November Meeting (November 11, 2013): Alleviate Hormone Imbalance – The Natural Solution with Libby Louer!

Struggling to lose those last 10 lbs? Frustrated by how thin, greasy or fragile your hair has become? Wondering why you have the skin of a teenager (not in a good way) or an old lady? Sick of not having a sex drive? These are all symptoms of hormonal imbalances in the body.

Libby will help you to identify where your hormones might be out of balance and how to start fixing them, through simple diet, nutrient and lifestyle changes.

A Certified Holistic Health Coach and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Libby has received specialized training in hormone balancing from Dr. Sara Gottfried, author of The Hormone Cure.

"If women ran the world we wouldn’t have wars, just intense negotiations every 28 days." ~ Robin Williams

October Meeting (October 14, 2013): Open House "Meet & Greet" for Holistic Living Month and Group Discussion - Living Holistically on a Budget

Come and join us for our Annual Open House “Meet & Greet” - where you will learn practical and innovative ideas on how to make holistic living possible while on a budget!

Share something you know, learn something new on saving money! Bring your money saving tips for grocery shopping “organically”, chemical-free cleaning in your home and all natural time tested treatments for common ailments and much more.

“Let food be they medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~Hippocrates

September Meeting (September 9, 2013): Protecting Yourself from Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

Sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) include many common items in our every day lives such as cell phones, WiFi, cordless phones, radiation (such as Fukushima), TVs, X-rays, and microwaves? Please join us as our own HMN member, Judy Turk, talks about EMFs, simple tips to lower our EMF risks, and how to strengthen our bodies to reduce the effects of these more negative forms of energy.


Judy Turk and her husband own a small business called Your Environmental Health Consultants where they teach people how things in their environment affect their health including EMFs and chemicals used around the home and how to make the changes that will help detox their homes and bodies. Judy has a degree in education from SUNY Brockport, is a Level 2 Reiki practitioner, and has many years of experience as a teacher and a stay-at-home mom. She has extensively researched many holistic health topics including supplements, energy medicine, and environmental medicine.

August Meeting (August 12, 2013): SEX AFTER KIDS: Recipes for Rekindling Romance!

How do you find the time and energy for romance once you have had kids? Love expert Elizabeth Benner offers sound advice for moms and dads on how to rekindle the love with your mate for a lifetime of emotional and sexual fulfillment. She will introduce you to skills needed to maintain a healthy marriage so partners can avoid the pitfalls of parenthood.

Elizabeth Benner, an old fashioned homemaker who serves as a Fairy Godmother Love Mentor, K.G.F.E. (Knowledge Gained From Experience). She has a part-time coaching practice which teaches on the The Womanly Arts and the Queenscode.

Be prepared for fun and interaction! You will go home with fun-filled experiments and recipes so that you can fall in love with your partner all over again!

"There's nothing better than good sex. But bad sex? A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is better than bad sex." ~ Billy Joel

July Meeting (July 8, 2013): Group Discussion - All-Natural Summer Remedies for the Skin and Soul!

Bring a cup filled with your favorite beverage (warm or cold), pull up a chair and be prepared to share your best summer tonics! Whether it is a homemade bug repellent, the best sunscreen to use, creative low-cost ideas to entertain the kids, safety ideas for safe play, summertime meals, or a refreshing Popsicle recipe, etc….we want to learn from you!

Whatever the ailment be, sunburn or boredom, how does your family make this spectacular season safe and memorable? Let’s share our best remedies to make summer time a FUN time!

“Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.”

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

June Meeting (June 10, 2013): The Essentials of Essential Oils: How to Use them Safely with Children

Mindy MacLaren, nationally certified Aromatherapist and HMN member, owner of Sweet and Woodsy Aromatherapy, and mother of twin girls, specializes in the safe use of essential oils with kids of all ages. She will join us in June to discuss how to support your family’s health with aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for their therapeutic benefits to natural health. Essential oils can be used for everything from an insect sting to relieving cold symptoms to reducing stress (and more). Aromatherapy fits in easily with a holistic lifestyle. Best of all, by using essential oils with our family, we can enhance their health and well-being while we avoid exposing them to harmful commercial products. While essential oils are a great natural option for use with kids, there are specific safety guidelines that should be followed. Some advice found on the Internet is erroneous, and even dangerous.

Mindy looks forward to answering your questions and plans to help you make a product to bring home for the nominal fee of $5 which will help cover the costs of her products being used.

May Meeting (May 13, 2013): Naturopathic Medicine

Dr. Laura Sleggs, ND is an expert in natural medicine. She did her post-graduate medical school at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Science at the University at Buffalo.

She would like to introduce you to a new model of healthcare that will pave the way for a healthier and more fulfilling life. Naturopathic medicine is the combination of modern medicine with the principles of naturopathy. The practice of “Naturopathy” began in 1900’s which was a mixture of “Nature Cure” (the use of water, air, diet and herbs which originated in Europe in the nineteenth century) and other natural healing methods such as herbal medicine, nutrition, chinese medicine, spinal manipulation and homeopathy.

Be sure to join us in May to learn more from Dr. Sleggs about the many health benefits of homeopathy and natural medicine.

April Meeting (April 8, 2013): Beyond Organics and Recycling: Greening Your Home for Improved Health

Rochester’s own, Adriana Lozada will be discussing – Beyond Organics and Recycling: Greenpoofing Your Home for Improved Health.

As our lives become more sedentary, we spend about 90% of our time indoors. Our long Rochester winters certainly don't help! Adriana will be focusing on how your home environment affects your health and how simple adjustments to daily habits can make a BIG difference.

Adriana will be addressing the following:

• Taking a close look at our enclosed homes (VOCs, Radon, asthma triggers, combustion pollutants)

• Lessening the toxins that are already in our homes, and minimizing the amount of new ones that come in

• Simple steps for improving indoor air quality

• Special considerations for children

• Choosing better cleaning products

• Looking at the water we use

• Helpful resources

Awesome Offer for May from Holistic Moms Network

Join or renew your existing Holistic Moms Network membership and as a special bonus, you can sign up for a one-year subscription to Organic Gardening magazine at no additional charge! Plus, you'll save $10 off of your regular annual membership - a total savings of more than $20 for a full year of amazing benefits!

Visit our website to sign up and be sure to check off your Special Bonus Subscription to Organic Gardening magazine.

Questions? Contact us at membership@holisticmoms.org

March Meeting (March 11, 2013) Group Discussion - "Bring a Mug"

Bring a mug and have hot chocolate or tea. We will have "get to know you" discussion questions to draw out of a basket for attendees to discuss. This is a great opportunity for our members to get to know one another and build our community and for visitors/non-members to learn more about our organization.

February Meeting (February 11, 2013): Homeopathy for Pediatrics and Women's Health Issues

Dr. Gregory Peechatt, Rochester’s own well-known local Homeopathic Doctor will be speaking on “Homeopathy for Pediatric and Women’s Health Issues Primary Care”. Please join us to learn to be on the spot “dr. moms” or “dr. dads” while understanding the most common Women’s Health Issues of today.

The most frequently used Homeopathic medicines will be demonstrated for many pediatric illnesses which are readily available at Wegman's, Lori's, Abundance or other heath food stores and some pharmacies.

January Meeting (January 14, 2013): Easy Learning Through Integrations with Dr. Kam Kettering

Come join us to learn from Dr. Kam Kettering about Integrations - creating balance and harmony in the brain and body, which allows learning to happen with ease. To be maximally proficient at anything it is necessary to use both sides of the brain or (whole brained). Integrations work on getting people to be whole brained so learning becomes easy. Anecdotal feedback from those experiencing this integration is that the person often senses a greater and smoother flow of memory and thought in contrast to the sometimes uneven spurts which preceded the integration.

Dr. Kam Kettering is one of the world's foremost authorities on Integrated Health Systems, Circles of Life, and the technology of Geotran. He has devoted 23 of his 26 years of clinical experience studying and researching Geotran and its connection to health and successful living. Dr. Kettering serves as director of research and development for the International Success Institute in Sedona, Arizona. He is the co-developer of Integrated Health Solutions along with Dorothy Espiau. Dr. Kettering lectures and teaches Integrated Health Systems to health care practitioners throughout the United States and Canada as well as trains students and clients in the language of Geotran and Circles of Life. He is the Co-President of Life Solutions Institute along with his wife Patricia, and the director of the Kettering Chiropractic Center in Lancaster, P.A. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, and listed in "Who's Who Among Chiropractors. Dr. Kettering's website iswww.lifesolutionsinstitute.com

December Meeting (December 10, 2012): Holiday Tea Party Extravaganza

Come join us as Stephanie DeBlieck, Tea Bar Team Leader at Wegmans Pittsford Nature's Marketplace, will be teaching; “Tea 101: The Basics”, “The Story of Tea” and “Where does Tea comes from?”.

Stephanie is trained in the traditional Japanese tea culture and is proud to bring her knowledge and expertise to our meeting. Sample delicious tea and learn how to steep certain types properly.

Please bring your favorite “holiday” treat to pass and to share with our group. And, be sure to wear your “CRAZIEST” Tea Hat! This is a fun, interactive gathering that will leave you filled with the warm spirit of great camaraderie and TEA!

November Meeting (November 12, 2012): Making Your Voice Matter - Featuring Georgia DeGregorio, President of the League of Women Voters/Rochester Metropolitan Area (LWV/RMA)

Learn how to make your voice matter most! Interested in learning how to have a positive impact in the political arena regarding areas that concern you? Join us for this month’s speaker, Georgia DeGregorio, LWV/RMA President, and become informed on how to make your vote really count! Bring your topics of interest/concern for discussion.

The League of Women Voters projects includes voter registration, nonpartisan voter information, moderating candidate debates, advocacy for campaign finance reform, scrutiny of public school funding, budgetary process reform and much more. The League is a nonpartisan, political organization which encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is NOT limited to women — men can join in the fight as well.

October Meeting (October 8, 2012): Open House for Holistic Living Month and Group Discussion - Holistic Living on a Budget - Yes, You Can Do It!

Come and join us for our Annual Open House “Meet & Greet” - where you will learn practical and creative ideas on how to make holistic living possible while on a budget.

Share something you know, learn something new on saving money while buying organic, tips for inexpensive but healthy cleaning products, all natural time tested treatments for common ailments and more. Bring your essential tips to connect with our growing group and community to create a fun, yet, informative group discussion! See you there!

September Meeting (September 10, 2012): The Benefits of Chiropractic for Children: Including Backpack Safety

Chiropractic care for children offers your family a solid foundation for wellness. Throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood, the chiropractic lifestyle offers choices and benefits for your greater health and well-being. During the lecture we will discuss chiropractic for the challenged child, sensory integration and ADD/ADHD and how chiropractic can be useful in the symptoms associated with these conditions. Also, due to the time of year we will go over backpack safety and proper function vs. fashion. Please come join us and ask questions.

Dr. Paula Derleth is a certified Pediatric Chiropractor through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She graduated suma cum laude from New York Chiropractic College. Currently, she and her husband, Dr. Phil Derleth, have their own practice in Fairport NY.

August Meeting (August 13, 2012): Introduction to Raw Foods

Interested in a raw food diet? Whether you plan to "go raw" or simply want to add more raw foods to your diet, this introductory class by Lauri Boone, RD, will cover the basics. Learn what raw foods are, the benefits of raw foods, and how to easily incorporate more raw and living foods into your daily diet. Recipes and samples provided.

Lauri is passionate about good food and clean eating. She has worked with hundreds of clients over the last 15 years--guiding them through her group nutrition and fitness classes and private sessions. She enjoys helping clients navigate the often complex and confusing world of nutrition and find their own unique path to good eating and healthy living. Lauri has written for several publications including The Pilates Forum and Crazy Sexy Life, among others, and has appeared in numerous media outlets including CNN, BBC Radio, National Public Television, and The Huffington Post, to name a few. She is a dietitian at Breathe Yoga in Pittsford, NY and a regular contributor for One Green Planet. You can learn more about Lauri at www.lauriboone.com.

July Meeting (July 9, 2012): Group Discussion - The Power of Positivity

Positive attitude...you actually have the power to control your emotions if you choose to and you do it all the time without realizing it. Now imagine going about every one of your days in this manner and you'll find that your outlook becomes a whole lot brighter! Come join us to discuss how you can go about creating the daily habit of thinking positively.

June Meeting (June 11, 2012): Spreading The Love: The Surprising Truth About Fluoride, Tooth Decay, and Your Children

Come join us as Arlene Messer D.D.S provides an eye opening lecture surveying the cause and transmission of dental decay, new information about bacteria, fluoride facts vs. fiction, and practical preventative suggestions that every mother should know.

Dr. Messer is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry (1984), and has been practicing general dentistry in Rochester since 1989. She recently became certified in the practice of holistic/biologic dentistry. Dr. Messer is a member of the Integrative Health Cooperative of Monroe County as well as being a member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), Association of Mercury Free Dentists, and the Holistic Dental Association.

May Meeting (May 14, 2012): Introducing "Qi Infusions"

Introducing “Qi Infusions”, the product of decades of intense exploration by a healer deeply passionate about his work. Ethan Borg, an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist practicing in the city of Rochester, NY, created an exciting method behind “Qi Infusions” that allows powerful healings based on classical Chinese medicine to be infused into organic sunflower oil. Ethan was raised in Pittsford and Brighton and went on to graduate from Swarthmore College. After receiving his Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Ethan won a fellowship to study the classics of Chinese medicine. This fellowship introduced Ethan to a little known classical theory known as “Heaven, Man, and Earth” -- the nexus point between classical Chinese physics (known as “Feng Shui”), the healing martial art known as Qi Gong (traditionally “Dao-In”), and Chinese medicine. Ethan honed years of one-on-one clinical experience into creating an altogether unique healing method that can treat thousands upon thousands of people powerfully, effectively, inexpensively, and surprisingly quickly. The fruits of Ethan's intellectual discovery was uncovering real “ancient Chinese secrets” that could be useful to people today who are open minded enough to give something “new” a try.

Apr Meeting (Apr 9, 2012): Benefits of Reiki

The practice of Reiki has been traced back to thousands of years. Why then is this ancient and simple art of hands on healing only now just gaining mass popularity? Come learn more about how we are all naturally inclined to practice this healing technique without being consciously aware of it!

Sarah Lamb, a Reiki Master Teacher, will introduce you to Reiki and explain more about how it can be a part of your everyday life. Currently, Sarah teaches Reiki and has a private practice working primarily with pre and postnatal mothers and their children as well as fertility clients.

Mar Meeting (Mar 12, 2012): Group Discussion - "Bring a Mug"

Bring a mug and have hot chocolate or tea. We will have "get to know you" discussion questions to draw out of a basket for attendees to discuss. This is a great opportunity for our members to get to know one another and build our community and for visitors/non-members to learn more about our organization.

Feb Meeting (Feb 13, 2012): A Brief Synopsis of the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Development of Children Birth to 6 Years of Age

Please join us as Tony Indorato, Administrator at San Lorenzo Montessori Academy, discusses a brief synopsis of the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children birth to 6 years of age. The presenter will also field questions regarding educational alternatives with an emphasis on the Montessori philosophy. Tony Indorato, an Administrator at San Lorenzo Montessori Academy (SLMA), is a child psychology professor at Finger Lakes Community College. Tony is certified in special education and in school district administration. He holds a Master’s degree in Education from Nazareth College, as well as a second Master’s degree in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland.

January Meeting (January 9, 2012): Cold and Flu Primer by Dr. Lesley James, MD

Dr. Lesley James discussed integrative therapies for prevention and treatment of colds and flu. We came away with nutritional strategies to lower your risk as well as an integrative approach to ease symptoms. We created a list of herbs and supplements for your medicine cabinet along with home remedies you can prepare in your kitchen.

December Meeting (December 12, 2011): Group Discussion - How to Keep the Happy in Your Holidays

As always our open discussions are informative, enlightening and interesting. Thanks for sharing.

November Meeting (November 14, 2011): Caring for Your Skin Naturally by Elizabeth Hornak, Certified Aromatherapist and Herbalist

Our group had a fun night taking time to learn about ways to care for your skin naturally. From decoding common cosmetic ingredients (you will be surprised!), to easy skin care routines (baking soda as an exfoliant!), and super foods that nourish your skin and body. We also had a chance to make natural cleansers.

October Meeting (October 10, 2011): Thermal Imaging

Robyn Van Zeilen, Certified Clinical Thermographer, of Dynamic Thermal Imaging helped us learn more about thermal imaging. DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging) or thermography as a part of a screening process for early detection of any pain, pathology, injury or breast disease which is completely non-invasive. There is no contact of any kind with the body, no radiation, and the procedure is completely painless.

September Meeting (September 12, 2011): Mindful Parenting

Emily Horowitz, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Transpersonal Psychotherapist, and Wellness Coach, joined us in conversation about mindful parenting. “Mindful Parenting” is the experience of cultivating mindfulness in our busy and often chaotic (and sometimes triggering) parental roles. Our time together included dyadic components, experiential moments, and a great deal of discussion about your own experiences with this concept.

August Meeting (August 8, 2011): Group Discussion

Once again we came together for a group discussion! We tackled many fascinating topics and shared many interesting ideas. Looking forward to more meetings like this one!

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.