Visit our official chapter website & Facebook page!

There's a new way to stay in touch with Holistic Moms Arlington/Alexandria chapter! 

Please bookmark our official chapter website at http://chapters.holisticmoms.org/chapters/va-arlington/

Upcoming meetings will be listed there. This blog will remain here as an archive of our past events but will not be updated going forward. 

To stay on top of new happenings, please check our official chapter website 

Also follow our public Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HMNArlingtonVA/

The chapter Facebook page has public events created for our meetings. We encourage you to RSVP to those and share with friends!

Upon joining the chapter, members are also invited to join a private chapter Facebook page and email list exclusive to members. That's where you'll learn about playdates and moms nights outs and have the opportunity to interact with other members. 

You'll also get invited to the private Facebook page for all HMN members nationwide!

Click here to join!

Thank you for your support!

Paleo Diets for Chronic Conditions

Fairfax mom of three Stacy Toth will be presenting in place of Jennifer Robins on October 20.
Stacy and her husband Matt are the founders of Real Everything (formerly Paleo Parents) and are the authors of Eat Like a Dinosaur, Beyond Bacon and Real Life Paleo. Stacy will share how a Paleo diet and lifestyle have made a difference for her family.

RSVPs to the Facebook event or HolisticMomsArlAlex (at) gmail (dot) com are helpful but not required.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1848952142000054/

Tough Conversations Series begins in September!

This month we begin the first of several exciting meetings about how to tackle tough conversation topics with your kids. On September 15th, guest speakers Heather Sarmiento, Prevention & Education Coordinator at the Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and Jacqueline McManemin, a Fairfax County Public Health Nurse, will facilitate a conversation on How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex.  We'll discuss recommendations for why and when to approach this delicate conversation in a safe and sensitive way as well as detailed information on what is appropriate to teach at various ages. Everyone will go home with a compilation of strategies and resources at your fingertips for reference throughout the different ages and stages of your children.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1639644693013265/

Please share our Facebook Event and RSVP if you plan to join us for this exciting and informative discussion!

Picking Priorities in August

Our August 18 meeting will be a powerful conversation on picking priorities and balancing commitments inside and outside the home.

Join us for a conversation about harnessing the power of your yes and no with Pamm Fontana of More Green for Less Green. Pamm is a speaker, pastor, writer and parent of three children trying to navigate the balance of vocational calling with the pull of young kids at home.

Please share our Facebook event and RSVP there if you plan to join us!

https://www.facebook.com/events/501720356691851/

Two Meetings in July! Gardening and Outings

We had a a special daytime meeting on July 15 at Shirlington Library with HMN meeting coordinator and certified Master Gardener Maria Huynh, along with Heidi Young answering gardening questions and presenting how-tos, tips and free seeds for fall gardening.

Then, for our regular third Thursday evening meeting, chapter founder and outgoing co-leader Jessica Haney of Mindful Healthy Life blog facilitated a conversation on Greatest Hits: Favorite Spots & Activities in Metro DC. Jessica shared resources of great hikes, festivals and other activities and members shared their family's favorites, too. For an electronic copy of the handout, which was updated after the meeting, email jessica (at) mindfulhealthylife (dot) com. All the information will also be in her forthcoming eBook.

Summer Solstice Potluck Social!

Thanks to all who came out for our annual potluck social! It was a lovely evening. We had some great conversations and lots of tasty bites! The kids had a blast playing on a beautiful almost-summer night!

Breastfeeding through the Years

Thanks to Pat Shelly of the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington for her great talk at our May meeting.

May Member Tea

We had a lovely discussion in May to plan for the future of our chapter after chapter founder Jessica Haney steps down as co-leader this summer. It was great to connect and to share what the chapter has offered us and what we'd like to see it do going forward. Thanks to Mary for hosting and for all the folks who came out or shared their thoughts with the group.

Hiking and Camping as a Family

Our area is full of hiking and camping sites perfect for families. Thank you to experienced local moms D Ohlandt and our co-leader Mary Hackman for sharing with us some great information about hiking and camping as a family. The kids had a terrific time playing in tents and getting excited about being outdoors!

How to Be a Holistic Parent in Public Schools

Thank you to all the wonderful community activists who came out to our March 10 evening meeting to discuss how you can get involved in your school and school district.

The panelists and the accompanying handout shared tips on engagement and will cover what is happening in public schools in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax regarding issues holistic parents care about, including food/nutrition, gardening, outdoor play, environmental issues, movement, and mindfulness.

If you missed the meeting or want to engage in further discussion, please join us for our special daytime meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 to recap this evening panel. The daytime meeting will be led by chapter co-leaders Jessica Haney and Michelle Rief. 

March 30 URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/988303727903019/
RSVPs to holisticmomsarlalex (at) gmail (dot) com or on the Facebook event are appreciated but not required.

We welcome homeschoolers, parents of young children not yet of school age, school staff, and interested community members. As always, children are welcome, though the conversation is geared to adults.

Activity Room, Lower Level, UUCA, 4444 Arlington Blvd (entrance from eastbound Rt. 50 and from S. George Mason Drive) 

The handout will be updated after the March 30 meeting and can be emailed upon request to holisticmomsarlalex (at) gmail (dot) com. 
Please wait until after March 30 to request this document.

 

Wireless Safety

Many thanks to Desiree Jaworski from the The Center for Safer Wireless for a great presentation on how to protect your family in a wireless world.

 

Desire shared the science regarding health hazards associated with cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other wireless devices and talked about practical ways to protect yourselves and your children at home and in schools. 

We also discussed ways to get involved to change the political climate around this issue and to ensure greater safety for us all.

Desiree had a terrific handout that we will share electronically with members. 

To learn more, visit The Center for Safer Wireless website and Facebook page. The Center for Safer Wireless will be an exhibitor at the March 5 Grow Your Health Wellness, Gardening and Local Food festival at Fairfax High School, where Holistic Moms will also have a table.

 

Beating the Winter Blues panel January 21

Getting through the dark days of winter can be tough, even if the weather is mild. There are lots of things we can do to help support a positive outlook through the winter months (and beyond.)
On January 21, 2016, our chapter's 7th anniversary, we learned about holistic ways to stave off the winter blues this year!

We had a great panel of speakers to address a variety of modalities:

• Jan Watkins, MSW shared how Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can clear emotional blockages and lighten your load

 

 

We also had team members from Neck Back & Beyond, a healing center in Fairfax. Dr. Allan Tomson, D.C. addressed how bodywork, including chiropractic and craniosacral therapy and even gentle stretching, can help with mood and resilience. 

 

Nutritional Therapist Babette Lamarre talked about the role of food on mood and also addressws some helpful supplements.

Margeuritte McGee, R.N. DiHom, LAc discussed acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and the role of stress on mood.

We also had mini sessions of foot reflexology with Brigitte Wiss, lymphatic drainage with Marianne Scippa, and polarity therapy with Janice Johnson. 

People felt really good when they left the meeting for having gotten this work and having learned so much!

Thank you to all our speakers and to everyone who came out before the storm hit! It was a great night and a wonderful way to celebrate seven years of our chapter!

Here are four of the co-leaders who have been there since the beginning: Rajae, Jessica, Leigha and Mary, joined by Dr. Tomson and Margeuritte McGee.

December 17 social

As we wind down our seventh year as a chapter, we look forward to gathering and connecting during a social Moms Night Out-type meeting on Thursday, December 17.

During such a busy season, this is a night to connect with friends old & new and take a moment to pause, reflect, and hug!

If you can, bring a dessert or drink option to share, or just bring yourself!

7:00-9:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, UUCA, 4444 Arlington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204

Please remember that the church parking usually has plenty of space at 7:00 but not always for latecomers. Overflow parking can be found on S. George Mason Drive.

RSVPs are helpful but not required to HMNArlAlex (at) gmail (dot) com

Creating a Healthy Relationship with Money in November

As we approach year's end, it's a good time to think about financial priorities and to discuss spending, saving and giving with our children.

Cindy Morgan-Jaffe, money coach and parent of five children, will talk about her own journey with money and how the stories and beliefs we carry influence our relationships with family, work and community. Cindy will also share some practical advice on how to talk with kids about money and how to foster generosity even on a limited budget.

November 19, 7-9 p.m., UUCA, 4444 Arlington Blvd.

7:00 Doors open

7:15 Introductions and greeting

7:30 Presentation starts

The parking lot usually has plenty of room at 7:00. Latecomers might look to overflow parking on S. George Mason Drive.

Menstruation to Menopause - October 15

For our October meeting, Kelly Valceanu, CNM, IBCLC, of Midwifery Care Associates in Rockville, MD talked about women's monthly cycles and what happens as they near their end. 

The presentation focused on what to expect from peri-menopause and menopause and how to approach these transitions in a holistic way. It was a fascinating conversation about what to expect from this major life transition, and when! Things start to shift as early as 35!

The healthier you are, the better you show up to peri-menopause, the smoother the transition is likely to be. But it's still a transition, just like childbirth or puberty and is not to be taken lightly.

Thanks to Kelly and all who participated in this enlightening conversation!

Explore Simplicity Parenting in September - date change to 4th Thursday

Please join us on Thursday, September 24 for our monthly meeting, where members will hear a presentation by Simplicity Parenting coach Jenna Martin.

Coach Jenna Martin will lead us through some principles of parenting with ease, shedding unnecessary “stuff” and expectations that do not serve.

This evening should be is a great primer for those traveling to the HMN Natural Living Conference in October with keynote speaker and Simplicity Parenting author Kim John Payne. For more on the work of Kim John Payne, see http://www.simplicityparenting.com/ 

*Please note that this meeting is the FOURTH Thursday of the month -- September 24 -- not the usual third Thursday when this chapter usually meets, due to conflicts with Back-to-School nights at Arlington and Fairfax elementary schools.

There will be no HMN meeting on September 17. 

See you on September 24 instead!

FB event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/477922102389336/

The Power of Positive Thinking

On August 20, join us for a member-led discussion about the power of positive thinking.


We will use Louise Hay's Power Thought Cards as a jumping off point to explore how our thinking shapes our reality and how we can approach life with joy and optimism even in the face of challenges.

A description of the card set: "This is a deck of 64 affirmation cards to help you find your inner strength. Packaged in a beautiful gift box, this deck of 64 cards contains 128 unique pieces of art exquisitely illustrated by five artists. Each vibrant card contains a powerful affirmation on one side and a visualization on the other to enlighten, inspire, and bring joy to your life."

Holistic Moms Network Arlington/Alexandria Chapter Meeting, Thursday, August 20. 

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA

7:00-9:00 p.m.

Doors open at 7:00, introductions start at 7:15, and we will begin the discussion by 7:30. 

Parking should be adequate at 7:00 but may get more full closer to 7:30 when other events begin at the church. Overflow parking is available on S. George Mason Drive.

Exploring Body Image

Karen Schachter of Dishing with Your Daughter will talk to us in our July meeting about modeling positive body image for our daughters and sons.

Topics for this meeting will include:

• How body image is formed
• The importance of supporting a positive body image
• Challenges of keeping a positive outlook in today’s culture
• Ideas for moms to counter-act cultural messages

Thursday, July 16, 7-9 p.m. 4444 Arlington Blvd Arlington, VA 22204 (in Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington)

Solstice Potluck Social

Join us for our annual picnic on the almost-longest day of the year!

Bring the whole family out for play and fun at Fort Scott Park.

Rain or shine unless there are extreme weather conditions. 

We will be under a covered pavilion, and there are rest rooms.

Please bring a healthy labeled dish to share.

Thursday, June 18

5:30-7:30 p.m.

2800 Fort Scott Drive, Arlington, VA

Our July meeting will return to our regular time and location.

Revised May 21 Meeting: A Discussion about Real Food and Nutrition

We regret that Nina Planck will be unable to join us for our May 21 meeting as previously advertised. While we hope to reschedule, for this meeting we will have an open discussion on how we feed our families and what "Real Food" means to us. 

Bring books to pass around and lists of links to your favorite food blogs and let's get some inspiration going!