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WPCEditor@naturalawakeningsmag.com DanaB@naturalawakeningsmag.com www.WakeUpNaturally.com
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4 natural awakenings Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition
WakeUpNaturally.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Wishing Peace and Love for us all, locally and globally~ Dana Boulanger Marilee Burrell
ecember is a magical time in our area. First, there is the silent beauty at the start of winter, fresh with newly fallen snow. Then add to that the buzz and excitement of the holiday season. One of my favorite childhood memories is making Christ- mas cookies with my mom. She made a staggering number and variety of cookies, such as paintbrush cookies (sugar cookies cut into holiday shapes and “painted” with colored egg wash),
thumbprint cookies, mint surprises, almond crescent moon cookies dusted with cinnamon sugar and many more. My sisters and I were included in the process, from painting, to shaping, and finally eating our fair share of the finished product.
As much as I treasure those memories, these days I’m on the lookout for healthier cookies and sweets. I’m therefore especially excited to share with you our festive and yummy, no bake, vegan recipes starting on page 26. In addition, we bring you healthy recipes for homemade pet treats. See “Festive Treats for Furry and Feath- ered Friends” on pages 36-38.
For shopping ideas, please check out our Gift Guide starting on page 60. You’ll find ideas that are both healthy and good for the planet. Buying from our adver- tisers throughout this magazine, and shopping locally in general, helps our local economy and usually involves a smaller carbon footprint, too.
The holidays are a perfect time to break routine and prioritize what’s really impor- tant in life, and it’s never too late to create new, meaningful memories with family, friends and loved ones. What helps amid the flurry of activities is to take moments to pause, be fully present, and take time out for stillness, meditation or prayer. Please read our feature article this month “Awakening to Spirit: Prayer and Medita- tion Heal and Free Us” on page 30 for inspiration.
Also this month, Sharon Salzberg talks about mindfulness and ways to be in the present moment on page 34. She will be appearing at the Garrison Institute in De- cember and, while that will most likely be sold out by the time you read this, you can register for her next retreat there in March. See details at the end of our Wise Words column on page 35.
Traveling this month? Check out our Fit Body column for simple yoga stretches that you can do on a plane. And for exercises that improve balance as we age, please read “Be Better Balanced.” See pages 42 and 43.
Dana and I wish you the happiest, most meaningful December yet, full of celebra- tions with loved ones, quiet moments for reflection, and renewal time spent in the awesomeness of nature.
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