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The Spa At Willow Pond
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There is a beautiful awakening at this time of year. Spring carries the quiet promise of life returning: buds opening along bare branches, seedlings pushing through the soil in search of light and warmth, birds gathering twigs to build nests for the next generation. After the stillness of winter, the natural world stirs again, reminding us that renewal is not only possible—it is inevitable.
Nature offers a balm for the soul. In times of uncertainty, it can be a profound relief to step outside and return to rhythms that are steady and trustworthy—the turning of the seasons, the lengthening of days, the slow greening of the landscape. The natural world reminds us that even after dormancy and hardship, life begins again.
Spring is also a season of planting—vegetables, flowers, trees and ideas that will grow over time. Recently, the Rev. Cameron Trimble shared a story about advice given by a rabbi when asked what one should do if the world were going to end tomorrow. According to her telling, the rabbi replied simply: “Then today you should plant a tree.”
Planting a tree is both practical and symbolic. It provides sustenance and shelter for countless forms of life, cleans the air, stabilizes the soil and offers cooling shade. Yet it is also an act of faith—a quiet commitment to renewal and continuity, for today and for generations to come. It becomes a tangible practice of hope.
There are many ways to practice hope in daily life. Small acts can ripple outward to create a healthier world for those that will inherit it: picking up trash during a walk, choosing native plants that restore habitat for birds and pollinators, working with others to protect green spaces, reducing waste in homes and businesses. Each choice, however small, helps nurture the world we share.
Hope also grows through human connection. Investing in relationships and communities strengthens the bonds that tie neighbors together. Looking out for one another, protecting those that are vulnerable and cultivating compassion in everyday interactions plants seeds of care that allow communities—like gardens—to flourish.
As the beloved naturalist Jane Goodall reminds us: “We have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place, for the children alive today and for those that will follow. You have it in your power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you.”
May we do our very best for this beautiful planet—and for one another.
In gratitude,
LANCASTER/BERKS EDITION
Co-Publishers/ Kendra Campbell
Executive Editors Jacqueline Mast
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Natural Awakenings Lancaster/Berks is a faithful steward of global resources and committed to being a part of an environmentally conscious community. We utilize a local printing company and an environmentallyfriendly cold-set web printing process which emits virtually immeasurable VOCs into the environment. This product is 100% recyclable.
Eco-Immersion Journeys in South Africa Planned for 2027
Living Wild Collective is accepting bookings for two, small-group, immersive journeys in Limpopo, South Africa, scheduled for April 2027. Designed for travelers seeking purposeful and eco-conscious experiences, the programs combine ecological learning, mindful practices and exploration of remote landscapes.
The Ecology of Belonging journey, held April 5 through 14, takes participants into the rugged terrain of Mapungubwe, where travelers move through largely untouched wilderness without commercial lodges. The program blends ecological research with ancestral wisdom to explore humanity’s role within the greater web of life.
The Embodied Senses journey, taking place April 18 through 24, will be held along the Olifants River in the Greater Kruger region. This immersion emphasizes mindful movement and sensory awareness while participants are surrounded by nature in a plant-based retreat setting.
Both journeys are curated to host up to eight guests and are designed to foster personal reflection while supporting local conservation initiatives and communities.
Cost: $3,500 per journey. For more information or to reserve a space, email Connect@ LivingWildCollective.com or visit LivingWild Collective.com. See ads, pages 34 and 54.
Indulge in a Sakura TCM Botanical Face Treatment
Indigo Healing Arts Studio is celebrating the season of renewal with the Sakura Japanese TCM Botanical Face Treatment, available by appointment through May. Rooted in the Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness model, this seasonal offering is designed to support balance in body, mind and spirit while also honoring the beauty of spring’s blooming botanicals.
This 50-minute treatment stimulates the lymphatic system, enhances circulation and promotes deep relaxation through specialized manual techniques. Gentle movements and Japanese tools help smooth fascial adhesions while encouraging vitality.
A session includes a soothing face massage and Japanese tsubo acupressure points to support energetic balance, along with an organic Japanese facial oil infused with blossoms sakura, tsubaki and kiku. Additional elements include a hydrolat, a purifying botanical clay and masque infused with apothecary botanicals and mineral-rich yukoshio salt, and a quartz eye masque for a complete Japanese botanical experience.
Cost: $70 (regularly $90). Locations: 265 Plane Tree Dr., Ste. 300, Lancaster, and 2 S. Decatur St., Ste. 3A, Strasburg. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 717-803-5537, email Info@IndigoHealingArtsStudio.com or visit IndigoHealingArtsStudio.com. See ad, page 51.
Lancaster Acupuncture LLC, owned by licensed acupuncturist and sound facilitator Beverly Fornoff, has expanded its integrative offerings to include sound immersion journeys and additional vibrational therapies alongside traditional acupuncture treatments. Sessions combine acupuncture with instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, chimes and tuning forks, helping clients enter a calm, meditative state during which the body can release tension and restore energetic balance.
In addition to acupuncture and sound healing, Lancaster Acupuncture offers Chinese herbal medicine formulas, manual release work and qigong exercises to support physical alignment and internal balance. Women’s sacred circles are also offered to create supportive spaces for community and shared healing.
Fornoff has more than 20 years of experience and specializes in addressing chronic pain, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, digestive and respiratory concerns, as well as stress, anxiety and overall wellness.
Location: 600F Eden Rd., Lancaster. For more information, call 717-381-7334 or visit LancasterAcupuncture.com. See ads, pages 39 and 47.
Beverly Fornoff
Hans Braxmeier/Pixabay.com
Explore Homefields Open Farm and Connect With Local Agriculture
Homefields, in Millersville, will host its annual Open Farm event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 19. This free, family-friendly gathering invites visitors to learn about organic farming, meet farmers, make a take-home DIY project, stop by Homefield’s Nature Mystery Box station, and discover ways to get involved through volunteer opportunities and community partnerships.
Guests can take guided farm tours throughout the day, meet local partner farms and small businesses and learn more about Homefields’ community supported agriculture program (CSA). Visitors can also enjoy hands-on activities, connect with local nonprofit organizations and receive a special discount code for the CSA program. Guests are invited to bring a picnic lunch; blankets will be provided.
The event will include live music from the local band 2020, a DIY project station and food available for purchase from Koshary Station. Community partners such as Mirror Image Farm, Abendessen Bread and the Lancaster Science Factory will also be present, offering opportunities to learn more about local agriculture and environmental education.
Homefields operates as a care farm that combines organic agriculture with meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and partners with Community Action Partnership to bring a mobile food market, Rolling Roots, to downtown Lancaster.
Location: 150 Letort Rd., Millersville. For more information, call 717-572-2719, email Info@Homefields.org or visit Homefields.org. See ad, page 49.
Gain Clarity and Direction for Health Goals
Revive Wellness Health & Physique, in Lancaster, now offers one-time Clarity Consultations, a focused, 60-minute session designed to help individuals gain direction, organize priorities, and identify practical next steps toward their health and wellness goals—without committing to ongoing coaching.
During the consultation, clients review current concerns, habits and goals with functional health practitioner Allison Fahrenbach. The session is structured to help participants gain perspective, get unstuck, and leave with clear, actionable recommendations they can begin implementing immediately. A follow-up summary of recommendations is provided after the session for easy reference.
This consultation is ideal for individuals seeking professional insight, reassurance or a structured plan, but that may not be ready to enroll in a longer coaching program or multi-session package. It offers a flexible, accessible option for those navigating lifestyle changes, health goals or personal growth through a single, targeted conversation that clarifies the path forward.
Cost: $249. For more information or to make an appointment, call 717-906-9509, email Allie@ReviveWellness.Health or visit ReviveWellness.Health. See ads, pages 26 and 50.
1834 Oregon Pike, Ste 2 Lancaster, PA 17601
Courtesy of Homefields
Allison Fahrenbach
Yvonne Godin, MJ, BSN, RN
Spa at Willow Pond Offers Holistic Smoking Cessation Program
The Spa at Willow Pond is offering a holistic smoking cessation program designed to help participants break nicotine dependence using a combination of cold laser acupuncture and detoxification therapy.
The program includes 20 minutes of cold laser acupuncture applied to specific acupuncture points, followed by a 30-minute Alpha Capsule detoxification treatment. Cold laser therapy is a noninvasive technique that stimulates meridian points on the body to encourage the release of endorphins and serotonin—neurotransmitters that may help reduce nicotine cravings, stress and withdrawal symptoms.
Spa owner Gail Lentz says one’s mindset is the key to success. Participants must have a genuine desire to quit smoking and are encouraged to prepare their environment beforehand by changing preferred smoking locations for at least a week, washing clothing and airing out the interiors of their vehicles.
“The program is 98 percent effective when the participant is mentally ready to quit smoking,” notes Lentz. She adds that, according to the American Cancer Society, “There are so many benefits to quitting smoking; after 24 hours, your risk of heart attack decreases. After 48 hours, your nerve endings start regrowing and your sense of taste and smell is improved. After one year, your risk of heart attack decreases by 90 percent and your heart will have returned to normal!”
She recommends a booster treatment about four weeks after the initial session to reinforce results.
Cost: $185. For more information, schedule an appointment or purchase a gift card, call 610406-5733 or visit TheSpaAtWillowPond.com. See ads, pages 5 and 47.
Horn Farm Center Celebrates Grand Reopening & Plant Sale
Horn Farm Center will celebrate the grand opening of its newly restored Education Center during Welcome Back Weekend, May 2 and 3, at its York campus. The free community open house marks the reopening of the historic farmhouse, rebuilt and updated with energy-efficient improvements after a 2021 fire.
The weekend will include live music, educational demonstrations, light refreshments and self-guided tours, giving visitors a chance to explore the renewed space and learn about the center’s work in regenerative agriculture, ecological stewardship and land-based education. On Saturday, attendees can also enjoy the 14th annual Plant Sale, offering organically grown vegetables, native plants, perennials and other garden favorites.
“The reopening of the farmhouse marks an important milestone for our organization and our community,” says Executive Director Alexis Campbell. “We’re excited to welcome the community back after five long years of rebuilding and share how this facility will support ecological education for years to come.”
Location: 4945 Horn Rd., York. For more information, call 717-757-6441 or visit HornFarmCenter.org/grand-opening.
CTT
Elsa Juan-Rodriguez
Circle of Life Massage & Wellness Center, in Ephrata, has welcomed licensed massage therapist Elsa Juan-Rodriguez to its team. A graduate of the European Medical School of Massage, Juan-Rodriguez brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach that combines technical skill with compassionate care. Appointments with her are now available.
“I believe massage is more than a physical treatment—it is about presence, listening deeply and meeting each client where they are on any given day,” says Juan-Rodriguez who offers therapeutic massage, hot stone massage, manual lymphatic drainage and Thai yoga massage—a modality she especially enjoys.
Circle of Life specializes in stress reduction, pain relief, nervous system regulation, injury recovery and integrative therapies that promote deep relaxation and long-term wellness. Founded in 2004 by massage therapist Jennifer Dydo, the center offers holistic services designed to support mind, body and spirit. In addition to massage therapy, clients can enjoy float therapy, infrared sauna and vibroacoustic therapy. Health and nutrition coaching, wellness memberships and a boutique featuring natural self-care products are also available.
Location: 918 N. Reading Rd., Ephrata. For more information or to make an appointment, call 717-335-2338 or visit CircleOfLifeWellness.com. See ads, pages 27, 47 and 50.
Dr. Super’s House of Health, in Reading, has welcomed Dr. Charles Bucklar to its team. With 41 years of continuous practice, Bucklar brings extensive experience in pediatrics, Webster Technique, CranioSacral Therapy, Thompson and Activator methods, offering a patient-centered approach that tailors care to individual needs. He enjoys helping patients of all ages feel better and live healthier, fuller lives.
Dr. Super’s House of Health opened in September 2021 and has since grown into a new location, mostly through word-of-mouth referrals. The practice was founded to provide a safe space where patients can truly heal and feel comfortable in their bodies. The office is designed with this in mind to mirror the feeling of visiting the doctor in a comfortable home, helping support relaxation and recovery.
To celebrate Bucklar’s addition to the practice, new patient appointments are available at a discounted rate of $35 off through the month of April.
Location: 2209 Quarry Dr., Ste. B21, Reading. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 610-601-9011, email DrSupersHouse@gmail.com or visit DrSupersHouseOfHealth.com. See ad, page 47.
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Kula Kamala Foundation to Host Earth Day Celebration
The Kula Kamala Foundation & Yoga Ashram will celebrate Earth Day 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 26 at its Reading campus. The family-friendly, donationbased event offers a day of yoga, meditation, workshops and community activities designed to honor the planet and inspire mindful living.
The program begins with Yin Yoga With SwaminiJi and a Food4All Café brunch, followed by a variety of interactive sessions throughout the day. Highlights include a Blush Marsh conservation presentation, a watershed talk by Jayné Park-Martínez, Ph.D., and hands-on activities such as rock painting and kids’ yoga. Outdoor guided meditation and a special Yoga of Bees session with a local beekeeper provide additional opportunities to connect with nature.
Participants are welcome to attend the full program or register for individual sessions. The celebration concludes with dinner and a kirtan chanting gathering supporting the ashram’s ongoing reforestation and greenhouse projects. Advance registration is encouraged through the foundation’s website or mobile app.
Location: 17 Basket Rd., Reading. For more information or to register, visit KulaKamala Foundation.org. See ads, pages 35 and 54.
Celebrate Community and Sustainability at Earth Day Berks
The annual Earth Day Berks celebration will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on April 18 at City Park, in Reading. Recognized as the largest Earth Day event in Berks County, this free, family-friendly gathering brings the community together to celebrate environmental stewardship and explore ways to live more sustainably.
Attendees can connect with dozens of local organizations, businesses and environmental groups working to make a positive impact in the region. The day features children’s crafts and activities, live animal exhibits, musical performances, Native American dances and storytelling, and educational displays focused on conservation and eco-conscious living. Visitors can also enjoy food from local vendors, including vegetarian and vegan options.
The celebration offers opportunities for individuals and families to learn practical steps they can take to support a healthier planet while connecting with others that share a commitment to environmental responsibility.
Location: 11th and Washington Streets, Reading. For more information, visit EarthDayBerks.org or follow @earthdayberks on social media. See ad, page 20.
Explore Native Plants and Sustainable Living at MT Earth Fest
MT Earth Fest and Native Plant Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 25 at the Overlook Activity Center, in Lancaster. Formerly known as the Lancaster Native Plant and Wildlife Festival, the free, rain-or-shine event highlights sustainability, native plants and environmental education through a partnership between the Manheim Township Recreation Department, Manheim Township School District and Habitat Manheim Township.
Attendees can explore a native plant sale featuring multiple regional nurseries, browse an Earth-Centered Makers Market and connect with local conservation organizations. The event will also feature eco-focused speakers, wildlife presentations from Raven Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitators, food trucks, raffle prizes and a recycling drive. Families can enjoy hands-on children’s crafts and activities hosted by Lancaster Creative Reuse and other local partners.
Organizers invite the community to celebrate environmental stewardship while learning about the benefits of native plants for local ecosystems. Nearby locations in the Manheim Township park system—including Overlook Park, Landis Woods and Stauffer Mansion— feature examples of native plant gardens that support pollinators and wildlife.
Location: 301 Golf Dr., Lancaster. For more information, visit bit.ly/4un7MXd.
Photo: Swamini Shraddhananda Saraswati
Feast of the Senses
Engaging the Community to Support Youth Mental Wellness
Touchstone Foundation will host Feast of the Senses on May 7, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the historic Excelsior Event Center in downtown Lancaster. The signature fundraising event blends gourmet food, storytelling and community connection to support youth mental wellness across Lancaster County.
Designed as an immersive journey through the five senses, Feast of the Senses invites guests to explore thoughtfully curated, handheld gourmet food stations that engage sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Each sensory experience is intentionally tied to Touchstone Foundation’s mission, offering attendees a meaningful way to understand how community support fuels real impact for local youth and families.
Touchstone Foundation works to remove barriers and build pathways so young people can access care, connection and opportunity. The organization helps insured youth and families afford therapy by covering copays and deductibles, ensuring mental health care continues without interruption and financial strain does not stand in the way of healing.
The foundation is also expanding its Rise Above Program through partnerships with local high school districts. Rise Above fosters mentorship, self-care education and leadership development. Students build confidence, learn to advocate for themselves and their peers, and find safe spaces for belonging and connection.
In addition, Touchstone convenes students and early-career professionals to explore careers in mental health, connect with mentors and strengthen pathways into the mental health workforce. The effort is designed to help ensure long-term access to care for Lancaster County youth.
Undergraduate scholarships support local students pursuing degrees that lead to licensed mental health careers, strengthening the talent pipeline of professionals committed to serving youth and families in Lancaster County. Through a partnership with the John F. Steinman Fellowship Fund, the program also supports postgraduate study. This investment secures the next generation of therapists by the foundation’s fellowship program by reimbursing clinical supervision hours, providing continuing education and removing financial barriers to licensure—helping build a strong, diverse and locally rooted mental health workforce.
In support of Feast of the Senses, Touchstone Foundation is also seeking community-donated silent auction items and local sponsors that want to engage with a values-driven audience while supporting youth mental wellness.
Location: 125 E. King St., Lancaster. To learn more, explore sponsorship opportunities, contribute auction items or purchase tickets, visit Onecau. se/touchstone or TouchStoneFound.org/feast-of-the-senses. See ad, page 19.
Photo: Sam Soliman Photography
Global Water Bankruptcy
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health recently issued a report, Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era, asserting that many regions are living beyond their water means and experiencing irreversible losses of natural water supplies. Explaining the situation in economic terms, the report notes that these societies are water bankrupt—persistently over-withdrawing from surface and groundwater sources relative to renewable inflows and safe levels of depletion.
Many societies have not only overused renewable water resources from rivers, soil and snowpacks, but also depleted water from aquifers, glaciers, wetlands and natural reservoirs. Water bankruptcy hot spots include regions in the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia and the American Southwest along the Colorado River.
The report also found that 50 percent of the world’s large lakes have lost water since the early 1990s; 50 percent of water is pumped from underground; 410 million hectares of wetlands (the size of the European Union) have disappeared in the past five decades; more than 30 percent of glacier mass has been lost since 1970; dozens of major rivers fail to reach the sea for part of the year; and 4 billion people face severe water scarcity at least one month a year.
The report’s lead author, Kaveh Madani, points out that water bankruptcy crosses national boundaries and therefore needs to be addressed and solved together globally. He stresses that an investment in water is an investment in mitigating climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification.
Loss of Tree Diversity Threatens Forests
Scientists from Aarhus University, in Denmark, analyzed the growth of more than 31,000 tree species around the world. Their study, published in Nature, found an increasing incidence of fast-growing trees that dominate slower, long-lived species, resulting in a loss of diversity and forest resilience. Slower growing species have been the mainstay of forest ecosystems and a key to biodiversity and carbon storage, especially in tropical regions. Now, many face possible extinction.
Faster growing species have lighter leaves, softer wood, lower wood density and shallower root systems that make them vulnerable to die-offs. Although they recover more quickly from wildfires and are preferred by the timber industry, these forests can be destroyed more easily by storms, droughts and pests. Even when a forest looks healthy, the lack of native, slow-growing tree species can put the entire ecosystem at risk.
piyaset from Getty Images/CanvaPro
Dietrich Leppert/shutterstock
Sharing Meals Boosts Happiness and Well-Being
The World Happiness Report 2025 underscores the pivotal role of social connections in human well-being, happiness and prosperity. Individuals with strong social ties tend to experience greater happiness, reduced stress levels, heightened life satisfaction, diminished susceptibility to depression and increased community engagement. These connections are associated with improved health outcomes, enhanced creativity, elevated income levels and extended lifespans.
The report presents new evidence on a measurable and cross-cultural indicator of social connection and well-being: sharing meals. The authors discovered that across various demographics, including age, gender, nationality, culture and region, individuals engaging in more frequent meal sharing exhibited significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and positive emotional states, while simultaneously experiencing lower levels of negative emotional states. Countries that reported higher levels of shared meals also demonstrated greater social support and lower levels of loneliness. Meal sharing is influenced by cultural and social practices. In Latin America and the Caribbean, people share most of their meals with others, but in South Asia, individuals primarily consume meals alone. In the United States, approximately one in four people reported eating alone, a 53 percent increase since 2003. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger people and may reflect broader shifts in social and community engagement.
Singing Bowls To Soothe Anxiety
A 2023 study published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education compared the anxiety-relieving effects of a Tibetan singing bowl sound-based treatment to a progressive muscle-relaxation session that involves tensing and releasing muscles. A third control group did not receive any treatment.Fifty adults experiencing high anxiety without a diagnosed anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to one of the three groups.
Before and during each 45-minute session, the researchers monitored each participant’s heart rate variability (HRV) and brain wave patterns, and they also collected self-reported anxiety assessments. The singing bowl group showed the strongest physiological signs of relaxation, including brain activity associated with calmness and increased HRV, which indicates the body is in a relaxed, restorative state. Both the singing bowl and muscle-relaxation groups reported feeling less anxious than the control group, but the singing bowl group experienced the biggest reduction in self-reported anxiety. The study suggests that even one short session with a Tibetan singing bowl can create measurable psychological and physical relaxation.
MIA BOSNA Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Mia Bosna is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania–based fine art illustrator and graduate of the University of the Arts. She began her career as a freelance illustrator in the advertising and publishing industries, with a focus on health care, holistic practices and conservation. Over the last 10 years, Bosna’s work has expanded to include unique paintings rooted in ancient shamanic practices. Her latest project, Journey to Rewilding: Threatened Species Oracle Cards (publishing in 2027), combines her art with conservation and shamanic insight. Bosna offers personalized commissioned portraits as well as museum-quality prints. For more information, visit MiaBosna.com. Cover Artist
YOUR BODY IS HOLDING MORE THAN YOU THINK
Release Stored Stress & Trauma in a Guided 60-Minute Session
Licensed Professional Counselor Jen Donovan offers Trauma Release Sessions designed to help the nervous system gently process and release stored stress so your body con return to a calmer. more regulated state.
These in-person sessions combine therapeutic guidance with body-based trauma release techniques in a safe, supportive environment
Three Sisters Garden
Seeding the Future with Indigenous Wisdom
by Trella Dubetz
Nestled on a historic plot in Lancaster County, a patch of corn, beans and squash is sowing seeds of cultural understanding and community collaboration.
This spring marks the third season for a Three Sisters Garden at the 1719 Museum, a landmark site that anchors both Mennonite and Indigenous histories. Situated near the oldest Mennonite meetinghouse in the western hemisphere and the Lancaster Longhouse—a 2013 reconstruction of a traditional Indigenous multi-family home—the garden showcases three crops that have sustained generations.
Heather Strahin, 1719 Museum administrator, has partnered with multiple members of Circle Legacy Center (CLC), a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating Native American history and culture. Together, they’ve created the garden project to serve as a living expression of shared histories between European settlers and
the Indigenous peoples that have lived in Lancaster County long before the settlers’ arrival—fostering a deeper appreciation for agricultural traditions that have endured for centuries.
A Garden Rooted in Ancient Wisdom
The legend and concept of the Three Sisters Garden is rooted in Indigenous folklore and agricultural wisdom passed from generation to generation. For centuries, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Lenape and other First Nations have cultivated corn (maize), beans and squash together, using the natural symbiosis of the three plants to create a sustainable, mutually supportive growing system. Corn provides a vertical structure for the beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen in the soil to enrich it and squash spreads across the ground, shading the soil to conserve moisture and control weeds. These companion crops are more than just a farming technique—they are a symbol of community.
“CLC has been instrumental in this project, with several members—including president MaryAnn Robins (Onondaga), interim executive director Jess McPherson (Susquehanna) and vice president Joanne McLaughlin (Passamaquoddy)—graciously donating their time to educate me on Indigenous agriculture. They continue to teach me how to properly plant and tend the garden in a way that respects tradition. I am deeply grateful for their educational oversight and crucial, ongoing support to help our guests understand the pre-European history of this area,” reflects Strahin.
Through careful selection of heritage and Indigenous-adapted seed varieties, Strahin has sourced seeds from community stewards with long histories of cultivation. She explains, “I was incredibly fortunate to source seeds that would have grown in southeastern Pennsylvania during the 17th and 18th centuries. Becoming acquainted with the work of William Woys Weaver, a local food ethnographer and founder of Roughwood Center for Heritage Seedways (RCHS), I was able to source seeds that may have otherwise been unavailable. RCHS preserves over 5,000 seed varieties that are historically and culturally significant to Indigenous, Pennsylvania Dutch, African American and international communities.
Among the crops featured in the garden are Delaware Black Flour Corn (Sèhsapsink), a rare variety that has survived the displacement of the Lenape people. This corn, recorded as early as the 1640s, is an important part of the region’s agricultural history. The beans and squash include Purple Kingsessing Bean—widely documented as the oldest Lenape pole bean—and Green
Photo used by permission, 1719 Museum
Heather Strahin and Joanne McLaughlin at Three Sisters Garden
Striped Maycock Squash—originally sourced from Nanticoke elder Fanny Johnson and obtained for the garden through Roughwood’s website.”
Partnership Across Cultures
The museum has always focused on interpreting the story of European settlers in the area. The addition of the Three Sisters Garden helps to weave in an additional and crucial narrative of the Indigenous peoples. “This project grew from the established partnership between the museum and CLC, and brought together my love of historic plants and my desire to be equitable in our interpretation of Indigenous and early Mennonite lifeways,” Strahin emphasizes.
Having worked together since 2007, the parent organization of the 1719 Museum, Mennonite Life (ML), proposed an Honor and Healing Commitment with Circle Legacy Center in 2010. The Honor and Healing Commitment was renewed in April 2025 and saw gifts of handmade leather figurines and beebalm exchanged between CLC and ML. A symbol of friendship and a healthy working relationship, beebalm is a native flower beneficial to pollinators and has been used medicinally by both Indigenous and Swiss-German people for centuries.
(the Seneca word for the three sisters or the ‘life sustainers’) nourish our communities, the people, the land, the many living things, and importantly, each other. I’m hopeful we can follow their example to nourish our partnerships, communities and future.”
Looking Ahead
From April to October, visitors can participate in longhouse tours led by museum docents that have been trained by CLC representatives to learn about archaeological findings, and now, experience firsthand the agricultural practices that Indigenous peoples have sustained for centuries.
These gestures of partnership over the last 19 years have built what endures today, which includes educational programming of historical and contemporary Susquehanna Indigenous communities. The 1719 Museum and CLC have worked together to interpret these histories, cultural practices and their deep relationship with the land through community events and shared stewardship of the Lancaster Longhouse. This collaboration has become a cornerstone of the museum’s mission to present a fuller picture of the region’s past.
McPherson adds, “Just as we did in 1719, Indigenous people on the lower Susquehanna come together from many cultures and con tinue to make partnerships that sustain our generations. Jöhehgöh
As spring turns to summer, the Three Sisters climb skyward—corn reaching up, beans curling up their stalks and squash blanketing the ground. The garden is more than just a visual display of agriculture; it is a living classroom that continues to cultivate respect, understanding and shared stewardship.
Looking to the future, Strahin hopes to move the garden closer to the longhouse, add native sunflower varieties—known as the “fourth sister”—and expand the Three Sisters Garden as a testament to the power of collaboration and cultural continuity. She reminds people that “heirloom seeds provide a tangible connection to the cultures and traditions of the past. We can literally taste history.”
The 1719 Museum—located at 1849 Hans Herr Dr., in Willow Street—welcomes guests on Fridays and Saturdays, and tour reservations are encouraged. For more information or to make reservations, call 717-464-4438 or visit 1719Museum.org. Circle Legacy Center— located at 328 W. Orange St., in Lancaster—holds a free community event on the second Friday of each month, September through May. For more information, visit CircleLegacyCenter.com.
Trella Dubetz is a trauma-informed bodyworker, holistic and human design practitioner, graphic designer and writer based in Lancaster and Huntingdon counties. She blends creativity with healing practices to support personal transformation. Connect with her at TrellaDubetz.com.
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Rain or Shine
12pm-6pm City Park, Reading PA Free Admission
Join our community in enjoying local vendors, artists, speakers, engaging presentations, live music, and fun, educational activities for kids. Let’s connect, learn, celebrate, and advocate for a healthier planet!
Mack envisions the collective potential of the next generation, knowing that they have gifts to share. She has raised her daughters by example, teaching them that it is okay to experiment and grow, and she also encourages older generations to let go of antiquated narratives and let the youth lead.
Regenerating What Is Good
Marvin Hayes is a spoken word artist and executive director of the Baltimore Compost Collective. When he founded this youth-led initiative 11 years ago, he wanted to address what is known as the “sacrifice zone” of waste incineration that blew pollutants all over South Baltimore, threatening the health of his community.
Research published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health suggests that living near waste incineration facilities is associated with higher risks of certain cancers, birth defects and other negative health outcomes. In the United States, such health burdens are not evenly distributed because 80 percent of municipal solid waste incinerators are located in communities where more than a quarter of residents identify as people of color, live below the federal poverty line, or both.
“The wind doesn’t segregate or discriminate,” says Hayes, noting that air pollution from sacrifice zones blows equally to all neighborhoods, becoming a collective public health concern. Today, he serves 400 households and diverts 2,000 pounds of weekly waste from the incinerator. He uses his business to improve public health, educate local youth about entrepreneurship and advocate for environmental justice in the community.
Instead of going to a trash incinerator, household waste can become an agent of regeneration. According to Hayes, composting nourishes nutrient-depleted soil, making it excellent “black gold” for growing food. It also remediates soil that may be contaminated with lead or other metals and diverts waste from air-polluting incinerators, while providing an opportunity for the community to come together, he explains.
Leading the Way
Traveling Lightly
“Composting is critical, because when food ends up in a landfill, it chemically degrades differently than it would in a compost pile, producing methane gas that is 28 times worse than CO2,” says Samuel McMullen, co-founder of ZeroWaste.org alongside his sister, Lydia McMullen-Laird. “The hardest thing to do in living a zero-waste lifestyle is addressing food and food packaging,” he shares, adding that one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions are linked to the making, transport and refrigeration of food.
GROW
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food waste is the number one component in landfills, accounting for one-quarter of their mass. The average American sends approximately 350 pounds of food waste to the landfill each year, with a family of four losing $1,500 annually to uneaten food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To address this issue through prevention, McMullen runs the Zero Waste Challenge—an invitation to produce as little waste as possible for a week, while reflecting on the garbage created. On Earth Day, a similar challenge can be accessed virtually from anywhere in the world at ZeroWaste.org
“Learning follows action. Take action first,” advises McMullen, who sees zero-waste habit-building as a practical entry point for broader change. Holding corporations accountable for climate change and focusing only on institutions to make a difference can make people feel powerless, he observes. By tracking their trash, choosing reusables and making small sustainable swaps, individuals can begin to build tangible skills for activism efforts in systems change.
“The beauty of the [Zero Waste] Challenge is that you confront your own waste footprint,” McMullen says, adding that participants are invited to examine their trash from a place of curiosity, rather than criticism. “It’s easy to cut your waste in half. The last 10 percent is very challenging, but that’s okay. The goal is progress, not perfection.”McMullen relates
that even eating at a restaurant can be an opportunity to practice zero-waste principles by bringing a reusable container and bag for leftovers to reduce single-use packaging and opening playful dialogue with restaurant staff to make a game of reducing waste throughout the meal. “Don’t be annoying about it,” he quips, noting that reducing our personal waste footprint is secondary to building a social culture of sustainability and teamwork. “The main function is to build awareness with other people—to create common ground and to show that there is another way.”
Sharing Stewardship
For three years, Jen Myers, Ph.D., has called the EcoVillage at Ithaca (EVI) home. This upstate New York community is designed to be socially, culturally, economically and ecologically sustainable, integrating human life harmoniously with nature. Members rely on renewable energy, shared spaces, local food production and pooled resources to make sustainable living feasible.
According to Myers, EVI shares 175 acres of land—far more than a single homeowner could handle—including farms, forests and scenic natural spaces that are diligently stewarded by community members. Since its modest 30-household beginnings in the 1990s, it has grown into a lively community of 100 households. Living in community promotes sustainability by reducing individual environmental footprints and encouraging collaborative eco-friendly practices.
“I live in a net zero home, and it’s really rewarding having the infrastructure to make sustainable living easy,” says Myers, project director of the Thrive Ithaca EcoVillage Education Center. “I don’t have to do as much consuming as I would as an individual running a household in a typical suburban neighborhood.” Lawnmowers, playground equipment, compost bins and more are all shared and enjoyed together.
Myers likes to highlight the recreational opportunities available at EVI, including hiking trails and ponds for swimming and
ice skating, as well as EVI’s communal dining spaces that make togetherness easy. The community also models multi-generational sustainability. “It is such a joy to know I am modeling conservation behaviors in my household with my daughter,” she says.
Everyone at EVI shares leadership responsibilities, meeting monthly to make decisions on critical issues. Residents commit two to four hours a week to facilitate the community, contributing based on their strengths in areas like administration, cooking, gardening, compost management and recycling. Myers appreciates this skill sharing, saying, “I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with how much value living in community brings to my life.”
Building a Resilient Culture
Sustainability is not a checklist but a culture shaped by what we normalize and celebrate. McMullen urges joyful modeling of alternatives, reminding us that “your actions are not really about you.” Visible practices—solar panels, reusable mugs, composting—ripple outward and shift norms over time. Myers calls this “ground-up design,” a liminal space where communities create the world they want by sharing resources and celebrating seasonal food, redistributing power and reducing isolation. Hayes centers youth leadership, cultivating agency and business skills in food systems so that youth are equipped to shape their own futures.
Embracing Life’s Reciprocity
Drawing from permaculture’s lessons, Mack says, “The soil is loyal. When you study permaculture, you are reminded that we are all connected. The only way we’re going to fix the planet is by remembering we are connected. When you know you’re doing something that affects someone else, you’ll stay committed. The reality is we are one species on a planet in the middle of the universe. We learn everything from nature. We are nature. It’s important for us to understand right now that we go fast alone and far together.”
Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring cultural underpinnings of health.
Integrated Health Care for the Whole Family
Services Offered:
• Our primary care providers deliver healthcare services for patients across all age groups! They are experts in advanced conjunctive testing and therapies from RGCC. Our provides also specialize in treating Lyme disease and other infectious diseases.
• IV Nutrition - We do not use corn, soy, salt or synthetic ingredients.
• Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation
• Thermal Imaging - A non-invasive clinical imaging procedure
• Massage Therapy - We offer a full line of medical, therapeutical and specialty massages
• Electro-Lymphatic Drainage
• Nutritional Consultations Also Offering:
• Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna
• Halo - Himalayan Salt Bed
• Detoxification Therapies
• Nutritional Supplements
• Frequency Therapy
• Redlight Therapy
• Ionic Detox
Lori Martin, BCNP Peter Hurtubise, DO
Marge Torchia, CRNP
Shirley Herr, CRNP
Radiance Begins Within
The Minimalist Workout
Build Strength, Skip the Gear
by Zak Logan
Although regular workouts at the gym and two-mile runs boost cardiovascular health and improve mental outlook, brief, low-impact exercises throughout the day can also offer a world of benefits, including more stable blood pressure. A 2022 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimated that approximately 110,000 deaths per year could be prevented if U.S. adults aged 40 to 85 increased their physical activity by just 10 minutes of exercise a day. Greater benefits were associated with the addition of longer periods of exercise—approximately 210,000 preventable deaths with 20 minutes of exercise, and about 270,000 with 30 minutes.
“While we love working out at the gym, some days we’re too busy. The most
important thing is that we keep our bodies moving every single day, and adding some exercises at home will also help keep our bones and muscles strong,” says personal fitness trainer Hannah McDonald, coowner and manager of Complete Fitness LHP, in Lighthouse Point, Florida, adding, “Always listen to your body. It’s always better to start a little slow until you know how your body responds.”
No-Fuss Fitness
Getting in some moves at home can be fun and doesn’t require sophisticated equipment. Bags of rice, half- or full-gallon jugs of water and cans of food can replace hand weights. Towels, rope or clothing suspenders can double as resistance bands. Activities such as light-to-moderate housework
and gardening prompt us to bend, squat and work with our hands. Low-impact practices like tai chi, yoga, Pilates, walking, swimming, recreational dance, rowing and cycling can also provide effective, short workouts without stressing the joints.
Modern sedentary lifestyles and busy schedules demand flexibility, and “movement snacks” can help us stay in condition—a few calf raises and shoulder rolls while waiting for water to boil, wall pushups between Zoom meetings or towel stretches for arm tone after stepping out of the shower. Although McDonald values traditional workouts for specific performance goals, she believes in the power of movement snacks to reset a person’s metabolism, which often shuts down during prolonged sitting.
“You can do most low-impact exercises in moderation every day,” says Bruce Boyd, a wellness coach and owner of 4 Infinite Life Center, in Dallas, Texas. “Doing single moves and engaging muscles several times a day can help boost metabolism. It can also increase energy and diminish afternoon slumps.”
Get
Moving Boyd recommends the following exercises.
• Single Leg Curl and Press: Balance on one leg while holding full, 24-ounce
water bottles. Combine a bicep curl with an overhead shoulder press using both arms simultaneously or alternating them. This exercise enhances core stability, balance and strength. Aim for three sets of eight to 12 repetitions per leg.
• Low-Lunge Arm Swings: While holding a low lunge, with the back knee on or off the ground, bend the elbows at 90 degrees and mimic a running motion by alternating arm swings. This can be done with or without canned goods in hand. This exercise combines lowerbody strength with upper-body mobility and core stabilization. Aim for a timed set of 20 to 30 seconds or 10 repetitions per side.
• Chair Squats: Stand with your back in front of a sturdy, non-rolling chair positioned against a wall. Slowly lower the hips to lightly touch the chair before standing back up. To intensify the workout, hold canned goods. Repeat for 30 seconds to one minute every couple of hours. This exercise improves balance, mobility and lower-body strength.
McDonald suggests the following fun workouts.
• Mopping to Music: Put on some fun music and grab a mop. Pretend to mop
or mop the floor with intention by emphasizing sweeping and scrubbing motions. Go a bit faster to get the heart rate up a little.
• Laundry Detergent Workout: For bicep curls, stand straight, engage the core and slowly curl the detergent jug. For triceps, stand straight with the core engaged and hold the laundry detergent jug overhead with both hands, then slowly lower it behind the head before slowly extending the arms upward once again. For squats—if knees are healthy and able— hold out the detergent jug in front with arms slightly bent, then slowly bend the knees to form a 90-degree squat. Hold for a few seconds, then repeat. Aim for 10 to 15 repetitions for each exercise. If a full jug is too heavy, begin with a smaller water bottle or can.
• Squats: Stand two steps from a wall and press the back against it with feet hipwidth apart. Slowly slide down the wall until it feels like sitting in an imaginary chair, while keeping the lower back firmly against the wall. Hold for 20 seconds, or a full minute if legs are strong enough. Repeat three to four times with a one-to-two-minute rest in between.
Zak Logan is a freelance health writer dedicated to natural living.
Allergies and the Nervous System
Calming Herbs for Yearlong Resilience
of your gut, hormone & weight loss struggles once and for all!
Let’s start with
by Hannah Tytus
Seasonal allergies are often framed as a localized immune problem— something that happens in the nose, sinuses or lungs. But holistic practitioners see them as a whole-body experience shaped by stress, nourishment and environment. Linda Conroy, a bioregional herbalist with more than three decades of experience, uses native medicinal plants in a three-tiered approach that focuses on prevention, tonification and support. Tonification aims to nourish, strengthen and restore balance to the body’s vital energy.
“You’re not going to take one herb and have it fix everything,” explains the founder of Moonwise Herbs. “You have to work on diet, lifestyle, relationships and stress reduction. It has to be multilayered.” Rather than suppressing symptoms, Conroy works to strengthen the body’s baseline resilience
so that when pollen counts rise or seasons shift, it is equipped to respond.
The Role of Stress
All parts of the body are interconnected. When the nervous system is stressed, other systems are affected. We see this with asthma, says Conroy, citing research that links prenatal and early-life stress to respiratory vulnerability later in childhood. “When someone’s respiratory system is in distress, we have to work with all the systems of the body to address it,” she explains.
A major player in immune system robustness is the endocrine system—a network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions, including the stress response and mood. According to Conroy, hormonal imbalances can increase
Dr. Mary Tierney, M.D.
vulnerability. “Many people live their lives as if they are in danger all the time and this chronic alertness can make immune responses overactive,” she observes. “We also see a significant number of people with thyroid problems. When the pituitary or thyroid glands are weakened, people tend to be more reactive overall.”
To calm the nervous system, Conroy recommends a calcium-rich diet with ample leafy greens and dairy, as well as a long-steeped tea made with oatstraw—the dried green stalks and leaves of the oat plant, which is rich in calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. She also champions small rituals for stress relief such as always turning off the phone before bedtime or regularly enjoying a rosemary facial steam to rejuvenate the skin and feel restored. “Stay committed to something consistently,” she advises, recommending that people find their rhythm with their modalities of choice. Together, these practices reflect a holistic approach, relieving stress and improving allergy symptoms simultaneously, while building resilience year-round.
“Sleep, digestion and stress regulation form a feedback loop,” says Joanna Helms, founder of Mama Jo’s Sunshine Herbals. With more than 30 years of experience in Chinese, Western, Native American, Scottish, Unani-Tibb and Japanese herbalism, she defines her practice as a way to support the body in being the healer.
Helms recommends year-round herbal support to strengthen the body and reduce allergy vulnerability with calming herbs like oatstraw, lemon balm and holy basil. She also suggests regular exercise, adequate sleep, meditation, journaling and even talking with a friend. Evening rituals like massaging herbal salves into the feet before bed can calm the heart and settle the body.
Herbal Allies for Allergy Season
Conroy recommends nettle infusions, which she says have an antihistamine effect. Stronger than tea, infusions are made by steeping one ounce of nettle in boiling water for four to eight hours, then straining. This savory medicine keeps for up to three days in the refrigerator and can be enjoyed
warm or cold, sometimes added to soups or paired with miso. Nettle can be overly drying for individuals in arid climates. In such cases, Conroy suggests marshmallow root to soothe dry, irritated mucous membranes.
Mullein is traditionally used to prevent or alleviate respiratory distress caused by colds and flu, and Conroy recommends it to strengthen the lungs. Mullein’s flavor profile pairs well with a sweetener of choice. Her favorite recipe combines warm mullein tea with steamed milk and maple syrup for a delicious herbal latte.
Both experts celebrate the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of goldenrod, which has garnered a bad reputation when it is mistakenly associated with the allergy-inducing ragweed. In fact, goldenrod relieves allergies. Conroy calls it a tonifier that supports the whole system, “helping dampen the body’s overreaction, easing symptoms and reducing the intensity of the allergic response.”
“Goldenrod is one of my favorites for drying things up, especially in the eyes,” says Helms,
adding that people in arid climates may find it too drying. In such cases, she recommends mixing goldenrod with chrysanthemum or licorice for a harmonizing blend.
Locally Sourced Herbs
According to Conroy, “We will get way more benefit from plants that grow around us. Try to source herbs as close to home as possible. It’s a relationship. I don’t think of herbs as a drug or pill. These are my allies; they’re going to support me. We need to care about the plants, and they will care about us.”
Helms encourages her clients to grow their own herbs, observe them as they grow from season to season or even draw them in a field journal. Such practices that foster listening, meditation and relationship remind us that plants can be healing even when we do not ingest them.
Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, former writer at the National Institutes of Health and host of the Root Shock podcast, exploring the cultural underpinnings of health.
Functional Therapy & Wellness
Where Whole-Body Healing Awaits
by Sara Gurgen
Many clients come to Functional Therapy & Wellness (FTW), in Gordonville, seeking solutions to complex health concerns such as fertility challenges, pelvic pain, hormonal imbalance, nervous system dysregulation and chronic fatigue. Established by occupational therapists Kourtney Randsdorp, OTR/L, and Justin Randsdorp, OTR/L, both certified Mercier Therapy specialists, the practice takes a holistic, whole-body approach that addresses the mechanical, hormonal, neurological and emotional aspects of health together.
Founded in March 2023, FTW grew out of the Randsdorps’ professional experience in traditional therapy settings, including a practice they started in 2018. They realized that many patients’ issues were interconnected and required a more integrative approach. “At Functional Therapy & Wellness, we believe that the body can heal when a God-centered approach meets the
expertise of a skilled therapist,” explains Kourtney Randsdorp. “It is our mission to help your body heal, so that you can become all that God has designed you to be.”
FTW’s philosophy was shaped by personal experience. In 2023, just after signing a five-year lease, the Randsdorps witnessed a tragic four-wheeler accident that claimed a close friend, Amanda Hoffert. That experience deepened their understanding of the mind-body connection. During their own healing journey, they discovered the benefits of myofascial release therapy and nervous system regulation techniques, now key parts of care at FTW.
“We believe God had a beautiful redeeming plan through that tragedy,” shares Kourtney Randsdorp. “Amanda’s life has now impacted so many people who experience healing at FTW, a place that was ultimately built out of our own journey through grief and restoration.”
Specialized Therapies for Whole-Body Healing
FTW offers therapies designed to complement one another and restore balance across mind, body and spirit. One signature offering is Mercier Therapy, a form of gynecological visceral manipulation designed to restore mobility, circulation and alignment of the reproductive organs. The therapy supports fertility by addressing mechanical and hormonal factors that may affect conception.
Another specialized therapy is cranial flow, a gentle, hands-on treatment that works with the nervous, lymphatic and fascial systems. Using water as the treatment medium, cranial flow supports vagal nerve tone and encourages deep relaxation. It can be especially helpful for individuals experiencing chronic stress, trauma patterns, headaches or nervous system dysregulation.
Other offerings include myofascial release, craniosacral fascial therapy, hormone consulting, pelvic health therapy (distinct from Mercier Therapy), pregnancy bodywork and postpartum care. Services are designed so that clients may begin with one modality and gradually integrate others as their
Justin and Kourtney Randsdorp
healing progresses. For example, couples may enter care for fertility support, continue through conception and pregnancy, and return for postpartum rehabilitation or infant craniosacral fascial therapy.
A Personalized Client Experience
Clients often comment on FTW’s welcoming environment. Warm massage tables, soft lighting, acoustic hymn music and a signature scent create a calming atmosphere. Initial appointments review health history, lifestyle, symptoms and goals. Plans are tailored and may include hands-on therapy, lab testing, lifestyle guidance, nervous system work, and conversation or emotional processing when needed.
“Our sessions are not driven by a rigid checklist or insurancedriven metrics,” relays Kourtney Randsdorp. “We meet each patient where they are that day and adapt the session based on what will best support their mind, body and spirit.” Clients often report feeling lighter, heard and hopeful.
Community Involvement and Education
Education and outreach are central to FTW’s mission. The clinic hosts an annual Mercier Day at a local park for women struggling with infertility and their supporters, and partners with HerScan to provide early breast cancer detection screenings. FTW maintains a network of trusted holistic providers for referrals and encourages clients to continue their healing at home through exercises, functional improvement plans and lifestyle guidance. “When you know better, you do better. The more you know, the more you grow,” observes Kourtney Randsdorp.
Since opening, FTW has grown its team, adding five therapists in 2025, and expanded services to include craniosacral fascial therapy and cranial flow. A partnership with Any Lab Test Now enables clients to investigate hormone imbalances that might otherwise go undetected.
Looking Ahead
The Randsdorps are focused on maintaining high-quality care while solidifying their role as a trusted pillar of holistic health in Lancaster County. They hope their results demonstrate that integrating biomechanical and nervous system work represents a gold standard of care and that holistic options like Mercier Therapy are available to those navigating fertility challenges.
Adds Kourtney Randsdorp, “True healing is not symptom management. It is the beautiful harmony of a balanced mind, body and spirit. If you are ready to move from where you are now toward where you want to be, we would be honored to walk alongside you.”
Functional Therapy & Wellness is located at 3413 Harvest Dr., Ste. 1, in Gordonville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 717-929-0950 or visit FunctionalTherapyAndWellness. com. See ads, pages 16 and 50.
“The health care experience you’ve been seeking...and deserve.”
Kulp Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness Center
Empowering Health Through Functional Nutrition
by Trella Dubetz
As a certified functional medicine practitioner, Donna Kulp, DC, DCBCN, IFMCP, has been integrating functional medicine and nutrition with chiropractic care for more than 34 years. Her practice, Kulp Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness Center, in Reading, offers a functional wellness approach that prioritizes identifying the root causes of disease and restoring balance through personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
Drawing on decades of experience in nutrition and wellness, Kulp provides science-based nutrition and functional medicine care designed to support long-term health improvements for her patients.
A Journey Rooted in Personal Experience
Kulp’s interest in wellness began with her own health struggles. “My own personal health issues started at a young age. I needed to find out why I was sick all the time,” she reflects.
After years of searching for answers, she experienced a breakthrough thanks to alternative health practices and discovered that wellness depended not only on what she ate, but also on what she avoided. This realization set her on a lifelong path toward better health and inspired her professional focus.
Kulp opened her practice in 1992, initially concentrating on chiropractic care. Over time, she expanded her expertise, earning a diplomate in clinical nutrition, certification as a functional medicine practitioner from the Institute of Functional Medicine and certification in functional oncology. With this broader knowledge base, she developed a more integrated approach to care that addresses the body as a whole. Today, nutrition plays a central role in her practice, helping patients not only relieve symptoms, but restore health on multiple levels.
Functional Medicine and Nutrition
Functional medicine is a patient-centered approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of disease rather than simply managing symptoms. The model considers genetics, environment and lifestyle factors, allowing practitioners to develop customized plans that target the root causes of health issues.
Through consultations and physical examinations, Kulp determines which testing may be appropriate. Evaluations may include comprehensive blood analysis, along with stool, saliva, hormone levels and genetic testing to identify deficiencies and sensitivities.
Based on those findings, she develops personalized nutrition plans that may include a specific diet plan, supplements and lifestyle changes tailored to each patient’s needs. Kulp regularly works with individuals experiencing premenstrual syndrome, hormone imbalance, gut and bowel issues, autoimmune conditions, headaches and other chronic health concerns.
Education as a Foundation for Lasting Health
Education plays a crucial role in Kulp’s approach, and she believes empowering patients with knowledge about their health is essential for long-term success.
“The biggest factor is that patients need to take accountability, follow directions and incorporate change,” she shares. “I provide them with education material on why and how to implement changes into their lives, and I’ll give directions on all we discuss. The goal is to make the plan workable for their lifestyle.”
Through this approach, patients often improve the function of key systems such as metabolism, digestion and immune health, experiencing benefits that extend far beyond the relief of pain or discomfort.
“My philosophy is to work with the body in the least invasive way possible,” Kulp explains. She encourages patients to take an active role in maintaining their health. “We need to treat health care as our personal responsibility and take action. Don’t wait until it is broken to incorporate preventative care—the sooner you start, the more likely you will have wellness for a longer period and live a healthier, happier life.”
Looking Ahead
As her practice continues to grow, Kulp is focused on expanding her nutrition services to reach more people seeking solutions for chronic health concerns.
“The future is about continuing to work on educating patients towards taking responsibility for their health, one person at a time.”
For more information about Kulp Chiropractic Nutrition and Wellness Center, located at 52 Morgantown Rd., in Reading, call 610-208-0404 or visit KulpChiropractic. com. See ads, pages 21 and 50.
Trella Dubetz is a trauma-informed bodyworker, holistic and Human Design practitioner, graphic designer and writer based in Lancaster and Huntingdon. She blends creativity with healing practices to support personal transformation. Connect with her at TrellaDubetz.com.
Spring Bowl Inspirations
Sustainable, Delicious and Flexible
by Maya Whitman
Food bowls are popular because of their vibrant versatility, inventive flavor combinations and healthconscious appeal. Served warm or cold, they begin with a base of grains, salad greens or broths, followed by layers of veggies, fresh herbs and protein sources, then finished with a drizzle of flavorful sauce. Assembling these well-balanced, nourishing meals offers an opportunity to practice mindfulness, creativity and even joy, making it a truly multi-layered experience for the mind, body and soul.
Sustainable Eats
Spring enables us to add another enriching layer to the experience with sustainable, plant-forward bowls that celebrate local, in-season produce—reducing shipping and supporting the local economy. Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils require less land, water and energy to produce than meat and dairy. Weekend
trips to farmers markets become extra special with the arrival of annual delicacies like garlic scapes, ramps (wild leeks) and earthy mushrooms such as morels and porcinis.
Making spring bowls throughout the week is also a great way to minimize food waste by incorporating peels to make broth, repurposing leftovers and buying grains and other pantry staples in bulk with minimal plastic packaging. To save time, grains and beans can be cooked once a week and used, as needed, in a variety of bowl combinations.
The Basics
“Thoughtful choices—both in what we eat and how we shop—help nourish our bodies and our communities,” says Gwen Eberly, a chef and instructor at Zest Cooking School, in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Her favorite bowls feature a foundational layer of leafy greens like spinach or arugula, followed by crunchy
5PH/shutterstock
textures such as radishes, carrots, sprouts and microgreens, and a layer of crispy tofu for the protein. Additional flavors may include roasted vegetables (asparagus) and fresh notes (snap peas or green onions).
“After winter, many people naturally want meals that feel energizing, colorful and lighter, which is why plant-based meals are so great,” says Annemarie Ranallo, the owner of Forest Greens Juice Bar, in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Some of her favorite ingredients for spring bowls are leafy greens, roasted or fresh vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as plant-based proteins like chickpeas and lentils. She underscores the importance of including different textures in a bowl by combining something crunchy, something creamy and something fresh.
Part of the fun of creating a spring bowl is discovering which flavors and textures pair well. Gluten-free options like quinoa, kasha (buckwheat), wild rice and amaranth make any bowl satisfying without being heavy, and they are especially delicious
with sautéed mushrooms, roasted eggplant or white beans. Lentils serve to accentuate the earthy depth of oven-roasted root vegetables like rainbow carrots and beets.
Savory bowls embellished with creamy dressings are wonderful for lunch and dinner, but the introduction of sweetness with layers of yogurt, fruit, nut butters and crunchy seeds opens up possibilities for dessert and breakfast.
Sauce Magic
Eberly notes that a good, homemade sauce can tie a bowl together. Her favorites include sesame-ginger, lemon tahini, parsleymint, chive yogurt and zesty lime-cilantro. “A well-chosen dressing can redefine familiar plant-based ingredients, steering flavors toward whatever you’re craving that day—bright and citrusy, earthy and rich, or fresh and herby,” she explains.
Homemade dressings can be whipped up in minutes, offering wonderful flavor without excessive sodium or packaging waste. Spring bowls become memorable experiences
with citrus vinaigrettes or creamy sauces featuring vegan mayo or plain yogurt and spicy wasabi, Dijon mustard or horseradish. Conjuring exotic sauces is easy with ingredients like tahini, miso paste, ground peanuts, coconut milk and spices. Bowls also wake up in the presence of robust herbs like cilantro, parsley, mint and basil.
Finishing Touches
Championing the element of surprise, Eberly recommends textural finishes like sesame or pumpkin seeds, peanuts, sprouts or kale chips. These garnishes add a final burst of flavor, taking a meal over the top. Ranallo, on the other hand, cautions against adding too many competing flavors. For her, simplicity is the key. Whether embellished or straightforward, the answer lies in personal preference and experimentation. Spring is the time to embrace our creative side and build a balanced, onebowl meal that mixes textures and flavors to our heart’s (and tastebuds’) content.
Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.
FALAFEL SPRING BOWLS
YIELD: 3 TO 4 SERVINGS
1 garlic clove
¼ cup red onion, roughly chopped
⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves
⅓ cup fresh parsley leaves
1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 egg
¾ cup breadcrumbs (divided)
½ tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground coriander seeds
½ tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a food processor, finely chop the garlic by pulsing. Add the onion, cilantro and parsley and process until minced. Add the chickpeas and process to form a coarse dough. Add the egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, cumin, coriander and salt. Pulse until combined.
Shape the mixture into small patties using about 1 tablespoon each. Coat the patties with the remaining breadcrumbs, pressing each side into the crumbs so they stick.
Place the falafel patties on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through the baking time.
Layer a bowl with any cooked grain of choice and/or various spring greens, followed by a few falafels. Top with Sesame Ginger Dressing, Lemon-Tahini Dressing or a favorite homemade dressing.
SESAME GINGER DRESSING FOR FALAFEL SPRING BOWLS
4 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp chili sauce
1 tsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger
2 Tbsp sesame oil
⅓ cup olive oil
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake well before each use. Keep any remaining dressing in the refrigerator.
LEMON-TAHINI DRESSING FOR SPRING BOWL FALAFELS
1 garlic clove
¼ cup tahini
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
½ tsp salt
In a food processor, pulse the garlic to mince. Add the tahini, lemon juice, nu tritional yeast, oil, water, maple syrup and salt and process until smooth. Place any remaining dressing in a jar and refrigerate.
Recipe courtesy of chef Gwen Eberly.
SPRING COUSCOUS BOWL WITH AVOCADO-DILL DRESSING
SPRING AMBROSIA BOWL
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There is a particular stillness that comes when our hands meet the earth. The soil is cool. The air carries the faint scent of green. We press a young tree into place, firm the ground around its roots and step back. What was planted is small—but what it will become is not. It will anchor soil, offer shade, filter air and shelter life long after we’ve walked away.
This is the work beneath our feet.
Each year, the world loses millions of hectares of forest. Forests regulate climate, protect water systems, stabilize soil and sustain biodiversity that supports our food and health. When they disappear, the effects ripple outward—into our weather patterns, ecosystems and daily lives.
Earth Month reminds us that meaningful change does not begin in theory. It begins in participation.
Melissa Greene
For more than 50 years, Earthwatch Institute has connected volunteers with scientists conducting environmental research across the globe. Participants assist with wildlife monitoring, marine conservation and climate studies, contributing to research that informs real-world environmental decisions.
Natural Awakenings Chicago Publisher Peggy Malecki first encountered Earthwatch while in college. She spent three weeks off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, assisting a geologist in mapping remote islands and documenting native flora and fauna. Years later, the images remain vivid: traveling between rugged shorelines in a small inflatable Zodiac, gliding beneath trees so dense with bald eagles they felt “heavy with sage.” What began as a research assignment became something deeper—a lasting reverence for the patience, precision and awe woven into conservation work.
Through WWOOF, individuals stay on organic farms practicing
carbon and canopies that will shelter ecosystems yet unseen.
Even attention is a form of stewardship. The Wild Wonder Foundation promotes nature literacy through observation and journaling, reminding us that when we slow down enough to truly notice the natural world, care naturally follows.
Participation does not require distant travel. It may begin with planting a native species in the yard or volunteering with a local conservation group. But for those planning their next journey, Earth Month poses a powerful question: What if travel became an act of stewardship?
A mindful journey can support scientific research, strengthen regenerative farms or contribute to reforestation in the places we visit. When exploration meets responsibility, travel shifts from consumption to connection.
The work beneath our feet is steady and quiet. Whether close to home or across the globe, the invitation remains the same: choose experiences that give more than they take—and plant something that will endure long after the journey ends.
Shae Marcus, the founder of The 11:11 Experience, believes intentional pauses and meaningful travel remind us who we are when life slows, offering clarity, connection and space to begin again. For more information, visit The1111Experience.com.
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At-Home Pet Massage
Tips and Techniques for a Happier Animal
by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN
Massage therapy does more than pamper pets—it provides handson care with real physical and emotional benefits. For dogs, cats and horses, regular massage improves comfort, mobility and overall wellness. Pet parents need to learn key techniques, understand the benefits and follow safety guidelines to ensure massages are safe and effective.
Physical Healing
A 2025 article in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery defines massage as the systematic application of manual pressure and movement to soft tissues, including the skin, tendons, ligaments, fascia and muscle. Integrative emergency veterinarian and end-of-life practitioner Lynda Loudon calls massage “one of the most accessible yet profoundly
therapeutic tools we have for supporting our pets’ physical health.”
Gentle massage improves circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while clearing metabolic waste. It also supports lymphatic flow, which depends on movement and manual stimulation. This is especially beneficial for senior pets, those recovering from injury or animals with limited mobility.
Massage improves joint mobility and flexibility. Pets with arthritis, hip dysplasia or age-related stiffness maintain better range of motion when inflammation is reduced and connective tissue stays supple. Massage relaxes muscles, eases pain and supports movement. Loudon notes that it “works with the body’s natural healing mechanisms rather than imposing external interventions,” making it a gentle, non-invasive therapy.
Emotional and Behavioral Benefits
Massage is equally powerful emotionally.
“Touch is one of the most primal forms of communication and comfort,” says Loudon, noting that it activates the body’s natural rest-and-relax response, lowering stress hormones, slowing the heart rate and supporting calm breathing.
Anxious pets often visibly relax during massage. Addressing pain and physical discomfort can improve emotional and behavioral challenges, Loudon points out. In end-of-life care, massage can provide both physical relief and emotional reassurance. It strengthens the human-animal bond, encouraging pet parents to slow down, stay present and connect deeply with their animal companions.
Common Techniques
According to Michael Daly, a certified canine and equine massage therapist and holistic pet health coach, each massage technique serves a purpose.
• Effleurage, involving gentle circular motions with the palm of the hand, begins most sessions, helping pets relax.
• Petrissage, involving a kneading action, loosens muscles and fascia.
• Friction techniques target deeper tissue to release knots and tension with circular or cross-fiber motions.
• Vibration techniques are used to release tension in a pet’s myofascial structure, which is the connective tissue binding their muscles. As Daly explains, “When tension develops in the fascia surrounding a specific muscle, it can cause that muscle to tighten. Applying gentle to more vigorous vibrations helps release the tension, and pets love it.”
• Tapotement involves gentle rhythmic tapping or cupping. Daly, who has been practicing animal massage for 15 years, generally avoids this technique with dogs because they either dislike it or want to play, but he finds the technique effective with horses.
• Passive stretching, which gently moves a pet’s limbs to loosen joints and muscles, is often used to finish a session.
Pet parents can perform these massages themselves. Daly recommends starting with effleurage, followed by vibration techniques. Stressing that the calming effect often begins with the person, he explains, “When you feel calm and centered, they do, too.”
He encourages keeping routines simple and consistent. Massage works well any time of day, but Daly especially recommends brief effleurage and vibration sessions when pets wake up. Gentle strokes across the body can help prepare muscles for activity, which is particularly helpful for older pets transitioning from rest to movement. It is important to read a pet’s body language. “Dogs will tell you when strokes are too hard and when they are done,” says Daly.
Safety Concerns
Dogs often hide pain. Daly warns that limping usually means discomfort is already advanced. Watch for more subtle signs such as difficulty standing, hesitation with jumps, circling before lying down, excessive licking, increased thirst, nighttime restlessness or persistent panting. These symptoms warrant evaluation by a professional massage therapist or veterinarian.
Loudon emphasizes that while massage is generally safe, it should be avoided when there are active infections, fractures, recent surgical sites or areas of acute inflammation. Pets with cancer, clotting disorders, fever or severe pain should receive massage only under veterinary guidance.
When done thoughtfully alongside veterinary care, massage is a safe and valuable part of holistic wellness. Loudon suggests starting gently and monitoring the pet’s response. A relaxed posture, soft eyes and leaning in indicate comfort, while tensing, moving away, pinned ears or vocalizing means it is time to stop.
Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, is the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.
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Home Sweet Sustainable Home
Strategies for Saving Money and the Planet
by Marlaina Donato
Adding eco-friendly elements to a home transforms it into a true sanctuary, yet many homeowners and renters feel shut out of the conversation when it centers around high-end remodels, expensive appliances or eco-luxury upgrades. Even the budget conscious have low-cost options that empower them to reclaim sustainability and slow climate change on their own terms.
“Behavioral adjustments are some of the most affordable changes people can make to green their homes. Many of these modifications can be made in a rental home, too,” says Marla Esser Cloos, a green-home coach in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Approachable practices include using programmable thermostats that save energy; shopping in bulk to cut down on waste and plastic packaging; swapping out chemical cleaners and pesticides for effective, eco-friendly alternatives; and seasonal upkeep that extends the life of household materials and appliances. Many of these measures actually save money. Teaming up with neighbors to share tools, join compost clubs or advance community solar programs turns environmental stewardship into an even more affordable and enjoyable endeavor that strengthens connections and underscores the power of collective action.
Energy Savers
“Small choices can have a big impact, and
greening your home doesn’t have to break the bank. Some of the most affordable ways to make your home more sustainable involve reducing energy use and making smarter choices,” attests Annie Soulsby, a sustainability life coach in the United Kingdom.
The average home has many devices that sap energy unnecessarily, and unplugging computer equipment, game consoles, DVRs, coffeemakers, televisions and phone chargers when not in use can save up to 20 percent on the monthly electric bill. The U.S. Department of Energy also recommends using surge-protector power strips with on/off switches to easily turn off a set of appliances without having to unplug anything.
Soulsby suggests switching from fossil-fuel heating systems that burn natural gas, oil, propane or coal to renewable solutions like electric heat pumps that transfer thermal energy using eco-friendly refrigerants, or green electricity plans that allow consumers to purchase renewable electricity (wind, solar or hydro) from their power supplier. She also champions group solar programs, such as solar cooperatives that help renters, homeowners and businesses access solar energy and receive electric bill credits without installing panels on their own roof, translating to reduced monthly costs without high, upfront investment.
Cloos recommends installing or replacing weatherstripping, exterior door sweeps and draft stoppers on all exterior doors
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and windows. Duck and Frost King brands of shrink film window insulation kits can also provide an extra air barrier. Caulk can be used around doors, windows and other exterior gaps and interior trim joints to reduce cold drafts, increase heat retention in the wintertime and improve energy efficiency year-round.
Sustainable Shifts
Sustainability also means stretching the lifespan of everyday items, but when replacements are unavoidable, Cloos suggests looking for certified labels: WaterSensecertified faucets, toilets or shower heads; Energy Star-certified appliances; and GreenGuard-certified paints for exterior or interior makeovers. She also recommends simple measures like turning off lights when leaving a room to conserve energy and refraining from running the faucet while brushing teeth or washing hands to save water and lower water-heating costs.
A do-it-yourself mindset also minimizes consumerism. “Tool libraries work just like book libraries, but instead of novels, you can borrow tools, DIY equipment or sports gear,” explains Soulsby. “They solve the problem of owning rarely used items like an SDS [slotted drive system] drill for a bathroom project or a paddleboard for a weekend adventure. Borrow it, use it and return it in good condition.” Many U.S. cities maintain tool libraries through MakerSpace.com, community centers or nonprofits that can be located with a quick internet search.
For pest control without chemicals, Soulsby suggests sealing entry points, removing food and shelter sources, and keeping homes clean and dry. Pungent essential oils like citronella, peppermint and eucalyptus, as well as strong-smelling herbs such as lavender, mint, basil and rosemary help deter pests naturally. Adding natural cedarwood chips or essential oils to wardrobes and closets can help to repel moths. Lining drawers and thresholds with cinnamon and cayenne, or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantises and lacewings in the garden, can naturally control insects.
“We often place a barrier of First Saturday Lime around the outside of our home. Lime is an easy-to-use, environmentally friendly alternative to pesticides that is safe for children and pets when used as directed on the manufacturers’ package,” explains Cloos.
Seasonal initiatives like Veganuary, PlasticFree July or No-Mow May are great starting points to incorporate changes into everyday life. “The real power comes when you then carry these habits year-round,” says Soulsby. “Swap meat for plant-based options beyond just one month; extend plastic-free choices to every purchase decision; and rethink horticulture by letting your garden flourish naturally every day.”
Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerAnd WoodSmoke.com.
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Going Zero Waste
A Conversation With Kathryn Kellogg
by Sandra Yeyati
Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of GoingZeroWaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to helping people live a healthier and more sustainable life. She is the author of 101 Ways To Go Zero Waste, Zero Waste Kids and 101 Tips for a Zero-Waste Kitchen.
With an active and engaged following on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, Kellogg has also been featured on legacy media outlets, including CNN, NBC Nightly News, Women’s Health, The Oprah Magazine, Good Morning America, NPR and The Guardian. She has led sustainability workshops at numerous business organization such as Google, Salesforce, Slack, Amazon and Skillshare.
What inspired you to start your zero-waste journey? I fell into zero-waste living a little backwards. I first started reducing my waste when I was a full-time working actor. It was more for financial reasons than environmental ones in the beginning. And then when I learned about the zero-waste movement, I realized that I had already been practicing many of the principles. I started
my advocacy online and in my books because I wanted to use my storytelling skills to inspire people to make easy swaps that are better for the wallet and the planet.
What is considered a zero-waste life?
There’s no one definition. I think anyone who’s interested in reducing waste can consider themselves to be participating in a zero-waste lifestyle. So many people think they have to get to zero or to produce no trash at all, but it’s really about reducing the amount of trash you send to the landfill—first, by buying only what you need; then, by recycling and composting; and last, by throwing away whatever you have left over.
What are the personal benefits of this lifestyle?
It’s so peaceful not having to deal with as much trash. I’ve been able to build really good systems, so everything has a place in my home. When you step outside of that consumer mindset, you’re able to focus on the things that are truly important, like your hobbies and the people you love.
What are your top tips for improving a household’s sustainability?
One of the best things that you can do is to stop buying as much. In the U.S., we tend to overconsume to the extreme. Check the secondhand markets first before buying anything new. Try to be a bit more mindful about food packaging—avoiding plastic and Styrofoam whenever possible. Swap out your paper towels for reusable rags. If you have a zero-waste or bulk-refill store nearby, go check it out.
And then, of course, there’s composting. On average, 50 percent of household waste is organic matter that could otherwise be composted. Most people think that food scraps will break down in a landfill, but they won’t because landfills are designed for storage, not decomposition.
What are your favorite reusable products or tools?
I have so many! I have to give a shout-out to my Kayaness reusable period underwear. You could not pay me to go back to using disposable pads. I also love my bidet attachment and my stainless steel safety razor, which have saved me so much money.
Courtesy of Kathryn Kellogg
How has your zero-waste worldview evolved?
We live in a linear economy in which we take resources from the planet, turn them into products and then, at the end of their life, throw them into a giant hole in the ground. It’s not a very smart system, especially when everything else in nature lives without creating trash. So, what if we could move toward a circular economy where all of the resources could be reused over and over again? Take, for example, a cotton T-shirt that could be given back to the manufacturer after we’ve used it, where they would compost it and use it to grow more cotton.
This very effective form of recycling would have to start with better designs, so that products would be engineered from the outset to be easily separated, recycled and transformed into new, high-quality materials. An aluminum can, for example, can go from your curbside bin back to store shelves in 90 days. It is an incredibly tight, closed-loop process. How can we reimagine more of the things we buy like this?
What other environmental causes do you champion?
I highly recommend that people get plugged into a local group or organization that’s fighting waste or another environmental issue that they might be passionate about, like conservation with the Sierra Club or clean water with The Surfrider Foundation.
How do you stay motivated and avoid burnout in your environmental advocacy work?
I think it’s really important to allow myself to be a multifaceted human being. For about seven years, I read books only about environmentalism, and I was feeling really burned out. So I picked up a book just for fun, and it reminded me that I can be more than one thing, and I can enjoy more than one thing. It’s important to balance our interests.
Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.
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Less Mulch, More Life
Rethinking a Garden Staple
by Nate Tietbohl
While bark mulches may be “natural products”, applying them in the garden is anything but a natural process—it is more like a simulated landslide. What takes hundreds of years to develop in a natural setting comes out of a wheelbarrow in a few seconds each spring.
When mulching, gardeners effectively smother last year’s weed seeds. However, leaving these unplanted “mulch carpets” in the garden creates ideal conditions for next year’s weed seedlings to germinate, forming a high-maintenance feedback loop.
Mulching can also create problems for plant and home health. If mulch covers the trunks of trees, it can cause fungal issues, bark splitting and circling roots. If applied carelessly, it can smother, stunt or outright kill wildflowers and grasses. Over many years, repeated applications can also contribute to drainage issues at the foundation of homes.
However, mulching remains a valuable tool in the gardener’s tool belt. Here are the key considerations for using it in an ecologically responsible way:
What to Apply
If mulch is necessary, start by sourcing leaf compost, shredded leaves or wood chips. These materials provide many of the same weed-suppressing properties as bark mulch but allow better water infiltration and break down more quickly.
In established gardens, leaves from the previous fall can remain in place. When perennial and grass stems are cut back in the spring, they can be broken up and left as ground cover. Birds will scratch through this debris for nesting material too. Shredded bark mulch can be used effectively for paths and, in a pinch, around plants, but place it carefully to avoid covering plants. And for 2026, let’s just say no to dyed mulches.
Timing Matters
Mulch applications should occur after soil temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Roughly 70 percent of the 400 species of bees native to Pennsylvania overwinter in the ground, and applying mulch too early can smother emerging insects and prevent them from digging burrows.
A kitchen thermometer can be used to check soil temperature, but waiting until redbuds are in full bloom generally signals suitable conditions.
Why Mulch Is Used
When installing a new native garden on any size property, leaf mulch is used between plants to create a tidy appearance and reduce the need for weeding as the garden establishes. However, the mulch isn’t the star of the show—the plants are.
Pollinator-friendly gardening should target 100 percent bed coverage by the end of the second year. This “green mulch” consists of a dense, site-specific combination of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and trees. Less mulch and more life guide long-term success, with mulch serving as a tool for garden establishment rather than the centerpiece.
This approach works at multiple scales. While waiting for temperatures to warm up, check out some online native plant guides or books to find species appropriate to introduce to the garden. Then, when it’s time to plant, use some of this year’s “mulch budget” to plant a small area instead. The remaining mulched areas will suppress weeds until additional plantings occur, and that little patch of new plants will bring much more joy than a carpet of mulch.
Nate Tietbohl is founder of Wildcraft Landscapes LLC, an ecological landscaping business serving Berks County and surrounding communities. Connect with him by calling 484-772-8012, emailing Info@ WildcraftLandscapes.com or visiting WildcraftLandscapes.com. See ads, pages 16 and 53.
Photo: Nate Tietbohl
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Visit our online calendar where you can find updated event and class information and share your events for free.
Saturday, April 4
Cooking Class: Easter Pastries – 10am1pm. Ages 12+ (under 16 must be with ticketed adult). A hands-on family-friendly pastry class focused on seasonal baking techniques and traditional holiday treats. Registration required. $100pp. Zest Cooking School, 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz. 717435-8890. ZestChef.com.
Monday, April 6
Death Cafe – 5pm (first of three: May 6 & June 1). Death Doula Karen Glass facilitates a three-part Death Café series at Main Library. A Death Café is an open-ended, community conversation to relax the taboo of speaking about death and dying. Registration required. Reading Public Library, 100 S 5th St, Reading. 610-655-6355.
Women’s Trauma Therapy Group – 5:307pm. Mondays thru 5/11. Reconnect with your body, steady overwhelming emotions and rebuild a sense of safety and trust as you reclaim inner strength while interacting with our intuitive horses and compassionate therapists. $675. Take Heart Counseling and Equine Assisted Therapy Three Horse Ranch, 699 Wooltown Rd, Wernersville. 717917-7137. TakeHeartCounseling.com.
Yin Yoga on the Ranch – 6-7pm. Mondays thru 4/27. Trauma-informed, relaxation-focused yin yoga for all experience levels, led by therapist and certified yoga instructor, Kathleen Epler, LSW. $20. Take Heart Counseling and Equine Assisted Therapy Three Horse Ranch, 699 Wooltown Rd, Wernersville. 717-917-7137. TakeHeartCounseling.com.
Tuesday, April 7
Memoir Writing Workshop: “Exploring Our Life Stories” – 6:30-8:30pm. (Tuesdays thru 5/5.) A safe haven for capturing the memories that matter most. Taught with humor and warmth, learn how writing about our past enables us to better understand our present. No grades, grammar, or judgment. Registration required. Write From the Heart, Lancaster. 717-383-4713. WriteFromTheHeart.us.
Thursday, April 9
Parent and Child Cooking Class: Spring Family Dinner – 5:30-7:30pm. Ages 7+. Cook side by side in this hands-on parent and child cooking class. Families will work together to prepare a balanced, flavorful meal while learning simple kitchen skills in a fun, supportive environment. Registration required. $85pp. Zest Cooking School, 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz. 717-435-8890. ZestChef.com.
Saturday, April 11
Greater Wellness Holistics Expo 9am-4pm
Reconnect, Rebalance, Reignite. Free giveaways, Kids’ Corner, lectures and workshops. $10 cash at the door. Lebanon Valley Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Rd, Lebanon. GreaterWellnessHolistics.com
Saturday, April 11
Goddess Gathering with April – 6-7:30pm. A heart-centered women’s circle focused on embodied self-care, gentle movement and meditation to cultivate connection, vitality and inner wisdom. $30 prepaid or $40 at the door. The Nest Collaborative, 629 Court St, West Reading. 610-334-5096. TheNestCollaborative.com.
Sunday, April 12
Soulful Nourishment – 10:30am-12pm. Through seasonal cooking, juicing, herbal teas and other heart-centered practices, this gathering offers simple ways to nourish body and soul from the inside out. $50, EYW members free. Everybody Yoga and Wellness, 1245 Horseshoe Pk, Downingtown. 484-593-4075. EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com.
Living Hope with Nadine – 4-5:15pm. Reconnect with your inner light and imagine it growing brighter with each breath. Explore what it means to live with hope as a daily practice. By donation. The Nest Collaborative, 629 Court St, West Reading. 610334-5096. TheNestCollaborative.com.
In a Cello Mood: A Contemplative Soundscape – 6-7:30pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. A special sound immersion featuring the beautiful, poignant sounds of the cello. Tickets $30 on Eventbrite. Soundwise Health Studio, 313 W Liberty St, Ste 263, Lancaster. 610-301-4356. SoundwiseHealth.com.
Wednesday, April 15
Cancer Support Writing Workshop –Wednesdays on Zoom through 6/3. A gentle, supportive space to awaken creativity in an atmosphere of compassion and trust. For cancer patients and caregivers. Sharing optional; no experience needed. Register via Penn Medicine/LGH at 717-544-4636 or LGHealth.org. Mid-session joiners welcome. Info: Write From the Heart, 717-393-4713, WriteFromTheHeart.us.
Thursday, April 16
Sacred Alignment with Heather – 3-6pm. A 20-minute reiki session in a calm, soothing space designed for relaxation. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction that supports balance and relaxation. All are welcome. $25. Inspire Wellness Collective, 22 N Arch St, Lancaster. 717-693-0224. HHSacredAlignment.com.
Friday, April 17
Sound Meditation with Abby – 6-7pm. Every 3rd Friday. Relax in comfortable clothes to the sounds of singing bowls, wind chimes and voice. $25. Register online. Willow Yoga Studio, 25 Nolt Ave, Willow Street. WillowYogaStudio.com.
Saturday, April 18
Kids Cooking Club: Spring Picnic – 10am12pm. Ages 7-15. While making classic picnic fare, attendees will build confidence, have fun in the kitchen and enjoy something delicious they made themselves. Registration required. $85pp. Zest Cooking School, 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz. 717-4358890. ZestChef.com.
Earth Day Berks – 12-6pm. Music, food, vendors, nature, animal and earth-friendly exhibits for the whole family. Rain or shine. Free. City Park, 11th & Washington Sts, Reading. EarthDayBerks.org.
Glow Flow Yoga and Brewery Tour – 5:307pm. Glow sticks provided, wear something
that glows. Start with Glow Flow Yoga and stick around for a guided brewery tour. Must be 21+ for tour. $50. Everybody Yoga and Wellness at Suburban Brewing Co, 3041 Horseshoe Pk, Honey Brook. 484-5934075. EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com.
Cooking Class: Spring Cocktails and Small Plates – 6-8pm. Ages 21+. Learn to craft refreshing seasonal cocktails while preparing a selection of flavorful, satisfying small plates. Perfect for entertaining or enjoying a springinspired feast at home. Hands-on. $110pp. Zest Cooking School, 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz. 717-435-8890. ZestChef.com.
Sunday, April 19
Homefields Open Farm – 11am-3pm. Drop-in or stay all day. Bring a picnic and join a 30-minute farm walking tour to learn about regenerative methods and soil health and a greenhouse tour demonstrating tools and seeding. Tour times 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Food sold by Koshary Station. Free. Registration requested. Homefields, Letort Rd, Millersville. Homefields.org.
Saturday, April 25
MT Earth Fest & Plant Sale – 8am-1pm. A family-friendly celebration of our planet. Enjoy a native plant sale, makers’ market, food trucks, kids’ crafts, animal shows, raffle prizes and a recycling drive. Rain or shine. Free. Overlook Park & Community Ctr, 301 Golf Dr, Lancaster. ManheimTownship. org/1636/MT-Earth-Fest.
Cooking Class: Girls’ Brunch – 10am12pm. Ages 21+. Gather your girlfriends for this hands-on class about light, fresh flavors, relaxed cooking, and enjoying time together in the kitchen. BYOB. Registration required. $100pp. Zest Cooking School, 1180 Erbs Quarry Rd, Lititz. 717-4358890. ZestChef.com.
Sunday, April 26
Earth Day Celebration @ Kula Kamala Ashram – 10am-6pm. Enjoy yoga, meditation, workshops, planting, crafting, food, and kirtan—all ages welcome, rain or shine. Offered by donation, your contribution covers all sessions and meals for the day. Kula Kamala Yoga Ashram, 17 Basket Rd, Reading. KulaKamalaFoundation.org.
Plan Ahead
Saturday, May 2
Rooted in Love, Growing in Memory –2:30-5pm. The SOS Berks Coalition invites the community to a free, family-friendly healing gathering for those impacted by addiction or the loss of a loved one. Activities include music, journaling, memorial tree planting, a butterfly release, and more. Free. The Nature Place at Angelica Park, 575 St. Bernadine St., Reading. SOSBerks.org.
Thursday, May 7
Feast of the Senses Culinary Fundraiser 5-9pm.
Presented by Touchstone Foundation to support youth mental wellness. Enjoy interactive food and beverage stations engaging all five senses, plus a live auction and program. Proceeds benefit local mental health access, education, and prevention initiatives across the region.
Get your tickets early: Touchstone Foundation.org/feast-of-the-senses. Held at Excelsior, 125 East King St, Lancaster.
Saturday, May 23
Certification Training: Full Body Reflexology 9am-4pm
Rev. Gwen Ward, Ph.D., Traditional Naturopath with over 40 years of experience, teaches the basics of reflex points, anatomy, and hands-on techniques to promote natural healing and help participants confidently practice with friends, family and clients. $350.
Health Quest Holistics, 1517 N 7th Street, Lebanon. 717-228-8605.
October 11-20
Vaishno Devi/Shakti Peetham India Pilgrimage
Join a small group pilgrimage from Delhi to Katra, India, and receive darshan at many sacred temples along the way, including and culminating in the Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra. $3,900.
For information and further details, visit KulaKamalaFoundation.org or speak to Casey at 484-509-5073 ext 1.
Mirek Kielar/Pexels.com
Sundays
Sunday Morning Flow – 9-10am. A gentle, breath-centered yoga flow to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body, ending in peaceful stillness. Open to all levels. $15. Willow Yoga Studio, 25 Nolt Ave, Willow Street. 717-617-2128. WillowYogaStudio.com.
Gentle Yoga – 9-10am. Gentle yoga utilizes traditional Hatha yoga postures with focus on the breath for deep relaxation and gentle release. This class presents an opportunity to self-nurture and a respite from daily living. Beginner class. $25 or EYW Membership. EveryBody Yoga and Wellness, 1245 Horseshoe Pk, Downingtown. 484-5934075. EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com
Holistic Living Sundays – 10:30am-12pm. Holistic Living Sundays will have a variety of topics from class to class. Check the website for specific weekly topics. $50 or EYW Membership. EveryBody Yoga and Wellness, 1245 Horseshoe Pike, Downingtown. 484-5934075. EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com.
Svaroopa Yoga with Sarita – 12-1:30pm. Immerse yourself in a soothing yoga practice designed to release tension and boost vitality. The clear instructions given in each post make this class reliably easy to follow. Small class size allows for personalized attention. $25. The Nest Collaborative, 629 Court St, West Reading. 610-763-1755. SaritaLindaRocco.com.
Mondays
Chair Yoga at West End Yoga – 10:3011:30am. Accessible for everyone. Traditional poses are converted to using a chair as a foundation or prop. The addition of a long scarf/yoga belt, books/yoga block, and beach towel/yoga blanket helps expand the options. $18. West End Yoga Studio, 221 W Walnut St, Lancaster. 717-406-9681. WestEndYogaStudio.com.
Chair Yoga at Willow Yoga – 11-11:45am. Gentle, accessible yoga using a chair for support—perfect for those with limited mobility, recovering from injury, or seeking a safer practice. $15 drop-in. Willow Yoga Studio, 25 Nolt Ave., Willow Street. 717-6172128. WillowYogaStudio.com.
Breathe and Flow Yoga – 7-8pm. Gentle and invigorating class that combines breathwork with flowing yoga poses. Focuses on improving flexibility, strength and balance while cultivating a sense of calm and inner peace. Recommended for those who move freely from sitting to standing. $25 or EYW Membership. EveryBody Yoga and Wellness, 1245 Horseshoe Pk, Downingtown. 484-593-4075. Every BodyYogaAndWellness.com.
Tuesdays
Please support our local businesses and practitioners. And let them know you saw them in Natural Awakenings.
Moderate Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 8:309:30am. Best for people with some yoga experience. A steady, breath-led flow that builds strength, balance and mobility over the course of the month. Each week gently progresses allowing students to grow in confidence and familiarity with the sequence. $13. Holding Space Yoga at Urban Well Studio, 119 N Duke St, Lancaster. 717940-9338. HoldingSpaceYoga.com.
Weekly Sun Salutation – 9-10am. Join Aranyani for these intentional yoga practices that explore flexibilities, hip opening postures, mudras, mantras and meditation. $15. Kula Kamala Foundation, 17 Basket Rd, Reading. KulaKamalaFoundation.org/calendar.
Strength Training – 11am-12pm. Build strength and mobility with dumbbells and resistance bands in this fun, supportive class. All levels welcome—no experience needed. Equipment provided. $15. Willow Yoga Studio, 25 Nolt Ave, Willow Street. 717-617-2128.
RDG Fresh Market – 11am-2pm. Fresh produce at affordable prices. Listen to a 5-minute nutrition lesson and receive $2. SNAP, cash, card and Food Bucks accepted. Offering bulk orders, CSA and farmstand requests. Farm Traveler at 145 N 6th St, Reading. ReadingCentralMarket@gmail.com.
Nervous System Regulation Lab – 4:305:30pm. Gentle class weaves polyvagal theory, somatic release techniques, vagal toning, fascia work, limbic retraining and embodiment practices to help shift from survival mode into safety. $18. West End Yoga Studio, 221 W Walnut St, Lancaster. 717-406-9681. WestEndYogaStudio.com.
Wednesdays
Svaroopa Yoga with Sarita – 9:30-11am. See Sunday listing for details.
Chair Yoga at Willow Yoga – 11-11:45am. See Monday listing for details.
Feldenkrais, Awareness Through Movement Class – 11am-12pm. Learn to build physical, mental, and emotional awareness through gentle movements inspired by a baby’s first year of development. Each class explores a different process, helping improve flexibility, movement quality, energy, posture, focus, and overall body organization. $15/drop-in. Susquehanna Dance Center, 120 College Ave, Mountville. FeldenkraisBlog.net.
Warm Yin and Crystal Sound Bowls –7-8pm. Slow, supported yin practice with long-held poses, sound bowls, gentle assists, and focused hip opening in a warmly heated room. Bring a mat and water. Room heated to 90 degrees. $18. Bldg7 Yoga, 220 N Park Rd #7, Wyomissing. For information, call 484-755-5705. To register, visit Bldg7Yoga.com.
Ultimate Health Workshop – 7pm. Learn how you can achieve optimal health. Topics vary by week. Free. Call to reserve your spot. Heath Wellness Center, 14 W. Main St, Landisville. 717-530-5555. HeathChiropractic AndWellnessCenter.com.
Thursdays
Gentle Vinyasa Flow Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Start your day with mindful movement that awakens the body and steadies the mind. This class combines gentle stretches, strengthening postures, and breath awareness to build energy, improve posture, and create balance. Suitable for all levels. $13. Holding Space Yoga at Urban Well Studio, 119 N Duke St, Lancaster. 717-940-9338. HoldingSpaceYoga.com.
Svaroopa Yoga with Sarita – 4-5:30pm. A soothing yoga practice designed to release tension and boost vitality. Small class size allows for personalized attention. $25. The Nest Collaborative, 629 Court St, West Reading. 610-763-1755. SaritaLindaRocco.com.
Creative Power Vinyasa – 5-6pm. Intermediate-advanced standing flows that build flexibility, balance, strength and coordination with deep seated stretches, core work, arm balances or inversions, pranayama or meditation, guided relaxation. All levels welcome; previous experience helpful. $10 cash or $12 PayPal. 323 W James St, Lancaster. CampusYogaPA.com.
Community Yoga at Tellus360 – 6:307:30pm (Thru 4/16). Gentle flow, mindful movement and grounding practices to foster connection and warmth during winter months. All levels welcome; teachers alternate weekly. By donation; pay what you can. Tellus360, 24 E King St, Lancaster. Holding Space Yoga with Stillness & Flow with Zania. 717-940-9338. HoldingSpaceYoga.com.
Yoga for You – 5:30-6:45pm. No experience necessary. Mindful, gentle practice to bring everyone to the experience of yoga by meeting you where you are each week. By donation, $10 suggested. Kula Kamala Foundation, 17 Basket Rd, Reading. KulaKamalaFoundation.org/calendar.
Foundations 60 – 7-8pm. Perfect for those that are brand new to yoga or experienced yogis who want to gain deeper knowledge of the foundational postures. Spend time in in the basic Vinyasa postures to help with your alignment and to get deeper knowledge of yoga to gain a stronger foundation for your practice. Room heated to 90 degrees. $18. Bldg7 Yoga, 220 N Park Rd #7, Wyomissing. For information, call 484-7555705. To register, visit Bldg7Yoga.com.
Hands On Reiki Share – 1st Thursday 7-9pm. Experience the transformative power of reiki at our hands-on reiki share. Learn about this healing modality, give and receive reiki from others, and feel welcomed as part of our inclusive community. Donation. EveryBody Yoga and Wellness, 1245 Horseshoe Pk, Downingtown. 484-5934075. EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com.
Fridays
Yoga for Recovery / 12-Step Flow Yoga – 5:30pm. A supportive 60-minute class blending yoga, breathwork and 12-step principles to encourage healing, selfawareness and personal growth. All levels welcome; no prior yoga or recovery experience required. $15. The Nest Collaborative, 629 Court St, West Reading. 610-507-5403. TheNestCollaborative.com.
Level 1 Yoga – 6-7:15pm. Features basic postures, including alignment and refinement techniques. A slower mindful approach to practice that has both moderate and gentle energetic tones. Registration required. Suggested donation $10. Kula Kamala Foundation, 17 Basket Rd, Reading. KulaKamalaFoundation.org/calendar.
Saturdays
Puppy Start Right Program – 10-11am. Includes four classes, a book, videos and a training treat pouch. Taught by Nicole Weersing, Karen Pryor-Certified Instructor. Rotating start, registration required. $175. Godfrey’s Welcome to Dogdom, 4267 New Holland Rd, Mohnton. 610-777-5755. GodfreysDogdom.com.
Tarot – 10:30am-4pm. Nancy Warble offers 4-6-card readings during 20-30-minute session. Drop in or make an appointment. Call for details. $19. Radiance, 13 W Grant St, Lancaster. 717-290-1517. HerbsFromThe Labyrinth.com.
Astrology Readings by Leo – 11am-3pm. Call ahead to schedule and provide birth date, place, and if available, specific time. $100 for a 2-3-hour private session. Radiance, 13 W Grant St, Lancaster. 717-290-1517. HerbsFromTheLabyrinth.com.
Strength Training – 8-9am. See Tuesday listing for details.
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 Advertising@NALancaster.com or visit NALancaster.com or NABerks.com.
Acupuncture
LANCASTER ACUPUNCTURE
Beverly Fornoff
Eden Natural Care Center 600F Eden Rd • Lancaster 717-381-7334
LancasterAcupuncture.com
Discover your body’s natural ability to heal with the supports of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Acupuncture is a way to relieve acute or chronic pain, stress, allergies, colds, digestive problems, and insomnia and support your overall well-being. See ad, page 39.
Ayurveda
EVERYBODY YOGA & WELLNESS
1245 Horseshoe Pike • Downingtown 484-593-4075
EveryBodyYogaAndWellness.com
We are known for our transformative Ayurvedic bodywork and treatments using herbal-infused oils, customized to restore balance and vitality. Also offering detox, reflexology, reiki and yoga—holistic services designed to support your physical, emotional and energetic wellbeing. See ad, page 24.
Bodywork
CIRCLE OF LIFE MASSAGE & WELLNESS
918 N Reading Rd • Ephrata 717-335-2338
CircleOfLifeWellness.com
Whether you’re seeking relief from pain, reduced stress or enhanced overall wellness, our experienced therapists tailor each session to meet your individual needs, blending therapeutic bodywork techniques for optimal results. We specialize in Ashiatsu, Thai yoga massage, lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, Japanese facial massage, and more. See ad, page 27.
THE SPA AT WILLOW POND
1487 Old Lancaster Pike
Sinking Spring 610-507-9004
TheSpaAtWillowPond.com
Escape to Berks County’s top spa and experience total renewal. From stressrelieving massage to skinbrightening facials and detoxifying wraps, every service is designed to help you feel relaxed, refreshed, and more deeply restored—inside and out. See ad, page 5.
Chiropractic
A THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
Dr. Andrew Ashton 313D Primrose Ln • Mountville 717-285-9955 • ATherapeuticEffect.com
Providing an array of therapeutic treatments and services that promote relaxation and detoxification. Our doctor specializes in low-impact Torque Release Technique which provides immediate results for people of all ages. See ad, page 2.
BLUE SKIES CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Leah Reiff
2727 Old Philadelphia Pike • Bird-in-Hand 717-390-9998
BlueSkiesChiroHealth.com
Chiropractic is used for natural relief from conditions such as chronic pain, injuries, pregnancy complications, complications from aging & more. Dr. Reiff carefully considers every individual's comfort level & provides specific adjustments to support the body for benefits that will last.
DR. SUPER’S HOUSE OF HEALTH
2209 Quarry Dr, Ste B-21 • West Lawn 610-601-9011
DrSupersHouseOfHealth.com
At Dr. Super’s House of Health, we believe in a personalized approach to health care. We do things the right way, all the time, every time. Discover the healing power that lives within you and take control of your health again. Also offering massage and lymphatic drainage.
Chiropractic
HEATH CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER LLC
Thomas Heath, DC 14 W Main St • Landisville 717-530-5555
HeathWellnessCenter.com
For 33 years, Dr. Heath has been helping people recover their health and reduce stress in their lives through Functional Integrative Brain / Body Balance. He uses Professional Applied Kinesiology, Neuro Emotional Technique, Quantum Neurology, Nutritional counseling, traditional Chiropractic and other cutting-edge techniques. See ad, page 12.
LINK CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
Dr. Thomas B. Wachtmann, DC 3130 Pricetown Rd • Fleetwood 610-944-5000 DrWachtmann.com
High-quality, patient-focused Chiropractic Care and Functional Diagnostic Medicine evaluation and treatment. We focus on correcting the underlying causes of many disorders, diseases and conditions. Call for a complimentary consultation and benefits check. See ad, page 29.
Trust a nationally certified aromatherapist specializing in clinical consultations. Deb can work directly with your physician to create a plan that supports mind and body health. In addition to retail and wholesale accounts of proprietary blends and pure essential oils sourced directly from the farmers, half- and full-day education courses with certification are offered. See ad, page 39.
Coaching (Creative Facilitation)
JO DAVIS ART
929 North Duke St • Lancaster (by appointment only)
717-842-0880
Hi@JoDavis.art JoDavis.art
Jo Davis guides individuals and groups in reclaiming creativity as a practice of healing and self-discovery. Her facilitation blends expressive art-making with mindfulness to calm the nervous system, foster playful experimentation, and awaken the creative intelligence we all carry.
Coaching (Functional Health)
FUNCTIONAL HEALTH OF LANCASTER
Elizabeth Kelly, MA, FMCHC, NLP, TLT 2207 Oregon Pike, Suite 301A • Lancaster info@fh-lancaster.com
717-490-6227 (call or text)
FH-Lancaster.com
Elizabeth is a triple-certified neuro-linguistic programming practitioner, timeline therapist and functional medicine health coach. Her expertise helps to reduce stress and anxiety, support digestion, hormone balance, relationship improvements, academics, job performance, addiction recovery and general well-being. See ad, page 7.
REVIVE WELLNESS HEALTH & PHYSIQUE
Allison Fahrenbach, FDNP
Allie@ReviveWellness.health ReviveWellness.Health
I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
—Anne Frank
With nearly two decades of experience, Allison supports men and women in resolving gut, hormone, and weight concerns through personalized, root-cause nutrition and lifestyle coaching. She blends evidence-based strategies, functional lab testing, and holistic guidance to restore hormone balance, improve health, and support sustainable weight loss. See ad, page 26.
Coaching (Life)
CREATE A LIFE WORTH LIVING
Stephane Poncelet 570-449-2219
Create-A-LifeWorthLiving.com
I help individuals heal from abuse by transforming survival strategies into tools for connection. Through coaching, clients explore inner conflicts, embrace selfawareness, grieve the past, and build self-respect—creating a life rooted in love, truth and accountability.
TSW LIFE COACH & CONSULTANT, LLC
Tara Wages, MS, CET1, MCLC 313 W Liberty St, Ste 226A • Lancaster 717-808-4575
TSWLifeCoach.com
Tara is a Trauma-informed Life Coach, Recovery Coach, Experiential Therapist and Reiki Practitioner with experience in healing, personal growth and transformation. She guides clients with compassion, integrating mind-body approaches to foster resilience, clarity and lasting change.
Counseling
CHELSEA HARRIS COUNSELING LLC
122 W Lancaster Ave, Ste 207 • Shillington 484-898-5063 By Appointment Only Chelsea@ChelseaHarrisCounseling.com Chelsea-Harris6746.clientsecure.me
Specializing in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma for children (8+), teens, and adults. Using a trauma-focused approach, CBT, DBT and Animal-Assisted Therapy, Chelsea provides a safe, supportive space to explore emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and navigate life’s challenges.
ELEMENTAL WELLNESS
60A Werner St • Wernersville 610-750-9447 • ElementalWellnessLlc.com
Elemental Wellness offers trauma-informed counseling rooted in EMDR, IFS, DBT and somatic practices. Focused on nervous system regulation and emotional healing, sessions guide clients toward balance, selfdiscovery, and lasting well-being through a compassionate, integrative approach. See ad, page 25.
JULIA VESER, LCSW
342 Queen St • Lancaster
Julia@JuliaVeser.com 717-750-9900
JuliaVeser.com
Build resilience, strengthen emotional regulation, and deepen self-awareness through a trauma-informed blend of mind and body practices designed to restore balance and inner safety. While Julia specializes in providing therapy for women healing from attachment and complex trauma, she can support clients with a diverse range of needs. Accepted insurance plans can be found on Julia's website.
M. HARNISH COUNSELING & SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Malinda Harnish Clatterbuck, MA (she/her) 228 E Orange St • Lancaster 717-875-5066
MHarnishTherapy.com
The work of healing and formation begins as we listen to what is going on in our inner life, what is happening in our heart and in our head. Using compassion and deep listening, I will be present with you and help you along your way.
TAKE HEART COUNSELING & EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY
699 Wooltown Rd • Wernersville
Informative
THURSDAY
DNA Testing
ANY LAB TEST NOW
235 Bloomfield Dr, 110 Bldg B • Lititz 717-207-7604
AnyLabTestNow.com/Lititz
Any Lab Test Now makes it easy for consumers and businesses to manage their health! We provide direct access to clinical lab tests, DNA tests, and drug- and alcoholtesting services, vitamin B12 injections and more. See ad, page 5.
We offer weekly, bi-weekly or monthly services, as well as deep cleaning, organizing and next-day laundry services using organic, safe environmentally kind products. We’d love to help make your home healthy and happy! Schedule your free consultation today. See ad, page 39.
End-Of-Life Care
KUHN FUNERAL HOMES
Laura Adamo, LFD
Specializing in Green Burial
Energy Healing
RESTORE YOUR ENERGY
Deb Gallagher, RN, AP Lancaster • 717-203-9666
RestoreEnergy12@gmail.com
RestoreYourEnergy.org
Experience Eden Energy Medicine, a practice created by Donna Eden, healer, author and teacher. This method assists with balancing our nine energy systems which can become blocked by stress, pain and illnesses. When the energy is balanced, sleep, joy, concentration and immunity improve, and our body’s natural ability to heal can begin.
Dr. Miller and her team empower patients to take charge of their health through transparent communication, compassionate care and convenient access. Specializing in family medicine and hormone-related concerns, Luz fosters growth, trust, and patient-centered solutions. See ad, page 24.
Farm/Farmers Markets
HOMEFIELDS
Certified by the Green Burial Council, Kuhn Funeral Homes provide the highest level of service for natural funerals and green burial. We are committed to supporting those seeking familycentered and sustainable alternatives at end-of-life –whether traditional, cremation or home funerals. See ad, page 8.
PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY Laura Adamo Licensed Funeral Director and Green Burial expert in Berks County.
SIMPLE FUNERALS
40 N Charlotte St • Manheim 717-664-1500
SimpleFuneralsPA.com
BERKS NATURE
575 St. Bernardine St, Reading, PA 19607
150 Letort Rd • Millersville 717-572-2719
Homefields Care Farm, Lancaster County’s longestrunning CSA, is Pennsylvania Certified Organic, offering 300+ vegetable, fruit, and herb varieties May–Nov. Celebrating 30+ years, Homefields provides vocational training, volunteering, and employment for people of all abilities. Homefields is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
LIVENGOOD
JUNE 20TH, 2024 Come learn about green burial Come learn about green burial options for natural interment. options
SCAN OR CALL SCAN OR CALL TO RSVP TO RSVP
See which cemeteries offer this option locally. option locally. 12:00 PM OR 5:30 PM
At Simple Funerals, we pride ourselves on serving families with dignity, respect and compassion, offering affordable funeral services that focus on simplicity and value. Planning, pre-planning, cremation, traditional and green burial services are available. See ad, page 15.
FAMILY FARM
Pastured-Raised Meats, Eggs & Produce 1648 Morningside Dr • Lancaster 717-327-6817
LivengoodFamilyFarm.com
See which cemeteries offer this
Our regenerative farm offers organically grown produce and pasturedraised meat & eggs and feature intensively rotated grazing. Our ruminants are 100% grassfed and our pork and poultry are free of GMO, soy and corn. Shop online. Convenient farm pickup. Consider hosting a delivery point in your area.
Fertility
FUNCTIONAL THERAPY & WELLNESS
3413 Harvest Dr. Ste 1• Gordonville. 717-929-0950
FunctionalTherapyAndWellness.com
We specialize in holistic fertility support through Mercier Therapy, as well as pelvic floor therapy and myofascial release therapy. Our multidisciplinary approach empowers our patients to experience fertility, enhance wellbeing, and achieve optimal quality of life with consistent, compassionate care. See ad, page 16.
Fibromyalgia
RESTORED BALANCE CENTER
Tracey Ramirez, DC 2227 Dutch Gold Dr • Lancaster 223-365-0485
RestoredBalanceCenter.com
We provide exceptional, personalized care for fibromyalgia, chronic pain, ehlersdanlos syndrome, and chronic fatigue in a warm and welcoming environment. Dr. Tracey focuses on helping you achieve optimal health and overall wellness through customized treatment plans designed to meet your individual needs. Begin your journey to better health today. See ad, page 4.
Functional Medicine
FUNCTIONAL HEALTH OF LANCASTER
Dr. Mary Regan, DNP, CRNP, IFMCP 2207 Oregon Pike, Ste 301A • Lancaster Info@FH-Lancaster.com 717-490-6227 (call or text) FH-Lancaster.com
Dr. Regan is dually certified in functional and personalized medicine and has been an adult primary care provider since 2010. She provides inperson and remote care to Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware residents. Services may include specialized testing, customized prescriptions, nutritional medicine, neuro-integrative techniques, thermography, IV therapy and health mentorship. See ad, page 7.
KULP NUTRITION & WELLNESS
Dr. Donna Kulp, DC, DACBN, IFMCP 52 Morgantown Road • Reading 610-208-0404
KulpChiropractic.com
Dr. Donna Kulp helps patients achieve health and wellness goals through finding the root cause of illness by considering individual biochemistry, health history, genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and stress to create customized wellness programs for all body systems, including the immune, endocrine and gastrointestinal systems. See ad, page 21.
Functional Neurology
LANCASTER BRAIN & SPINE
221 Granite Run Dr • Lancaster 717-299-9600
LancasterBrainAndSpine.com
Our mission is to improve the lives of people suffering from complicated neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, by utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic testing and customized brain-based treatment plans. See ads, pages 8 and 21.
Herbalism/ Herbal Medicine
GREEN ENCHANTMENTS, LLC
Cara Marino OTR/L and Holistic Herbalist 860-604-5125
Cara@GreenEnchantments.com GreenEnchantments.com
Green Enchantments offers Holistic Herbal Medicine from an Occupational Therapist mindset in order to provide 100% handmade organic and/ or ethically sourced remedies to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of life utilizing internal and external approaches. We additionally offer individualized consultation services using a complementary perspective of allopathic and holistic education.
HERBS FROM THE LABYRINTH
Master Herbalist Sarah Preston Radiance, 13 W Grant St • Lancaster 717-290-1517
HerbsFromTheLabyrinth.com
Longtime Herbalist Sarah Preston crafts small-batch herbal body-care and wellness products, teas, tinctures, syrups, salves and creams using organically grown and ethically sourced wildcrafted herbs. Consultations and custom blends available. Products found at Radiance and Lemon Street Market, both in Lancaster. See ad, page 22.
Holistic Wellness
CIRCLE OF LIFE MASSAGE & WELLNESS
918 N Reading Rd • Ephrata 717-335-2338
CircleOfLifeWellness.com
Experience holistic wellness with our diverse range of services designed to support mind, body and spirit. Unwind in our floatation room, infrared sauna or vibroacoustic space to reduce stress, soothe your nervous system, and alleviate chronic pain. We offer a full menu of bodywork therapies, expertly delivered by skilled practitioners. See ad, page 27.
ELEMENTAL WELLNESS
60A Werner St • Wernersville 610-750-9447
ElementalWellnessLlc.com
Blending ancient wisdom with modern practices, the practitioners at Elemental Wellness offer reiki, Ayurveda, sound bowl healing, trauma-informed yoga and Akashic Records readings. Individual and group sessions support energetic alignment, inner peace, and deep mind-body-spirit healing for sustainable wellness and personal transformation. See ad, page 25.
INDIGO HEALING ARTS STUDIO
265 Plane Tree Dr, Ste 300 • Lancaster 717-803-5537
IndigoHealingArtsStudio.com IndigoApothecary.net
A boutique holistic wellness studio offering botanical facials and body treatments, restorative massage therapy and bodywork, manual lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, reflexology, TCM mind/body medicine, and handcrafted apothecary skincare made with wildcrafted and organic plant botanicals.
VITA HEALTH
Yvonne Godin, MJ, BSN, RN 717-208-5686
VitaHealth-Wellness.com
Transform your wellness with precision and care at Vita Health. From 3D body scanning and red-light therapy to IV nutrient therapy and bio-identical revitalization plans, our datadriven, holistic approach delivers personalized, lasting results for your body, mind and vitality. See ad, page 11.
Homeopathy
RUTA HOMEOPATHIC & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
Toll House Shoppes • 4453 Penn Ave, Ste 8 • Sinking Spring 646-204-9199 • RutaComprehensive.org ChildrensDestinies.org
Dr. Serguei Krissiouk is an experienced practitioner of homeopathic and other complementary medicines with a background in pediatrics. He provides children and adults effective and harmonizing management for acute and chronic health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, sleep disturbances, eating disorders and more. Tele-health appointments available.
Human Design
TRELLA DUBETZ, HUMAN DESIGN PRACTITIONER
TrellaDubetz.com
IG: @akashicreflector
Human Design melds ancient and modern sciences, providing data, guidance and context to HOW we are built genetically to cosmological levels. It deepens our awareness and relationship to ourselves, so we can move through life with greater ease and satisfaction.
Integrative Medicine
AQUA BLUE WELLNESS
Dr. Peter Hurtubise, DO
2435 Old Philadelphia Pk Smoketown • 717-656-8615
AquaBlueWellnessCenter.com
Dr. Hurtubise offers integrative family medicine in Lancaster County, blending over 23 years of medical expertise with holistic care. He provides tailored IV therapy plans, acupuncture and lifestyle management, emphasizing personalized, non-pharmacological, and modern medical approaches to wellness. See ad, page 3.
MIDDLEWAY WELLNESS
Comprehensive Holistic Primary Care
Mary Ellen Francescani, CRNP, IFMT
Jane Snyder, CRNP, IFMT
101 Good Dr • Lancaster
717-744-0532
MiddleWayWellness.net
At MiddleWay Wellness, we combine conventional, integrative, and functional medicine to deliver a holistic, patientcentered approach to primary care. We provide compassionate, thorough care tailored to your needs, whether you're seeking treatment for illness, preventive care, or strategies for optimal health and longevity. All-in-one care! See ad, page 29.
STRASBURG HEALTH ASSOCIATES
Brenna Osmolinski, F-NP
181 Hartman Bridget Rd • Ronks 717-687-7541
BrennaOsmolinski@gmail.com
A dedicated family nurse practitioner, Brenna blends traditional medicine with integrative therapies to support the overall wellbeing of her patients. Her services include family medicine, nutritional counseling, emotional wellness strategies and personalized care plans for all ages. Her hands-on, wholeperson approach ensures patients feel supported and empowered in their journey to optimal health.
STRASBURG HEALTH ASSOCIATES
Nick D’Orazio, MD
181 Hartman Bridge Rd • Ronks 717-687-7541
DrNickDorazio@gmail.com
Physician board certified in integrative and holistic medicine employs a wide variety of treatment modalities including Ayurveda, IV treatments including chelation, homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional medicine, natural injections, physical rehabilitation, and bodywork. Dr. D’Orazio is a physician who lives what he teaches.
Integrative Medicine
WALNUT GROVE FAMILY MEDICINE & WELLNESS CLINIC Mary Tierney, MD 3100 Willow Street Pk • Willow Street 717-723-9104
WalnutGroveFamilyMed.com
With a patient-first approach using science-based research to guide treatment plans along with supplementary modalities, we help our patients achieve and maintain optimal health and wellbeing. Providing family and sports medicine, acupuncture, infrared therapy, hyrdomassage, discounted labs, medications and supplements and more. See ad, page 26.
IV Therapies
AQUA BLUE WELLNESS CENTER 2435 Old Philadelphia Pk Smoketown • 717-656-8615
AquaBlueWellnessCenter.com
We offer a range of IV hydration vitamin and mineral therapies to support your well-being. IV therapies can support hydration, weight loss, increased energy, improved immunity, address nutrient deficiencies and more. See ad, page 23.
IV Therapies
FUNCTIONAL HEALTH
OF LANCASTER
2207 Oregon Pike, Suite 301A • Lancaster Info@FH-Lancaster.com 717-490-6227 (call or text) FH-Lancaster.com
Our intravenous (IV) supplement therapy provides bioavailable nutrients to help you recover, rejuvenate, repair and rebuild. IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals and nutrients to the body quickly, efficiently and effectively by bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, allowing for direct cellular uptake. See ad, page 7.
Lab Testing
ANY LAB TEST NOW
235 Bloomfield Dr, 110 Bldg B • Lititz 717-207-7604
AnyLabTestNow.com/Lititz
Any Lab Test Now makes it easy for consumers and businesses to manage their health! We provide direct access to clinical lab tests, DNA tests, and drug- and alcoholtesting services, vitamin B12 injections and more. See ad, page 5.
Markets
BLUE DOOR MERC & PERC
Twin Valley Holistic Health 2403 Main Street, Suite B • Narvon 484-262-9020
TwinValleyHealthAndWellness.com
A cozy cafe-mercantile inside Twin Valley Holistic Health & Wellness, serving organic coffee, wholesome food, specialty drinks and curated wellness products including supplements, herbal remedies and locally made and carefully selected self-care goods.
A family-owned and operated community market with a commitment to integrity, sustainable agriculture, and fair trade. We carry organic produce, raw dairy, humanely raised meats, specialty and gourmet foods, baked goods, supplements, natural body care, and household items, cards and books, many from our over 150 local producers, as well as healthy take out, eat-in and to-go items. See ad, back cover.
LEMON STREET MARKET
241 W Lemon St • Lancaster
717-826-0843
LemonStreetMarket.com
We are an independent & woman-owned grocery store with a focus on sustainable and healthy living, with many local, organic, vegan and gluten-free options. We’re open 7 days a week, including our kitchen, serving coffee, tea, espresso, fresh juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go takeout items. See ad, page 39.
Mattresses Natural/Organic
GARDNER’S MATTRESS & MORE
830 Plaza Blvd • Lancaster
717-299-6228
GardnersMattressAndMore.com
Gardner’s is a locally owned mattress store offering a wide selection of quality natural and organic mattresses ranging from the luxurious to economical. Educating our customers on getting a good night’s sleep and the benefits of sleeping naturally and organically is our mission. To learn more and schedule sleep consultation, visit GardnersMattressAndMore.com/Natural. See ad, page 3.
Mind-Body-Spirit
SACRED ALIGNMENT
Heather Hanko Online and In-person
717-693-0224
Heather@HHSacredAlignment.com
Connect with loved ones in spirit, find balance and receive gentle guidance through life’s challenges. As a gifted medium, Heather creates sacred alignment, offering readings, reiki and supportive coaching to help you invite healing and live with greater peace and clarity.
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.
— Rachel Carson
Mind-Body Therapy
FUNCTIONAL HEALTH OF LANCASTER
Angelique Canonico, CMC, PVT, C-IAYT 2207 Oregon Pike, Suite 301A • Lancaster Info@FH-Lancaster.com 717-490-6227 (call or text)
FH-Lancaster.com
Angelique is a certified yoga therapist, polyvagal therapy practitioner, reiki practitioner and menopause coach. Her unique modalities focus on regulating the nervous system, repairing painful pathways and reestablishing a healthy balance between the body and mind. See ad, page 7.
SOOTHE WELLNESS
Lancaster and surrounding area
Text or call: 541-515-1515
ExperienceSoothe.com
Experience deep nervous system rebalancing and renewal through a trauma-informed, integrative approach. Receive neuro-meditation, neurofeedback, trauma release exercise, fascia realignment, and more. Gain powerful tools for those seeking relief and lasting balance. See ad, page 17.
Native/Ecological Gardening
COLORGARDEN LLC
Marcella Hostetler 717-413-7054
ColorgardenLlc@gmail.com
ColorgardenLancaster.com
We design, install and provide ongoing care for native habitats, transforming your property into a haven for birds, butterflies and native bees. Join the movement to restore balance in our ecosystems by creating a beautiful, low-maintenance oasis in your backyard!
MAYAPPLE NATIVE
LANDSCAPING
717-390-5832
Hello@MayappleNative.com
MayappleNative.com
We can help you turn your property into an inviting, sustainable, low-maintenance haven for you and the wildlife you love. Mayapple provides design and installation of pollinator-loving gardens, rain gardens, native meadows, natural stonework and more. Visit the website to book a consultation.
WAXWING ECOWORKS CO.
Elyse Jurgen, MEd, CBLP
717-676-1045
WaxwingEcoWorks.com
Waxwing EcoWorks Co. offers native/ecological gardening consultation, design, build, stewarding and educational services to enhance human well-being and support dwindling wildlife populations. We work alongside you to make your vision come to fruition! Explore our website and online listing for more details.
WILDCRAFT LANDSCAPES
Nate Tietbohl, Owner, Designer 484-772-8012
Info@WildcraftLandscapes.com
WildcraftLandscapes.com
We design, install and steward vibrant native landscapes that support healthy ecosystems and expand our clients’ connection to the natural world. We offer a wide array of services for projects of all sizes. HIC#:PA179637. See ad, page 16.
Naturopathic Doctor HEALTH FOR LIFE
Ann Lee, ND, L.Ac 112 Cornell Ave • Lancaster 717-669-1050
DoctorNaturalMedicine.com
Learn how your symptoms are connected, get answers and achieve improved health and well-being as we facilitate your body’s ability to heal itself through acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. Special focus on hormone balancing and fertility (now offering DUTCH hormone testing).
TWIN VALLEY HOLISTIC HEALTH
Britt Stratton, Traditional Naturopath 2403 Main Street, Suite B • Narvon 484-262-9020
TwinValleyHealthAndWellness.com
With years of experience, and using a variety of modalities to help your body heal itself, Britt focuses on root cause corrections rather than treating or diagnosing any disease. She and her team work with the body’s systems, believing that each is significant, but not separate from the others.
Rileigh is a trained integrative nutritionist with expertise in hormonal optimization, renal disorders, endocrine dysfunction, weight struggles, cardiometabolic disease and osteoporosis. She is also skilled in treating gastrointestinal complaints such as SIBO, H.Pylori, GERD, and candida overgrowth. Virtual and in-person appointments available. See ad, page 7.
Clinical nutrition service based on a comprehensive assessment, each client receives a personalized treatment plan to help them re-balance and restore the body. Lori will provide specific recommendations for the client’s individual needs. One-on-one support is given to help clients reach their goals and live healthier lives. See ad, page 6.
Pelvic Health Therapy
PELVIC FOUNDATIONS
Home-Based care in Berks and Lancaster Counties 717-723-9270
PelvicFoundations.com
We provide expert pelvic floor therapy, restoring wholebody health with skilled treatment, education and lifelong tools. Specialties include chronic pain (pelvic, back, hip and tailbone), bowel and bladder disorders, pregnancy/ postpartum care, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual health issues—all delivered conveniently and comfortably in your own home. See ad, page 39.
Pet Care
TILL WE MEET AGAIN
In-home Pet Euthanasia 717-808-4654
TillWeMeetAgain.com
For some, euthanasia of their pet at the veterinary hospital is simply not an option. Dr. Mark Huber and his wife Stacey provide home euthanasia for dogs and cats in the most comfortable environment possible-your home-with the intention of bringing peace and comfort to ease the pain of losing a beloved pet. See ad, page 4.
Skincare
GSL ORGANICS
216 S Church St • Quarryville Candy@GreenStreetLux.com GSLOrganics.org
With over 25 years of experience, owner Candy St. MartinePack, a certified aromatherapist, formulates all skincare products using natural and organic ingredients to treat a variety of skin issues including, eczema, psoriasis and the effects of aging. See ad, page 39.
Sound Healing/Music
RESONATE YOU
Jen Lobo Rose Lititz/Lancaster ResonateYou@gmail.com ResonateYou.com
Jen Lobo Rose, a voice teacher for over 20 years, will help guide you to release your singing or sounding voice to help in your own personal well-being and healing. Offering private lessons, group classes and sound meditations.
SOUNDWISE SCHOOL OF HARMONIC THERAPY
SOUNDWISE HEALTH ASSOCIATES, LLC
Lana Ryder, Director and Senior Instructor, Sound School 313 W Liberty St, Suite 263 • Lancaster 610-301-4356 • SoundwiseHealth.com
Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.
— Kahlil Gabran
Our trained and experienced professional practitioners offer individual intuitive sound therapy sessions, group immersions, sonic massage, ReikiSound, ReikiVoice, and hospice CareSound. Also offering six-month sound school and individual classes for fundamental education in the art and science of sound healing. Sharing the healing power of sound, voice and music for 50 years.
Specialty Foods
KWEE-JACK FISH CO
Wild Alaskan Salmon, Halibut & Cod 717-842-0180
EatWildSalmon.com
Sustainably harvested wild Alaskan seafood available, fisherman-direct. Preorder online seasonally for local pick-up of sushi-grade delicious nutrition, deepfrozen at the peak of freshness to enjoy throughout the year. See ad, page 11.
Therapeutic Writing
WRITE FROM THE HEART Creative Writing Workshops
Melissa Greene • Lancaster 717-393-4713
• WriteFromTheHeart.us
Our uplifting, be-who-you-are workshops awaken the creative spirit, gently, without intimidation. Taught in an atmosphere of warmth, whimsy and trust, they are a safe haven for all ages. Especially those who long to overcome perfectionism and self-doubt. No grades or red pen. Sharing optional. Mischief a must. See ad, page 34.
Thermal Imaging
AQUA BLUE WELLNESS CENTER
Lori Martin, BCNP 2435 Old Philadelphia Pike • Smoketown 717-656-8615
AquaBlueWellnessCenter.com
A family wellness center offering thermal imaging for breast and body, detox therapies, therapeutic and oncology massage, lymphatic drainage, a fullspectrum infrared sauna, nutritional education and more. Thermal imaging is a safe, non-invasive procedure for early detection of sources of pain, injury and disease. See ad, page 23.
SHALOM THERMOGRAPHY
Darlene Heath, DC, CTT
14 W Main St • Landisville 717-530-5555
HeathWellnessCenter.com
Thermography provides a noninvasive view of potential health concerns in the breast and body. Used as a risk assessment tool, thermography is able to detect inflammation and metabolic changes, and offers a proactive, preventionfocused approach to health care. See ad, page 12.
Living Wild Collective offers transformative journeys that reconnect travelers with the sacred rhythms of the Earth. Through bushcraft, ancestral land skills, deep cultural respect, and immersive time traversing the land, these experiences nurture personal healing while honoring local communities and ecosystems. Offering two guided tours to Limpopo, South Africa, for April 2027. See ad, page 34.
Yoga
BLDG. 7 YOGA
220 North Park Road, #7 Wyomissing • 484-755-5705 Bldg7Yoga.com
A community-based yoga studio that offers something for everyone! With 3 different practice rooms, a wide variety of daily classes, unique monthly workshops, plus free weekly meditation. We strive to create a safe space for our community to connect and live healthier together.
HOLDING SPACE YOGA
Urban Well Studio
119 N Duke St • Lancaster HoldingSpaceYoga.com
A welcoming space where Vinyasa and chair yoga become a path of presence and growth, and each class invites balance of body and spirit. Rooted in compassion, the practice nurtures connection, authenticity and a deep sense of belonging.
KULA KAMALA FOUNDATION & YOGA ASHRAM
17 Basket Rd • Reading 484-509-5073
KulaKamalaFoundation.org
Kula Kamala Foundation is a nonprofit, non-sectarian spiritual center dedicated to mindfulness, non-violence, unity, and healing. Our public and professional programs serve people from all walks of life. No matter who you are, we have something special for you. OM. Peace. See ad, page 35.
THE NEST COLLABORATIVE
629 Court St • West Reading 610-763-1755
TheNestCollaborative.com
Your place for movement, healing and connection. Yoga, sound baths, wellness circles and fitness classes that support body, mind, and spirit. Your people; your growth. Feel your best— right here in our cozy space. Come as you are, leave more you. See ad, page 24.
WEST END YOGA STUDIO
221 W Walnut St • Lancaster
WestEndYogaStudio@gmail.com
WestEndYogaStudio.com
A diverse yoga studio offering a full range of yoga, meditation and movement classes, in studio, outdoors and virtual. We are community-oriented, creating a welcoming learning environment dedicated to healing and compassion. All ages and levels welcome. Offering new student unlimited monthly passes and other discounts. See ad, page 25.
WILLOW YOGA STUDIO
25 Nolt Ave • Willow Street 717-617-2128
WillowYogaStudio.com
Offering accessible yoga for all levels, this welcoming studio features
Slow Flow, Restorative, Chair, Yin and Basics classes, plus on-demand options, private sessions and group events. Yoga teacher training is offered one weekend a month from September through May.
A dynamic family-focused homeopathy conference—join in person or virtually and get practical tools to keep your loved ones healthy.
