Natural Awakenings Twin Cities August 2023

HEALTHY LIVING | HEALTHY PLANET
FREE
NEVER STOP
LEARNING
Staying Young With
Continuing Education
Navigating Food
Restrictions at School
MARIA RODALE
on Letting Nature
Heal Itself
RAISING
STEPCHILDREN
Navigating the
Complexities of
Blended Families
LIFELONG LEARNING
TWIN CITIES EDITION
AUGUST 2023

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2 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
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August 2023
3

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET
letter from the publisher
TWIN CITIES EDITION
Publisher Candi Broeffle
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Randy Kambic
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It’s back to school time once again, along with bringing back wonderful
memories of the days my son was young. The final weeks
of summer brought thoughts of whether we did enough to make
lasting memories for him as well as the stress of trying to fit in the
final vacation, annual dentist and doctor appointments, the required
haircut and shopping for new clothes and school supplies. It also was
a time to plan quick meals and establish routines for the impending
after-school activities.
Inevitably, this was the busiest time at work as well. The community
college where I worked would welcome new students and
Candi Broeffle
move quickly on new projects and academic programs. Nearly everyone with whom I
worked faced the same struggles at balancing work responsibilities and family obligations.
Looking back, I wish I would have relaxed, prioritized differently, and enjoyed the
time with my son more.
I used to get confused when my grandparents would tell my parents to enjoy the time
they had with their children when they could, because they would be gone too soon. Here
I am today, thinking the same way. You see, as parents of young children that are working
to build a career, it can seem daunting to complete all the responsibilities we have in front
of us. It seems incredibly important to build the career of our dreams, reach our goals, and
build a comfortable life for our family.
Like so many friends that are my age, I look back now on the career that seemed to
be so important as a diminishing memory. Since leaving the college, there have been new
opportunities, different goals, and expanding dreams and I now realize this will continue
throughout my life. This is one lesson we learn as we age—there is always more ahead.
We now have the opportunity to do things differently with our grandchild, and I will
make myself available the same way my parents made themselves available to my son.
This is the gift of grandchildren: We get to implement the lessons we learned as a parent
and support our children as they learn their own lessons. Thankfully, there is no need for
regret—just gratitude for the opportunity to share in the lives of those we love.
Here’s to the education!
Candi Broeffle, Publisher
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
4 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle
magazine publishers empowering local communities
with knowledge, resources and connections to lead
healthier lives on a healthy planet.
14
12 MARIA RODALE
on Letting Nature Heal Itself
14 LIFELONG LEARNING
Benefits of Being the Forever Student
Contents
12
17 FOUR STEPS FOR A
SMOOTH TRANSITION TO A
SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR
17
ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS
18 CHILDHOOD FOOD
ALLERGIES, INTOLERANCES
AND SENSITIVITIES
Back-to-School Tips for All Ages
22 STEPPARENTING
SUCCESS
Creating a Vibrant Blended Family
22
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Natural Awakenings@KnoWEwell.com.
24 MUSHROOMS FOR
HEALTH, NOURISHMENT
AND FUN
DEPARTMENTS
6 news briefs
8 health briefs
10 global briefs
12 wise words
18 conscious eating
22 healthy kids
27 calendar
29 resource guide
August 2023
5

news briefs
Silver Fillings:
Just ugly?
Or harmful too?
This is a picture
of a “Silver”
or “Amalgam”
filling. It is 50 -
52% MERCURY!
If the mercury in
this filling were spilled in a school,
it would be evacuated....
This is a picture
of a “light cured”
composite filling.
They can last as
long or longer
than mercury
fillings with no danger of releasing
harmful heavy metals.
As noted on Dr. Mercola,
Dr. Oz, and 60 Minutes...
Mercury fillings may have a
significant negative impact on your
overall health.
Make 2023 2017 YOUR year
for healthy choices!
Dr. Madelyn Pearson is the
current president of the
Holistic Dental Association and
has advanced training in safe
mercury removal.
Call or visit our website for
more info: (651) 483-9800
www.NaturalSmilesDental.com
Start a Career
in Natural Health
Enrollment is now open for fall and winter courses at
Trinity School of Natural Health, a premier resource
for holistic health education, with graduates from all 50
U.S. states and more than 40 countries. Founded in 1991,
the school’s diverse online curriculum provides comprehensive
knowledge and skills to help turn a passion for
healthy living into a fulfilling career. Graduates often use
their education in private practices, group clinics, retail
stores, online businesses, public education or writing jobs.
Certifications are available for a wide range of natural health specialties, including
health coaching, naturopathy, aromatherapy, homeopathy, holistic fitness, herbalism,
iridology, nutritional consulting and ZYTO bioenergetics. Led by instructors with practical
expertise, these online courses provide students the flexibility to work when their schedules
allow, while offering interactive and structured classroom settings to keep students motivated
and on the path toward graduation.
Programs begin every four weeks. For more information or to enroll, call an enrollment
specialist at 800-428-0408, option 2, or visit TrinitySchool.org. See ad on page 26.
Author Introduces a Guide to
Supporting and Optimizing the
Brain Naturally
David Tomen searched for years to find relief after his
diagnosis of adult attention deficit disorder and Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). After Ritalin lost its
effectiveness, he began to read clinical studies to learn more
about how Ritalin worked, searching for something new that
would provide similar benefits. This led him to implement a
methodically researched regimen of supplements and lifestyle
changes resulting in his brain working better than ever before.
Tomen is now sharing his story and research with others
that are looking for ways to deal with their own brain health
and cognition issues. In Head First: 2nd Edition, the author provides detailed reviews of 102
of the most popular natural supplements used today, supported by hundreds of peer-reviewed
clinical studies from leading research institutions and universities around the
world. Written in easy-to-understand language, readers can now decide which supplements
they should try and which ones they should avoid.
“There is no other book out there like Head First,” Tomen states. “The book is devoted
exclusively to natural supplements—not smart drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall. You
do not need a prescription for supplements because they can be found at any local health
food store or vitamin shop.”
Tomen breaks down complex neuroscience and how the brain works so readers can
better understand how supplements work. He also includes two chapters on his recommendations
that can be used to help those suffering from anxiety, autism, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, PTSD, traumatic
brain injury and more.
“You can literally turn your life around if you take care of your Head First,” Tomen
exclaims. “This saved my life, and I know that with this information you can get relief from
whatever brain health issue you are dealing with, too.”
To learn more, visit NootropicsExpert.com.
6 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Healing on the Water
Event in Stillwater
Lisa Green, owner and therapist at Island
Time Spa, in Stillwater, is hosting
a day of healing and discovery on
August 13. Healing on the Water is two
fantastic events in one. The free Healer’s
Showcase will be held from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m., at Island Time, in Stillwater. The
showcase features a variety of vendors
and healers ready to offer products and
services that promote well-being. Be
one of the first 100 guests and receive a
complimentary gift bag.
Participants can then join the Paddle
Boat Adventure on the breathtaking
St. Croix River with renowned psychic,
author and speaker Echo Bodine. Bodine
will speak on her experiences in the
psychic and spiritual world, providing
plenty of time to answer questions from
the audience. The boat ride is from 2 to
6 p.m. and will provide another opportunity
to interact with various healers
and vendors that provide massage, reiki,
sound healing, crystals and more.
“Every day, I work with people who
are in pain—and they don’t need to be in
pain,” Green shares. “There are so many
different modalities that can help, and
this event is an opportunity to showcase
what is locally available.”
Hope Academy
Now Enrolling
for the Fall
Hope Academy, a private,
affordable-for-all,
Christ-centered, classical
academy founded as an opportunity-equalizer
for urban
youth, is now enrolling
new students for the fall. The
mission of Hope Academy is
to foster hope in God within
the inner-city neighborhoods
of Minneapolis by providing youth with a remarkable, God-centered education.
Today, Hope Academy serves over 575 students in grades K-12, with a vision
of growing to 1,200 Minneapolis students over the next 10 years. A fast-growing
school, many families are considering enrolling their children. According to recent
enrollments and questionnaires, families have indicated they are movable in their
receptivity toward God-centered education that provides an environment for their
children to participate in a wide range of programs and experience a school setting
that is large and diverse enough to not limit their children’s opportunities.
In a recent survey of parents at Hope, 80 percent said they recall visiting the
academy due to the kindness and friendliness of staff, while 33 percent of parents said
that the nurturing environment played a large role in their committing to the academy.
These statistics show the genuineness and compassion of Hope’s staff for students and
their families.
“We went through the admissions process, met some of the staff here, and we
visited the school,” shares Hope Academy parent Sarah Naranjo. “Feeling so comfortable
here, I was just like ‘Nope, this is a no-brainer, this is where we are going to
send our kids.’”
Location: 2300 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis. Schedule a tour at HopeSchool.org/tour. For
more information, call the Admissions Team at 612-489-5154 and/or visit HopeSchool.org.
See ad, page 3.
Cost: $50 includes the event, lunch, access
to a cash bar and a complimentary gift
bag. Location for Healer’s Showcase: 1940
Greeley St. S., Stillwater. Location of
Paddle Boat Adventure: Stillwater River
Boats, 525 Main St. S., Stillwater. For
more information, call 952-466-3364 or
visit IslandTimeSpa.com.
August 2023
7

Broeffle, CPC
Candi
ComposureCoaching.com
Photo by 13MoonsPublishingServices.com
health briefs
Maximizing Lutein in
Green Smoothies
Research indicates that lutein is
essential for eye health, suppresses
inflammation and offers cardiovascular
health benefits. Because
the human body cannot make this
powerful antioxidant, it is important
to include it in the diet by
eating dark, leafy vegetables, such
as spinach and kale.
A new study in the journal Nutrients
has found that coconut milk
is the most effective plant-based
milk to liberate lutein from spinach
in green smoothies. The scientists
from Linköping University, in Sweden,
tested 14 liquids, and only
four increased lutein liberation
in spinach smoothies. Compared
to blending spinach with water alone, coconut milk without additives was
found to improve lutein liberation by 42 percent. Improved lutein liberation
was also found with high-fat cow’s milk (36 percent), medium-fat cow’s
milk (30 percent) and coconut milk with additives (25 percent). Researchers
noted that soy milk with and without additives actually reduced lutein
liberation by 40 percent and 61 percent, respectively.
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few
minutes, including you.
– Anne Lamott
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Diet May Impact
Risk of Miscarriage
One in six pregnancies ends in miscarriage.
While there are many known
causes, including chromosomal
problems and infections in the womb,
nearly half of pregnancy losses remain
unexplained.
Researchers at the University of
Birmingham, in the UK, analyzed
20 studies that examined the eating
habits of 63,838 healthy women
of childbearing age in the months
before and shortly after conception
to see whether there was evidence of
an association with a lower or higher
chance of miscarriage. The review,
published in the journal Fertility and
Sterility, found that, compared to low
consumption, high intake of fruit was
associated with a 61 percent reduction
in miscarriage risk, and high
vegetable intake was associated with
a 41 percent reduction.
Risk reduction was also linked to
dairy products (37 percent), grains
(33 percent), seafood (19 percent)
and eggs (19 percent). The evidence
was uncertain for red meat, white
meat, fat and oil, and sugar substitutes.
The researchers looked at
whether specific types of diets (such
as the Mediterranean Diet or Fertility
Diet) were also linked to miscarriage
risk, but they could not find evidence
that following any of these diets lowered
or raised risk.
Angel Alexis LunaLarios/ShutterStock.com
8 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Colon Cancer Rising
Among Young Adults
Colon cancer is on the rise
in young adults, according
to a report published in the
journal Science. Colorectal
cancer diagnosed in
individuals under the age of
50 is known as early-onset
colorectal cancer (EOCRC).
The most common symptoms
include abdominal
pain and rectal bleeding.
Flamingo ImagesAdobeStock.com
Patients with EOCRC are
often diagnosed with more
advanced-stage disease and have worse survival rates
compared to a later onset of the disease.
EOCRC has risen at a rate of 2 to 4 percent per year since
the 1990s and is anticipated to become the leading cause
of cancer death in those aged 20 to 49 by the year 2030.
One in five colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed today
are in people younger than 55, compared to one in 10 cases
in 1995, according to the American Cancer Society.
The increased risk is carried through generations due
to changes in environmental risk factors that disproportionately
affect those born in recent decades compared
to those born earlier. Obesity and other conditions related
to metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia,
hyperglycemia and Type 2 diabetes are associated
with CRC risk. Dietary factors, such as sugar-sweetened
beverages, red and processed meat, and Western diets,
have also been implicated, as has the increased use of antibiotics,
environmental toxins and higher rates of cesarean
sections and other surgical procedures. Other possible
reasons include genetics, low screening rates and misdiagnoses.
Researchers also call for more research on the
microbiome for EOCRC early detection and assessment.
artit/AdobeStock.com
Tattoo Science and Concerns
People have decorated
their bodies with
tattoos for millennia
for ceremonial and
religious reasons, and
many people today
use them as a form
of self-expression.
Tattoo inks are usually
made of a mixture of
solid particles, molecular
dyes, binders and
water. The color of the
tattoo comes from light
being reflected or absorbed
by the particles and dyes. While tattoo artists must
be licensed to operate for safety reasons, the inks used for
tattoos are unregulated in the U.S.
Researchers from Binghamton University, in New York,
analyzed almost 100 inks and found that even when these
products included an ingredient label, they were not accurate.
The team also detected particles that could be
harmful to cells.
“Every time we looked at one of the inks, we found
something that gave me pause,” says John Swierk, Ph.D.,
the project’s principal investigator. “For example, 23 of 56
different inks analyzed to date suggest an azo-containing
dye is present.” Although many azo pigments do not cause
health concerns when they are chemically intact, bacteria
or ultraviolet light can degrade them into another nitrogen-based
compound that is a potential carcinogen. In
addition, the team analyzed 16 inks using electron microscopy,
and about half contained particles small enough to
get through the cell membrane and potentially cause harm.
Once this data has been peer reviewed, the findings will
be posted at WhatsInMyInk.com to help consumers and
artists make informed choices.
13MoonsPublishingServices.com
August 2023
9

global briefs
El Niño Is Here
New Species
Found in Deep-Sea
Mining Zone
photo courtesy of Dell_Technologies__community
sripfoto/ShutterStock.com
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El
Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a climate pattern across
the tropical Pacific. The patterns shift back and forth every two to seven
years and vary in strength, causing changes in ocean temperature that
lead to droughts, floods and heat waves in different parts of the world.
El Niño has the strongest influence on U.S. winter weather, but in the
summer, it reduces hurricane activity in the Caribbean and Atlantic. The
pattern also makes it wetter across the southern third to half of the country,
including California, while regions in the Pacific Northwest and parts
of the Ohio Valley are dry and warm. Outside the U.S., El Niño brings drier
weather to Australia, Indonesia, India, and parts of southern Africa and
northern South America, and wetter conditions in Southeast Argentina,
parts of Chile and Northeast Africa.
This year’s El Niño formed earlier than usual, increasing the possibility of
a strong effect on the weather, which when combined with human-caused
warming, could result in record high global temperatures. Experts also say
it is possible that record hot Atlantic Ocean water may counteract El Niño’s
usual suppression of hurricanes this year.
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Biologists have discovered more
than 5,000 new species of marine
life in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone
(CCZ), an untouched seabed in
the Pacific Ocean spanning nearly
2 million square miles between
Hawaii and Mexico. Remarkably,
approximately 90 percent of the
species are entirely new to science.
In a paper published in the journal
Current Biology, scientists provided
the first list of CCZ species,
although most of them have not
yet been named or described. The
checklist focuses on multicellular
animals dwelling on the ocean floor.
This research is crucial for assessing
the potential consequences
of deep-sea mining in the CCZ.
The seafloor is rich with cobalt,
manganese, nickel, copper and
zinc—minerals that are critical for
renewable energy technologies.
Already, 31 exploration contracts
have been awarded to several mining
companies. Excavation in the
CCZ has not yet begun, and scientists,
activists and governments
have urged caution until researchers
are able to evaluate and better
understand the impact that mining
would have on this unique marine
ecosystem.
10 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Power Walking Innovation
Climate Victory Gardens
Artem Pachkovskyi/ShutterStock.com
sulit.photos/iShutterStock.com
A basic law of physics states that energy cannot be
created or destroyed. Kinetic energy pushes us forward
each time we take a step. According to the Mayo Clinic,
the average American takes 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day,
with many aiming for 10,000 or more. That’s a great deal of
energy that gets transferred to the ground unused.
As a design and technology student in London, Laurence
Kemball-Cook devised a plan to collect the secondhand
energy of footsteps and store it in a usable format. In
2009, a kinetic floor tile that could generate clean electricity
was born. Today, Kemball-Cook is CEO of Pavegen,
one of many companies looking for ways to advance
sustainable energy. Pavegen has installed more than 200
projects in 37 countries.
Pavegen’s sidewalks are made of tile-like triangular
platforms. When someone steps on a tile, a flywheel is
activated to spin extremely fast, generating power that
is sent to and stored in a battery. Although these smart
sidewalks do not have the capacity to power entire cities,
they can provide energy to office spaces, shopping
malls, neighborhoods with streetlamps, sports games and
music festivals. While the company works to lower costs
and extend their application, Pavegen has been using its
energy-producing sidewalks as an educational tool for
sustainability awareness.
During World War II, an estimated 20 million Americans
planted individual and community “victory gardens” to
assist the war efforts by producing more than 40 percent
of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the country
at the time. As the world faces a different kind of threat
today, Green America is encouraging and training people
to plant “climate victory gardens” to restore soil health and
draw down carbon as a way to help solve the climate crisis.
The project invites people to log their garden on an
online map (GreenAmerica.org/climate-victory-gardens),
showing the cumulative impact of their effort. More than
20,000 climate victory gardens have already been planted,
collectively sequestering approximately 4,740 tons
of carbon per year, which is equivalent to eliminating the
emissions from driving more than 39 million miles.
The mission of Green America, a nonprofit, is to mobilize
and empower consumers, investors, businesses and the
marketplace to create a socially just and environmentally
sustainable society. Green America provides information
on regenerative gardening in down-to-earth terms for
beginners and seasoned pros. They also provide resources
on related topics, such as organic fertilizers and pesticides,
raising chickens, growing food indoors, composting,
supporting pollinators and building a rain barrel.
August 2023
11

wise words
Maria Rodale
ON LETTING NATURE HEAL ITSELF
by Sophia Ellis Kreider
guidance, I tend to really mess things up,
so even when I don’t understand the path,
I have to follow it.
Bestselling author, activist and
gardener Maria Rodale is a board
member of Rodale Institute, a
nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative
organic agriculture movement
through research, farmer training and education.
She is the former CEO of Rodale
Inc., the global health and wellness media
company that published notable books
and magazines, including Al Gore’s An
Inconvenient Truth.
Her own books include Organic
Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal
Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us
Safe, as well as Scratch: Home Cooking for
Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally
Delicious. In her latest work, Love, Nature,
Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the
Heart of My Garden, Rodale leads readers
through her relationship with the plants,
animals and insects that inhabit her garden
and shares the life lessons these often
misunderstood creatures taught her.
Why did you write this book?
It was a combination of sensing that
“spirit” wouldn’t allow me not to and the
recognition that I could write the book
in my own way, with humor and irreverence.
It’s been my experience that once
we begin following the path that spirit
provides for us, things become easy. As
someone on the older side of life, I’ve also
noticed that when I don’t listen to that
photo courtesy of Rodale Institute
What is the most significant
message nature is trying to
share with us?
The overarching message, which has been
reinforced since I wrote the book, is that
nature wants to feel free to do whatever it
needs to do to heal things. The more we
try to control nature, the more frustrated
it gets. The same is true for people;
the freer we feel, the happier and more
productive we are. All efforts to control,
whether it’s controlling human behavior
or landscapers trying to control the
landscape, are not helpful in any way. If
we want to solve the climate crisis or the
environmental crisis, we need to allow
nature to be free and do its job.
The other message I received from
nature relates to humans’ tendency to
search for plants, take them, hoard them,
eat them and rub them on our skin. In
reality, we don’t need to do these things
to benefit from plants. We can simply be
in harmony with them in order to absorb
their healing energy. So again, it’s about
freedom, releasing control and trusting
our relationship with plants and nature.
What role does courage play in
exploring what plants, insects
and animals have to teach us?
Many of us are afraid of having new experiences
or have anxiety about things we don’t
understand. When this happens, we can
choose to stay in the fear or encourage ourselves
through it. When we choose courage
12 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

and curiosity, we often learn a new
skill or power. For example, when I
was journeying and getting to know
mosquitos and ticks, I felt afraid but
chose to keep going. While I didn’t
come to love the mosquitos and
ticks, I developed compassion and
respect for them.
To understand what nature is
communicating to us, we need
to get curious and unlearn what
our parents and culture taught
us about how our garden should
look or how we should interact with it. We can ask ourselves,
“What am I afraid of? Where did the fear come from?” and
listen for the answer.
What role does personal trauma play
in healing our planet?
Trauma is the root of everything—crime, abuse and all the things
that make us unhappy and destructive, both towards each other and
nature. That’s one of the reasons I was excited to share the parents’
creed in the milkweed chapter. The creed teaches that in order to
stop trauma, we must raise kids well from the start. The challenge
is that our culture doesn’t provide the information we need to minimize
our mistakes or prevent trauma in the first place. Openness
to learning about ourselves is key to healing trauma. When we heal
our traumas, we are less likely to project trauma onto other living
beings, including nature.
If people respond to life with curiosity instead of fear, and love
instead of control, we can evolve amazingly fast and have fun doing
it. This is the wonderful work we can accomplish together with
nature—envisioning and building new systems and ways of being
on this beautiful Earth.
Sophia Ellis Kreider is a freelance writer in Lancaster, PA, and a
regular contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at Sophia
EllisKreider@gmail.com.
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LIFELONG LEARNING
BENEFITS OF BEING THE FOREVER STUDENT
by Linda Sechrist
It’s never too late to take an evening drawing class at the local
high school, learn a language with the help of an app or get
one-on-one tutoring from a piano instructor. Adults of any age
can find personal and professional benefits when they engage
in what is termed “lifelong learning”. It is a great way to spice up
retirement, acquire skills for a coveted promotion, master new
technology, express creativity or simply keep the mind sharp.
14 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
Lifelong learners are generally
curious, self-motivated and
passionate individuals. Their
continuing educational pursuits
can lead to mental and
emotional benefits, including
healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Brain Benefits
In a study published in the journal Psychological Science involving
200 seniors, neuroscientists at the Center for Vital Longevity
at The University of Texas at Dallas found that sustained
engagement in cognitively demanding, novel activities—such as
learning digital photography or quilting—significantly enhanced
memory function in older adults. The researchers were surprised
to discover that the control group, which engaged in fun, social
activities without learning a new skill, did not perform as well in
memory tests.
In a report published in the journal Neurology, Dr. Keith Johnson
from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical
School found that people engaged in higher levels of intellectual
stimulation throughout their lives can delay the onset of memory
problems and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, although it
does not represent a cure for the illness.
The mind is a use-it-or-lose-it tool, says Dr. Lise Van Susteren,
a general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. “What
better way to use our short-term
and long-term memory than to
engage in lifelong learning? The
older we get, the less likely we are
to exercise short-term memory.
We program our phones with
numbers we call regularly. We store passwords and usernames
in our computers and never attempt to memorize credit card
numbers,” she explains. “We’re not using our brains enough,
leaving us open to being replaced by AI [artificial intelligence].
The brain is a muscle to be exercised regularly or like a car that
you must keep tuned up.”
Susteren points to a five-year study of London taxi drivers,
which found that the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is
crucial for long-term memory and spatial navigation, was larger
than average in the brains of these cabbies. What’s more, the
neuroscientists at University College London were able to show
through magnetic resonance imaging that this gray-matter growth
occurred over a four-year period after the drivers had memorized
an intricate network of 25,000 streets and thousands of routes to
tourist attractions and city hotspots. According to Van Susteren,
this study suggests that intensive learning can spur the brain to
grow over time.
Making Every Day Count
Ingrid Bianca Byerly, director of the Humanitarian Challenges
Focus Program and senior lecturing fellow in the Thompson
Writing Program, at Duke University, describes lifelong learners
as audacious, curious and fun-loving people that passionately
seize the day. In a TEDxStGeorge talk entitled “The New Fountain
of Youth: Lifelong Learning”, she recounts the invigorating
experience of being on the faculty of three Semester at Sea
voyages, where she taught undergraduate students and lifelong
learners world music and public-speaking advocacy for global
humanitarian causes.
“Entering college, you’re asking yourself, ‘What am I going to
do for a job and a paycheck?’ and at retirement, you’re asking,
‘What is my purpose, and what am I going to do with the rest
of my life for my personal fulfillment and enrichment?’” Byerly
expresses admiration for lifelong learners that pursue life goals,
learn to play musical instruments, take art classes, climb mountains
or write memoirs, and surmises that the secret to staying
young and keeping the mind alive is adult education.
Life-Altering Pursuits
A study of London taxi drivers suggests
that intensive learning can spur
the brain to grow over time.
For some lifelong learners, seeking new opportunities and embracing
change are compelling motivators. Take Maia Toll, for
example. In 2006, she followed a whim to study herbalism with
a traditional healer in Ireland. For the elementary school teacher
living in Beacon, New York, botanical herbs had only been a
hobby up to that point.
“Apprenticing with Eleanor changed everything,” she says of
her experience with her Irish-based mentor. “I had the space in
my life and money from selling my
house. Three months turned into
nearly a year, and upon returning
home, I continued studying for
four more years.”
Toll left her teaching career to
become a full-time herbalist and is now the co-owner of a shop
called Herbiary, with locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives. She has taught herbalism
at West Chester University in their School of Public Health,
led a study program in the Amazon rainforest and written several
books, including her latest, Letting Magic In. As she explains,
“Lifelong learning can change your life at any age.”
A Greater Commitment to Learning
For 30 years, Jim Walker was a labor representative for the California
School Employees Association. He recalls teaching a labor-law
class as an adjunct instructor for Los Angeles Trade-Technical
College and estimates that about 80 percent of his students
were lifelong learners, which he defines as adults between the ages
of 30 and 45 that are interested in the subject matter for personal
or professional reasons rather than satisfying a requirement for a
college degree.
“It was obvious to me that these lifelong learners were more
dedicated students than college students. They were like sponges
and wanted to absorb everything. Occasionally during classes,
it was the lifelong learners that were on their phones googling
the subject and updating my facts,” says Walker, who admits that
when he had more free time in retirement, he enrolled in meteorology
and astrology courses to satisfy longstanding interests of
his own.
The Joy of Achieving Milestones
In love with learning and the sense of accomplishment she feels
whenever she masters a subject, Doreen DeStefano, of Root Caus-
August 2023
15

es Holistic Health & Medicine, in Fort Myers, Florida, has been
earning degrees since 1987. She holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing
and exercise physiology, master’s degrees in criminology and
public business administration, and doctorates in natural health
and nursing practice. “In medicine, there is always something new
to learn,” she says. “I think that’s why I chose this field. It’s fun to
learn the latest thing.”
Resources
There are numerous opportunities for learning, in person and online.
golubovy/AdobeStock.com
Prostock-studio/AdobeStock.com Drazen/AdobeStock.com
IN-PERSON CLASSES
n For people that work full time, many cities offer evening classes
at high schools, colleges or civic centers on a wide range of
subjects.
n Museums and art institutions commonly host demonstrations
and in-depth instruction by local artists.
n A neighborhood music store can lead to connections with
musicians that tutor burgeoning rock stars.
n For those harboring thespian aspirations, a hometown improv
group or regional theater may be holding auditions or offering
acting classes.
n Dance studios help people step up their ballroom dance skills.
n Contact a chef or visit a kitchen supply store for cooking
lessons.
n A nearby botanical garden or gardening shop may offer howto
classes for growing native or pollinator plants.
n Pick up sewing tips at the fabric store.
n If a class is not offered, create a study group that meets at a cafe
or park to learn together.
ONLINE LESSONS
n To become proficient in a new language, check out apps like
RosettaStone.com and Duolingo.com.
n YouTube.com is an endless source for instructional videos of
every variety.
n Visit Ted.com for informative and inspiring TED talks by global
experts in their respective fields.
n For students that wish to learn while taking nature walks, a
vast world of podcasts awaits.
n For transformational learning, try MindValley.com,
UbiquityUniversity.org and Gaia.org.
n Coursera.org offers many streaming courses, documentaries
and films.
n Auditing university classes at prestigious, world-class schools
is just a click away. Visit these popular sites, many of which
offer courses for free: Harvard University (pll.Harvard.edu/catalog/free),
Stanford University (Online.Stanford.edu/free-courses),
EdX (EdX.org) and The Open University (Open.edu).
Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings
publications for 20 years.
16 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Four Steps for a Smooth Transition
to a Successful School Year
by Bethany Habbena
It is that time again—summer is winding down and the energy for school in the fall
is ramping up. Along with the excitement and anticipation for school to start, there
also come anxieties. There are so many pieces that need to be put in place for the
fall transition to go smoothly, as well as plenty of planning and preparation that need
be done before the first day of school. All of this can be overwhelming, but taking a few
steps ahead of time can help adequately prepare for the upcoming school year.
Steady Morning Routine
The first step is to subtly get the mind and body into the routine of the school year. One
effective way to accomplish this is to start a consistent morning routine. Often, when
in the summer vacation mode, a schedule can be very loose or nonexistent. Start with a
simple morning routine of getting up at the same time every day. This will prepare children
by starting to get them in the rhythm of a routine before the beginning of the school
year. No one likes getting up early so, if possible, plan something fun to do right after
breakfast. Children will be much more inclined to jump into the routine when there is an
event to which to look forward.
Healthy Lunch
Provide children with a healthy lunch around the same time every day. This is another way to
get children into the rhythm of the day and school year. Oftentimes in the summer, lunch is
more relaxed as parents are not home or simply do not have the time to prepare three meals
every day. Once the school year approaches, it’s important to have healthy lunches each day.
This not only prepares a child by acclimating them to a schedule, but also feeds their brain
and allows for a healthy rejuvenation before the beginning of the school year. Some brain-
healthy foods to incorporate include berries,
walnuts, fish and leafy greens.
Create a Study Space
for the Fall
Once homework rolls in, having a study
space is vital for focus and efficiency. Get
ahead of the game and invest in setting
aside a space to get work done. Other
places in the home can be very distracting,
especially to younger students. Setting
aside time and a place for homework has
shown to be effective in promoting structure
for children. Prepare now and find a
desk or table for homework time. There
may already be a space in the home that’s
ready to become the homework spot.
Go Shopping
Build up the anticipation and excitement
for the school year
by shopping for school
necessities. Excitement
is contagious; build it by
going on special outings to
prepare for the school year
and the student will start
to feel the same excitement.
If we do not have the
time or the energy to go out shopping,
order needed supplies online. Be creative
with it—play a game or scavenger hunt
for school supplies—even a bingo game
in which the prizes are school supplies
will excite and encourage the student.
Taking these simple preparation
steps will provide structure and stability
before the school year so everyone can
enjoy the summer while it is here, yet
welcome the school year with excitement.
Bethany Habbena is the
marketing and communications
specialist at Hope
Academy, in Minneapolis,
an affordable private school
that aims to foster hope in
God within the inner-city
neighborhoods of Minneapolis by providing
youth with a remarkable, classical,
Christ-centered education. Located at 2300
Chicago Ave. S, Minneapolis, schedule a tour
at HopeSchool.org/tour or call the Admissions
Team at 612-489-5154. See ad, page 3.
August 2023
17

conscious eating
Childhood Food Allergies,
Intolerances and Sensitivities
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS FOR ALL AGES
by Veronica Hinke
It’s back-to-school season, and for students
with food issues, meal planning
is as important as lining up classroom
supplies and extracurricular schedules.
Paramount in their minds is to avoid
ingredients that might cause unappealing
reactions or compromise health, while not
stressing about the risks or feeling cheated
that they cannot eat the same things as
their friends.
Diagnosis
Often, food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances
are incorrectly used interchangeably
when, in fact, the symptoms, treatments
and safety recommendations differ.
Consult a physician for a proper diagnosis
and a nutritionist for dietary guidance.
Pixel-Shot/AdobeStock.com
FOOD ALLERGIES cause an almost
immediate, potentially deadly immune
response (anaphylaxis) requiring an
epinephrine shot. Symptoms include a
drop in blood pressure, narrowing of the
airways, rashes, nausea and vomiting.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20
percent of students with food allergies
will have a reaction at school. Eight ingredients
account for 90 percent of food
allergies: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree
nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.
FOOD INTOLERANCES result from an
inability to digest certain foods due to
18 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

an enzyme deficiency or irritable bowel
syndrome. The most common forms of
intolerance are caused by lactose, histamine
and gluten.
Food sensitivities provoke delayed
symptoms (sometimes days after eating a
problematic ingredient), including diarrhea,
rashes, joint pain, digestive problems,
fatigue and brain fog. Among children,
common triggers are lactose, gluten, grains,
legumes, soy, corn and yeast.
Emotional Concerns
According to Karen Raden, an Illinois-based
registered dietician and
certified clinical nutritionist, the goal is
what she calls “food freedom”: the empowerment
of students to make informed
choices that feel best for them and their
bodies. “Even if a child’s options are
limited, it’s important to allow them to
make substitutions. The less restricted,
the better. It’s not just about the science;
there’s a lot of emotion that goes into it,
too,” she says.
Dr. Dawn Huebner, a psychologist,
author and parent coach in Sacramento,
California, says, “There is danger associated
with allergies, and anxiety results
when you overestimate the danger. In
children, this can morph into anxiety
about eating with other people or touching
things in the classroom. Many parents
are intent on making uncomfortable feelings
go away, so they end up minimizing
feelings, telling their children to simply
not worry.”
A better approach, Huebner says, is to acknowledge
the child’s reality and empathize
with them. “Say to your child in a really direct
way, ‘Yes, that’s hard to see your friends
eating ice cream or cupcakes that you don’t
get to have.’ Even though there are food
substitutions, it doesn’t make up for the fact
that a student doesn’t get to be a regular kid,
eating what everyone else gets to eat.”
Ready-to-Eat Options
Huebner suggests that parents help their
children develop skills to overcome temptation,
rather than berating or punishing
them for occasionally sneaking forbidden
foods. At all times, delicious alternatives
should be readily available.
Theresa Diulus, a Texas-based nutrition coach, believes in empowering kids by keeping
ready-made foods in clearly marked bins that kids can easily access. She stocks the pantry
with gluten-free oatmeal and coconut or cassava flour cake mixes, and stores frozen,
gluten-free waffle or pancake batter in batches to save time when a safe and delicious
treat is needed.
Food Substitutions
Replacing essential nutrients that might be missing once certain foods are eliminated is
another key objective. “If dairy is the problem, for example, we worry about bone health
and need to make sure the child is getting calcium from nondairy sources,” Raden explains.
“I like to find out what their favorite foods are and modify them. Food issues are
more prevalent these days. We’re really lucky now that there are very good substitutes for
eggs, dairy and gluten.”
Raden recently adapted a shepherd’s pie recipe by using gluten-free flour and
almond milk. For people that cannot tolerate regular eggs, she recommends using a
“flax egg” in baked goods, which combines one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three
tablespoons of water.
Family Meals Made Easy
When they were little, Caroline Somers’ two daughters developed extensive food intolerances
and food allergies with inflammation, gastrointestinal bloating and digestive
distress. Tasked with reimagining her family’s diet, the president of Suzanne Somers
Companies created new versions of her favorite recipes, which will be featured in her
upcoming cookbook, Served: From My Family Table to Yours.
“Many people deal with family members who have food preferences or intolerances
to foods, and it can turn the person preparing foods into a short-order cook—no gluten
for this one; vegan for that one; this one will eat fish but no dairy. It can make your
head spin,” says Somers. Her Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe addresses this predicament
by serving the ingredients family-style and inviting each person at the table to
assemble their own spring roll according to their food preferences and restrictions.
Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable
Drinking, Dining and Style. Learn more at FoodStringer.com.
Kari Seaverson DDS
John Seaverson DDS
Tooth by the Lake
HOLISTIC GENERAL DENTISTRY
Experience healthier dentistry
1401 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
952-475-1101
ToothByTheLake.net
August 2023
19

VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS
CRISPY GINGER
1 palm-sized piece of fresh ginger
½ cup toasted sesame oil
Peel the ginger and thinly dice it. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over
medium-high heat. Add the diced ginger and fry until golden
brown—approximately 6 to 8 minutes—stirring frequently to
brown evenly. Transfer the crispy ginger to a small serving bowl
with a tiny spoon.
To accommodate a family with differing dietary needs due to
food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances, this dish is served
family-style, allowing diners to assemble their own spring rolls,
choosing from the ingredients that fit their food restrictions.
YIELD: 24 SPRING ROLLS (6 ENTREE SERVINGS,
10 APPETIZER SERVINGS)
1 8-oz package of 8¾-inch rice spring roll wrappers (24 wrappers)
1 bunch Thai basil (or Italian basil), leaves only
1 bunch fresh mint, leaves only
1 bunch fresh cilantro, leaves only
3 cups coconut jade pearl rice (recipe below)
2 mangoes or papayas, pitted, peeled and sliced into long, thin strips
4 Persian cucumbers, julienned into long, thin strips
6 carrots, julienned into long, thin strips
¼ cup crispy ginger (recipe below)
1 head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
1 head red leaf lettuce, thinly sliced
2 cups sesame ginger vinaigrette (recipe below)
1 cup peanut sauce (recipe below)
Sriracha to taste
COCONUT JADE PEARL RICE
1 15-oz bag (2¼ cups) Lotus Foods Jade Pearl Rice (or jasmine rice)
1 14-oz can unsweetened coconut milk
1¼ cups water
Pinch of sea salt
Do not rinse the rice. Combine rice, coconut milk, water and salt
in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer
and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for
10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve. Can also be prepared in a
rice cooker with the same ratios.
photo by Caroline Somers
SESAME GINGER VINAIGRETTE
1 cup toasted sesame oil
¾ cup rice wine vinegar
¼ cup tamari (or soy sauce)
2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 Tbsp dried hot mustard
Combine all the ingredients in a jar with fitted lid. Cover and shake
until well combined. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
PEANUT SAUCE
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 Tbsp palm sugar
2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
1 lime, juiced
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 Tbsp tamari (or soy sauce)
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 to 3 Tbsp warm water
Heat the peanut butter in a medium bowl in the microwave for
20 to 30 seconds. Add the ginger, garlic, sugar, chili sauce, lime
juice, vinegar, tamari and sesame oil, and whisk to combine. Add
the warm water to thin the sauce to desired consistency. Store in a
covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
To assemble a spring roll, dip one rice wrapper completely in a
shallow bowl of warm water for about 5 seconds. Remove and
spread flat on a plate or chopping board. Place basil leaves down
the center. Continue to top the single strip with mint, cilantro, a
thin layer of rice, mango, cucumber, carrot, a few pieces of crispy
ginger and lettuce. Do not overstuff.
Fold up the bottom first, then fold over one side of the wrapper,
tucking and rolling the filling into a compact cylinder, leaving the
top end open. Serve the rolls with bowls of sesame ginger vinaigrette,
peanut sauce and sriracha. Repeat to make desired number
of rolls, using any combination of ingredients.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Caroline Somers.
20 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

YESWARD
COACHING
IT'S TIME
TO LIVE YOUR
photo by Gale Gand
ologist Intuitive
Mindset Coach
Teacher Speaker
www.neaclare.com
LIFE
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ASIAN GLAZED CHICKEN
WITH BROCCOLI
This recipe uses gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for the glaze
and rice flour instead of gluten-containing white flour to lightly
coat the chicken, helping to keep the meat juicy and tender.
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS
1 to 2 chicken breasts (depending on size), cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ cup rice flour
½ tsp salt
2 grinds of fresh pepper
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1-inch section of ginger root, peeled and chopped
1 scallion, sliced
1 broccoli crown, chopped
ASIAN GLAZE
1 Tbsp gluten-free tamari
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
½ tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp honey
In a bowl, combine the rice flour with salt and pepper. Toss the
chicken in the mixture and set aside. In a large, nonstick pan,
heat 1 tablespoon oil on medium high heat and add the ginger
and white part of the scallions, quickly stir frying for 1 minute.
Add the broccoli and continue cooking until slightly tender.
Remove from the pan to a platter.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Cook the chicken,
stirring occasionally until lightly browned on all sides. Meanwhile,
stir together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Once the
chicken is cooked, add the glaze to the pan and cook for 1 minute
to thicken it. Add the broccoli and remaining green parts of the
scallions and combine to heat through. Serve over rice or noodles.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Chicago-based pastry chef and cookbook
author Gale Gand.
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August 2023
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healthy kids
Stepparenting Success
CREATING A VIBRANT BLENDED FAMILY
by Julie Peterson
Blended families are complex and often challenging. A marriage between two people
that already have children creates new relationships with individuals that were strangers
not long ago. The newlyweds must nurture their own kids while forming new
bonds with stepchildren, and the children may need to figure out how to accept a stepparent
into their lives, share physical and emotional space with stepsiblings or spend part of their
time in their other parent’s home.
It’s a lot to ask. Imagine this through the eyes of a young child or teenager. It might be
confusing, frustrating or infuriating. Fortunately, there are methods to knit a blended family
into a strong and enduring tapestry.
22 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
Ursula Page/AdobeStock.com
Beat the Odds
According to Julee Peterson, a California-based
therapist at Helping Blended
Families, 65 percent of families are blended.
It is the new norm. And yet, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimates that 23 percent of second
marriages end in divorce after five years
and 39 percent dissolve after 10 years. Peterson
notes, “Many reputable scholars still
project the overall divorce rate for all marriages
to be between 40 and 50 percent.”
To avoid becoming part of these statistics,
it is crucial to manage expectations before
creating a blended family. “What roles
do you see each other playing? How are
you going to handle discipline, experience
holidays, safeguard your relationship or
deal with divorce drama?” asks Christina
McGhee, MSW, author of Parenting Apart:
How Separated and Divorced Parents Can
Raise Happy and Secure Kids.
See the Child’s Point of View
McGhee, who prefers to be called “bonus
mom” by her two stepchildren, cautions
parents not to underestimate the amount
of stress that blended families experience
due to different parenting styles, uncooperative
coparents and revolving schedules.
“But it’s still possible to create an environment
where everybody feels connected and
accepted,” she asserts.
“Even very young children pick up on body
language and stress,” says McGhee. “Kids can
do remarkably well having one household

that is grounded, balanced and supportive with parental figures that
validate their feelings, shield them from conflict, create opportunities
for conversation and remain consistent and predictable.”
Set Practical Boundaries
While it’s okay if a stepchild is not comfortable with a stepparent
right away, “the child should have an understanding of the importance
of the stepparent in their life, and that the stepparent should
be treated with respect,” says attorney Victoria Kelly, a partner at
Sefton Kelly Family Law, in Naperville, Illinois.
Although a couple may be excited to embark upon a
blended-family adventure, their children may feel pressured into
instantly liking or accepting a stepparent. “Kids may feel a loyalty
conflict or worry about betraying the other parent if they accept
the stepparent,” says McGhee, suggesting that stepparents encourage
and support one-on-one time with the other parent. “It’s critical for
bonus parents to honor the history that your bonus children have,”
she advises. “Part of their lives didn’t include you. Respect that.”
Collaborate With the Coparent
“You have zero control over the decisions that coparents make—
what they do, what they say, the rules that they establish,” says
McGhee. “But you always have a choice about how you respond
and how you engage. Focus on what you can control.”
“It’s important to have an open line of communication with the
other parent, but if the other parent is not comfortable speaking with
the stepparent, that boundary should be respected," advises Kelly.
“All families can benefit from monthly meetings.”
“Often, there are issues that kids are navigating behind the scenes
that don’t make it on our parent radar,” McGhee notes, suggesting
that parents set up a transition time when children are moving
between households, such as a gathering around the dinner table to
talk about the things that took place while apart. “Kids need some
emotional space to shift gears,” she says. “When they’re with the
other parent, keep communication open, so that when the children
come back through the door, they don’t get sensory overload.”
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Create Memories Together
Will Smith, senior business development manager for Acrow
Bridge, in Alabama, raised one biological son and one stepson.
He says that each child is different, so every situation needs to be
customized to meet their needs. Smith and his wife presented a
clear and consistent front when setting long-term values and goals
for the kids—expecting the boys to do well in school and go to
college—and they leaned in hard to achieve those objectives.
Stepparents can gradually incorporate quality togetherness by
celebrating holidays, new rituals or even ordinary activities. “My
relationship with my stepson grew through a shared interest in
sports,” Smith says. “As a family, we played a lot of board games
and had some favorite movies. These things became traditions.”
Julie Peterson is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings
magazine.
Barb Ryan, CMT
612-922-2389
Bhakti Wellness Center in Edina
barb@wisdomsisterstudio.com
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August 2023
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SPONSORED CONTENT
mushrooms need to be exposed to light in order to synthesize
vitamin D. This is an important factor, as most commercial
button mushrooms are grown in the dark, so unless
they have been exposed to light, they will not convert the
necessary compounds. Wild mushrooms, particularly those
exposed to sunlight, are ideal for promoting health, although
it should be noted that sitting mushrooms at home in a sunny
window for a day or two before eating them will enhance
their vitamin D content.
This information is inspiring because I am continually
trying to find ways to increase the nutrient density of
my food. There has been a lot of attention in recent years
paid to studies indicating that vitamin D is an important
nutrient for maintaining health and many providers of
health care are encouraging their patients to ingest vitamin
D supplements. As with nutrients in general, I prefer
to introduce them through food, not capsules or pills. I
really do trust that with information and creativity, we can
Mushrooms for Health,
Nourishment and Fun
by Linda Conroy
As a big fan of cooking and eating mushrooms, I
remember long hikes during last year’s spring
morel mushroom hunt, the puffball mushrooms
we found in our neighbor’s field last summer and how
abundant the chanterelle mushrooms were in the woods.
We ate mushrooms often, and I am confident our immune
systems were thanking us.
I have long been an avid wild harvester, preferring to
find my food in the woods or fields rather than the grocery
store. Mushrooms made me nervous for a long time.
Prior to moving from the west coast to the Midwest, I was
comfortable harvesting only two types of mushrooms, and
even then I was very careful, as one should be. Today I am
happy to say that I enjoy harvesting 20-plus mushroom
varieties, and each year I add to my repertoire.
I have long been aware of the immune-boosting benefits
of eating mushrooms and know that they contain a
wide spectrum of nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin
K, copper, potassium, selenium and other trace minerals.
So I was not surprised when I recently read an article in
the Acres USA farming magazine that research is being
conducted on their vitamin D content. Similar to humans,
assimilate the nutrients we need through our food.
So while I will continue to eat whatever mushroom is
presented to me, I am more committed than ever to eating
wild or homegrown mushrooms on a regular basis. If you
decide to harvest your own mushrooms, be sure to consult
a reliable field guide or spend time with someone knowledgeable
about mushrooms. A good book is Start Mushrooming,
by Stan Tekiela, and in many areas you can find
a local mycological society that will offer forays and other
learning opportunities. Also, growing mushrooms outside
your doorstep is a good way to have them readily available
and to learn to recognize them when you do see them in the
wild environment.
Incorporating mushrooms into your diet is fun and
easy. Add them to soups, stews, stir fry vegetables, omelet,
quiche and even stuffed. Use your imagination. I suspect
you can think of many other ideas, as well.
Shiitake mushrooms are one of my favorites for eating.
They are easy to grow and increasingly easy to find at farmers
markets and natural grocery stores. Below is a recipe for
a simple mushroom pate that I love to serve as an appetizer
or for a light lunch.
24 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

¼ cup of cultured cream or yogurt (I like piima cream, but
any cultured cream or yogurt will work)
Warm oil/fat in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add
sliced mushrooms, shallots and garlic and stir to combine,
cooking until mushrooms begin to sweat.
Add fresh thyme and wine and stir to combine. Let cook
until mushrooms are nice and soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add
tamari and stir again to combine.
Shiitake Mushroom Pate
2 Tbsp oil or fat (I like lard, but olive oil will work)
1 lb mushrooms, sliced (I prefer shiitakes and/or maitakes
as they contribute a deep umami (savory) flavor. If it is
morel season, they add a nice flavor. However, any mushroom
will work)
2 whole shallots, scallions or onions peeled and thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 Tbsp fresh thyme (dried will work if you do not have
fresh)
¼ cup wine (a dry wine is ideal. I often add one of my
homemade herbal wines. Dandelion is one of my favorites)
1 Tbsp tamari (add more to taste)
Transfer mixture to the bowl of a food processor and pulse
until a rough purée forms. Add cream to the food processor.
Pulse until a creamy purée forms, season with more
tamari, if needed.
Transfer to a bowl and serve with baguette, crackers
and cheese.
Linda Conroy is an herbalist, community
organizer, founder of Moonwise Herbs and
founder and organizer of the annual Midwest
Women’s Herbal Conference and Mycelium
Mysteries Women’s Mushroom Conference. For
more information, visit MoonwiseHerbs.com
and MidwestWomensHerbal.com. See ad on
page 13.
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26 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

calendar of events
featured event
Discover Your Highest
Purpose
Sri Harold Klemp, the spiritual leader
of Eckankar, shares wisdom through
stories and spiritual insights that bring
meaning, connection and humor to the
workings of Spirit in everyday life.
Fridays at 7pm
Watch on Channel 6 or via MCN6.org
For more information, visit Eckankar.org,
TempleOfECK.org or
Facebook.com/Eckankar.
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
Green Seniors: Migrating Monarchs – 10-11am.
Follow the journey of this amazing butterfly from
Minnesota to the mountains of Mexico. Learn how
you can you make a difference in their lives both as
a citizen scientist and a habitat provider. $5. Main
Property, Farm Entrance 3, 1701 Charlton Street,
West St. Paul. DodgeNatureCenter.org/event.
East Lake Mystery Book Club – 6:30-7:30pm. Join
the discussion of new and interesting mystery and
thriller titles. Book choices are posted on events page
one month prior to the program date. 2727 E. Lake
St., Minneapolis. Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
Lactation Lounge with Ramsey County Health –
10am-12pm. A free drop-in breastfeeding/ chestfeeding
support service. Come share tips and socialize with
other families. Free. Highland Park, 1974 Ford Parkway,
Saint Paul. Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 15
212 Degrees and Beyond: An Overview of Using
Boiling Water and Pressure Canning to Safely Preserve
Your Garden Produce – 5-7pm. An introductory
course designed to provide participants with basic research-based
knowledge and scientific resources on the
basics of boiling water and pressure canning. 15700 36th
Ave. N., Plymouth. Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Open Yoga – 6:30-7:30pm. Practice yoga with your
neighbors in a supportive environment. Deepen your
physical and mental wellness in this restorative
program that is beneficial for both beginners and
experienced yogis. Free. 1222 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis.
Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAYS, AUGUST 8, 22
Mending Circle – 6-7:30pm. Bring an item of
clothing or other textile to repair. We’ll provide
basic supplies, equipment, and a supportive learning
environment. Free. 1831 Marshall Ave Saint Paul.
Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAYS, AUGUST 8, 15, 22, 29
Spanish Conversation Group – 6-7pm. Meet up to
charlar (chat) with other Spanish speakers. Everyone
is welcome from fluent speakers to beginners. Hasta
pronto. Free. 17524 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka.
Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
Community Cooks at New Salem Lutheran
Church – 5-7:30pm. Community Cooks workshops
bring community members together to cook, eat,
learn and discuss social change. All are welcome and
dinner is on us. Bring your friends, neighbors, and
family. Free. 4150 Dupont Avenue, North Minneapolis.
AppetiteForChangemn.org/event.
Lowertown Trivia Night – 6-8pm. Bring your friends
and compete for prizes. Happy hour specials are available
for drink and food options all night. Free. 214
4th St E., St. Paul. AppetiteForChangemn.org/event.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
Ramsey County Master Gardeners Present: Be a
Pest Detective – 6:30-8pm. Learn how to prevent,
identify, and respond to pests and problems that
appear in your yard and garden using integrated pest
management practices. Free. Online. RCLReads.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
Virtual Community Conversation with Psilocybin
Researcher and Author, Katherine MacLean –
6:30pm. We will discuss her newly released memoir
Midnight Water, and her upcoming appearance at Mycelium
Mysteries: Women’s Mushroom Conference.
Free. Online. HerbWomenClassroom.Podia.com.
SATURDAYS, AUGUST 12, 19, 26
Asian Games – 10am-12pm. Try your hand at a
variety of Asian games that have been played for
centuries and are still popular today. Learn several
traditional games from Taiwan, Nepal, China and
Thailand. Free. 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka.
Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Citizenship Class – 3:30-5pm. Join Literacy
Minnesota and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
for free citizenship classes to understand the
process, study for the interview, learn about U.S.
history and government, and get free help from a
lawyer. Free. 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul. Sppl.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
featured event
Healing on the Water
Event in Stillwater
A day of healing, learning and relaxation
in Stillwater. Healers Showcase starts
9am at Island Time Spa where you can
visit healers, vendors, and more for free.
You can also choose to ride the waves
down the St Croix River where you will
enjoy lunch, access to a cash bar, gift bag
and attend a session with Echo Bodine,
psychic, author and speaker.
August 13
9am-1pm
Free. Online.
IslandTimeSpa.com/events.
For more information, visit AnnetteRugolo.com.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14
Keystone FoodMobile Distribution – 10am-12pm.
The Keystone Community Services FoodMobile
will be distributing free groceries in the parking lot.
This service is available to anyone in need. Free.
2180 North Hamline Ave., Roseville. RCLReads.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14
Puzzle Pals – 12:30-4:30pm. Join every third Sunday
of the month for a day of making friends and
making puzzles. Puzzles will be provided at the
library, though you’re welcome to bring your own.
Free. 4560 Victoria St., N. Shoreview. RCLReads.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
Poetry Lovers Converge – 2-3pm. Join once a month
to find inspiration and/or inspire others with poetry.
Read your own poem or listen to poems from others
and share in the experience. Free. 21300 John Milless
Dr., Rogers. Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15
East Lake Vegan Recipe Club – 6:30-7:30pm. If
you are curious about vegan cooking, this virtual
club is for you. Each month participants make recipes
from popular cookbooks prior to meeting, then
share their reflections with the group. Free. Online.
HCLib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Women in the Woods: Nature Trivia – 7-8:30pm.
Come test your knowledge of the outdoors here in
Minnesota with a friendly trivia competition. Use
your wits and wisdom (and maybe some guesswork)
to answer trivia about plants, animals, geology and
other intriguing aspects of nature. $20. Main Property,
Farm Entrance 3, 1701 Charlton Street, West
St. Paul. DodgeNatureCenter.org/event.
WED-SAT, AUGUST 16-19
Mount Shasta Retreat – During this retreat,
Annette Rugolo will take you to places on the
mountain that will support you in receiving the
wondrous gifts that Mount Shasta has to offer.
With her experience as a spiritual guide, she
will support you in letting go of old fears and
limitations and opening to the incredible love and
wisdom that is within you. For more information,
visit AnnetteRugolo.com.
save the date
Fall Retreat for
Healthcare Providers
Four-day group retreat for healthcare
providers to learn more about and experience
ketamine-assisted therapy and
psychedelic integration breathwork in a
supportive container.
September 7-10
Cost: $2,959 for shared cabin,
$3,379 for single.
Red Clover Ranch, Soldiers Grove, WI
For more information, visit
DriftlessIntegrativePsychiatry.com/FallRetreat.
August 2023
27

save the date TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
MONDAY, AUGUST 14
Women’s Mushroom
Conference
This weekend-long women’s mushroom
conference focuses on understanding fungi
as the Grandmothers of our ecosystems.
Silently shaping the soil beneath our feet,
fungi are key players in Earth’s health
and the trajectory of human culture
around the globe. Still, we find ourselves
in a time where the study of fungi is considered
to be a neglected megascience,
their mycelium, a mystery.
September 22-24
Almond, WI
For more information, visit
MyceliumMysteries.com.
EVENTS FOR KIDS
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
Out on a Limb Dance – 10:30-11am. Join and explore
jazz, ballet, and tap dancing. Best for ages 2-5. No
registration necessary. Free. 2180 North Hamline Ave.,
Roseville. RCLReads.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Family Storytime Guest: Metro Dance Center –
10:30-11:15am. Join Metro Dance Center as they
share a story, dance demonstrations and get you up
and moving. Appropriate for ages 2-5. No registration
is required. Free. 4560 Victoria St., N., Shoreview.
RCLReads.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Free Summer Meals – 12-1pm. To help bridge the
summer gap, the library is partnering with Saint Paul
Public Schools to provide free meals to all youth 18
or younger. Free. 461 N Dale St., Saint Paul. Sppl.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
Campfire Book Club – 3-4pm. K-2nd grade
students will practice their oral reading skills and
read some of the new picture books we have in our
collection, while older 3rd-6th grade students will
have the opportunity to discuss books, discover
new genres, and meet other readers their age. Free.
Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale St., Saint
Paul. Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
MONDAY, AUGUST 7 & 14
Rap and Poetry Writing – 5-7pm. Participants will
practice using rap and poetry writing as tools for creative
self-expression. For kids grades 6-12. Materials
provided. Free. 1315 Lowry Ave., N. Minneapolis.
Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
28 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com
Tinker Tuesday – 1-2:30pm. Young tinkers can join
for the weekly craft project, or have unstructured
craft time with access to our Maker Cart. Free.
400 10th St. NW., New Brighton. RCLReads.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
Nature After Dinner: Prairie Pollinators – 6:30-
7:30pm. Spend an evening learning about amazing
insects. Practice catching and releasing pollinators
in your insect net while you learn about their role
in the prairie. $5. Main Property, Main Office
Entrance 1, 365 Marie Avenue W., West St. Paul.
DodgeNatureCenter.org/event.
TUESDAYS, AUGUST 8, 15, 22
Bucket Drumming – 3-4pm. All ages are invited
to discover the incredible rhythms and music you
can create with a simple bucket. No registration
required; materials provided. Free. 4440 Humboldt
Ave. N., Minneapolis. Hclib.BiblioCommons.
com/events.
TUESDAYS, AUGUST 8, 15, 22, 29
Board Game Tuesday at Sun Ray – 4-6pm. Come
play an old favorite or try something new. All ages
welcome. Free. 2105 Wilson Ave., Saint Paul.
Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
Createch – 3:30-7pm. Explore technology,
games, music and art in a drop-in setting. For
ages 12-18. Free. 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul.
Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 9, 16, 23
Youth Chess Club – 3:30-5pm. Welcome all
youth who want to play chess with other youth.
Play for fun and to learn chess basics. Free.
8500 W. Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park. Hclib.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
THURSDAYS, AUGUST 10, 17
Warrior Cats Adventure Club – 4-5pm. Read the
Warrior Cat books by Erin Hunter and continue
the adventure through a role playing game and
create your own cat character. Free. 2576 Mounds
View Boulevard, Mounds View. RCLReads.Biblio
Commons.com/events.
Preschool Storytime in the Garden – 10:30-
11:30am. Join us at the Urban Roots Children’s
Garden for a weekly storytime ​followed by a
garden activity. Free. 1110 Payne Ave., Saint Paul.
Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
Petite Concert – 10:30-11:15am. Join for a live
musical performance. Children will sing and
move to well-known children’s songs in this
45-minute program for ages 2-6. Free. 2180
North Hamline Ave., Roseville. RCLReads.Biblio
Commons.com/events.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
Comedy Magic with Brodini – 10am-4pm. Laugh
until you cry at Brodini’s amazing magic tricks,
where kids are a part of every show. He performs a
variety of tricks that will leave you wanting to learn
the magical arts yourself. Free. 1456 White Bear
Ave., Saint Paul. Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Pollinator Puppet Show – 10:30-11:15am. Join
for stories, songs, and rhymes designed to enhance
your child’s early literacy skills. Appropriate for
ages 2-5. No registration required. Free. 4560
Victoria St., N., Shoreview. RCLReads.Biblio-
Commons.com/events.
MONDAYS, AUGUST 14, 21, 28
Yard Games & Outdoor Activities – 1:30-3pm.
Youth are invited to explore the outdoors surrounding
the library with nature backpacks and
identification guides, and to play a variety of yard
games. Free. 1314 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis.
Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15
Bike Maintenance for Youth – 4-6pm. Entering
grades 4-6. Bring a bike to practice on if you have
one or hang out and watch repair demonstrations.
Free. 1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis. Hclib.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16
Llamas at the Library – 4-6pm. Learn about and
lounge with the curious, sociable creatures when
Carlson’s Lloveable Llamas visit the library.
Free. 4026 28th Ave. S., Minneapolis. Hclib.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
Story Stroll: The Thing About Bees – All Day.
Stroll through the park next to the library and enjoy
reading the oversized storybook, The Thing About
Bees. Free. West 7, 265 Oneida St., Saint Paul. Sppl.
BiblioCommons.com/events.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
Out in Nature – 10:30-11:30am. For families with
young children come and participate in different nature
inspired crafts, activities and encouraging curiosity in
the world around them. Free. West 7, 265 Oneida St.,
Saint Paul. Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
Snake Discovery – 11am-12pm. This program covers
reptiles both large and small, common and rare.
We slither around the world to meet reptiles from
every continent they’re found on. Free. 90 West 4th
St., Saint Paul. Sppl.BiblioCommons.com/events.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
Interactive Movies – 1-3pm. Have a fun, active
movie viewing experience and learn ways to make
screen-time less passive. Materials provided. Free.
8500 W. Broadway Ave., Brooklyn Park. Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
Stories in Spanish – 3-3:30pm. For children of
all ages to develop and practice Spanish language
skills. Join us as we read stories and encourage interactive
dialog in Spanish. Free. 5280 Grandview
Square, Edina. Hclib.BiblioCommons.com/events.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
Outdoor Play – 10:30-11:30am. Age 4 & younger.
Drop in and play outside in the Children’s Reading
Garden. Prepare to get a little wet, maybe even
dirty. Free. 2180 North Hamline Ave., Roseville.
RCLReads.BiblioCommons.com/events.

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.
BODY WORK
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE &
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
Barb Ryan, CMT, CSD • 612-922-2389
Bhakti Wellness Center
7550 France Avenue S, #220, Edina
WisdomSisterStudio.com
Specializing in persistent and
chronic pain and mysteries of the
body. Also for people seeking the
experience of deep relaxation
and increased self-connection.
Skilled and compassionate care.
See ad, page 23.
COACHING
ANNETTE RUGOLO
Soul Coach, Author and Teacher
AnnetteRugolo.com
We are in a time of fast evolution
and we have the opportunity to release
deeply held emotional and
mental patterns along with karmic
lifetimes that are keeping us stuck.
The tools I have acquired and honed
for more than 20 years will help you
move beyond the stuck places in
your life and help you align with the light of your soul.
You will receive tools of empowerment that will help
you continue on your life’s path and soul’s journey.
See ad, page 21.
COMPOSURE COACHING
Candi Broeffle, MBA, CPC
Candi@ComposureCoaching.com
763-270-8604
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 8.
COACHING
TRANSFORMATIONAL COACH AND
LIFE MASTERY TEACHER
Nea Clare
NeaClare.com • Nea@NeaClare.com
Would you like to say “YES” and
make your dreams come true? If
so, I can help! Book a strategy
call with me today. I work exclusively
for extraordinary women
who are tired of waiting on the
right time or circumstances before
pursuing their dream career
path – we’ll explore how life
coaching has tremendous transformative power in
strengthening self-confidence while also giving one
unshakeable faith in your capability to achieve your
goals. What you want is on the other side of your
hesitation. If it is time to break through, schedule a
call today at 612-227-3854 or email Nea@NeaClare.
com. See ad, page 21.
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.
NATURAL SMILES DENTAL CARE
3434 Lexington Ave. N., Suite 700
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. See ad, page 5.
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 9.
DENTIST
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 11.
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 19.
EDUCATION
HOPE ACADEMY
2300 Chicago Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-489-5154 • HopeSchool.org
Hope Academy is a private,
Christ-centered opportunityequalizer
education for
inner-city youths. Currently
we serve 550 students in
grades K-12, with a vision
of growing to 700 students. We encourage your
questions and welcome your presence. Contact us
today! See ad, page 3.
ENERGY HEALING
EMOTION CODE HEALING
Master Hong
Certified Emotion Code Practitioner
11012 Cedar Lake Rd., Minnetonka
952-513-7285 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.
August 2023
29

ENERGY HEALING
YOUR HEALING CONNECTION
Mary Rice
YourHealingConnection.com
YourHealingConnection@gmail.com
Mary uses The Body Code* to
transform the lives of her clients.
This comprehensive energetic
healing method, developed by Dr.
Bradley Nelson, allows her to
quickly and easily identify specific
imbalances that can underlie
chronic ill health, pain and
discomfort, dysfunction, and stress. Dr. Nelson
discovered that you can access the wisdom of the
subconscious to identify and address the energetic
imbalances that cause health problems. The “hidden”
root causes of disease and dysfunction are these
emotional and physical imbalances that can drain
energy and prevent healing, leaving you unable to live
the life you deserve. The best part is, you can do this
from the comfort of your own home via phone or
Zoom. Set up a free 20-minute consultation today!
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING
ANNETTE RUGOLO
Master Dowser
AnnetteRugolo.com
Is the energy of your home depleting
you or supporting you? If you
feel like you are hitting your head
against a brick wall, it may be the
wall of dense energy in your home.
To more easily expand into our
light and our soul purpose, it is
important that the spaces we live
energetically support us. Contact
me for more information on dowsing, environmental
healing and space clearing. See ads, pages 15 & 23.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
CAMPFIRE STUDIO
Sara Shrode, Graphic Designer
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 hardto-find
items. See ad, page 21.
INTEGRATED HEALTH
APRIL JONES, ND, MS
AprilJonesND.com
Info@AprilJonesND.com • 952-373-1173
Dr. Jones is a registered naturopathic
doctor providing virtual
naturopathic medicine and holistic
nutrition appointments.
She works alongside patients to
identify the root cause of health
concerns while supporting them
in becoming the healthiest version
of themselves. Dr. Jones’
clinical areas of focus include health optimization,
disease prevention, preconception and postpartum
care, gastrointestinal health, and natural support
for anxiety. Schedule a free introductory call to
learn more.TH
GENEVIEVE WACHUTKA
7801 East Bush Lake Rd., Suite 240,
Bloomington
763-222-8600 • GenevieveWachutka.com
Genevieve specializes in the
practical application of time-tested
tools and metaphysical wisdom
to embody more of your
potential, and experience greater
clarity, joy, and purpose in life.
Benefits include increased intuition
and clarity; upleveled daily
baseline of joy; peace within
your heart and mind; improved relationship with
self; and the ability to navigate a path of self-mastery
to realize your greatness. Text 763-222-8600 or
email Hello@GenevieveWachutka.com to schedule
a complimentary discovery session. See ad, page 13.
MARKETING
NATURAL AWAKENINGS
TWIN CITIES MAGAZINE
NAtwincities.com/Pages/Advertise
763-270-8604
Multiple advertising
opportunities allow you to
build and maintain your
brand’s presence within your target market of healthconscious
individuals. Through cutting-edge,
inspiring print content and dynamic online presence,
Natural Awakenings helps you get connected and stay
effective. Online advertising is also very attractive,
with great rates and opportunities to promote your
business. Maximize your visibility and take advantage
of unique opportunities to promote your business.
MARKETING
PARTNERING UP VIRTUAL
ASSISTANT SERVICES
PartneringUpVa.com • 763-270-8604
As a business owner, you’re
expected to be available 24
hours a day, seven days a
week to run your business,
leaving you little time to
focus on what you do best; strategize for growth, market
your services and serve your clients. Partnering Up takes
pride in helping small business owners outsource their
tasks to our top notch, trained and highly skilled Virtual
and Marketing Assistants that can help you automate
your business.
PROFESSIONAL LISTENING
PROFESSIONAL LISTENING
BarbBarb Ryan, CSD • 612-922-2389
Wisdom Listening
WisdomSisterStudio.com
Longing for someone who will
listen without judgment? Facing
a tough decision and need a
space to explore possibilities?
Have some secrets corroding
your being? Need a place to vent
about loved ones without repercussions?
Wisdom Listening can
help. It’s not therapy or coaching.
My sole objective is to provide a safe and
supportive space for you to unburden and explore
your mind, heart, and soul. Book your virtual session
now. See ad, page 21.
RADIO/PODCASTS
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 Thom
Hartmann, Stephanie Miller, Mike
Crute and Brad Friedman. We are
also dedicated to local programming that creates a
community forum for important Minnesota Progressive
issues. See ad, page 32.
SPIRITUAL TEACHING
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.
30 Twin Cities Edition NAtwincities.com

Nature’s Germ Killer
Copper can stop germs
before you get sick
Scientists have discovered a
natural way to kill germs fast.
Now thousands of people
are using it against viruses and bacteria
that cause
illness.
Colds,
flu, and
many other
illnesses start
when viruses
get in your
nose and
multiply. If
you don’t
stop them
early, they spread and cause misery.
Hundreds of studies confirm
copper kills germs like viruses,
bacteria, and fungus almost instantly,
just by touch.
That’s why ancient Greeks and
Egyptians used copper to purify water
and heal wounds. They didn’t know
about germs. Now we do.
The National Institutes of Health
and the American Society for
Microbiology vouch for the power of
copper to kill germs.
Scientists say copper’s high
conductance disrupts the electrical
balance in a germ cell and destroys it
in seconds.
The EPA recommends hospitals
use copper for touch surfaces such as
faucets and doorknobs. This cuts the
spread of MRSA and other illnesses by
over half, and saves lives.
The strong scientific evidence gave
inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He
By Doug Cornell
made a smooth copper probe with a tip
to fit in the bottom of the nostril where
viruses collect.
When he felt a tickle in his nose like
a cold about
to start,
he rubbed
the copper
gently in his
nose for 60
seconds.
“It
worked!” he
exclaimed.
“The cold
never
happened.” That was 2012.
Now he’s gone 11 years without
a cold. “I used to get 2-3 bad colds
every year. Now I use my CopperZap
right away at any sign I am about to get
sick.”
After the initial success, he asked
relatives and friends to try it.
New research: Copper kills bad germs in seconds.
Users say:
“It works! I love it!”
“I can’t believe how good my nose
feels.”
“Is it supposed to work that fast?”
“One of the best presents ever.”
“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”
“Cold sores gone!”
“It saved me last holidays. The kids
all got sick, but not me.”
“I am shocked! My sinus cleared,
no more headache, no more
congestion.”
“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”
ADVERTORIAL
They all said it worked, so he
patented CopperZap® and put it on the
market.
Soon hundreds of people had tried
it. 99% said copper worked if they
used it right away at the first sign of
bad germs, like a tickle in the nose or a
scratchy throat.
Soon people found other things they
could use it against:
Colds and Flu
Covid
Sinus trouble from germs
Cold sores or fever blisters
Canker sores that get infected
Mold allergies
Congestion or stuffiness
Drippy nose
Hay fever worsened by bacteria
Strep throat
Pink Eye and Styes
Skin infections
Infected sores
Cuts or wounds getting infected
Thrush and Tongue Infections
Warts
Ringworm
The handle is curved and textured to
increase contact with fingers and hands
in case you touch things sick people may
have touched.
Scientists placed millions of viruses
on copper. “The viruses started to die
literally as soon as they touched it,”
said Dr. Bill Keevil.
The EPA says copper works just as
well when tarnished. Easy to clean or
polish.
Made in America entirely of pure
US copper. Comes with Directions.
90-day Money-back Guarantee. Price
$79.95. Get $10 off each with code
NATA36.
See www.CopperZap.com or call
toll-free 888-411-6114.
Buy once, use forever.
Statements not evaluated by the
FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.
August 2023
31