Farmers Markets in Full Bloom

Bellingham Farmers Market

When Lynden’s brand new Farmers Market opens June 4th, all the Whatcom County markets will be up and running for the season.

Bellingham – Downtown: Saturdays 10am-3pm at Railroad and Chestnut

Bellingham – Fairhaven: Wednesdays noon-5pm at the Village Green

Birch Bay: Thursdays 4-7pm next to the C-Shop at 4825 Alderson Rd.

Blaine: Saturdays 10am-2pm at H Street and Peace Portal Drive

Ferndale: Saturdays 9am-3pm, Riverwalk Park at Main Street and Front Avenue

Lynden: Saturdays 10am-3pm in the parking lot at Third Christian Reformed Church, 514 Liberty St.

Whatcom Food & Farm Finder Now Available as Google Map

Sustainable Connections has loaded its Whatcom Food & Farm Finder brochure into a very cool interactive online map. The map key lists all vendors in alphabetical order, with icons that identify the type of business: leaf for farms, basket for shopping, knife and fork for restaurants. Click on a business name for details, contact information, and directions.


View Whatcom Food & Farm Finder Map in a larger map

QiGong for Health & Longevity at Whatcom Community College

QiGong (or Chi Kung) is a gentle yet powerful set of meditations and exercises that focuses on building physical health and inner tranquility. Harmonize body, breath, and mind as you learn stillness within movement and movement in stillness. Reduce stress, get a workout, build energy, and develop self-awareness.

Art Baner has an extensive background in Chinese martial arts, yoga, exercise therapy, and meditation practice. Course is suitable for people of all ages and levels of physical conditioning. The course is five sessions; there’s also an option to bundle with five sessions of Tai Chi. Classes start April 12, with QiGong at 6:30pm and Tai Chi at 7:30. A second section begins May 17. Register here.

Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers , D.C. to give talk at Butterfly LIFE Sunnyland

Eating for Healing with Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers , D.C.
Thursday, February 24 at 6:00pm
Butterfly LIFE Sunnyland (Next to Trader Joe’s)
2460 James St.
Bellingham, WA, 98225

Did you know that inflammation can make it hard to lose weight and harder to heal from injuries? Learn how to identify what your problem foods might be and how to deal with it.

Dr. Cherrelyn Seegers has had a practice in Bellingham for the past 13 years and her passion is working with all kinds of athletes. Dr. Seegers utilizes a variety of techniques to achieve complete restoration of movement. Patients are always instructed that stretching and strengthening exercises are necessary to their care and that core strengthening and nutrition are needed to keep bodies in top performance shape.

Call Butterfly LIFE at 671-0669 to reserve a seat.  For more information about this and other upcoming health-related events visit www.ButterflyLifeBellingham.com

Physical Therapist to Talk about Resuming Exercise After Injury, Feb. 1 2011

When It Hurts Too Much To Exercise, With Karen Nellessen, PT
Tuesday, February 1st at 6:30pm
Butterfly LIFE Sunnyland (Next to Trader Joe’s)
2460 James St.
Bellingham, WA, 98225

Concerned about coming back to exercise after an absence due to an injury? Come join us as Karen Nellessen, PT discusses some basic principles of returning to activity after an injury, guidelines for knowing when/how to progress activity, and when to rest/recover from flare-ups. Karen Nellessen is a physical therapist at Healthy Focus Physical Therapy who specializes in orthopedics. She focuses on treating a wide range of musculoskeletal dysfunctions and has a special interest in returning patients to exercise after trauma, microtrauma or surgery.

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A Walk in the Woods

woman walking between treesHere’s an interesting story from the UK: GPs Urged to Prescribe Wales Forest Walk Remedy.

In a nutshell, the Welsh forestry commission is promoting the health benefits of walking in the woods instead of in town or on treadmills. We all know walking is good for you, but does it matter where you walk? According to commission spokesman Richard Davies, it does.

Davies said, “Studies have shown that looking at greenery causes a rapid reduction in stress – blood pressure, muscle tension pulse rate – usually within minutes of exposure, and is most obvious when the body is already stressed.”

We’ve got plenty of greenery all year ’round here in the northwest. All the rain makes things grow. But on a wet winter day, I might just stick a houseplant in front of the treadmill and call it good.

Bone Density Workshop at Joy of Pilates, Dec. 5

Bone Density Workshop
Sunday, Dec 5 12:00p
at Joy of Pilates Studio & Massage, 209 Prospect St., Bellingham

Physical Therapy Assistant Loretta Sandoval will lead a workshop on lifestyle and activity choices for strong bones. Must RSVP to info@joyofpilates.net; wear comfortable clothes.

Vegan Experiment a Success, Mostly

Okay, so I’m not really vegan — I wear leather and have no problem preparing meat for family members — but I eat like one.

This May, I found I couldn’t exercise because of plantar fasciitis in both feet, and I needed some kind of head game to keep me focused on my diet so I didn’t gain back the weight I’ve lost in the past couple of years. I decided I would give up meat and dairy, using the book Engine 2 Diet as a guide. It’s not as hard as I thought it would be. Certainly it’s a hell of a lot easier than my excursions into low carb eating.

The weight control aspect was a resounding win. I’ve lost another nine pounds since going veg. I got a checkup in August. Here are the results of my most recent bloodwork, as compared to 2008:

Blood pressure – 110/62, no change
Blood sugar – 83, down 14 points
Total cholesterol – 166, down 22 points
Triglycerides – 98, up 46 points – yikes!
Good cholesterol – 60, down 10 points
Bad cholesterol – 86, down 29 points

Pretty good overall. My bad cholesterol was a little high at 115, so it’s good to see that number shrink. However, my triglycerides almost doubled, although they are still in the happy zone (20-149). I suspect it may have to do with the margaritas I had the night before the testing, as this measurement is supposed to be very sensitive to alcohol.

Bottom line is that I’m going to continue eating this way. Mostly because I lost weight like *BAM*! But also because meat and dairy processing is nasty, and plant based diets are obviously more earth-friendly.

Here are some great resources for recipes. If you know of more, please post them in the comments!

Fat Free Vegan
Veggie Venture
The Low Fat Vegetarian Archive

–June

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Fairhaven Wednesday market opens June 2

It doesn’t look much like summer right now, but sunny days must be on the way because the Fairhaven outpost of the Bellingham Farmers Market opens tomorrow. The Wednesday Market is a friendly, low-key market held noon -5pm every Wednesday (duh!) from June through September in the Fairhaven Village Green behind Village Books.

In past visits I haven’t seen any food vendors, buskers or crafts here — just yummy local fruit and veggies.
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Blaine Gardener’s Market kicks (creeps?) off 2010 season with slug race

The Blaine Gardener’s Market is holding a slug race on May 22 to celebrate opening day. The market will run every Saturday, 10-2 in H Street Plaza, through October 9th. Read the article in the Northern Light here:

http://thenorthernlight.com/news/article.exm/2010-04-07_gardener_s_market_to_open_with_slug_race

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5k-10k Bellingham Volkssport walk, April 24 2010

Take a self-paced stroll through Bellingham’s south side with the Tulip Trekkers, Mt. Vernon’s Volkssport (people’s sport) club. The Fairhaven-Edgemoor Friendship Walk starts at Fairhaven Runners at 10am, where you can register and pick up a route map starting at 9:30am.

Volkssport — “people’s sport” — walking events are organized by local clubs as a fun, noncompetitive organized activity for all ages and abilities. Learn more about volkssporting at the Tulip Trekkers website.

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Pick up the Pace! Aerobic Walking talk at Fairhaven Runners, 4/15/2010

From Fairhaven Runners:

Hear from a former nationally classed race walker about how to make aerobic walking part of your life. Cindy Paffumi will talk about benefits and provide tips. She will also preview her spring training program for walkers and discuss the Fairhaven Walking Club’s weekly Saturday morning walks. Cindy has been the store’s walking coach for four years, and athletes enjoy her expert guidance and positive spirit.

When: Thursday, April 15, 7:15 – 8:15 PM

Where: Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St., Bellingham

Bellingham Farmer's Market opens 2010 season April 3

bellingham farmer's market fall 2009

Shoppers ponder the plethora of pumpkins at the downtown Bellingham Farmer's Market last October.

The kids are on spring break, the forsythia is blooming, and Mayor Dan Pike is loosening up his throwing arm for the ceremonial cabbage toss that opens every season of Bellingham’s downtown farmer’s market. The downtown market runs every Saturday from 10am to 3pm through Christmas.

The summertime Fairhaven market will join in on Wednesdays June-September.

When: Saturday April 3, 10am-3pm
Where: Depot Market Square, Railroad and Chestnut

Stroller Strides at Fairhaven Runners

New and not-so-new parents will want to catch this  talk on turning your little one’s stroll into a workout. It’s this Thursday, March 25, 7:15 pm, at Fairhaven Runners, 1209 11th St. in Bellingham. From their website:

Turn Your Stroller Into a Total Body Workout – Natalie Gustafson, MS, LMFT
Thursday, March 25, 7:15 – 8:15 PM

Many new parents find it difficult to maintain their fitness level after having children. Stroller Strides Certified Instructor and mother of two, Natalie, will teach you how to incorporate strength, cardio and flexibility exercises into your typical stroller outing. Also, hear about the benefits, barriers and issues regarding postpartum exercise. This introductory clinic is for parents, so no need to bring your stroller or little one to the forum.”

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New research at the University of York shows babies are born to dance

http://iamjr.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/dancing-baby-2131530781.jpg
Researchers have discovered that infants respond to the rhythm and tempo of music and find it more engaging than speech.

The findings, based on the study of infants aged between five months and two years old, suggest that babies may be born with a predisposition to move rhythmically in response to music.

The research was conducted by Dr Marcel Zentner, from the University of York’s Department of Psychology, and Dr Tuomas Eerola, from the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research at the University of Jyvaskyla.

Dr Zentner said: “Our research suggests that it is the beat rather than other features of the music, such as the melody, that produces the response in infants.

“We also found that the better the children were able to synchronize their movements with the music the more they smiled.

“It remains to be understood why humans have developed this particular predisposition. One possibility is that it was a target of natural selection for music or that it has evolved for some other function that just happens to be relevant for music processing.”

Infants listened to a variety of audio stimuli including classical music, rhythmic beats and speech. Their spontaneous movements were recorded by video and 3D motion-capture technology and compared across the different stimuli.

Professional ballet dancers were also used to analyse the extent to which the babies matched their movement to the music.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online Early Edition. The research was part-funded by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation.

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Vegetarianism 101 at St. Joseph's, 1/25/10

St. Joseph’s Lifequest community education program presents a class on transitioning to a healthy vegetarian diet.

Vegetarian Eating Basics, 6-8 pm, 1/25/10

Do you find yourself making more vegetarian eating choices? Vegetarians are at lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity and gallstones. This class will introduce you to the meatless way of eating, including more convincing reasons to choose it and recipes to help you apply it!

The class will be held at the Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway. Click here for registration info.

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Star Ratings Ready

You can now rate practitioners and businesses in all categories! Just click the star rating at the bottom of the listing to add your vote to the cumulative rating. Please take a minute to write a review in the comments section after you’ve added your rating. Reviews and ratings make the site a more valuable community resource.

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Try Tai Chi

The practice of Tai Chi promotes balance and coordination, and is as effective as brisk walking in lowering blood pressure. The exercises can be done anywhere, require no equipment, and are suitable all fitness levels.

The Whatcom County YMCA on State Street has several introductory Tai Chi classes are starting this month, including seated Tai Chi for people who are unable to stand for long periods. Call 733-8630 for registration and info on Y classes.

Introduction to Tai Chi: Monday & Thursday 1/11-3/18/2010 at 12:10-1:10 p.m. $35-45.

Tai Chi: Deepening Your Practice: Monday 1/11-3/15/2010 at 4:30-5:15 p.m. Free, drop-in continuation of the above class.

Seated Tai Chi: Thursday 1/14-2/25 at 1:30-2:15 p.m. $20-25.

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Red Mountain Wellness Open House

Red Mountain Wellness will celebrate their first year in Bellingham with snacks and demonstrations on Saturday, January 15 from 11am to 1pm. will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. Red Mountain offers yoga, pilates, and Franklin Method exercises. They’re located at 115 Unity St.

www.redmountainyoga.com

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New Weight Control Classes at Whatcom Community College

If you’re a bipedal mammal reading this blog, you have probably resolved to take off a few pounds in the next year. WCC’s Community Education program has added two new classes to the Winter schedule to help bring that resolution to pass.

Weight Reduction through Hypnosis, Mondays 1/25-2/8
“Certified hypnotherapist Leigh Mcdiarmid will present an tried and true (and diet free!) program for long-term weight reduction and maintenance.”

Your Relationship to Food, Saturdays 1/30 & 2/6
“Join dynamic instructors Carolyn Koehnline and Sheena Grannis to creatively explore your personal relationship with food . . . . You’ll gain insights into your eating triggers and learn strategies for forming new habits and making healthier choices.”

Learn more and sign up online at http://www.whatcomcommunityed.com/

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Free Intro Class at Joy of Pilates, 8am, 12/20/09

Start your Sunday with a free Pilates “teaser” at Joy of Pilates, 22 Harbor Loop in Bellingham on Sunday, Dec 20th at 8:00 am. See the site for forms to print out and bring to class.

Free Intro Classes!

New to Pilates? Try one of our FREE Pilates Introduction Classes-Risk Free! Learn the basics of Core Activation and Pilates Principles.

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Introduction to Acupressure and QiGong at Whatcom Community College

Revitalize Your Body, Refresh Your Mind! Tuesdays, 1/26 & 2/2
“Join local professionals Robert Fong and Michele Siemion for a fascinating exploration of the health benefits of acupressure and QiGong. . . . reduce stress, soothe aches and pains, sleep better, and improve your overall health.”

Learn more and register at Whatcom Community College’s Community Education website, http://www.whatcomcommunityed.com/.

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Introducing Star Ratings for Acupuncture, Yoga and More

We’re in the process of upgrading the site so users can rate individual practitioners and businesses in Whatcom County on a scale of 1-5 stars, as well as leaving more detailed reviews in the comments. So far the Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Hypnotherapy and Yoga categories are updated and ready for your ratings.

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Bloggers Wanted!

This site is looking for licensed health practitioners like LMPs, LAcs, NDs, DCs, and LMs, and mind/body fitness practitioners to contribute to our community wellness blog. This is a great opportunity to build a local web presence without the stress of writing and promoting your own blog.

Please send an e-mail to editor@whatcomnaturalhealth.com if you would like to write about alternative health topics and/or fitness and nutrition from a natural health perspective.

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Self-Hypnosis Class with Richard Blake, CHT

Hypnotherapist Richard Blake, MIT, CHT is teaching a four-part self-hypnosis class November 4 – December 2:

“You can use this self-hypnosis technique to neutralize limiting beliefs from your past that create feelings of anger, fear, guilt, sadness, frustration, inadequacy, or depression. It’s a wonderfully gentle process that helps you remove unwanted subconscious programming that keeps you from feeling happy, empowered, and energized!”

Call 360-778-3922 to sign up.

Do Yesterday's Scars Worsen Today's Pain?

Here’s an interesting post from chiropractor Steve Noble’s blog about the role of old scar tissue on current pain:

A case of scar tissue release at the knee resulting in decreased shoulder pain
Tuesday this past week I had a patient come in complaining of shoulder pain with cramping occurring to the pectoralis minor. A brief assessment his shoulder indicated some tight muscles but nothing more. I followed up with the question, “have you had any surgeries?” His reply was “yes, 10 years ago on my right knee.” The same side as his shoulder pain.

Read the rest here.

Bellingham Natural Family Medicine

119 N Commercial St Ste 910
Bellingham WA 98225
360-738-7654

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Shiatsu & Flower Essences for Bodyworkers, Oct. 10-11

Tree Frog Farm
3679 Sunrise Rd
Lummi Island, WA
(360) 758-7260

Join us for this fun, power-packed, dynamic class. Learn how working with energy meridians and points, energetic visceral release and flower essences can expand your bodywork practice and help your clients. Practice simple
techniques for recognizing and addressing energetic imbalances below the presenting symptoms such as headaches, depression, neck and low back pain, anxiety, digestive upset and reproductive issues. Please bring your lunch.

Students will receive a certificate for 10 continuing education hours.

About the instructors:
Lona Way, LMP, MED. Lona is a practicing shiatsu massage therapist, who teaches shiatsu and other vibrational healing modalities at the Whatcom Community College School of Massage.

Willow Rose, LMP, MPA. Willow is a multidimensional healer weaving together a wide array of techniques from guided imagery to deep tissue, including the use of tuning forks, flower essences and visceral manipulation to realign structure and restore balance. She especially enjoys focusing on digestive and reproductive issues to heal and nurture our sacred bellies.

Diana Pepper, Vibrational Repatterning Practitioner and Earth steward, is a lecturer, consultant and producer of flower essences at Tree Frog Farm. She specializes in helping clients integrate inner well-being and spirituality
in daily life.

Price: $225.00

For more information or to register, visit www.treefrogfarm.com or call (360)758-7260

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A Mediterranean Diet for the Pacific Northwest

Nuts are a tasty part of the Mediterranean diet

Nuts are a tasty part of the Mediterranean diet

The lastest diet study in the news found that type 2 diabetics fared better eating a Mediterranean-style diet than a low-fat regimen. But how does this research, conducted at the Second University of Naples in Italy, fit into our lives here in the Pacific Northwest?

Study author Dr. Dario Giugliano said, “The Mediterranean-type diet is a diet high in plant foods, such as fruits, nuts, legumes and cereals, and fish, with olive oils as the primary source of monounsaturated fat and low to moderate intake of wine, as well as low intake of red meat and poultry.”

In addition to summer’s abundant fruit and vegetables, Washington produces these healthy staples of the Mediterranean diet:

-hazelnuts
-walnuts
-lentils
-dried peas
-barley
-salmon
-wine

I think we’re out luck on local olive oil, though.

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Bellingham Yoga Directory Updated--Rate Your Instructor!

33-12135589652vdf1The yoga studio directory has been updated (goodbye Yoga Room, hello 3 Oms and Yoga Workshop!). If you’ve taken yoga in town, tell us about it by writing a review in the comments field.

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