July Meeting (July 11, 2011): Accessing Fresh, Clean and Local Food (and Meat) by Peter McDonald of McDonald Farm

Peter McDonald shared with us his farming knowledge and educated the group on how to determine which local farmer are using practices fulfilling relationships between soil, animals and people through a farming enterprise dedicated to restorative agricultural practices for clean food production.

June meeting: Homeopathy / Mind-Body Medicine

We had a delightful evening as Dr. Seema Khaneja MD and Beth Treiber MS, RN, NP from Bridges to Wellness, offering an introduction to teachings from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC. We learned insightful ways to help bring the highest level of health and wellness to the mind, body and spirit connection.

May meeting (May 9, 2011): Essential Oils Overview and Blending Activity

We had a fun and educational night with Mindy MacLaren a nationally certified Aromatherapist and owner of Sweet & Woodsy Aromatherapy. In addition to learning about the wonderful way aromatherapy can balance the body-mind we gathered to also make homemade cleaning products.

April 2011 Meeting: Acupuncture

Laura Chey-Warren a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified Chinese herbologist, enlightened our member with her broad knowledge base of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We discussed how acupuncture, Chinese herbology, nutrition and lifestyle choices effects our daily life force or chi. Laura addressed our individual questions about acupuncture and demonstrated acupuncture points of interest. She and her husband Ric own Balance Acupuncture & Wellness Center in East Rochester, NY.

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!

September 2010 meeting: Composting 101

September 13, 2010
We learned the ins and outs of composting from Master Gardener, Carol Erb. She brought hands-on examples and answered our many questions about this environmentally friendly way of giving our gardens a boost.

August 2010 Meeting: Recipe Swap

August 9, 2010
We talked about ways to make life easier and still feed our families healthy food. We shared recipes that have gotten us through busy times, are always a hit with the kids, that we've used when we have to make a meal with only the food you have on hand, etc. We also shared ideas for easy, healthy snacks. Lots of great sharing among mamas!

July 2010 potluck!

July 23, 2010
Water balloons, face painting, games, food, and community! We had great fun on a lovely evening at Brighton Town Park.

July 2010 meeting: Group Discussion

July 12, 2010
We tapped into the wealth of knowledge and support of other Holistic Moms and discussed many topics, from cloth diapers to PCOS to water filters and more. It was great to have face-to-face discussions on such varied subjects!

June 2010 meeting: Bringing Sexy Back

June 14, 2010
In this mini interactive workshop, AliciaMarie Nassar M.S., LMFT and Melissa Spooner M.S., LMFT of Rising Lotus Therapy explored the challenges women face while negotiating different roles in their lives (e.g. mother, lover, spouse, partner, etc.). Together we explored and shared tips with one another on maintaining one's own sense of "sexiness" amidst a world of diapers, play groups, and breastfeeding.

May 2010 meeting: First Aid with Essential Oils

May 10, 2010
Amy Jane Stewart of Organica Jane shared her vast knowledge on how to use essential oils for our families' first aid needs. Afterward we had great fun making our own blends to take home, including bug spray, lotions, discreet inhalers, aloe gels, home cleaners!

April 2010 meeting

April 12, 2010: Importance of Bees and Honey PLUS tasting!
We enjoyed a honey tasting with local beekeeper Rich Riedman. He discussed the importance of bees, buying local honey, health and beauty benefits, and how we can help the bees.

The Ontario-Finger Lakes Beekeepers Association offers a free introductory course in beekeeping.

Rich recommended the film The Last Beekeeper, which follows the lives of three commercial beekeepers (from South Carolina, Montana, and Washington) over the course of a year as they struggle with Colony Collapse Disorder.

A member recommended the children's book The Bee Man, by Laurie Krebs.

We saluted Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli for her leadership over the past year and a half. Thank you, Gabrielle!

Welcome New HMN Co-Leaders, Melanie and Jean!

HMN Rochester is so excited to have long-time members Melanie Ryan and Jean Lockwood taking over the chapter as Co-Leaders.

They're very excited about their new roles and about continuing to bring educational, fun, holistic meeting topics to the members.

Jean is a mom of three and Melanie is a mom of one.

In the photo from left to right are our new Co-leaders Melanie Ryan, Jean Lockwood, and HMN Member Yvonne.