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!