’s
first exclusively electric vehicle
(EV) charging station.
Because there has
been a shortage of EV
charging stations in the
state, the station’s changeover
was partially funded
by the Baltimore-based
Electric Vehicle Institute
and the Maryland Energy
Administration. Its new
200-kilowatt electrical
system will now be able to
recharge up to four vehicles
at a time while drivers
wait inside. Doley says, “It’s
not something that I expect
to become rich overnight or
something like that, but it’s
a good cause [and] good
for the environment.”
Petair/Shutterstock.com
10 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Tati9/Shutterstock.com
Animal Rescue
Government Order Reduces Animal Testing
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Administrator
Andrew Wheeler has signed a
directive reducing the animal
testing that the agency has
long required on such animals
as dogs, birds, rats and fish to
gauge the toxicity of chemicals
before they can be bought, sold
or used in the environment. The
agency also authorized $4.25 million in funding for five universities
to research the development and use of alternative
test methods and strategies that reduce, refine or replace
vertebrate animal testing. He says, “Today’s memo directs
the agency to aggressively reduce animal testing, including
reducing mammal study requests and funding 30 percent by
2025 and completely eliminating them by 2035.”
Any mammal studies requested or funded by the
EPA after 2035 will require administrator approval on a
case-by-case basis. It directs leadership and staff in the
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and
the Office of Research and Development to prioritize and
direct existing resources toward measurable impacts in
the reduction of animal testing while ensuring protection
of human health and the environment.
Services Offered
* Network Spinal Analysis
* Massage Therapy
* CranioSacral Therapy
* Ionic Detox Footbath
* RESTART Sugar Detox
* InfraRed Thermal Imaging
* Nutritional Therapy
* Raindrop Technique
* Reiki
* Reflexology
* Classes
* Yoga
Schedule Online:
RosevilleOptimalWellness.com
651-340-1233
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Heave Ho
Cruise Line Abandons Plastic Bottles
As a result of its partnership
with Just Goods, Inc., the Norwegian
Cruise Line will replace
single-use plastic bottles
across its fleet by January 1,
2020, beginning with the Norwegian
Encore. The company’s
ships will feature JUST, which
is 100 percent spring water in a
plant-based carton made of 82
percent renewable materials from trees grown in responsibly
managed forests. The cap and shoulder are made from a
sugarcane-based plastic. It’s refillable and recyclable.
Just Goods, located in Glen Falls, New York, has
a global presence with bottling facilities in New York,
Northern Ireland and Australia, allowing the company to
meet demand around the world without shipping water
from a single production source. It plans to replace more
than 6 million single-use plastic bottles every year. CEO
Ira Laufer says, “The company is pushing the boundaries
of what’s always been done because it knows we all need
to do better.”
December 2019
11

Attorney David Paurus
Positive Power
Psychology
Valerie Marsh, MS, LM FT
Counseling & Coaching
for Positive Change
Alternative Options to
Legal Representation
Value for Value Model
Sacred Observations/
Sacred Consulting
952-594-2804
Locally owned and independent since 1968!
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EST. 1968
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personal care, homeopathy, tcm
1526 ST. CLAIR AVENUE, ST. PAUL, MN 55105
T. 651-690-1692 • WWW.MASTELS.COM
OPEN WEEKDAYS 9-8 • SATURDAY 9-6 • SUNDAY 12-5
PositivePowerPsychology.com • 612.772.2808 • Wayzata, MN
12 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
global briefs
Lung Relief
Biosolar Leaf Purifies Air in London
A 2016 study at the University
of British Columbia revealed
that air pollution is the fourthleading
cause of death worldwide,
with at least 5.5 million
air pollution-related fatalities
every year. A new cultivation
system developed by researchers
from Imperial College
London collaborating with the
startup Arborea have created the world’s first Biosolar Leaf
technology to purify and improve the air in London. They
hope it’ll boost environmental outcomes not only in the UK,
but all over the world. The process works by purifying the
air through photosynthesis of microscopic plants, which
removes the greenhouse gases from the environment and
generates breathable oxygen at the same time.
The startup’s innovative cultivation system can facilitate
the growth of microalgae, phytoplankton and diatoms on
large, solar panel-like structures that can be installed on
buildings and other infrastructure to improve the quality of
the atmosphere. Arborea’s cultivation system also creates a
sustainable source of organic biomass from which nutritious
food additives can be extracted for plant-based food.
Repurposing Weeds
Pond Plants Offer Protein Strategy
Fast-growing lemna, or duckweed,
a flowering green plant
that blooms on the surface of
still and slow-moving bodies
of water that is often mistaken
for algae, is finding new utility
as a protein source. Californiabased
Plantible Foods claims
that duckweed, traditionally
the enemy of pond owners, is
superior to other alternative proteins like pea, wheat and
soy. The unusual crop naturally contains higher amounts
of the complete protein RuBisCo and is easier to digest
than some other popular plant proteins. It can be used as
a substitute for egg white, is free of the top eight allergens
and has a neutral color and taste. Due to its rapid growth,
duckweed is less vulnerable to climate change. Plantible
Foods co-founder Tony Martens says that duckweed
grows reliably and can typically be harvested daily, no
matter what the weather may be.
laymanzoom/Shutterstock.com
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Sunny studio/Shutterstock.com
eco tip
Burn Notice
Safe and Sustainable Fireplace Practices
One of the charms of winter is enjoying the warmth and
glow of indoor fireplaces and wood stoves. It also emphasizes
the need for sustainable, safe and healthy practices—especially
when it comes to maintaining air quality.
Try to buy wood from providers that use good forest
management practices such as harvesting during sustainable
months, reports WoodHeat.org. Environmentally
sound woodlot operations include thinning out dying,
less desirable and damaged trees, and including a blend
of species.
“Have a high-efficiency, properly installed stove that
meets local building codes that’s sized for the area to be
heated,” says Brad Harr, senior environmental scientist
and president of Summit Environmental Inc., in Boise,
Idaho. “Use dry, 10 to 12 percent wood moisture. Water
sucks up heat to get to combustion temperature. Run at
high heat, generally over 1,000° F in the firebox, to effect
complete combustion of the wood and gases.”
Denser woods such as ironwood, rock elm, hickory,
oak and sugar maple burn longer and conserve resources.
Use a higher British thermal unit (BTU) per cord of wood to
maximize heat production. (WorldForestIndustries.com has
tips per region.)
Harr adds, “Don’t starve the fire to extend burning
time, as smoldering can cause incomplete combustion.”
This leads to more carbon monoxide and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) being released that can
cause flu-like symptoms, and at high levels, unconsciousness
and even death. To help maintain proper
airflow and prevent soot buildup, shovel excess ash into
a covered metal container, store it outside and dispose
of it in a few days.
Smelling smoke can indicate the fireplace may be
backdrafting and needs to be inspected. Harr also suggests
checking periodically for potential cracks or rusting
in the joints of a stovepipe. Make sure children and the
elderly don’t accidentally touch the stove while in use and
keep furniture a suitable distance away. Periodic inspections
by a professional can address potentially dangerous
creosote (tar deposit) accumulations, assure the catalytic
converter is operating correctly and detect trapped debris
in escape shafts that can force toxic gases back into the
home and clog spark-arresting screens on tops of stovepipes
or chimneys.
If buying a new unit, make sure it’s U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency-certified, which requires two-thirds
less wood to generate heat and emits fewer harmful particles—two
to seven grams per hour—compared with 15 to
30 grams for models manufactured before 1992, according
to MotherEarthLiving.com.
December 2019
13

JANUARY
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE
Coming Next Month
Age-
Defying
Habits
Plus:
Healthy Immune System
inspiration
The Generous Heart
How Giving Transforms Us
by Cindy Ricardo
Choen photo/Shutterstock.com
To advertise or
participate in our
next issue, call
763-270-8604
14 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
One of the ways we come into balance
and connection with each
other and with life is by giving
from the heart. When we give to others,
whether it’s an act of kindness, generosity
or compassion, it helps us live from the
heart instead of the ego.
Living from the ego is painful and
exhausting. It’s like feeding a hungry
monster that’s never satisfied. Ego craves,
pursues and clings to status, approval,
material wealth and control. It views the
world through the eyes of fear—constantly
evaluating, judging and acting in ways that
are self-centered, defensive and protective.
Like with Scrooge, ego closes our heart and
makes us small, fearful and contracted.
By contrast, generosity requires that
we open our hearts to the world and each
other. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable.
In doing this, we open ourselves fully to
life, love and relationships. We let go of
striving and pursuing things. When we
stop striving, we begin to see, value and
respond to what’s happening in the present
moment in ways that are healthy and
healing. Our priority shifts from acquiring
things to appreciating what we have and
being open to sharing with others.
Generosity is a quality of kindness,
of living from a place of abundance. We
see the world through a clear lens that isn’t
clouded by fear, wanting or clinging. When
we interact with others, our connection is
genuine. We see people instead of judgments
or labels.
Being generous arises from the heart,
not the wallet. We don’t need to have
material wealth in order to be generous.
The only requirement is a willingness to
open our hearts, to see life as it is and
to interact with others from a place of
compassion and love. Some examples of
generous acts are:
n Doing a household chore without
being asked.
n Setting aside what we’re doing and
listening to someone in need of
emotional support.
n Telling loved ones what we appreciate
about them.
n Listening to children and trying to
see the world through their eyes before
offering advice.
n Smiling at a stranger.
n When asking, “How are you?” looking
into the person’s eyes and taking time to
truly listen with an attitude of curiosity
and compassion.
Generosity awakens goodness in the
heart, and this helps us open to life, love
and relationships.
Cindy Ricardo is a Coral Springs, Floridabased
psychotherapist who blogs at
ACaringCounselor.com.

wise words
Surgeon Mary Neal on
Lessons From Heaven
In 1999, while
kayaking on the
Fuy River in Chile,
orthopedic surgeon
Mary Neal became
trapped beneath a
waterfall and drowned.
She was underwater
for 30 minutes before
the current pulled her
out. During that time,
Neal experienced what
she believes to be a
miraculous event in
which she penetrated
the veil dividing the
physical and spiritual
worlds. There, she was told that it was not
yet her time, and of the future death of her
eldest son, a prediction that was fulfilled 10
years later. The experience gave her a new
perspective on the purpose of our Earthly
existence and life after death.
She has since written two books on
the subject: To Heaven and Back: A Doctor’s
Extraordinary Account of Her Death, Heaven,
Angels and Life Again; and 7 Lessons
from Heaven: How Dying Taught Me to Live
a Joy-Filled Life. Her life-altering experience
prompted her to pay more attention
to those things that are truly important:
faith, family and relationships with other
human beings. She lives with her family in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she continues
to mend broken bones.
How do you think your medical
background makes you
uniquely qualified to speak on
near-death experiences (NDE)?
I am a very concrete thinker and analyze
everything. Being a doctor also gave me ac-
by Kajsa Nickels
cess to many resources
that the common
person would not. I
spent many months researching
scientific and
medical literature to try
to come up with a logical
explanation of what
had happened to me. I
was forced to conclude
that my experience fell
outside of the parameters
of both science
and medicine. I could
not find any examples
to disprove what happened,
especially when
the predicted death of my oldest son came
to pass.
What was the most profound
moment of your experience?
It’s hard to pinpoint the most profound
moment of the entire experience, but what
impacted me most was the realization that
God is real, and He is present to each and
every one of us every moment of our daily
lives. I realized to the depths of my soul
that all God’s promises are true, not just
wishful thinking or a vague hope.
How has your NDE made
you a better wife, mother and
medical professional?
You can’t have an NDE without having your
entire life changed. When you realize that
there is more to life than what you can see
with your physical eyes, it changes your entire
perspective on every moment of every
day. The things we say and the things we do
create a ripple effect that spreads beyond
the boundaries of our human sight. Love
is ultimately the only thing that matters, to
reflect love to the world and other people.
I was a “good person” before my NDE, but
I now see differently. I see that each human
being is incredibly loved, and that we
are all one: We are them, and they are us.
Everything else in the world is secondary to
God’s love and presence in our lives.
How is your approach to
everyday life different than
it was prior to your NDE?
I am able to be entirely present in every
moment of my life. I can experience deep
and abiding joy regardless of my circumstances.
I am able to trust that grace covers
my past, that there is life after death and a
plan for my life. No matter what is happening,
even if it is terrible, beauty will come
out of it. Most people are trapped in regrets
of the past and worry about the future.
With complete trust in God, I am able to
fully have joy in each and every moment.
Is there a difference between
joy and happiness?
Absolutely. Happiness is an emotion based
on circumstances. Happiness can accompany
joy, but not always. Joy is a state of
being, of trusting in God, of believing that
his promises are true. Joy comes from freedom—freedom
from disruptive emotions
like guilt, remorse, unforgiveness. Even in
the devastation of my oldest son’s death, I
can honestly say that I experienced a deep
joy from trusting in God’s love and promises.
Why do you believe heaven
is written in our hearts?
As a scientist, I firmly believe that we are created
beings with physical bodies and spiritual
souls. I believe that our spiritual self remembers
heaven and remembers joy. Part of our
journey here on Earth is to rediscover our
connection with God. As adults, we often feel
that we have to choose between science and
spiritualism. The truth is that they coexist,
answering questions in different ways.
Kajsa Nickels is a freelance author who lives
in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Connect at
fideleterna45@gmail.com.
December 2019
15

THE EMERGING POWER OF ‘WE’
Awakening to the Evolution of Community
by Linda Sechrist
Franzii/Shutterstock.com
Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s suggestion
that the next Buddha would
likely not take form as an individual
but rather as a sangha, a community practicing
mindful living, led many people to
ask, “Why a community?” The author of
more than 100 books that explore the Buddha’s
core teachings on mindfulness, kindness
and compassion, Hanh clarified the
meaning of sangha as a good community
necessary for helping individuals learn how
to encounter life in the present moment, resist
the unwholesome ways of our time, go
in the direction of peace and nourish seeds
of enlightenment. Even the best intentions,
he noted, can falter without such a group of
trusted family, friends and co-practitioners
experiencing mindfulness together.
A Migration to
Forming Community
Today’s trend toward collaborative processes
and opportunities for transformation
through online communities is made
easier by the availability of affordable video
conferencing providers such as Zoom,
Skype and Mighty Networks, as well as online
platforms like Facebook and MeetUp.
16 NA Twin Edition/Location Cities NAtwincities.com
website address
Although many groups form for marketing,
political, civic or social purposes—allowing
participants to share values and common
interests—thousands more gather as online
intentional communities associated with
personal growth and spiritual awakening.
Myriad individuals have been able
to experience some aspect of community
through international organizations
such as MindValley, Hay House, the Shift
Network and Dr. Deepak Chopra’s Jiyo,
a wellness-focused mobile app intended
to extend the reach of his ideas on health
and social transformation from millions of
people to more than 1 billion.
In MeetUp, spiritual awakening
groups recently comprised 1,113,972 members
in 3,631 groups worldwide. Additionally,
co-housing communities, spiritual
residential communities and eco-villages
continue to form around the intention of
designing and implementing pathways to a
regenerative future.
The Old Story Versus
the New Story
The increased interest in intentional communities
may hint at a possibility that the
human desire for community might be nature’s
evolutionary nudge toward a collective
leap that helps us to survive a changing
climate and Earth’s potential sixth mass
extinction. If so, this possibility needs a
new supportive story that includes humans
as part of nature, with its evolutionary
impulse as a guide for body, mind and soul.
With our modern scientific worldview,
when people talk about nature, they
typically mean animals, plants, geological
features and natural processes, all happening
independently of humans. A more suitable
new story is cultural historian Thomas
Berry’s moving and meaningful narrative in
The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future,
in which humans aren’t above nature by
virtue of superior intellect, but instead
are equal partners with all that exists in a
materially and spiritually evolving universe.
From Berry’s perspective, humans are the
eyes, minds and hearts through which the
cosmos is evolving so that it can come to
know itself ever more perfectly through us.
Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell
shared Berry’s perspective. Traveling back
to Earth after walking upon the lunar
surface, Mitchell gazed out of the spacecraft

window, whereupon he was flooded with an
ecstatic awareness. “I was a part of the universe
I was observing, and I became aware
that everything that exists is part of one
intricately interconnected whole,” recounts
Mitchell, who founded the groundbreaking
Institute of Noetic Sciences to explore the
nature of human consciousness.
A Guiding Light
Seijaku Roshi, the abbot and founder of the
Pine Wind Zen Community, aptly named for
its location in a pine forest in Shamong, New
Jersey, advises, “People are searching and
hungering for community, which is number
one on my agenda. If we aren’t talking about
community, we’re squandering the moment.
Whether it’s an evolutionary nudge or not,
it appears that our tragic world situation is
pushing us towards an alternative vision for
living a meaningful life that meets the needs
of people, society and the environment. We
are awakening to the fact we’re interconnected,
interdependent and need community,
which is the spirit and guiding light whereby
people come together to fulfill a purpose, to
help others fulfill their purpose and to take
care of one another.”
Conscious Evolution
Craig Hamilton, the guiding force behind
the movement known as Integral Enlightenment,
is the founder of the telecourse
training program Academy for Evolutionaries.
His spiritual guidance and teachings
reach a growing international online community
spanning 50 countries. “Transforming
ourselves in the deepest possible
way is, in fact, an evolutionary imperative,
and we need to be able to identify the indicators
of emergent shifts and participate
creatively with change as an evolutionary
force. Evolution up to this point has been
playing out unconsciously. We’re now waking
up and realizing that we can collaborate
and participate in an emerging future.”
Hamilton’s experience is that where
humans awake to the one that is expressed
through the many, they also begin to engage
together. “Practicing community isn’t
as simple as it seems. In online communities,
a lot less can go wrong. The stakes
aren’t as high. People come and go, share
and engage as they like.”
A Community of Sisterhood
Laurie McCammon, author of Enough!
How to Liberate Yourself and Remake the
World with Just One Word, feels certain that
humans are evolving. “We were last to the
party with our big brains, and now we’re
trying to intellectualize our way to an uncertain
future without important feminine
values such as feeling, intuiting, nurturing,
interdependency and vulnerability,” says
McCammon, who is deeply involved in the
circle movement, in which women gather
in small groups to empower each other.
A regular participant in Gather the
Women Global Matrix, a worldwide sisterhood
that connects thousands of women
sharing meaningful conversations and
celebrating the divine feminine with the
intention of bringing about personal and
planetary transformation through cooperation
and collaboration, McCammon says,
“No one of us can bring about large-scale
transformation alone. It’s time to tell the
new story wherein our lives and actions
demonstrate that together we are enough.
Non-hierarchical circles that encourage
authentic communication are part of this
new story.”
Citing other important circle communities
such as Tree Sisters and The
Millionth Circle, McCammon suggests that
women tap into The Divine Feminine app,
which allows them to find circle communities
and events anywhere in the world.
Co-Creating With the
Intelligence of Nature
Teacher and futurist Peter Russell writes
books that are focused on consciousness
and contemporary spirituality. His lectures
help humans free themselves of limited
beliefs and attitudes that belie many of
humanity’s personal, social and global
problems. The author of The Global Brain:
The Awakening Earth in a New Century,
Russell posits that the evolutionary process
naturally draws humans together. “Humans
are social creatures that need community,
which I find very energizing,” says
Russell, who cites the Findhorn Foundation
eco-village, in Scotland, as a dynamic
experiment in community.
“Although residents went through
hard times, they recognized the need for
honest communication so they could
attune to one another in loving ways that
would allow everyone to work through
their difficulties. Today, life at Findhorn
is guided by the inner voice of spirit, and
residents work in co-creation with the
intelligence of nature,” he says.
The Collective Wisdom
of Community
An uncertain future is emerging, making it
necessary for new and more intuitive methods
and spiritual practices for developing
collective wisdom, human potential and
the skills for practicing community. “I’m
in the process of finalizing 118 chapters
from 90 different authors for a Collaborative
Change Library: Transforming Organizations,
Revitalizing Communities, Developing
Human Potential,” says associate editor
Carole Gorelick, who clarifies that spiritual
practices are now playing a part in bringing
about collaborative change. She notes that
several chapters are updated versions of The
Change Handbook: The Definitive Resource
on Today’s Best Methods for Engaging Whole
Systems (2007 second edition), which
included modalities such as World Café,
Open Space Technology, Art of Hosting,
Appreciative Inquiry and many others.
A living handbook for developing
human potential and the skills to practice
community, Fred Eppsteiner has been
teaching Buddhism for 23 years. A student
of Hanh’s since the 1960s, he is the founder
of the Florida Community of Mindfulness,
in Tampa. Eppsteiner sums up why
the next Buddha could be a community:
“A better future will be created by people
who are living the values they want for the
world, not just abstractly using only the
intellect. In community, we ask ourselves,
‘Can I be what I want to see in the world?
Can I practice these things mindfully in
community with love, acceptance, deep
listening, compassion and kindness?’ These
are values that every Buddha has lived for
centuries, and certainly ones we need to
evolve from a culture of, ‘It’s all about me’
to a culture of, ‘It’s all about we’.”
Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer
for Natural Awakenings. Connect at
LindaSechrist.com.
December 2019
17

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green living
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Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
Waste-Free Feasting
How to Reduce Holiday Food Waste
by Yvette C. Hammett
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The heaping platters that cheerfully
mark the holidays have an unfortunate
downside: Americans increase
their waste by 25 percent between Thanksgiving
and New Year’s Day, according to
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). The discarded food and packaging
burden landfills with an additional 1 million
tons of waste each week.
That’s in addition to the 40 percent of
food Americans typically waste each year—
nearly half of all the food prepared at home
or in restaurants. Monica McBride, senior
manager of food loss and waste for the
World Wildlife Fund, notes that squandered
bounty is grown in areas that were converted
from natural habitat into farm fields, so it’s
also a waste of natural resources.
“Once you start cooking, you realize the
impact on the planet,” says chef and caterer
Steven Laurence, owner of Vegan Commissary,
in Philadelphia. “My grandmother was
the kind of person who, if there was one pea
left over, she put it in a container and someone
ate it the next day. That kind of informs
my cooking. The way I was trained, you
didn’t waste anything. You used everything.”
In individual households, small
changes can have a big impact, especially
during the holidays; all it takes is awareness
and a plan. Frugal cooks can make room for
a holiday waste reduction strategy by taking
inventory of the pantry and boxing up a load
for the local soup kitchen or food bank.
Then, design a menu with the environment
in mind, using portion control to avoid
food waste and whipping up dishes that can
easily be upcycled into new creations that can
be used as appetizers in the coming days or
tucked in the freezer for future enjoyment.
Start with the Guest-imator at
SaveTheFood.com, a great way to determine
portions for a holiday party, says
Cheryl Coleman, director of the EPA
Resource Conservation and Sustainability
Division in the Office of Resource Conservation
and Recovery.
The Guest-imator and Save the Food,
a program of the Natural Resources Defense
Council in conjunction with the Ad
Council, tells cooks how much to make to
keep guests happy and includes recipes for
leftovers, such as Crispy Sheet Pan Hash,
made with leftover roasted vegetables, and
Ugly Vegetable Pasta, made with zucchini,
tomatoes and eggplant.
Spoilage is another way food finds its
way into the garbage can, and that too, can
be avoided, Laurence says, pointing out that
most food goes bad because it’s not cooked

properly or is mishandled in storage. “Mix animal protein with
starches and grains in a container and it goes bad because of two different
sorts of enzymes. It is a fuel for bacteria.” He also recommends
using as many organic ingredients as possible for longer-lasting
leftovers. “We guarantee all of our dishes for two weeks,” he says.
Encouraging visitors to take home leftovers is another
effective food-saving strategy, says McBride. “Have Tupperware
or to-go boxes you could provide to your guests.”
Reilly Brock, content manager at Imperfect Produce, in New
York City, agrees. “Just like repurposing excess product requires
creative thinking, food waste around the holidays requires outof-the-box
ideas to keep impact low,” says Brock, whose company
delivers imperfect produce to customers’ doors for a cost savings.
“Why end the fun when the meal ends? The best part about leftovers—and
the holidays—is keeping the celebration going.”
“Also, make sure you keep food safe,” McBride says. “The
CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has a really
great overview of how to do that for parties. Standard guidance is
not to leave food out for more than two hours. So, as a party planner,
make sure you mentally note when you put food out.”
Coleman recommends taking it a step beyond the holidays
by joining a movement to cut food waste year-round. She suggests
visiting FurtherWithFood.org to learn more. “Through that and additional
outreach, we might be able to start to change,” says McBride.
Akashic Record
Readings to
Empower You on
Your Soul’s Journey
Barbara Brodsho, LLC
BarbaraBrodsho.com
612-444-9751 Schedule a free Discovery Call.
Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico,
Florida. Connect at YvetteHammett28@hotmail.com.
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December 2019
19

conscious eating
THE MERRY VEGAN
People-Pleasing Holiday Sweets
The holidays may send too many
sugar plums and frosted gingerbread
figures dancing in the heads
of people with dietary restrictions. Anyone
that chooses to avoid highly processed flours
or sugars, artificial ingredients and loads of
butter will typically be presented with all of
this and more at social gatherings this time
of year. They arrive on visually appealing
cookie platters that tempt with their cute
shapes, vibrant colors and sparkle.
Some, like the gingerbread and
reindeer cutouts, will beckon with glazed
eyes: “Just one,” they whisper. But one can
turn into nine and make someone that may
by Julie Peterson
Stick with your
favorite recipes
that you know
are going to
be a success
and are going
to leave
everyone’s taste
buds happy.
~Pamela Reed
normally avoid sugar or gluten feel bodily regrets.
Someone that is vegan or allergic may
feel they can’t have treats.
Making healthier choices about food is
difficult for reasons many don’t understand.
“People have relationships with food—involving
family, comfort and traditions—and
they don’t want to give that up,” says James
Brandon, of Tampa, founder of Facebook’s
Vegan and Plant-Based Beginner’s Community.
Brandon says that holiday treats are
tough to resist, but staying true to health
goals is most important in the long run.
The best defense to avoid frustration
at social food events is to bring a dish to
share that meets your dietary needs, says
Megan Gilmore, the author of No Excuses
Detox: 100 Recipes to Help You Eat Healthy
Every Day and a blogger at Detoxinista.
com. “That way, you can introduce something
delicious to your friends, family or
co-workers and be sure you’ll have something
to eat!”
A batch of simple, delectable, visually
appealing and healthful cookies can be that
plate to share, a gift to give or something to
keep on hand for guests. Keep the focus on
simple, advises Pamela Reed, who blogs at
BrooklynFarmGirl.com. There are plenty of
recipes that will satisfy the sweet tooth and
decorate the holiday buffet (until they’re all
eaten, that is). Don’t increase holiday stress by
trying a new recipe at the last minute. “Stick
with your favorite recipes that you know are
going to be a success and are going to leave
everyone’s taste buds happy,” she says.
Transitioning to a more conscious way
of eating isn’t about deprivation or leaving
tradition behind. Bring on the new and
healthful cookie recipes and name one after
your grandma.
Julie Peterson writes from her home
in rural Wisconsin. Contact her at
JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
Quality of life actually
begins at home—it’s in
your street, around your
community.
~Charles Kennedy
Petrovich Nataliya/Shutterstock.com
20 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

photo by Pamela Reed
Oh-So-Healthy Holiday Treats
Peanut Butter Cookies
(Vegan, Gluten Free)
Yields: About 18 cookies
1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup coconut sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
⅔ cup oat flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup almond milk
Additional sugar to roll cookies in
Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl,
cream together peanut butter and sugars
with a hand mixer. Once combined, add
vanilla and continue mixing.
Add flour, baking soda, salt and almond
milk into the bowl and mix for a few seconds,
until combined. The cookie dough
will be a little crumbly.
Prepare 2 cookie sheets with silicone
baking sheets or spray with nonstick
spray. Roll the dough into large balls,
and then gently roll in sugar to cover
them. Use a fork to gently press down
on each cookie a little bit—not too much,
or they will crumble.
Bake cookies for 12 minutes. Once out of
the oven, allow to cool for 15 minutes. This
is important, as the cookies will be very
soft when they come out of the oven, but
they will harden up as they cool.
Store in an airtight container or freeze.
Recipe courtesy of BrooklynFarmGirl.com.
Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified)
and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.
December 2019
21

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup
Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Chocolate Crust:
¾ cup ground almond meal
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp melted coconut oil
Pinch of sea salt
Peanut Butter Filling:
½ cup creamy natural peanut butter
3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp melted coconut oil
Pinch of sea salt
Chocolate Topping:
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup melted coconut oil
3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Line a standard loaf pan with parchment
paper and set it aside. In a medium bowl,
stir together the chocolate crust ingredients
until a moist dough is formed. Press the
dough evenly into the bottom of the lined
loaf pan and place it in the freezer to set.
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22 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
To prepare the filling, you can use the
same bowl to stir the peanut butter, maple
syrup, coconut oil and salt. Depending on
whether you’re using salted or unsalted
peanut butter, consider adding more salt to
taste. Store-bought peanut butter cups are
quite salty, so I like to add a generous pinch
of salt to mimic that flavor. Remove the
crust from the freezer and pour the peanut
butter filling over the top, using a spatula to
spread it out evenly. Return the pan to the
freezer to set.
Rinse the mixing bowl and use it again to
make the final layer. Combine the cocoa
powder, melted coconut oil and maple syrup,
whisking well to break up any clumps. Once
the mixture has become a smooth chocolate
sauce, pour it over the peanut butter layer, and
return the pan to the freezer to set until firm,
about an hour or two.
Once the bars are firm, grab the edges of
parchment paper to easily lift the solid bar
from the pan, and use a sharp knife to slice
the bars into your desired size. Store them
in an airtight container in the fridge for up
to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to a
month. (The bars become very firm if frozen
for too long, so I prefer serving them from
the fridge after the initial firming-up time.)
Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-peanutbutter-cup-bars-vegan
Weight Management...
Mental Acuity...
Nutrition...
Energy...
No-Bake Pecan Snowballs
(Grain-Free, Vegan)
Yields: 12 balls
1 cup pecan halves
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
(about 10 dates)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup arrowroot or tapioca starch
Extra arrowroot for dusting, or coconut sugar
Place the pecans and shredded coconut in
a large food processor fitted with an “S”
blade, and process until the pecans are
broken down and crumbly. Add in the rest
of the ingredients and process again, until a
sticky dough is formed. (It should stick together
when pressed between two fingers.)
Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons and
roll the dough between your hands, forming
balls. Arrange the balls on a plate or baking
sheet lined with parchment paper, then
place them in the freezer to set, about 1 to 2
hours. For a “snowball” look, roll the balls in
additional arrowroot or tapioca starch—just a
light coating will do—since the starch will not
enhance the flavor. It’s just for looks!
Note: If you’d prefer to roll the balls in coconut
sugar or shredded coconut, roll them
in one of those options before freezing, so
the coating will stick better.
Store in the fridge in a sealed container for
up to two weeks for best texture.
Source: Detoxinista.com/no-bake-pecansnowballs-paleo-vegan
photo by Megan Gilmore
photo by Megan Gilmore

Being highly sensitive
is a personality type
and is defined by having
a finely tuned nervous
system.
Keep the Holidays
Happy for Your
Highly Sensitive Child
by Amy Vasterling
The holiday season is upon us and with it comes some extra needed attention in parenting,
especially if you have a highly sensitive child. Being highly sensitive is a personality
type and is defined by having a finely tuned nervous system. Because of this,
highly sensitives process information at a very deep level, and this often goes unseen. They
do this based on their high level of inner knowing. When something happens that doesn’t
align with what they know, they work to take in all aspects and process them quickly. This
can leave them overstimulated by large groups or loud noise; they need ample time to be
alone or to simply be quiet, which can be hard to come by during the holidays.
Here are a few strategies that will help keep your highly sensitive child happy during
the holidays:
n Make plans that consider the child. You are your child’s best advocate because
you know them best. Be cautioned not to let other family members make promises or
decisions for your young highly sensitives. Simply tell the adult that it’ll help everybody if
you have the child run things by you first.
n Trust that your child knows what’s right for them. Coach your child to make sound
choices about how much they can do. For example, if their cousin asks them to go skating, to
the mall, out for pizza and then to the winter parade, ask your child to tune in to see if that
feels like it will work for them. If the child is unsure yet wants to go, it may make it easier for
them to decide if they know that they will have time to sleep in the next morning and get a
late start with some quiet time (assuming that’s possible). It helps your child, when they’re still
young, to learn and respect their boundaries as a highly sensitive. For some children, it might
be harder to be at a noisy mall than others. Keep your child’s sensitive areas in mind so you
can help them make good choices, empowering them for a positive, enjoyable experience and
teaching them a life-long skill.
n If any one day becomes too much for your child, step in and offer them downtime.
Rub their feet by the fire; give them time to nap or sleep in late; encourage them to
be in nature alone (if they’re old enough);
allow time and space for them to spend
uninterrupted in a room to themselves,
reading, making some art or quietly playing.
These are all great ways for your child
to restore and be ready for more.
n Let your child have a say in plans;
it’s a good way to support their power of
choice. As stated earlier, allowing the child
to choose how much they can handle, with
you as their coach, can help them learn
a life-long lesson about managing their
energy and time for their future. When
making a family plan for the day, find spots
for moments of quiet solitude. Stop at a
library 30 minutes before meeting other
families at the restaurant; stop at the hotel
for a 30-minute rest period; or make a side
trip to a park for some free play or time in
nature for the child to have the freedom to
do as they need. Making a plan with some
of the child’s input can help greatly in having
a successful day and holiday experience.
n Holiday foods can become
excessive. Your highly sensitive does better
away from sugar and high carb foods.
Making sure they get plenty of fresh veggies
and fruits in between holiday favorites
is a good idea.
Holidays can also be exciting with
presents, visiting relatives, and time away
from home. Bring a comfort item for a
young highly sensitive to use as needed for
soothing and as a signal to you; when you
see them with the item, you know they
need time to restore. Remind older kids to
bring a journal or whatever other tool they
use to decompress.
These small steps can help all the festivities
of the holidays be well received by any
child, including your highly sensitive. Enjoy!
Amy Vasterling, an intuitive
and teacher of parents of
highly sensitive children,
works with individuals and
families throughout the Twin
Cities. To learn more, visit
AmyVasterling.com. See ad,
page 9.
December 2019
23

healing ways
BEYOND CALCIUM
Full-Spectrum Bone Health
Our bones are the
foundation that
supports our
bodies and the quality of
our lives. Unlike the brick
and mortar and bedrock
of a building, the human
skeletal system is living tissue that breaks
down and rebuilds; this constant remodeling
demands much more than just taking an
obligatory calcium supplement.
Compromised bone health is most often
associated with postmenopausal women, but
it can also impact men and younger adults.
Genetics, hormonal changes and nutritional
deficiencies can all foster bone loss. The
National Osteoporosis Foundation reports
by Marlaina Donato
Osteoporosis can be
prevented, and I’ve
seen many patients
reverse osteoporosis.
~Leat Kuzniar
What’s good for muscles
is good for bones.
~Susie Hathaway
that 44 million Americans
have low bone density
and 10 million suffer from
osteoporosis, facing a high
risk of fracture from this
debilitating condition.
Fortunately, it’s never too
early or too late to do right by our bones.
“Osteoporosis can be prevented, and I’ve seen
many patients reverse osteoporosis,” says Leat
Kuzniar, a Nutley, New Jersey, naturopath.
“It becomes more difficult after menopause
and if the bone density is very low, but we can
always make some improvements in bone
health. We need to assess diet, exercise, gastrointestinal
health, hormones, medications,
pH and even stress levels.”
Synergy of Vitamins
and Minerals
Walter Willett, M.D., chairman of the Department
of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health, argues that the daily
recommended 1,000-to-1,200 milligrams of
calcium is based on inadequate studies, and
advises half that amount.
Other minerals may play an equally
critical role. The body robs calcium from the
bones when blood levels of this vital mineral
fall too low; but taking a calcium supplement—especially
without co-nutrients—can
increase fracture risk. “Calcium supplementation
is complex; more isn’t better. Vitamin
D is essential for calcium absorption,
and vitamin K2 is essential for getting that
calcium to your bones and keeping it out
of your arteries,” Kuzniar says. Magnesium,
phosphorus, zinc and potassium are also
allies in calcium metabolism.
Vitamin C, too, is a key player in
bone health, promoting collagen synthesis.
Nutrient absorption relies on integrity of
gut health, so opting for probiotics is a wise
choice across the board.
Bone Up on Superfoods
Optimally, the quest for stronger bones
begins with a nutrient-dense diet. “Plenty of
fruits and vegetables, whole grains, protein
and some fats create a physiology in the
body to support optimal bone health. Avoiding
too much sodium and animal protein
also helps,” says Mary Jane Detroyer, a New
York City-based nutritionist and certified
dietitian. She underscores the importance
of mineral-packed kale, collards, mustard
greens, bok choy and broccoli, but warns
against oxalate-laden spinach and chard,
which inhibit calcium absorption. “Other
calcium-rich foods like tofu, edamame, yogurt,
kefir and cheese are also good, as well
as milk substitutes fortified with calcium.”
Omega-3-rich chia seeds, walnuts and other
tree nuts are heavy hitters that boost both
calcium absorption and collagen production
essential for bone strength.
A 2016 Brazilian study published in the
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows
that a diet with excessive sweets and caffeinated
beverages negatively impacts bone
mineral density in postmenopausal women
with osteoporosis. Soda consumption also
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
24 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

amps up the risk of fractures. An analysis of female subjects spanning
30 years published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
in 2014 reveals a 14 percent increased risk for fractures with each
daily serving of soda, including diet beverages.
Get Moving
High-impact activities like jumping rope and jogging build strong
bones in our youth, but as we age, low-impact exercise is easier on
the joints. Mayo Clinic recommendations include walking, gardening,
dancing, stair-climbing and elliptical training.
Resistance also yields significant results. A 2018 Korean study
published in the journal EnM reveals that exercise employing free
weights, weight machines and elastic bands increases muscle and
bone mass in both women and men. American College of Sports
Medicine-certified personal trainer Susie Hathaway, in Fairfield,
Iowa, explains why. “What’s good for muscles is good for bones.
When a muscle contracts, it gives a beneficial pull on the adjacent
bones, stimulating the bone-building cells to be more active.”
Hathaway highlights safety and the importance of bearing
weight on the feet. “Gravity is important for bone health. Weightbearing
aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, provides a mild
stimulus for your bones and helps slow down bone loss.”
Kuzniar reminds us that with the right care, our bones can
carry us through life. “Once we know what factors are at play in the
patient, we can address the underlying causes.”
Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at
AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
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December 2019
25

natural pet
mission
statement
To empower
individuals to live a
healthier lifestyle on a
healthier planet.
To educate
communities on the
latest in natural health
and sustainability.
To connect readers
with local wellness
resources and events,
inspiring them to lead
more balanced lives.
26 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
Perfect Pet Presents
Safe and Eco-Smart Toys
The pet aisles are so full of squeaking,
plush and colorful toys it can
make a dog or cat parent’s head
spin like a Frisbee. Add blinking lights,
flavors, promises of higher intelligence or
cleaner teeth; then toss in concerns about
sustainably sourced materials, potentially
toxic ingredients and varying degrees of
quality. The choices are complex.
It would be nice to look for that gold
seal of approval from the Pet Toy Regulatory
Agency. But don’t bother: There is no
such thing. It’s all up to the consumer to
figure it out.
by Julie Peterson
The Problem Is Real
Concern regarding toxicants in children’s
toys and the realization that they posed a
risk of chemical exposure led to regulatory
protections. “Similar safeguards
do not exist for pets, even though they
exhibit similar chewing and mouthing
behaviors,” says Philip N. Smith, Ph.D.,
associate professor of terrestrial
ecotoxicology at Texas
Tech University in Lubbock.
“Owner education is key
to limiting unintentional
chemical exposure.”
According to a 2013
study co-authored by Smith
and published in the journal
Chemosphere, common endocrinedisrupting
chemical toxins in plastics
can enter a dog’s body through saliva.
Concentrations of leachable chemicals can
increase in older, degraded toys, according
to the National Institutes of Health.
For anyone that has ever had a pet
destroy a toy faster than it takes to calculate
the cost per second, durable construction
may be the highest concern. After all,
if the toy is vigorously ripped to shreds,
pieces may be swallowed. The most immediate
issue becomes intestinal blockage.
This is a common problem for cats
and dogs with a propensity to eat garbage,
plants and holiday decorations. But when
we spend good money on actual toys, we
would like to think that it won’t lead to
surgery. Unfortunately, there
is no guarantee. Poorly constructed
toys have required
many pet owners to watch for
the parts to pass through
the animal or, worse yet,
make a trip to the vet.
Even if a toy
seems sturdy, it’s best
to observe the animal
with the toy. Charlotte
Easterling, a graphic
designer in Madison,
Wisconsin, learned
Yellowj/Shutterstock.com New Africa/Shutterstock.com

this from her cat, Hazel, who choked on a common cat toy. “She
was playing with a glitter ball and then started meowing kind of
frantically, scrambling around and pawing at her face. I jumped
up and pulled the ball out of her mouth,” recalls Easterling. Hazel
only gets big glitter balls these days.
A New Generation Spurs Change
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet
Owners Survey provides insight into the demographics, buying
habits and other traits of dog, cat, bird, small animal, reptile, fish
and horse owners. The 2019-2020 survey shows that about 85
million U.S. homes, or 67 percent, include a pet. This leads to a
lot of money flowing into the pet toy and care community.
Annually, dog owners spend about $124 and cat owners
spend about $89 on treats and toys. The survey also indicates that
Millennials are the largest pet-owning demographic.
“The pet care community is doing a great job of meeting
the demands of a new generation by offering a range of products
made from sustainable, recycled and upcycled materials,” says
Steve King, CEO of APPA, in Stamford, Connecticut. King notes
it’s expected that as Gen Z pet owners begin to assert themselves
in the marketplace, we will see more products based on sustainability
and transparency.
Shopping for Safety
Experts offer some guidelines for ways consumers can choose
harmless toys:
4 Be suspicious of toys manufactured overseas or cheap ones
made in the U.S.
4 Contact the manufacturer and ask if toys contain phthalates,
BPA, arsenic, bromine, chemical dyes, chromium or formaldehyde.
4 Look for toys made with ingredients from nature (hemp,
leather or wool).
4 Find a pet supply store that has natural, safe and sustainably
sourced products.
4 Inspect toys periodically for loose parts and watch the pet with
new toys.
4 If a pet plays with a toy and then acts oddly, contact the vet.
Infusing Vitality into Life
= IntraPersonal Guided
Imagery Therapy
= Acupuncture
= Life Coaching
= Spiritual Coaching
Services Offered
Contact Connie and Michelle Today
to Schedule an Appointment.
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Life@AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
952-452-8583
AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Connect at
JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.
Conscious breath control is a useful
tool for achieving a relaxed, clear state
of mind.
~Andrew Weil
December 2019
27

fit body
Many people have
found that a regular
breathing practice
has helped them
increase energy and
decrease anxiety.
~Rachael Walter
tions like depression, pain syndromes,
sleep disturbances, anxiety disorders and
chronic inflammation. A 2016 study by the
Medical University of South Carolina published
in the journal BMC Complementary
and Alternative Medicine shows a lower
number of proteins associated with inflammation
in the saliva of participants that
employed breathing exercises. A study that
appeared in the journal Psychophysiology
in 2015 found that 20 minutes of mindful
breathing at bedtime fostered a good
night’s rest for people with insomnia.
Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.com
INHALING THE
JOY OF LIFE
Conscious Breathwork
Our first breath is instinctual and
belly-deep, but as we grow into
life, everyday stress and trauma
can bring us into the shallows. Mindful
breathing can help guide our breath back
to its original, healthy rhythm. Both the
brain and organs benefit from increased
Kari Seaverson DDS
John Seaverson DDS
by Marlaina Donato
oxygen, and the vagus nerve that connects
the two—prompted by changes in the
body’s pH levels—releases acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter responsible for lowering
heart rate.
Breathwork can improve vagal tone, a
major component in a wide range of condi-
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Breathing Breaks
From traditional rebirthing techniques
using circular breathing to Middendorf
Breath Work for somatic awareness, there
are many styles of conscious breathing.
The gentler approaches best suit everyday
needs and taking a breathing break can
actually provide more refreshment than
one featuring coffee.
“Many people have found that a
regular breathing practice has helped them
increase energy and decrease anxiety. It is
a powerful tool to reset the nervous system
when we’re overwhelmed and stressed,” says
Somatic Breath Therapy (SBT) practitioner
Rachael Walter, owner of Breathe-Here-
Now, in Keene, New Hampshire. Like
many forms of breathwork, SBT bridges the
chasm between mind and body. “Conscious
breathing can also help people access and
understand their emotions,” notes Walter.
Pranayama, an ancient technique of
yoga that focuses on breath control and
employs alternate nostril breathing, can
be performed while lying down, seated or
on the yoga mat. Kundalini yoga teacher
Melissa Crowder, owner of 4 States Yoga, in
Joplin, Missouri, advises students to start out
slowly, three to six minutes a day, and then
work up to a longer practice. “Alternate nostril
breathing is a great practice for everyone.
As little as six minutes of yogic breathing, as
needed, can make a profound difference in
decreasing pain and stress,” she says.
Belly Benefits
The American Lung Association recommends
a variety of exercises, including diaphragmatic
(belly) breathing, for conditions
like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmo-
28 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

nary disease (COPD). Engaging the diaphragm is key in breathing
to fullest capacity. Walter explains, “An open, healthy breath is one
in which we use the diaphragm to initiate the breath, followed by the
belly expanding and the breath moving into the chest.”
Most of us unconsciously fall into shallow and sometimes
self-conscious breathing patterns at an early age. “During my training,
I read that by age 6, we pick up on cues telling us to tuck in our
tummies. This simple, bad habit begins a cascade of physiological
responses. Upper chest breathing can create anxiety symptoms
and poor digestion,” explains Colleen Breeckner, owner of Colleen
Lila Yoga, in New York City. “Diaphragmatic breathing causes the
diaphragm to become flat and wide, and in turn, presses upon the
stomach and helps to churn the gastric juices. For this reason, it can
aid earlier stages of digestion.”
When used in conjunction with other modalities such as cognitive
behavioral therapy, diaphragmatic breathing might be beneficial
for irritable bowel syndrome.
Breathing Into Feelings
The depth and quality of the breath can help us to become aware
of emotional states that include “holding patterns”. “Conscious
Noteworthy
Breathwork Styles
Clarity Breathwork: Developed from the groundwork of Leonard
Orr, with a focus on accessing the subconscious mind for
self-awareness
Holotropic Breathwork: Developed by psychiatrist Stanislav
Grof, M.D., and his wife Christina and employs deep, rapid
breathing to initiate an altered state of consciousness; training
in the Grof method is required
Integral Breath Therapy: Gentle technique for an altered state
of consciousness that works with the body’s natural healing
capacity
Middendorf Breath Work: Named after German-born Ilse
Middendorf, a gentle technique that does not include forcing
the breath to promote healing
Rebirthing Breathwork: Pioneering and well-known form
of breathwork that was also developed by Orr with a focus on
releasing unconscious energy blocks imprinted during the birth
process
Shamanic Breathwork: Uses specific breathing methods,
chakras or energy centers, music and movement to overcome
emotional blocks for deep-level healing
Transformational Breath: Developed by Dr. Judith Kravitz
using uninterrupted breathing, Kundalini yoga and other elements
of physical and energetic healing; recommended by Dr.
Christine Northrup and Dr. Deepak Chopra
breathing is a doorway into deep meditation, which can help alleviate
anger and insecurities. It can also be helpful in dropping
addictions,” says Crowder. “Linking pranayama with physical
movement [asanas] helps to release tension and emotions that can
be held in the body’s soft tissues.”
Breeckner agrees, “Developing this awareness can help us to
move unpleasant and stuck emotions through the body.”
Well-being can be just a breath away, says Walter. “When we
open up our breath, we open ourselves to a fuller experience of
being human. It has the capacity to bring us into the present moment
to access our joy and our life’s purpose.”
Marlaina Donato is an author and a composer. Connect at
AutumnEmbersMusic.com.
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December 2019
29

healthy kids
HEALTHY LIVING
HEALTHY PLANET
2020 EDITORIAL CALENDAR
Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock.com
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE
JAN
Age-Defying Habits
Plus: Healthy Immune System
FEB
Cardiovascular Health
Plus: Regenerative Medicine
PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE
MAR
APR
Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet
Plus: CBD
Grassroots Climate Crisis Strategies
Plus: Healthy Home
WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE
MAY
JUN
Autoimmune Breakthroughs
Plus: Protein & Collagen Connection
Inspired Lifestyle Travel
Plus: Brain Health
THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE
JUL
AUG
Beyond Factory Farming
Plus: Gut Health
Biological Dentistry
Plus: Environmental Education
SELF-EMPOWERMENT ISSUE
SEP
OCT
NOV
Emotional Well-Being
Plus: Adaptive Yoga
Stress Management
Plus: Joint Health
THE DIABETES CHALLENGE ISSUE
DEC
Personalized Diabetes Strategies
Plus: Skin Care
Creating Community & Connection
Plus: Spending Locally
IN EVERY ISSUE...
HEALTH BRIEFS | GLOBAL BRIEFS
ECO TIP | GREEN LIVING
HEALING WAYS | FIT BODY
CONSCIOUS EATING
HEALTHY KIDS | WISE WORDS
INSPIRATION | NATURAL PET
Refresh Holiday Traditions
Making the Old New and Green
Celebrating classic holiday traditions
the same way we always have—and
maybe the way our parents and
grandparents did—is part of the rich family
heritage we pass on to our children. These
family rituals are binding, grounding, memorable
and much more, says Saul Levine,
M.D., professor emeritus in psychiatry at the
University of California, San Diego.
A survey of 50 years of family research
published in the American Psychological
Association’s Journal of Family Psychology
found that family holiday rituals, as well
as everyday routines like family dinners
and bedtime stories, build stronger family
relationships, enhance children’s health
and academic achievement, help teenagers’
sense of personal identity and even boost
marital satisfaction.
It’s also natural and perhaps inevitable
that these traditions undergo changes over
the years. “If people from only five or six
generations ago could see our modern
Christmas, they’d barely recognize it,” says
Brian Earl, host of the popular Christmas
Past podcast that chronicles holiday traditions.
“New trends and customs become
traditions in time; every generation has
its opportunity to add new chapters to the
narrative and continue the story.”
by Ronica A. O’Hara
For Elizabeth Newcamp, Christmas
festivities took an eco-turn for her military
family of five when they were living for a few
years in the Netherlands, where “Sinterklaas”
traditionally delivers gifts in reusable burlap
bags. “In an effort to reduce wrapping paper,
we now use the sacks on Christmas,” says
Newcamp, who blogs about family travel at
DutchDutchGoose.com.
She and her husband Jeff also ask for
and give experiences as gifts whenever possible;
their 7-year-old son asked if he could
organize a little library for their Navarre,
Florida, neighborhood. Anyone that wants
to send gifts to their sons is asked to find
them used. “I don’t think we’ve lessened any
of the fun of the holidays, but hopefully we
are eliminating some of the waste,” she says.
For many years, Ginny Underwood’s
family in Bluffton, South Carolina, would
dress up and go to a restaurant on Christmas
Eve, exchange gifts and then return
home to watch a movie or play board
games. Last year, they tried something
new: staying home, putting on pajamas,
eating cottage pie and playing handmade
“Minute to Win It” games that Underwood,
a professional organizer who blogs
at VirginiasEasyLivingSolutions.com,
created. “We had a blast; we didn’t stop
30 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com
New trends and customs become
traditions in time; every generation has
its opportunity to add new chapters to the
narrative and continue the story.
~Brian Earl
laughing all night,” she says. “We saved hundreds of dollars and
we had a lovely time.”
Lighting red, green and black candles while focusing on
principles like unity, self-determination or purpose are key in the
seven-day Kwanzaa celebrations; but, “Instead of just lighting the
candle amongst friends and family and discussing, I want my family
to spend that day exemplifying the principle,” says Vanessa Davis,
executive director of the nonprofit African Village International,
in Jacksonville, Florida. Now her children meditate, journal and
practice mindfulness to learn about self-determination; volunteer or
pick up trash outdoors to learn about collective work and responsibilities;
and buy something at a locally-owned store and discuss
future finances for cooperative economics. “I was inspired to change
because Kwanzaa isn’t really a religious holiday, but it is a darn good
way to reflect on the past year and goal-set for the future,” she says.
“Giving children more hands-on experiences for Hanukkah
and taking the emphasis off of ‘What am I going to get?’ makes
the holiday more meaningful for the kids,” concurs Pamela Morris,
early childhood education director at the East Valley Jewish
Community Center, in Chandler, Arizona. Each Hanukkah
evening, her family of five lights a menorah and says traditional
prayers while also volunteering to wrap food packages at a local
Feed My Starving Children event, crafting personal menorahs at
a pottery studio, going to see Phoenix ZooLights and gathering to
make the traditional potato latkes or jelly donuts. “Each night is a
focus on family time and welcoming friends to join us,” she says.
By observing and evolving traditions, family bonds can
strengthen through time, relates Earl: “By participating in holiday
rituals, children are learning about who they are. And by passing
them down, parents reaffirm what’s important to them and keep
the connection to the past intact.”
Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based natural-health writer. Connect
at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.
Updating Favorite
Traditions
n Instead of buying a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush in a
store lot, get one in a pot that can be replanted later.
n Take a family holiday photo, either serious or wacky,
and recreate it every year with members in the same poses
and expressions.
n Invite someone to a holiday dinner that’s not part of the
family, such as an international student or newcomer in town.
n Cook up a batch of healthy, vegan cookies with the kids and
organize a neighborhood cookie swap.
n Have a $10 or $20 gift exchange challenge in which everyone
competes to come up with the most useful, creative or ecoclever
use of the money.
n String together popcorn and cranberries to make a tree
garland or door decoration, and later drape it on outdoor trees
to feed birds and wildlife.
n Give kids $10 to donate to a carefully selected charity of
their choice.
n Take a favorite holiday story, parable or song and have the
kids (and adults) act it out with costumes and all.
December 2019
31

Seven years without a cold?
Copper in new device stops
cold and flu
Scientists recently discovered
a way to kill viruses and
bacteria.
Now thousands of people are using it
to stop colds and flu.
Colds start
when cold viruses
get in your nose.
Viruses multiply
fast. If you don’t
stop them early,
they spread and
cause misery.
In hundreds
of studies, EPA
and university
researchers have confirmed that viruses
and bacteria die almost instantly when
touched by copper.
That’s why ancient Greeks and
Egyptians used copper to purify water
and heal wounds. They didn’t know
about microbes, but now we do.
Scientists say the high conductance
of copper disrupts the electrical balance
in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in
seconds.
Tests by the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) show germs die
fast on copper. So some hospitals tried
copper for touch surfaces like faucets
and doorknobs. This cut the spread of
MRSA and other illnesses by over half,
and saved lives.
The strong scientific evidence gave
inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When
he felt a cold about to start he fashioned
a smooth copper probe and rubbed it
gently in his nose for 60 seconds.
“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold
never got going.” It worked again every
By Doug Cornell
New research: Copper stops
colds if used early.
time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7
years since.
He asked relatives and friends to try
it. They said it worked for them, too, so
he patented CopperZap and put it on
the market.
Soon hundreds
of people had
tried it and given
feedback. Nearly
100% said the
copper stops colds
if used within 3
hours after the first
sign. Even up to
2 days, if they
still get the cold it is milder than usual
and they feel better.
Users wrote things like, “It stopped
my cold right away,” and “Is it
supposed to work that fast?”
“What a wonderful thing,” wrote
had colds going round and round, but
not me.”
Some users say it also helps with
sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had
a 2-day sinus headache. When her
CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am
shocked!” she said. “My head cleared,
no more headache, no more congestion.”
Some users say copper stops
nighttime stuffiness if used just before
bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had
in years.”
Copper can also stop flu if used early
and for several days. Lab technicians
placed 25 million live flu viruses on a
CopperZap. No viruses were found alive
soon after.
Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams
confirming the discovery. He placed
millions of disease germs on copper.
“They started to die literally as soon as
they touched the surface,” he said.
People have even used copper on
cold sores and say it can completely
prevent outbreaks.
The handle is
curved and finely
textured to improve
contact. It kills germs
picked up on fingers
and hands to protect
you and your family.
Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper even kills
colds for me!”
Copper quickly kills deadly germs that
Pat McAllister, 70, received one cold viruses. have become resistant
for Christmas and called it “one of the
best presents ever. This little jewel really
works.”
Now thousands of users have simply
stopped getting colds.
People often use CopperZap
preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci
used to get colds after crowded flights.
Though skeptical, she tried it several
times a day on travel days for 2 months.
“Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she
exclaimed.
Businesswoman Rosaleen says when
people are sick around her she uses
CopperZap morning and night. “It saved
me last holidays,” she said. “The kids
to antibiotics. If you are near sick
people, a moment of handling it may
keep serious infection away. It may even
save a life.
The EPA says copper still works
even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of
different disease germs so it can prevent
serious or even fatal illness.
CopperZap is made in America of
pure copper. It has a 90-day full money
back guarantee. It is $69.95.
Get $10 off each CopperZap with
code NATA15.
Go to www.CopperZap.com or call
toll-free 1-888-411-6114.
Buy once, use forever.
ADVERTORIAL
32 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

calendar of events
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
Solar & Suds at Big Wood Brewery Presented By
All Energy Solar – 7-8pm. This is an opportunity to
learn about the benefits of solar energy. Jeff Wiberg,
a renewable energy expert from All Energy Solar,
will lead this presentation and answer questions.
You will learn how solar power has never been
more affordable or easier to install and receive 2
free beers. Free. Big Wood Brewery, 2222 4th St,
White Bear Lake. AllEnergySolar.com.
THURSDAYS, DECEMBER 5-19
Master Your Body, Your Mind, Your Destiny with
Chinese Mystery School Meditation Practices –
6:30-8 pm. Three-week course. Calming & Relaxing
Meditation. This meditation practice aims to eliminate
the resisting mind, allowing it to go from its ordinary
state into the higher and deeper states of consciousness.
The four-part practice will permit the beginning practitioner
to “enter into state,” what classical Buddhist
theory calls the calm and relaxed awareness necessary
to attain enlightenment in this lifetime. $38. Pay at
door. Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist Association.
80 County Road C West, #804, Little Canada. Info@
MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org or 651-278-0697.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
An Evening with the Archangels & Ascended
Masters – 6:45-9pm. This event occurs on the first
Saturday of November and December. Nea is called
to create sacred space for these guides to share their
messages of divine love and peace with you. $30 preregister/$35
at the door. The Metamorphosis Center,
8646 Eagle Creek Pkwy #101, Savage. NeaClare.com.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8
Holiday Freedom – 1:30-3:30pm. We will explore
how to move through the holidays in a way that feels
authentic and true to you. You will learn how to
unravel what stresses you out about the holidays and
create new habits that feel free, light, and authentic.
$35, register by 11/22 & save $10. Lotus Root, 2355
Gordon Ave, Saint Paul. WholeLifeElevation.com.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
An Evening with the Archangels & Ascended
Masters – 6:45-9pm. This event occurs on the first
Monday of each month. Nea is called to create sacred
space for these guides to share their messages of
divine love and peace with you. $30 pre-register/$35
at the door. The Metamorphosis Center, 8646 Eagle
Creek Pkwy #101, Savage. NeaClare.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
Total Health Workshop – 6:30-8pm. On the second
Wednesday of each month, you will have a relaxed
experience. Designed as an opportunity to expand our
understanding of the most current natural health solutions
available, you will be able to ask questions, receive
answers and experience incredible demonstrations of
life-changing techniques. Free. Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass
Lake Rd #245, New Hope. DrEthanSkog.com.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
Soul Stories – 6:30-8:30pm. Within each of us
lies information that may guide us to the path of
a more meaningful life. With the assistance of an
ancient spiritual resource you will discover what
type of information is available, who can access it,
how it is accessed and why it is helpful. $25. Jefferson
High School, 4001 W 102 nd St, Bloomington.
BarbaraBrodsho.com/events.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16
Sufi Healing Mom Circle – 7-9pm. We will meet
in a circle to share songs and prayers for healing
and attunement. Sufi meditations and prayer
practices weave a wonderful container that opens
up into a deep sharing circle. $10 suggested donation.
Holistic Gateway LLC/Center for the Healing
Arts, 1415 6th Street NE, Apt. #2, Minneapolis.
Holistic-Gateway.com.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Soul Stories – 6:30-8:30pm. Within each of us lies
information that may guide us to the path of a more
meaningful life. With the assistance of an ancient
spiritual resource you will discover what type of
information is available, who can access it, how it
is accessed and why it is helpful. $25. Diamondhead
Education Center, 200 Burnsville Pkwy, Burnsville.
BarbaraBrodsho.com/events.
looking ahead
to 2020
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4
An Evening with the Archangels & Ascended Masters
– 6:45-9pm. This event occurs on the first Saturday
of January-July and September-December. Nea is
called to create sacred space for these guides to share
their messages of divine love and peace with you. $30
pre-register/$35 at the door. The Metamorphosis Center,
8646 Eagle Creek Pkwy #101, Savage. NeaClare.com.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8
Total Health Workshop – 6:30-8pm. On the second
Wednesday of each month, you will have a relaxed
experience. Designed as an opportunity to expand
our understanding of the most current natural health
solutions available, you will be able to ask questions,
receive answers and experience incredible
demonstrations of life-changing techniques. Free.
Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass Lake Rd #245, New Hope.
DrEthanSkog.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
Shakopee - Home Improvement & Design Expo –
10am-5pm. Don’t miss your opportunity to explore
up to 150 exhibitors featuring the latest products,
services and information to help turn your dream
home into a reality. Everything from inside/out to
basement/roof! Free. Canterbury Expo Center, 1100
Canterbury Rd, Shakopee. MediaMaxEvents.com.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24
Celebration and Dharma Rite Services – 6-9pm.
Happy Chinese New Year 2020! Experience Hanmi
Buddhist prayer services for uplifting humanity
and overcoming obstacles for the new year ahead
with the Thousand Lamps Dharma Rite and An-
TaiSui Dharma Rites. Free. Donations accepted.
Those wishing to receive the AnTaiSui rite give an
offering. Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist Association,
80 County Road C West, #804, Little Canada.
MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org, or email info@
MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org. RSVP 651-278-0697.
FEBRUARY 8-9
Healthy Life Expo – Saturday & Sunday, 10am-
5pm. Nutrition, Fitness, and Longevity - It’s all here!
Explore up to 200 exhibitors offering everything for
maintaining health and success in all areas of life! Free
product sampling, hourly drawings and health information,
tips, and ideas. $6 at door/free with food shelf
donation. Minneapolis Convention Center Ballroom,
1301 2nd St, Minneapolis. MediaMaxEvents.com.
FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 1
Rethinking Reality Women’s Retreat – Soulenriching,
3-day getaway for empowering influential
women just like you to flourish in a crazy world. This
retreat is the perfect way to step away from the hustle
and bustle of life to create the conditions for your
higher self to emerge; realizing better results in every
area of life. Cameorose Country Retreat, 11250 173rd
Ave, Becker. MindscapesUnlimited.com.
December 2019
33

ongoing events
Please call or check the websites
to ensure the classes or events
are still scheduled for that week.
ongoing
Free Online Classes – The University of Minnesota
is among the largest public research universities in
the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students a multitude of opportunities
for study and research. Class-Central.com/
University/Minnesota.
GROOVE Movement Class – Various days, times
and locations. A fun, simple and exciting way to experience
dance that nurtures body, mind, heart, and
soul. No dance experience required. All fitness levels
welcome. Classes use all genres of music and include
a warmup, dance, stretching, and a brief meditation.
AeroDanceFitness.com/Schedule.
Midtown Global Market – Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. &
Sun 10am-6pm. If you’re looking for a more unique
shopping experience, head to the Midtown Global
Market, where more than 50 vendors sell food and
trinkets ranging from local produce to Somalian Pastries,
Middle Eastern olives and Asian spices. There
are also cultural events - from musical performances
to Irish step-dancing lessons. Free. 920 East Lake
St, Minneapolis. MidtownGlobalMarket.org/visit.
sunday
Chinese Mystery School’s Sunday Services –
9:15am-12pm. Introductory Dharma talk and meditation
teaching. Spiritual healing services for your body,
mind and spirit. Buddhist prayer services. Donation.
Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist A, 80 County Rd C
West #804, Little Canada. MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org.
Restorative Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. In restorative
yoga, props are used to support the body so students can
hold poses for a longer period of time, allowing the body
to open through passive stretching. The focus is slowing
down and calming the mind and body. $18. Healing
Elements, 2290 Como Ave, St. Paul. 651-348-6216.
HealingElementsWellness.com.
Sunday Salsa Dancing – 10:30-11:30am. Join
Rene Dennis Thompson for Sunday Salsa Dancing.
Free. Midtown Global Market, 920 East Lake St.,
Minneapolis. MidtownGlobalMarket.org/events.
monday
Loving Kindness Meditation Practice – 6-7pm.
Through ancient, gentle and gradual practices, we learn
to let go of fear and ill will and to open our hearts to
ourselves and to others, known and unknown. Our time
together will include instruction, guided meditation
and discussion. Donation based. River Garden, 455
7th St W, St Paul. RiverGardenYoga.com.
tuesday
Weekly Guided & Silent Meditation – 11-11:30am.
Led by a Prayer Chaplain in the Meditation Room, this
meditation is the same one going on concurrently at Unity
Village. It alternates affirmative prayer and silence.
Donation based. Unity of the Valley Spiritual Center,
4011 W Hwy 13, Savage. UnityOfTheValleyMN.org.
Stress Busters Meditation – Noon-1pm. Join us
when you can for a free meditation at the University
of MN. Mayo Building, Third Fl. Meditation Space,
Minneapolis. CSH.umn.edu.
Pain: Moving Beyond Suffering – 6:30-8pm. We
will discuss the root of pain, options at each stage,
tools to deal with symptoms, and elements of healing.
Topics include nutrition, sleep, mindfulness, guided
imagery, and much more. $50/Session. Awakened
Living, 3601 Minnesota Dr #825, Bloomington.
AwakenedLivingInfusion.com.
20 Wishes – 6:30-8pm. This event occurs monthly
on the 3 rd Tuesday. This gathering aims to create a
community to support every wish, dream, passion,
and desire we have for ourselves over the next year
and beyond. Free. 3601 Minnesota Dr, Ste 825,
Bloomington. Free. AwakenedLivingInfusion.com.
.
wednesday
Light Being Tribe Gathering | Online – 6-7am.
These events occur monthly and are live and Interactive.
Come with your questions & curiosity and
continue your journey of expansion in a like-hearted
worldwide community. Complimentary. Zoom
Online. IntraAwareness.com.
change can do you good
Join the Natural Awakenings
Franchise Family
For more info visit:
NaturalAwakenings.com
Max Meditation Technique – 6:30-7:30pm.
Experience a guided meditation, combining ancient
meditation techniques with modern Neuro-
Linguistic Programming to help both beginning
and experienced meditators quiet the mind and
connect for a relaxing and meaningful meditation.
$15. Healing Elements, 2290 Como Ave, St. Paul.
651-348-6216. HealingElementsWellness.com.
Chinese Mystery School’s Healing Meditation
Series – 6:30-8pm. A different Hanmi Buddhist
meditation teaching each week: June 5: Wisdom
Dew Beauty Yoga; June 12: Balance Weight; June
19: Diabetes Self-Healing; June 26: Self-Healing for
Various Illnesses. Upper Midwest Hanmi Buddhist
Association, 80 Co Rd C West, #804, Little Canada.
MN-Hanmi-Buddhism.org.
Total Health Workshop January 9, 2019 - December
2020 – 6:30-8pm. This monthly workshop
is designed as an opportunity to expand your understanding
of the most current natural health solutions
available. Complimentary. Hope Clinic, 9220 Bass
Lake Rd #245, New Hope. Drethanskog.com.
thursday
Hatha for Everyone – 6-7pm. Everyone is
welcome to this weekly drop-in class. All levels.
Relieve stress, achy joints, improve balance at
all levels and increase your sense of well-being.
$10. Meditation Center, 631 University Ave NE,
Minneapolis. TheMeditationCenter.org.
Free Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Join us for a free
weekly meditation. Sahaja Yoga Meditation, Eden
Prairie City Hall, 8080 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie.
Contact: JPatpatia@gmail or 651-730-2078.
FreeMeditation.com.
friday
Gentle Yoga for Every Body – 10:30-noon. A
welcoming environment for students of all shapes
and sizes. $15 drop-in. River Garden Yoga, 455 W
7th St, St. Paul. RiverGardenYoga.com.
Drop-in Meditation – 5:15-6pm. A guided meditation
presented through the lens of a Wisdom Practice
(gratitude, compassion, and inquiry). $20 (or donation).
Aslan Institute, 4141 Old Sibley Memorial
Hwy, Eagan. AslanInst.com.
Friday Chat & Play Social – 7-9pm. Let’s get to
know each other and talk about energy, holistic health,
psychic abilities, spirituality and much more. Free. J &
S Bean Factory, 1518 Randolph Ave, St Paul. Hosted
by SchaOn at Psinergy. Meetup.com/TC-Energy.
saturday
Cardio Fitness Drumming – 8-8:30am. Burn
calories in a fun way with this full-body workout
that doesn’t feel like a workout. Free. Nutrition
Hub, 7880 University Ave NE, Fridley. Text or call
to reserve your spot. 612-787-2582. Facebook.com/
TheNutritionHub.Fridley.
34 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

community resource guide
Connecting 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 Publisher@NAtwincities.com. to request our media kit.
ACUPUNCTURE
AWAKENED LIVING
Michelle Kitsmiller
3601 Minnesota Dr. Suite 825, Bloomington
Michelle@AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
952-452-8583 • AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
Michelle assists you in healing on
a physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual level via acupuncture and
herbal medicine in conjunction
with other therapies at Awakened
Living. The clinic offers over 36
therapies and services to give clients
the most beneficial healing
protocol possible. See ad, page 27.
BODY WORK
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE &
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
Barb Ryan, LMT • 612-922-2389
Bhakti Wellness Center
7550 France Avenue S, #220, Edina
Specializing in persistent,
chronic pain relief and mysteries
of the body. Serving clients
covered by auto insurance and
worker’s compensation with a
doctor’s referral. Also serving
clients seeking the experience of
deep relaxation and more selfconnection.
Skilled and compassionate
care. See ad, page 2.
BOOKKEEPING
CP BOOKKEEPING
Chelsea Paurus
Hopkins • 612-598-0035
ChelseaPaurus@gmail.com
BookkeepingCP.com
CP Bookkeeping and Accounting
takes care of the mess! Let us
help guide you and your business
through the intimidating world
of accounting. We offer as much
or as little support as you need.
We are very flexible and don’t
judge your messy (or not so
messy) accounts. We look forward
to working with you! See ad, page 25.
BREAST HEALTH
AROMATHERAPY NATURE’S WAY
Healthy Girls’ Breast Oil
Joyce Sobotta • 715-878-4474
AromaTherapyNaturesWay.com
Healthy Girls’ Breast Oil when
applied with a self-breast massage
helps to balance, detoxify,
soften breast tissue, improve
lymphatic circulation and stimulate
the immune system. Improved
circulation helps your
entire body! See ad, page 29.
CHIROPRACTIC
GOLDEN SUN CHIROPRACTIC
Una Forde, DC • 952-922-1478
International Village Arcade Building
220 West 98th St, Suite 7, Bloomington
Quality chiropractic care. Experience
holistic healing and gentle
chiropractic adjustments that allow
the nervous system to relieve
such symptoms as headache, back,
neck pain and numbness which
allow your body to return to a state
of balance and well-being. 25
years’ experience.
COACHING
CHANNEL OF DIVINE WISDOM
Nea Clare
NeaClare.com
Nea@NeaClare.com • 612-227-3854
You can have a personal audience
with your guides and the Archangels
and Ascended Masters.
Get clarity. Take action. Feel
connected. Book your session
today and save 25%, using code:
IAMWISE17. Or call Nea for a
free consult. See ad, page 24.
COMPOSURE COACHING
Candi Broeffle, MBA, CPC
Candi@ComposureCoaching.com
218-590-2539
ComposureCoaching.com
Master your business so you can
practice your passion. Business
coaching for purpose-driven entrepreneurs
to clarify your vision,
build your confidence and create
a soul-centered strategy. Call today
for a free Discovery Session
and get on your path to business
success. See ad, page 33.
MIND, BODY, SOUL LLC
Dori Tossen
763-639-9133 • BalancedDori.com
As Health Coach and holistic
practitioner, Dori works with
clients to reach their health goals.
With the use of bioresonance and
other complementary therapies,
she guides clients in supporting
their bodies through individualized
plans that help on their healing
journey. See ad, page 29.
SOUL PURPOSE COACH
& HOLISTIC HEALER
Barbara Brodsho, MA
612-444-9751 • BarbaraBrodsho.com
Providing spiritual guidance to
help live your purpose and thrive
utilizing your soul’s Akashic
Record. Discover your soul’s
innate gifts, create a vocation that
aligns with your soul’s passion,
and gain new perspective, clarity
and insight about your life’s
challenges by understanding the
lessons your soul chose to
experience. Schedule a free discovery session to learn
how to create a purpose-filled life. See ad, page 19.
COLORPUNCTURE
PSINERGY NATURAL HEALTH &
HOLISTIC WELLNESS
SchaOn Blodgett, CCP, BTAT
80 County Rd. C West - Ste. 802
Little Canada/Roseville
612-217-4325 • PsinergyHealth.com
Offering empirical & sciencebased
natural health therapies
including Esogetics/Colorpuncture,
basic Ayurvedic Medicine,
as well as spiritual/energy-based
therapies like Access Consciousness
Bars, I-Ching, reiki
and more. See ad, page 11.
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE
FISHERY
SITKA SALMON SHARES
SitkaSalmonShares.com
SalmonSupport@SitkaSalmonShares.com
We catch your fish, one at
a time, with lots of love
and care. The fish is then
landed individually
portioned, vacuum-sealed
and blast-frozen to lock in
that just-caught taste. Every month during fishing
season, you get a box of wild Alaskan seafood
hand-delivered to your door by one of our Sitka
Salmon Stewards. See ad, page 3.
December 2019
35

COMPUTER REPAIR
PSINERGY TECH
André Thomas - A+ Certified
80 County Rd. C West - Ste. 802
Little Canada/Roseville
612-234-7237 • PsinergyTech.com
“Do you have a sick Computer?”
We Keep Computer Repair
Simple. Onsite/In-Home or
Office, Bring-to-Us Computer
Repair Services. 2011-17 Angie’s
List Super Service Award Winner.
Local • Greener • Highly Rated.
CONSCIOUS PARENTING
PARENTING THE HIGHLY
SENSITIVE CHILD
Amy Vasterling: Parenting-Intuitive
Readings-Wisdom Gatherings
AmyVasterling.com • 612-791-3001
Amymvasterling@gmail.com
Intuitive Readings: Receive clarity
around career, decisions, and
relationships, and reconnect to
your own inner knowing. Wisdom
Gatherings: Join with other deep
thinkers and spiritual seekers.
Parenting: Highly Sensitive Children
are misunderstood, and today’s
parenting methods do not address their needs.
Sign up for Amy’s free webinar at AmyVasterling.
com/webinar. See ad, page 9.
COUNSELING & COACHING
VALERIE MARSH, M.S., L.M.F.T.
Positive Power Psychology.com
600 Twelve Oaks Center, Suite 206,
Wayzata • 612-772-2808
PositivePowerPsychology.com
Valerie integrates a compassionate,
holistic and empathic counseling
and coaching, specializing in helping
people heal from the negative
consequences of difficult life transitions,
troubled relationships, anxiety,
depression, trauma and/or loss.
Utilizing complimentary modalities,
such as energy psychology,
CBT and solution focused approaches, she shares her
knowledge and skills that create more rapid results for
a more joyful and happy life! Appointments held online
or in the office. Call today for a complimentary phone
consultation. See ad, page 12.
CYRSTALS & ROCKS
CRYSTAL ROCK HEALING
4399 Lake Ave, White Bear Lake
651-426-4218 • CrystalRockProducts.com
Crystal Rock, LLC, is a full-line
metaphysical store that manufactures
its own products. Product
lines include rocks/crystals, organic
essential oil products,
natural stone jewelry, sages/incense,
teas, tapestries, and much more. Featuring
readers, healers and classes as well as spaces for
rent by the hour.
DENTIST
HEALTH CENTERED DENTISTRY
N7915-902 St
River Falls, WI • 715-426-7777
HealthCenteredDentistry.com
Whole Person Dentistry observes
and deals with the mind,
body and spirit, not just your
teeth. This approach to dentistry
encompasses both modern
science and knowledge
drawn from the world’s great
traditions in natural healing. See ad, page 13.
NATURAL SMILES DENTAL CARE
4700 Lexington Ave N, Suite D
Shoreview 651-483-9800
NaturalSmilesDental.com
We’re an integrative
practice committed to
promoting dental wellness
and overall assistance to
the whole person. We
desire to participate in the
creation of healthier lives,
while being sensitive to physical, philosophical,
emotional and financial concerns.
PURE DENTAL
Dr. Amy Ha Truong
6230 10th St. N., Ste 520, Oakdale
651-731-3064 • PureDentalMN.com
Pure Dental offers integrative,
holistic, alternative and biological
dentistry for your dental health.
We take pride in providing quality,
holistic dental care and service for
our patients. See ad, page 31.
SEDATION AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY
1815 Suburban Ave, St. Paul
ToothBuilder.com
651-735-4661
We are a holistic dental practice
devoted to restoring and enhancing
the natural beauty of your smile
using conservative, state-of-the-art
dental procedures that result in
beautiful, long lasting smiles! We
specialize in safe removal of
infected teeth as well as placing
ceramic implants and restorations. See ad, page 20.
TOOTH BY THE LAKE
1401 Main St, Hopkins
952-475-1101 • ToothByTheLake.net
We build a foundation of trust
by treating our patients as
individuals. Understanding
how uneasy some patients
may feel about their dental
visits, we make a difference
by providing a relaxing and
positive experience. See ad, page 28.
ENERGY HEALING
EMOTION CODE HEALING
Master Hong
Certified Emotion Code Practitioner
9672 63rd Ave N, Maple Grove
763-208-4246 or 914-708-9463
Chronic pain? Suffering from
emotions? Relationship problems?
Life not going as planned? The
Emotion Code is a tool I use to
help you break through any
emotional and spiritual blocks so
you can live your best life. Trial
session only $35.
INNERKI ENERGY THERAPY
Christina Gregory, Master Reiki Practitioner
Bhakti Wellness Center, 7550 France Ave
S., #220, Edina • 612-839-5255
BhaktiClinic.com
When the body or emotions are
out of balance and pain is ever
present, manifested as physical or
mental health issues, energy therapy
boosts the healing process.
Alone or coupled with other
therapies it becomes a powerful
healing tool. See ad, page 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING
SOUL WHISPERER: RELEASING
LOST SOULS
Annette Rugolo
ReleasingLostSouls.com
Children and some adults have
the ability to see the spirits that
are living among us. Others will
hear or see unexplained noises
or movement. Read the first two
chapters in my book for free at
ReleasingLostSouls.com. I share
many experiences that explain
what’s happening and what can
be done. See ad, page 25.
ESSENTIAL OILS
AROMATHERAPY NATURE’S WAY
Essential Oils
Joyce Sobotta • 715-878-4474
AromaTherapyNaturesWay.com
100% pure, quality, essential oils,
and ultrasonic diffusers available
on my website. I offer essential
oil classes online and in person.
Sign up for an essential oil
consultation and let me help you
create a blend of essential oils
that works synergistically for a
wide range of health concerns. See ad, page 29.
36 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

ESTHETICS
MICROCURRENT FACIALS
Jessie Odishaw, Microcurrent
Esthetics Technician • 612-859-7709
Bhakti Wellness Center, 7550 France Ave
S., #220, Edina • BhaktiClinic.com
Voted Best Esthetics Clinic in
Edina, 2016 & 2017. Look great
and feel great with Microcurrent
Facial, your skin will feel so soft
you won’t believe it’s yours. Often
called a “non-surgical facelift”
it reduces wrinkles, puffy eyes,
lifts, tones, restores your youthful
glow. See ad, page 2.
FITNESS
AERO DANCE FITNESS
Robin Gast, GROOVE Facilitator
612-276-5625 • AeroDanceFitness.com
GROOVE – a fun group dance
experience that changes your
body, mind, attitude and mood.
Everyone’s welcome on the
Dancefloor – all shapes, sizes,
ages and abilities. If you can
move, you can GROOVE! No
experience required. All fitness
levels welcome. See ad, page 9.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
CAMPFIRE STUDIO
Sara Shrode, Graphic Designer
Minneapolis, MN
612-554-6304 • CampfireStudio.net
Sara@CampfireStudio.net
Ignite the possibilities of
your next project by
having Campfire Studio
design it! Innovative, fullservice
graphic design studio that takes the essence
of a campfire—warmth, stories, community—and
infuses it into every design project we do.
HEALTH FOOD STORES
MASTEL’S HEALTH FOODS
1526 St Clair Ave, St Paul
Mastels.com • 651-690-1692
Mastel’s Health Foods is Minnesota’s
oldest health and wellness
store. We carry a full line
of vitamins, minerals, supplements,
herbs and more. We
emphasize organic, biodynamic,
biodegradable, holistic and
hypoallergenic products and
pride ourselves on stocking
hard-to-find items. See ad, page 12.
HOLISTIC THERAPY
AWAKENED LIVING
Connie Bjerk
3601 Minnesota Dr. Suite 825, Bloomington
Connie@AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
952-452-8583 • AwakenedLivingInfusion.com
Connie assists you in healing on a
physical, mental, emotional, and
spiritual level via Guided Imagery
Therapy and spiritual and life
coaching in conjunction with
other therapies at Awakened Living.
The clinic offers over 36
therapies and services to give clients
the most beneficial healing
protocol possible. See ad, page 27.
HOMEOPATHY
NORTHWESTERN ACADEMY
OF HOMEOPATHY
7104 W. Lake Street,
St. Louis Park
763-746-9242 • HomeoVista.org
Homeopathy is a safe, effective path
to healing. We offer low-cost homeopathic
care for everyone. Clinic
is staffed by advanced students
and supervised by faculty.
INTEGRATED HEALTH
BHAKTI WELLNESS CENTER
7550 France Ave. S., #220, Edina
612-859-7709 • BhaktiClinic.com
Bhakti provides a holistic
environment where independent
practitioners come together
to offer an integrative
path to wellness; mind, body
and spirit. Our providers offer chiropractic, energy
therapy, massage, microcurrent therapy, acupuncture,
psychotherapy and much more so that you can feel
your best, remain healthy & thrive. See ad, page 2.
.
INTEGRATED HEALTH
OPTIMAL WELLNESS SOLUTIONS
2565 N Hamline Ave., Suite A, Roseville
651-340-1233 • RosevilleOptimalWellness.com
Optimal Wellness Solutions offers a
holistic, multi-disciplinary approach
to wellness designed to relieve stress
& pain, transform trauma, detoxify
the body & promote life-long health
& vitality. Services include Massage
& CranioSacral Therapy, Network
Spinal Analysis, Ionic Detox Footbaths, Nutritional
Therapy, InfraRed Therapies, yoga, and a variety of
topical wellness classes. See ad, page 11.
LEGAL - ALTERNATIVE
OPTION
ATTORNEY DAVID PAURUS
Traveling Services based out
of Hopkins, MN • 952-594-2804
Person-to-person meetings for
all variety of issues. Meetings for
all, to discuss legal and life related
issues, and determining the
best path forward. Utilizing a
value-for-value model. See ad,
page 12.
MARKETING
AM950 THE PROGRESSIVE VOICE
OF MINNESOTA
AM950Radio.com
The only Progressive Talk Radio
station in Minnesota. We strive to
provide the best progressive
programming available and
feature national talkers Bill Press,
Thom Hartmann, Stephanie
Miller, Norman Goldman, and
more. We are also dedicated to local programming that
creates a community forum for important Minnesota
Progressive issues. See ad, page 39.
MASSAGE/STRETCHING
HEALING TAJ
Theodore Rick
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
International Village Arcade Building
220 West 98th St, Ste. 7, Bloomington
HealingTaj.com • 763-913-6722
“I love massage, but too often it
feels good temporarily and then
the pain and tightness comes back
again. I have found with AIS that
by stretching and lengthening the
fibers, almost like a yoga/massage
that the pain doesn’t come back
again,” Warren King.
MEDITATION
UPPER MIDWEST HANMI BUDDHIST
ASSOCIATION
Shifu Charlotte M. Steen
80 County Road C West, #804, Little
Canada, MN 55117 • 651-278-0697
Offering spiritual healing for
body, mind and spirit; Teaching
Chinese Mystery school (Hanmi
Buddhist) meditations; and
conducting dharma rites to
support you and your loved ones.
Be the peace, the joy, the radiant
health that you seek—sbe your
change. See ad, page 19.
December 2019
37

You can either
see yourself as
a wave in the
ocean or you
can see yourself
as the ocean.
~Oprah Winfrey
PETS
CAT CARE CLINIC
Susan Swanson, D.V.M.
651-429-4153 • HolisticCatClinic.com
1524 Mahtomedi Ave, Mahtomedi
Offering a blend of Western and
Eastern medicines including;
nutritional counseling, behavior
counseling, Chinese herbs,
acupuncture, Western herbs,
essential oils, homeopathy, flower
essences, nutritional supplements,
chiropractic, reiki and more.
See ad, page 9.
PSYCHOTHERAPY
FRAN BIEGANEK, MS, LP
Bhakti Wellness Center • 7550 France Ave. S.
Suite 220, Edina
612-564-9947 • FranBieganekTherapy.com
As a Licensed Psychologist and
holistic practitioner, Fran works
with clients to identify areas of
potential growth, obstacles to
growth, and processes that facilitate
healing and transcendence of those
obstacles. She provides traumainformed
therapy that supports
your goals of resiliency, healing
and feeling better. See ad, page 2.
SOLAR
ALL ENERGY SOLAR
1264 Energy Lane, St Paul
800-620-3370 • AllEnergySolar.com
All Energy Solar is a trusted
leader in the solar energy
industry. We provide clean,
green, solar energy
solutions for residential,
commercial, agricultural, and government clients.
Our team of industry professionals have been
focused on providing long-term, trusted relationships
since 2009. Our industry experience allows us to
confidently handle every aspect of the solar process.
See ad, page 2.
SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS
ECKANKAR TEMPLE OF ECK
7450 Powers Blvd., Chanhassen
952-380-2200 • Eckankar.org
Are you looking for the
personal experience of
God? Eckankar can help
you fulfill your dream. We
offer ways to explore your
own unique and natural
relationship with the
Divine through personalized study to apply in your
everyday life. See ad, page 31.
FEBRUARY 8-9
Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 5pm
MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER
1301 2 nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
ADMIT 2
FREE
Present this ad at door to receive
FREE admission for two people.
(Regularly $6 per person)
NA
The Midwest’s
LARGEST
Health and
Wellness EXPO!
3 Visit up to 200 exhibitors offering the latest products,
services and information for better health and fitness.
3 3 stages of free speakers!
3 FREE goodie bag for the first 100 people in line!
3 Meet local radio personalities from KDWA and KYMN
Radio, spin the prize wheel for great prizes
3 The ULTIMATE place to shop for the latest health
and wellness products and services!
3 Play booth bingo to win a Fitbit!
3 Price Drawings every hour include drawings for Good Earth restaurant
and Expo Guys famous hot sauce
3 Everything A to Z to help you look your best, feel your best & be your best!
3 Demos all weekend including: yoga, martial arts,
in-home fitness equipment & more!
3 The SMART place to find resources for looking your best,
feeling your best & being your best!
3 Visit with Staci from KS95 and more!
www.MediaMaxEvents.com • Got a Healthy Product or Service? Exhibit here! (952) 238-1700
38 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

2 Your Shinging Life Expo YourShingingLifeExpo.com