Swirly Sunburst Blog

Swirly back at it

2011-11-15T11:29:00.001-05:00

I'll be doing more of my personal blogging here. I am growing North west New Jersey Happenings too. Some things just doing fit there. So I'll add them here.

NWNJ Happenings: Progressive Cultural People, Places & Events :: swirly sunburst productions | MyNewsletterBuilder

2011-01-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

NWNJ Happenings: Progressive Cultural People, Places & Events :: swirly sunburst productions | MyNewsletterBuilder

Happy Holiday E-Card to You and Yours!

2010-12-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

Another free greeting card by Smilebox

Change of Business name with a Change of Attitude

2010-12-19T12:59:00.001-05:00

I couldn't blog for a while. It has not been a focus during a time of job seeking, freelancing and growing NWNJ Happenings.

I am starting to reach out for help to grow this little venture and see where I can take it. A new wordpress site, a logo, more events are on the checklist for early 2011.

I have been producing my newsletter of North West
Jersey cultural happenings for over five years now. This year I changed the name from Swirly SunBurst to NWNJ Happenings. With that name change also came a new committment to value my time and energy. I took a "volunteering sabbatical". I had gotten to the point where I was giving away my time without thinking about how it was taking away from other opportunities.

I learned a lot by clarifying my price list and coming up with media sponsorship options that are "mutually enhancing", as a friend says. I learned very quickly who values my time and effort and who does not.

When I look back on the clients I worked with in 2010, it is exactly the kind of work I wanted to do. I am excited to build up NWNJ Happenings into a business that I am passionate about and that will allow me to be with my daughter after school, on sick days and when she needs me. It also gives me a creative outlet close to home.

Grow where you are planted, as they say. I'm doing my best.

Peace,
Kath
Creator of NWNJ Happenings

NORTH WEST NEW JERSEY HAPPENINGS IS GROWING!

2010-09-02T09:40:00.000-04:00

This summer was a wild ride for me, many highs and lows. I learned a lot about doing what I love and NWNJ Happenings is the result of my soul searching. This is a project I need to do because I want to see more connection of the many progressive, positive people, places and happenings here in NWNJ - and I need that connection myself.

This is my little contribution to helping to connect the dots between the artists, musicians, visionaries, healers, writers, organic farmers and out of the box folks of NWNJ.

Here is a sample of the NWNJ Happenings E-Newsletter:
http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410481683

And join us on Facebook at NWNJHappenings.

I hope you'll sign up if it speaks to you.

See you at Evolve Fest.

Peace
Kath

Back to the Garden Potluck this Friday, June 4th

2010-06-02T06:34:00.000-04:00

Anybody Hungry? For some healthy eats and some chill out time?

This Friday we have a chillaxing short documentary about some local folks growing a garden and a community to enjoy with our local, raw, wild, or organic food.
Come play with your food!

Also, last months speaker, Lara Greenspan is doing a one day plant walk and gathering this Saturday with naturalist Brad White at nearby Genesis Farm. http://www.genesisfarm.org/program.taf?_function=pdetail&program_id=146&id=110

You can see some videos of last months plant walk at www.swirlysunburst.com. I love plant walks. It always blows my mind to learn about the foods and medicines all around us!

Peace and Plants,

Kath

Back to the Garden Raw Food Potluck & Gathering. Friday June 4th, 7pm.

Medicine Wheel Documentary followed by Raw Food Potluck

at Breathing Room Center
735 Route 94
Frelinghuysen, NJ 07860
Friday June 4th, 7pm

$10 suggested donation
Contact: swirlysunburst@gmail.com or www.swirlysunburst.com

Frelinghuysen, NJ - The Back To the Garden Potluck & Workshop Friday June 4th, 7pm, will show a brief 25 minute documentary about the Medicine Wheel Garden planted last year by local gardeners, students and community members at Lusscroft Farms. Lusscroft was a 4-H Camp and Dairy Research Center before being preserved as part of High Point State Park. The historical area has had a resurgence with the building of the Medicine Wheel Garden last year and a recently added Sister Moon Garden.

Amateur videographer, Greg Wu filmed and edited the footage. The garden was inspired by the book of the same name, "Medicine Wheel." Combining elements of Native American astrology, the four directions, symbolic animals and medicinal plants, the circular layout and labyrinth style walking paths offer a pleasant meditative space.

The Back To the Garden Potluck gatherings are held on the first Friday of the month along with a speaker, workshop, plant walk or film focused on how to eat more raw, living, seasonal, local and foraged foods. Please bring a raw dish or some healthy, local, vegan or foraged food to share. Events take place at Breathing Room Yoga and Healing Arts Center, located at 735 Route 94, Frelinghuysen, NJ between Newton and Blairstown.

For more information on the Back To the Garden Potluck & Workshop series, contact Kath Cameron of Swirly Sunburst Productions at swirlysunburst@gmail.com. More details available at www.swirlysunburst.com. There is a $10 fee for this event.

###

Links:

Lusscroft Farm: http://www.lusscroftfarm.com/

Friends of the Medicine Wheel on Facebook

Organizer: www.swirlysunburst.com
Venue: www.breathingroomcenter.com

Woman Trekking across the USA from WA to PA to "Gain Health"

2010-05-31T08:04:00.007-04:00

Once in a while you hear about someone doing something big, really big to shift their lives. Amanda Cochran is taking her plus size self on a journey across the United States from Washington State to Pennsylvania. Her story and journey resonate with me deeply.

Amanda's trek has inspired me to do my own lil trek on the Paulinskill Trail, walking a section out and back each day till I'm done all 27 miles, then on to the next trail.

Here is a press release I wrote for Amanda because I know others will resonate with her story too. Check out "Live My Life NOW" on Facebook too!

Woman Trekking across the USA from WA to PA to "Gain Health"

Wild Foods walk with Vegan Chef Lara Greenspan 5/7 7pm

2010-05-03T21:46:00.002-04:00

Back to the Garden Raw Vegan Potluck Friday May 7th, 7pm Potluck drop off
Wild Foods Walk with Lara Greenspan - leaving at 7:15pm
After Our Walk, Potluck and Chill Out time!
Breathing Room Center
735 Route 94 (next to Wilbur's County Market)
Frelinghuysen, NJ (between Newton and Blairstown)
$10 suggested donation

Back to the Garden Raw Vegan Potluck & Workshop #3

The long story:
Last month's gathering was facilitated by RoseMary Polhemus of Earth Spring Wellness who talked about Solar Nutrition and yes, even Colon cleansing! Her story of how she cured herself of cancer using raw foods, cleansing and wheat grass was compelling and inspiring. Rosemary has that gorgeous glow that comes from the inside out, literally! RoseMary is one of the leaders in Colon Hydrotherapy in New Jersey. Her Jefferson home spa is serene and welcoming. It is the perfect place to release your colon baggage ;). Plus if you are lucky she'll put on her colon apron and give you a tour of how this amazing food transit system works! Go to her website to learn more.

It is less then one week till our next Back to the Garden gathering, Friday May 7th at Breathing Room Center. This month we will have an outdoor workshop as we stroll around the pastures and woods behind the Breathing Room Center in search of Wild Edibles, lead by one the of the goddesses of Wild Foods in our area, Lara Greenspan.

Lara is a vegetarian chef and has worked at Genesis Farm and Mount Eden Retreat for years. She loves working with local organic seasonal foods. When she is not in the kitchen, Lara is sharing her expertise in edible foraged greens, berries and mushrooms. She also offers consultations.

For me, the wild edibles are a big piece of the food puzzle. A few years ago I went on my first wild foods walk with a man named Frank Cook. Frank was a pollinator of information on our plant world and was passionate about sharing his knowledge of plants and our interconnectedness with these beings, as he lovingly called them. He had traveled the world meeting 2/3 of the plants on this planet.

Frank took us walking along a grassy meadow on a spring day in New Jersey and told us "you have such an abundance of food here." I am connected to this earth? To the foods that come from the earth, sun and seeds doing this amazing dance to nourish us? And we are surrounded by a bounty of food? Right out our doors? Wow! At that moment a light was switched on for me. Dandelion, chickweed, nettle...all foods...all with healing properties.

I was hungry for more and reached out to continue to learn from local plant walkers like Bradley White, Jessica Towle and Dena Pheonix who were mentored by Frank. On what turned out to be my last walk with Frank, I took my camera to video Frank's wisdoms. My favorite is his talk about the dandelion. He talks of dandelion auras and what the plant represents: "This being is so giving, so present", "This being for me exemplifies courage", "If people knew the power of the dandelion, it would be a rare plant", "It's just a plant to bring into your life as often as you can", "This is a beautiful medicinal bitter", "It's here to help us", "This is the wisdom we need to recognize, here's a food, here's a medicine right here outside our door."

Frank passed on last year and it was humbling to know I still get to walk this earth while this amazing man had moved on to his next journey. I knew I wanted to do my part to keep his message alive and growing. I am so thankful that I met Frank. He helped me wake up from my carbed out coma, changing my life and my connection to my food and it's source.

That is coming from a city kid who would not eat a blueberry from a bush, only those little plastic boxes. I think how disconnected I was from my food then and how much more I have to learn now. That is why I have embarked on this journey and asked you to join me as you follow your own paths.

There is a whole local wild foods movement sprouting here in NWNJ. This summer I am hoping to have several wild food walks so we can learn as much as possible about the bounty around us. Lara Greenspan is one of the innovators in Wild Foods having been a food forager most of her life in this area.

Next Friday May 7th, she will take us exploring behind Breathing Room Center to see the bounty of food we have in our little neck of the woods. We'll start at 7pm and leave BRC at 7:15 for our walk, then come back for some food, fun and community. What more do we need?!

Peace
Kath

Rosemary Polhemus talks about Solar Nutrition

2010-04-30T06:58:00.000-04:00

The lovely Rosemary Polhemus of Earth Spring Wellness, spoke at the April Raw Food Potluck and Workshop. Rosemary is a colon hydro-therapist, massage therapist and internal cleansing goddess!

Her passion for Raw Foods, Colon Hydrotherapy, Cleansing and eating simply gave for an interesting talk. I was most compelled by Rosemary's own story of curing herself of cancer with wheatgrass, raw foods, cleansing and a good dose of self care. That was over 20 years ago and her knowledge and passion have continued to grow. Rosemary is a gorgeous woman with "The Glow" from her years of eating healthy, whole meals and raw foods.

I recommend checking out her peaceful Colon Hydrotherapy Spa just east of Sparta. It is a wonderful little oasis for bodywork and colon hydrotherapy.

We had a great turnout and many new folks came to check out the potluck and learn more. There is definitely a shift happening when it comes to food. People want to know what they are eating, where it comes from and how their body is processing it. The connection between local foods, foraged foods, seasonal and raw foods is coming together as we continue to grow our little gatherings of food explorers.

I just found a documentary with Jamie Oliver on how food affects the body. It is free and available on YouTube here. I have a feeling it will be another life shifter watching this series.

Next week is Lara Greenspan's plant walk and I am very excited about finding more connections to the abundance of foods surrounding us in our yards, parks and wild places....

New York City, New Life Expo and Enshrine

2010-04-29T19:51:00.000-04:00

As part of my trip, I wanted to get some great whole, life foods. I headed out from the Expo to Bonobo's Restaurant. It is the least expensive, most options place for raw live food in NYC. It is set up cafeteria style, but all the food is raw, live, mostly organic. The guys who work there are wiling to answer questions and let you try samples. I got the salad sample platter, which was about a pound of a dozen salads piled onto one plate. It was sensory overload, but the perfect way to try out a lot of their flavors in one dish. Of all of them, I liked the seafood salad the most, but there were a lot of really great colors and flavors.
I'll definately be going back there whenever I'm in the city looking for a cheap, healthy, delicious meal.

NYC Adventures in Raw Food and Holistic Healing

2010-03-29T14:40:00.032-04:00

I stepped out of my box this weekend, out of my self imposed NWNJ daily grind. It was just 30 hours away from home, but I feel rejuvenated and recharged from what I experienced and learned. I headed over to the New Life Expo in NYC straight from Port Authority. The New Yorker Hotel hosted three floors of vendors, healers, speakers, workshops on raw foods, holistic healing and many other modalities. Some of the modalities and speakers rung true to me and others did not. Events like these are great places to dip your toe in and see what feels true to you as you walk through aisles and aisles of everything from healing mud to psychics to folks selling nutriceuticals. For me, it was the simpler modalities that offered the most truth. I was drawn to the raw foods, the healing music cds and the handmade jewelry and art.

Some highlights for me were meeting Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me fame. He was there as an attendee with his wife, Alexandra Jamieson and their son. (I think she is a raw/vegan chef). I quickly thanked him for his work and for turning my kid off of McDonalds!

I met some great folks from different Raw Food companies. My favorites yummers were VivaPura which had some chlorella crunchies, Divine Organics had amazing melt in your mouth raw chocolate and Rayo De Sol make these loafs of raw sweets breads. I got a little loaf of raw carrot bread that is delicious and a little goes a long way.

I went to a few lectures. Brenda Cobb was the a very vibrant speaker. She is a spunky southern bell, think "the Paula Deen of Raw Foods." Brenda was also part of the Nutritional Panel discussion Saturday evening at the expo. The group of speakers was all over the place on their nutritional beliefs, which made for some heated and raw debates. Raw chefs and speakers, Brenda Cobb and Debra Secunda were great. I really liked what Alejandro Junger had to say. He was very passionate, knowledgable and has a medical background that informs his work. He talked about the balance of the gut and how no food, no matter how healthy will work, if the body can not digest it and absorb the nutrients. I will definately be checking out his book, "Clean"

The Expo was totally sensory overload and this is just a brief recap here. I think it will take a few more days to process all the information I received and experienced.

Back To the Garden Raw Food Potluck & Workshop Number 2 Coming Up!!!

2010-03-25T20:01:00.001-04:00

"Solar Nutrition" is the topic of the second Back to the Garden Raw Food Potluck & Workshop at Breathing Room Center with guest speaker, RoseMary Polhemus of Earth Spring Wellness on Friday April 2nd from 7pm to 9 pm.

Polhemus explains, "Every second of the day, somewhere on the planet, the food we may be eating tomorrow is being energized by the Sun’s radiation today. Depending on what time of day we ingest that food will determine how our bodies utilize it, which is the key to Solar Nutrition". RoseMary will share special tips on how to make the foods you eat, really work for you and why Solar Nutrition works with your body’s rhythm.

Rosemary was a massage therapist when she discovered she had cervical cancer over twenty years ago. To heal herself she attended the acclaimed Hippocrates Health Institute and reclaimed her health by detoxifying using raw foods, wheat grass, colonics and liver cleansing. RoseMary’s belief in the benefits of cleansing and detoxifying the body to allow the pathways of healing to occur lead her to becoming a Nationally Certified Colon Therapist. She offers colonics and massage therapy at her Earth Spring Wellness Center in Jefferson, NJ.

The Back To the Garden Potluck gatherings are held on the first Friday of the month along with a workshop or talk on how to eat more raw, living, seasonal, local and foraged foods. Workshops coming this spring and summer include Fermenting Foods and Wild Edible Plants. The Raw Foods movement is a rising trend in adding delicious healthy meals made with uncooked fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts and sprouts. Please bring a raw dish or some healthy, local, vegan or foraged food to share. There is a $10 suggested donation for this event.

For more information on the Back To the Garden Potluck & Workshop series, contact Kath Cameron of Swirly Sunburst Productions at swirlysunburst@gmail.com or 973-903-5073. Details available at www.swirlysunburst.com. Breathing Room Yoga and Healing Arts Center is located at 735 Route 94, Frelinghuysen, NJ between Newton and Blairstown.

Links:
Organizer: www.swirlysunburst.com
Venue: www.breathingroomcenter.com
Presenter: www.earthspringwellness.com

Raw Food Potluck Success!

2010-03-24T07:06:00.001-04:00

The Circle of Support I found at the first Back to the Garden Potluck & Workshop has kept me going strong since. Thanks to our Raw Potluck Pioneers Mary Beth, Fernanda, Sylvia, Marissa, Chris, Marianne for taking the leap of faith to come out on a dark winter night to play with our veggies! The local honey and blueberries, the fried rice and spring rolls, fruit, nuts, tarts, guacamole and chips were gorgeous and yummy.

I can barely describe how pumped/jazzed/supported I felt by the first gathering of the Back to the Garden Potluck & Workshop! Michelle K is a very funny woman living a real life and eating high raw. Her video series can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpartaMomma#p/u

Michelle will be offering a recorded version of her talk soon, so stay tuned for details.

Here is a link to a photo montage of the evening's event I put together.

I am excited to see how this little community is going to grow. I hope it will be a meld of raw living foods, local organic foods and foraged wild foods information, community and inspiration.

Making Your Circle Happen

2010-02-28T10:14:00.000-05:00

I've been a raw foods lurker... It's true. I've read about it, watch youtube videos, followed the Raw Food who's whos and tried to prepare a dish here and there. This started with exploring juicing almost three years ago which lead me to raw foods. I then joined Raw Fu and Give It to Me Raw in 2008. It has taken me a loooong time to wrap my head around this lifestyle.

I played with high raw meals and juicing last summer until the local farm stands ran dry. Last fall I went to my first Raw Foodie events in Montclair, NJ to keep me going. First David Wolfe and then Angela Stokes and Matt Monarch. After years of following Angela's journey, it was a thrill to get to meet her and get a copy of her book Raw Emotions signed to me.

Now this year I am stepping it up to the next level, very gently and kindly. I don't look at this as a "D" word, (ends with a "t" and has the word "die in it) . This is about practicing eating like a healthy person in 2010. For me that means planting the roots to live on healthy whole living and least processed foods. First, I've been searching for reasonably priced sources for fruit and veggies. Between the asian market for fruits, the hydroponic veggies from Arthur and Friends and my organic farm bartership (I am swapping word processing work for a summer share), I am pretty set for eats!

The next step is getting together with actual local people exploring this way of living in my area. So the Back to the Garden Potluck & Workshop events were born. I met Michelle K at Angela and Matt's talk in Montclair, NJ last fall. I was thrilled to meet someone else from the sticks o' NWNJ trying this whole raw thing out. Little did I know as I was planning the events, Michelle was growing her youtube video series, it's a High Raw Life." My original speaker needed to cancel and Michelle stepped up to the plate, raw filled plate, that is.

The first event is this Friday March 5th from 7-9pm at Breathing Room Center. See post below for details. And if bringing a raw dish is daunting, here are some ideas: a bag of oranges or apples, a salad, a veggy platter. It doesn't have to be fancy. If you need to bring the kids to come, do it, if the $10 suggested donation is holding you back, give what you can. Just come play with your food and learn about a fun, easy way to make healthy foods yummy! Really!

Kath

My Circle of Support Grows!

2010-02-27T11:05:00.001-05:00

Back to the Garden Potluck & Raw Foods Workshop
at Breathing Room Center
735 Route 94
Frelinghuysen, NJ 07860
Friday March 5th, 7pm - 9 pm
Raw Foods Potluck and Workshop with Raw Foodie Michelle K of "It's a High Raw Life" video series featured on Raw Food Rehab.
$10 suggested donation
Contact: swirlysunburst@gmail.com or www.swirlysunburst.com

The Back To the Garden Potluck & Workshop series starts Friday March 5th, 7-9pm at Breathing Room Center in Frelinghuysen, NJ. Michelle K, a Sparta mom turned Raw Foodie will share her journey to eating more Raw Living foods. Michelle's raw food preparation video series "It's a High Raw Life" is featured on the website, Raw Food Rehab. Michelle will make spring rolls and share some of her tips and tricks for adding more raw, living foods into life.

Raw Foods is a hot trend in adding delicious healthy meals made with fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts and sprouts. Living, raw food recipes have an astounding array of possibilities. There is a living food version of just about any recipe imaginable from pasta made with zucchini to frozen banana ice cream. Raw, living food recipes do not heat ingredients above 112 degrees to keep all the healthy enzymes normally killed in the cooking process. Enzymes help with digestion and food absorption. Raw foods is a way of life for some, like celebrities Carol Alt and Woody Harrelson. For others, it is a new way to add more fruits and veggies into the Standard American Diet (SAD).

The Back To the Garden Potluck gatherings are held on the first Friday of the month along with a workshop, talk or film focused on how to eat more raw, living, seasonal, local and foraged foods. Workshops coming this spring and summer include Solar Nutrition, Fermenting Foods and Wild Edible Plants. Please bring a raw dish or some healthy, local, vegan or foraged food to share. There is a $10 suggested donation for this event.

For more information on the Back To the Garden Potluck & Workshop series, contact Kath Cameron of Swirly Sunburst Productions at swirlysunburst@gmail.com. More details available at www.swirlysunburst.com. Breathing Room Yoga and Healing Arts Center is located at 735 Route 94, Frelinghuysen, NJ between Newton and Blairstown.

Links:
Organizer: www.swirlysunburst.com
Venue: www.breathingroomcenter.com
Speaker: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpartaMomma#p/u

Green Eating in NWNJ

2010-02-04T13:28:00.016-05:00

Northwest New Jersey winters can make finding fresh local organic produce pretty tricky, or so I thought. For the last few weeks I've been living as a "squashatarian", enjoying acorn, spagetti and butternut squash in soups, baked and smoothies. They keep my winter carbo-cravings at bay, most of the time. I supplement with very unorganic produce and fruits from the Asian Produce Market on Route 23 in Wantage.

Since my goal is to eat High Green/50% raw this year, I have been putting it out to the universe to find another source of local organic produce for winter time. I prefer not to support the produce aisles of Big Box "food" retailers. I had heard of a group called Arthur and Friends that does hydroponic vegetable gardening for restaurants. I recently found out they sell produce to the general public too.

I dropped by to check out the goods in the greenhouse at Sussex County Fairgrounds. I know, not the first place that pops into my head when I think of organic produce, more like cotton candy and deep fried oreos!

It was such a pleasant surprise to step out of the cold into a greenhouse loaded with rows of all kinds of greens popping out of what looked like rain drainage pipes: swiss chard, totsoi and all sorts of salad greens. I was greeted by Liz, the on site coordinator for Arthur & Friends. She explained that the idea is the brainchild of Wendy Blanchard. Wendy's nephew Arthur is the inspiration for this win win endeavor where special needs adults work growing produce hydroponically.

I eyed up a huge swiss chard pod to take home. Liz pulled the plant out of the chamber, roots and all. She told me I could take it home and put it in water and use it as needed. A living, edible bouquet! I picked up out a pod of totsoi and another unknown green that is in the chrysanthemum family and tastes like "butta".

I got them home and put them in mason jars by the window. I have been snipping what I need and eating reasonably priced, locally grown, fresh, organic produce. A true find for an aspiring greenivore.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-27T17:41:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Funky Fun Art for Kids in NWNJ

2009-11-30T14:34:00.004-05:00

Karen Klein teaches art at her studio in Stanhope, Breathing Room Center and Gallery 23. My kid loves the classes because Karen gets kids. She gives them the media and guides them, but each child is encouraged to let their artistic self shine.

She has also managed to keep her business going on Main Street Stanhope, which is getting a makeover and is in need of a resurgence. Check out her classes for your young Picasso, O'Keeefe or Van Gogh:

Wonderland Holiday Craft Workshop
Saturday, December 12th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Art Magic Studio
Main Street, between High Street and Route 183
Stanhope, NJ 07874
Registration: artmagic@embarqmail.com, 908-362-8723
A one day workshop for children aged 6 and up to hand make a one of a
kind ornament/stocking holder for their holiday celebration. $66.00
for class and supplies. More details at www.artmagicnj.com.

Full Release:

Art Magic Studio, Main Street, Stanhope, NJ

Owner/Teacher: Karen Klein

PO Box 257, Stanhope, NJ 07874

artmagic@embarqmail.com or 908-362-8723 www.artmagicnj.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 30th, 2009

ART MAGIC CLASSES offer kids a chance to Give the Gift of Art

Stanhope, NJ - Art Magic is having their Seventh Annual Winter
Wonderland Holiday Craft Workshop on Saturday, December 12th from
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Children ages 6 and up will create a beautiful
multi media stocking/ornament holder for your mantle, table, shelf.
"Every year the kids have a ball creating for several hours" according
to Art Magic teacher Karen Klein, "it's a festive, fun filled
Saturday." A great way for kids to make a holiday keepsake. The
$66.00 fee covers class and supplies.

There are also Three Week Holiday Workshops for school aged children.
Kids will create clay and mosaic tile plaques, hand dyed silk scarves,
sculpey holiday ornaments and more. Classes are after school. For
grades K-4 Tuesdays, December 1,8 and 15th from 4:30pm-6:00 PM. For
grades 7-12th, they run Thursdays, December 3,10,17 from 4:30-6:00 PM
and Grades 4-6 are Fridays, December 4,11,18 from 4:30-6:00 PM.
Tuition is $74.25 for the three week session including supplies.

Karen Klein is a certified art teacher bringing out the artistry of
preschoolers to teens at her Art Magic Studio in Stanhope, Gallery 23
in Blairstown and Breathing Room Center in Frelinghuysen. Karen
believes kids have an innate sense of art. In her classes children
are taught to utilize a wide variety of media and encouraged to work
very independently. Concepts are given but each student chooses the
path towards his/her goals and discoveries. Classes are taught in a
comfortable, non-rigid environment and very often, magic happens.

Art Magic can be reached at artmagic@embarqmail.com or by phone at
908-362-8723. For complete holiday and winter schedule go to
www.artmagicnj.com.

Hooping with Jessica Towle

2009-11-06T08:10:00.009-05:00

Jessica Towle - Hooping Teacher

New Jersey, North Carolina, California, NYC

Classes, Workshops, Custom Hoops, Hooping Demos
onewhirled@gmail.com | 973-919-8173

Hoop Dance Classes with Jessica Towle at The Breathing Room

Imagine a low impact workout that makes you feel like a kid again? Jessica Towle has been exploring the art and flow of the hoop since 2005. The art of hooping dates back centuries. Various cultures regarded the hoop as an ancient symbol of community, and connectivity. Towle sees it as a connector "within each of us individually, the human community, and the larger Earth Community."

This is not your grandma's hula hoop. "Hooping" is a term for hooping with large customized, sometimes weighted hoops. The larger, heavier hoops slow down the speed of the hoop allowing everybody, regardless of age, size or sense of rhythm to be able to hoop. Hooping is a low impact, highly fun, almost meditative work out while giving you a gentle massage around the middle.

Jessica Towle will be teaching a series of hooping classes at Breathing Room Center for kids to seniors, beginners to advanced. Late fall sessions begin mid November. Drop-ins welcome.

Beginners : Welcome to the Circle - In this class, you will learn many basic hoop techniques, and skills, that will take “hula hooping” to a whole new level. You can expect to leave feeling more embodied and more comfortable dancing. This class is so much fun, you wont even realize its a workout, so come prepared to sweat! Any body size or shape welcome. Hoops provided, but if you have one, bring it. Class size is limited to 6 indoors. The 7 week series runs Thursdays: November 12 – December17th from 6:15-7:15 pm.

Intermediate – Cultivating Flow – This class is open to intermediate hoopers. We will work on deepening our hoop skills, and exploring and experimenting with a wide variety of themes, including; hoop dance, partner and group hooping, multiple hoops, etc. Depending on the group energy we may also move into group-generated choreography. This course will run for 7 weeks. Bring your hoops. Class size is limited to 6. Thursdays November 12th - December 17th from 7:30-8:30 pm.

HIP Hoops 1 for Kids -This class is for children 8-11 yr olds who want to have fun, play, and learn various hoop tricks and skills. We will focus on honing our Jedi, skills, inside and outside of the hoop. For girls and boys. Class is limited to 8. 7week series Wednesdays: November 11th – December 16th –4:00 – 5:00pm.

Hip Hoops 2 for Tweens - This is an intermediate class is for children 10-14 yr olds who want to have fun, play, and learn various hoop tricks and skills. We will focus on honing our Jedi, skills, inside and outside of the hoop. For girls and boys. Class is limited to 8. 7week series Wednesdays: November 11thh – December 16th – 5:15 – 6:15 pm.

Each seven week session is $70 or $12 per drop in. Contact Jessica at OneWhirled@gmail.com or 973-919-8173 for more information on hooping parties, events, workshops and purchasing custom made hoops for indivuals or groups. Classes take place at Breathing Room Center, 735 Route 94, Frelinghuysen, NJ, next to Wilbur's Contry Market. For their schedule log on to www.breathingroomcenter.com.

Jessica has been actively involved in the Hoop Community since 2005, with her roots in the hooping town of Carborro, NC. She has worked, studied, and played with several hoop performers and teachers including Julia Hartsell, Vivian Spiral and Baxter. Towle has also brought hoops to children in orphanages in South America. Her greatest influences, however, have been "the Great hoop of life and the sustained spinning of the whirling dervishes." For Towle, "dance and celebration are basic foundations of flourishing communities and that working with the hoop not only cultivates this, but also brings joy, strength and healing." Jessica received her degree in Sustainable Community Development from Prescott College and also organizes wild plant gatherings.

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Press Contact: Kath Cameron - 973-903-5073

2009-10-30T11:45:00.005-04:00

The "Circles of Life Wellness Fair" brings holistic speakers, modalities and self care techniques to the Rockaway Hilton Garden Inn on Sunday, November 8th from 10:40 to 6:40. With all the talk about health reform, the Circles of Life Wellness Fair is an opportunity to try on some of the many holistic ways to reform your own health. Sponsored by Holistic Mentorship Network, a group dedicated to supporting holistic practitioners through networking and public awareness there will be educational speakers, unique vendors, art activities and music throughout the day. From reflexology to reiki, martial arts to massage therapy, there are many options to a path to health, wellness and vitality. Admission is $15, kids under 12 are free, seniors and teens are $10. For details got to www.holistic mentorshipnewtowork.com.

Yoga Kids NJ with Judy!

2009-10-27T11:49:00.003-04:00

Judy is awesome!!! It has been a few years since Marl got to take her classes and I am glad Judy found the right place to teach.

Peace

Kath

YOGA KIDSNJ - Judy Collins Kiddoo
North West New Jersey - Kids Yoga for Schools, Scout Troops, Parties and more!
Email: yogakidsnj@aol.com - Phone: 973-383-1182
www.yogakidsnj.com

Kids Yoga instructor Teaches the Art of Relaxation to Kids through Yoga, Music, Art and Play

BLAIRSTOWN/NEWTON, NJ - YOGAKIDS teacher Judy Collins Kiddoo's creative blend of yoga for kids ages three through thirteen offers movement, play, music and relaxation in a fun, kid friendly way.

At the start of a recent demo class, children recited the Yoga Kids pledge, "I believe in myself, I love and honor my body, I will do my personal best.". While practicing yoga, a puppy joined Judy and the children. Judy improvised, "Let's do downward dog pose for the puppy!" After class, Alex Sinno of Blairstown said "I really liked it and I think it was really awesome! And I loved it".

Judy Collins Kiddoo, CYKF, YKT, RYT, has been practicing yoga "since the beginning of the millennium". A mother of two herself, Judy trained under Marsha Wenig, Founder of the Internationally Acclaimed and Award Winning YogaKids Program. She is a Certified YogaKids Facilitator and Trainer, which licenses her to teach yoga to children as well as to train others to teach yoga to children. YogaKids has earned The Parent's Choice Award and has been featured in TIME Magazine, PBS, CHILD Magazine and Yoga Journal. Drs. Deepak Chopra and Andrew Weil have endorsed YogaKids. Children have many stresses in their lives between school, busy families and on the go schedules. For Judy teaching children fun and relaxing coping skills can't start too soon. As Collins Kiddo says, "The younger a child learns how to calm their minds and relax their body, the better."

Teaching children in various “non-traditional” settings has been her passion, and she has taught Environmental Education, Team Building Workshops, Writing and Art Workshops as well as a variety of enrichment classes for after school and Girl Scout programs. "I love teaching a non-competitive, physical activity that is accessible to any child" says Collins Kiddoo, "and while yoga stretches the muscles, it also exercises the mind and spirit as well." Judy also offers YogaKids Girl Scout programs, birthday parties, in school and home school programs and teacher training. Judy is also in the process of achieving her certification for Reiki Healing, specializing in children’s energy healing. For info on Judy Kiddoo and YogaKids, NJ go to www.yogakidsnj.com, email yogakidsnj@aol.com or call 973-383-1182.

Judy offers weekly classes for preschoolers, kids and tweens are at Breathing Room Center in Frelinghuysen, NJ. The class schedule is:
Kids Yoga for ages 6 to 10, Thursdays 3:45-4:45 PM - Yogakids Creative Yoga for Children enhanced through reading, games, music, relaxation and art.

Tweens Yoga for ages 10-13, Thursdays from 5-6 PM - Yogakids Creative Yoga for Children along with books, music, games, art, guided meditation and visualization for relaxation and self-esteem.

PreSchool Kids Yoga for Ages 3-6, Fridays 11AM-12 PM - Fun and creative yoga movements and relaxation techniques enhanced through reading, games, music and art.

Breathing Room Center is a newly opened yoga and healing arts center. Breathing Room is located on Route 94 between Newton and Blairstown next to Wilbur's Country Market. In addition to Kids Yoga, they offer Children's Theater and Art classes along with a full schedule of activities for tweens to seniors in Yoga, Hooping, Belly Dance and more. For full schedule go to www.breathingroomcenter.com.

Swirly E-Newsletter

2009-10-13T19:35:00.002-04:00

If you haven't signed up yet, check out the Swirly Sunburst E-Newsletter above.
Peace
Kath

Love IN Motion Festival this saturday

2009-10-08T05:42:00.002-04:00

I am very excited to be part of this event. So many amazing connections have happened on our journey to make it happen!

Free Family Festival: Saturday October 10th, 11am-5pm Love in Motion
Festival /Move, Groove & Give benefit for families challenging autism.
Live entertainment: music, dj, storytelling, poetry and drum circle.
Free classes: yoga karate, hooping for kids and adults. Kids
activities: face painting, kids art, reptiles and bugs show, guided
nature walk with Bradley White. Healing arts tent, funky craft vendors and local organic
foods. Breathing Room Center, 735 Rt. 94, next to Wilbur's Country
Market, between Blairstown & Newton. www.breathingroomcenter.com for
details.
Peace
Kath

Love In Motion Family Festival & Benefit

2009-09-26T07:33:00.002-04:00

2009 Community
Love in Motion
Free Family Festival
& Autism Benefit

October 10th, 2009, 11am - 5pm
Hosted by Breathing Room Center, 735 Route 94,
next to Wilbur's Country Market
Frelinghuysen, NJ between Newton and Blairstown

autismday@gmail.com or call Nancy 908-797-7431
Host Venue: www.breathingroomcenter.com
Organizers: www.davidversusautism.org
www.dansonsbook.com
Non Profit: www.charitysmith.org/endeavors/bpierce/
PR/Media Sponsor: www.swirlysunburst.com

Community Love in Motion Family Festival & Autism Event 10/10/09

Breathing Room Yoga & Healing Arts Center presents "Love in Motion", a free family festival and benefit for families challenging autism, Saturday October 10th, 11am to 5pm in Frelinghuysen, NJ.

The free family festival will offer live music, healing body work, kids activities, community resources, unique vendors and giveaways. The "Move, Groove and Give-a-thon" is a chance to "exercise your conscience" and raise money through free yoga, belly dance or hooping classes. Donations and sponsors will be gratefully accepted. All money raised through the Burton Armstrong Pierce Foundation will go towards creating a small learning center—a "beloved community where everyone is welcomed—and specifically, where individuals with autism and their families can come for relaxation, inspiration, intellectual stimulation and self-expression."

The event is the brainchild of two moms with autistic sons, Nancy Sierchio of "David Versus Autism" and Michele Burns Pierce, coauthor of "Danson: The Extraordinary Discovery of an Autistic Child's Innermost Thoughts and Feelings" featured on "Oprah" and "Larry King." Cheryl Paulson, owner of Breathing Room Center wanted to practice "seva", the sandskrit word for service through her new yoga and healing arts center. Paulson feels service "feeds us spiritually and awakens us to the greater truth of our own being. It is work done for the community and others without a thought of reward". Hosting the benefit at the healing arts center was the perfect solution for Burns Pierce and Sierchio who were looking for a space to create an autism friendly community event.

Breathing Room Center is located at 735 Route 94 between Blairstown and Newton, next to Wilbur's Country Market. Love in Motion Family Festival & Autism Benefit takes place October 10th from 11am-5 pm, rain or shine. For event details log on to www.breathingroomcenter.com. To sponsor, donate, vend or volunteer: email autismday@gmail.com, call 908-797-7431 or www.charitysmith.org/endeavors/bpierce/.

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Press Contact: Kath Cameron, 973-903-5073, swirlysunburst@gmail.com

Breathing Room Center New Classes!

2009-09-26T07:30:00.003-04:00

Breathing Room Center Has a Full Fall Schedule of Movement Classes and Workshops

FRELINGHUYSEN, NJ - Fall classes are gearing up at Breathing Room Center, north west New Jersey's newest Yoga and Healing Arts Center.

Whether you want to try Yoga, Karate, Tai Chi, Hooping, Meditation or Belly Dancing there are classes available from early morning to evenings for all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities. Conveniently located between Newton and Blairstown, next to Wilbur's Country Market, owner Cheryl Paulson sees Breathing Room Center as a "haven, a time to focus on you, a time to practice self-care. We aspire to offer something special and supportive to each individual who steps through the door." Many new teachers and presenters have joined the center for the fall season.

Coming up in September are the following clases: Various Yoga Classes with Cheryl Paulson: Seated, Beginner, Advanced, Mixed, Family and Friday Flow. Hooping for Tweens to Adults, beginner to advanced with Jessikah Towle, Gentle Movement, Exercise and Meditation Class with Diane Hynes, Rise and Shine Mixed Yoga with Arava, Six Week Yoga for Couples with Michele Pierce Burns, Belly Dancing Try Its for beginner and advanced with Jen O'Hagen and Karate for kids to adults and Tai Chi with Brian Mascola.

Breathing Room Center has workshops, mini retreats and special events in the works for early fall:

Who Wants to Make a Hoop? - Saturday, September 19th from 1 - 3 PM (during Wilbur's Craft Fair) Jessikah Towle will help hooping enthusiasts handcraft and decorate their own custom hoops. Come get creative and take home your hoop to own and enjoy. Please contact Jessica at onewhirled@gmail.com to sign-up. She will order your materials and customize a hoop to your size and specifications.

Belly Dance Try Its - New to Belly Dancing or Not Sure What Level is For You? Try It Out for two weeks before signing up for a session. Tuesday Sept 15th & 22nd at 7:30 PM to try Level I.
Wednesday Sept 16th and 23rd at 9:30 AM for Level II. Drop in for just $10 per class. Eight week sessions begin October 14th.

Eat Your Way to Better Health - Saturday September 26th from 1 - 4 PM. Join Nutrition Expert Jamie Troy for Intuitive Eating, an informative workshop based on the Chinese Meridian System and Eating with the Seasons. Learn how to eat intuitively and consciously and make the best choices for your overall health! Cost: $35. To Register: Sign up at Breathing Room or contact Jamie at jamie.troy@phoenixnutrition.net

Mindfulness, Meditation & Gentle Yoga Mini Retreat - Sunday Sept 27, 9 AM - 12 PM. Learn mindfulness meditation practices, as well as a simple 20-minute gentle yoga sequence that you can practice every day. This mini-retreat will be lead by Dr. Wendy Bedenko, Psychologist, Andover, NJ; Tulasi Jordan, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Sparta, NJ & Professional Level Yoga Teacher; and Dr. Christopher Wright, Psychologist, Andover, NJ, certified to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Pre-registration is recommended. Early registration before September 23rd is $45 or $50 if paid at the time of the retreat. Please call Wendy at 973-579-9990 to register. Bring a yoga mat and/or blanket.

Community Love In Motion Free Family Festival & Move, Groove & Give-a-thon Autism Benefit - Saturday October 10, 11 AM - 5 PM. A fun filled free event with Yoga, karate, hula-hooping, belly-dancing, live music and many other fun activities to raise funds for local families challenging autism. Sponsors, vendors and volunteers welcome. Contact autismday@gmail.com for event details.

Breathing Room is located at 735 Route 94, by Wilbur's Country Market, between Newton & Blairstown in Frelinghuysen, NJ. For class schedule and workshop updates, go to the website, www.breathingroomcenter.com, email owner Cheryl Paulson at cherdreams@embarqmail.com or call 973-610-7191.

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Press Contact: Kath Cameron swirlysunburst@gmail.com or 973-903-5073