March 2011 Meeting: Restorative Circles

Duke Duchscherer, who is a Certified Trainer with the International Center for Nonviolent Communication and is on the Board of Directors for the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, introduced the system and process of Restorative Circles. He explained the methodology of Restorative Circles, to give us further insight on how to bringing more harmony to family and community life. He demonstrated the process by having us partake in a group exercises teaching us methods to help create dialogue with respect and understanding in order to reach agreements that sustain effective and nurturing relationships. Congrats on our Lori’s Natural Food winner-Jean!

February 2011 meeting: Group Discussion

February 15, 2011

Back by popular demand, we came together again for a group discussion! We tackled big topics like vaccines, diets / nutrition, natural childbirth, asthma / allergies, holistic dentists, understanding doctors, and more -- we could have gone on for hours longer! Looking forward to more meetings like this one!

Congratulations to member Christy, who won the drawing for a gift card for Lori's Natural Foods!

January 2011 meeting: Top Ten Ways to Avoid a Hysterectomy and Stay Out of Adult Diapers -- and Have Fun Doing It!

January 10, 2011

Up to 50 percent of women suffer with incontinence, prolapsed ("fallen") pelvic organs, or both. Alyce Adams, RN, the Kegel Queen, shared with us how the way you exercise, the way you give birth, and even the way you eat can increase your risk, and the secrets of addressing these problems without drugs or surgery. Those of us experiencing problems now and those wanting to prevent them learned how lifestyle habits, safer childbirth choices, and Kegel exercises -- done correctly -- can optimize our pelvic and sexual health, at any age. Congrats to new member Michele, who won a copy of the Kegel Queen's complete kegel instruction package, free!

Congratulations also to member Linda, who won the drawing for a gift card for Lori's Natural Foods!

December 2010 meeting: Adrenal Fatigue

December 13, 2010
Dr. Leila Kirdani, Western New York's only physician board certified in anti-aging, regenerative and functional medicine, spoke about adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is the result of chronic stress and heavy metal poisoning and can lead to problems such as low energy, muscle aches and pains, weight gain, and irritability. In her fascinating and infirmative talk, Dr. Kirdani discussed symptoms, causes, and treatment for this under-diagnosed condition.

Congratulations to member Amy, who won the drawing for a gift card for Lori's Natural Foods!

November 2010 meeting: Children of Now

November 8, 2010

In these changing times, with the children who are here -- "Indigo," "Crystal," "Star," "Sun," or "Diamond" -- what is our role as parents? What do all these children have in common? They are bringing great light and love as well as many challenges. They may be energetically sensitive, have sensorial differences, or dietary sensitivities. They may be behaviorally challenging and/or aware beyond their years. Lynne Kliman and Kim Corpus led a talk on how they are stretching us and leading us on an accelerated path of learning as their parents and teachers.

Congratulations to member Laura, who won the drawing for a gift card for Lori's Natural Foods!

October 2010 meeting: Nourishing Our Children

October 11, 2010
Laura Villanti, Certified Healing Food Specialist, CHFS; and Rochester NY Chapter Leader, Weston A. Price Foundation; shared timeless principles for supporting learning, behavior, and health through optimum nutrition. Her eye-opening and inspiring presentation included: dietary principles to guide parents during preconception and pregnancy, as well how to nourish rather than merely feed their children; the foundational nutritional principles Weston A. Price discovered during his extensive travels and research; the dangers of modern processed foods; information about water and fluoride, traditional fats and oils, milk, soy, vital nutrients, and healthy meal preparation. You can see Sally Fallon's presentation at the HMN national conference with the same important information.

Congratulations to HMN member Karen, the winner of the Lori's Natural Foods gift card!

March 2010 Meeting

March 8, 2010: EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique
Tom Porpiglia, LMHC of Life Script Counseling explained EFT and gave three demonstrations of this unique technique and all three recipients experienced a positive result.

EFT is sometimes called acupressure for the emotions, wherein meridian points are stimulated by tapping on them with fingertips. Properly done, this frequently reduces the therapeutic process from months or years down to hours or minutes. And, since emotional stress can contribute to pain, disease and physical ailments, EFT provides astonishing physical relief.

Tom works with a variety of ages who are experiencing a variety of symptoms. He does do a lot of work with veterans.

Tom Porpiglia, MS, LMHC, D.CEP, EFT-ADV, VV
500 Helendale Road, Suite 110
Rochester, NY 14609
585-704-0376

----Congrats to HMN Member Therese for winning the $25 gift card to Lori's Natural Foods! ----

February 2010 meeting

February 8, 2010: Maya Abdominal Massage
Erin McCollough, LMT, RYT of CNY Healing Arts Wellness Center and Spa explained how this unique massage technique is an external, non-invasive manipulation using massage to reposition reproductive organs and improve blood flow to digestive organs. It has been documented to improve issues around fertility, endometriosis, menses, ovarian cysts, and much more!

She brought in a short, but wonderful video giving the history of this massage from Belize.

---Congrats to HMN Sasha for winning the $25 Lori's gift card! ----

January 2010 Meeting

January 11, 2010: Non-Violent Communication and Discipline: Parenting through Conflict, Lightening the Load

left, speaker Karen Moses and right, member Mary

Moms and dads attended this meeting with Karen Moses, Early Childhood Educator of Best Beginnings who has over 15 years experience. Karen explained what Non-Violent Communication was and how to use it when conflict arrives. Everyone learned something new at this interactive meeting!

Congrats to member Cindi for winning the $25 Lori's Natural Foods gift card!

Here are a few books Karen suggested to learn more:

Raising Children Compassionately: Parenting the Non-Violent Communication Way by Marshall Rosenberg

Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky Bailey

Don't Get So Upset! Helping Children Manage Their Feelings By Understanding Your Own by Tamar Jacobson