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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014
Contents
December - January 2014
Our BerkshireTimes

girl with binoculars by Shawn Fields,

www.shawnfeldsart.com elephant, black-
and-white tablecloth with vase, and blue-
and-white pottery by Stephanie Anderson,
www.stephanieandersonart.com vase
of fowers by Sabine Vollmer von Falken,
www.sabinephotoart.com swirls by Scott
Harrington, www.fneartamerica.com/profles/
scott-harrington.html rose-breasted grosbeak
by Carol Frances, www.carolfrances.com barn
by Mary Rembold, www.bluethistlestudio.net
eve with apple by Rebecca Guay, www.rebeccaguay.
com miniature animal prints by Melody Lea
Lamb, www.melodylealamb.com
PUBLISHER
Kathy I. Regan
publisher@ourberkshiregreen.com
_______________
EDITORIAL
Kathy I. Regan
editor@ourberkshiregreen.com
Rodelinde Albrecht
rodelinde@ourberkshiregreen.com
Copyeditors/Proofreaders
Rodelinde Albrecht
Patty Strauch
_______________
DESIGN
Magazine Design/Layout
Kathy I. Regan
AdsIndependent Designers
Katharine Adams, Rural Ethic Studio
katmail@ruralethicstudio.com
Christine Dupre
cedupre@msn.com
Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design Studio
elisa@berkshiredesignstudio.com
Shirley Sparks, Graphic Design on a Dime
sms234@aol.com
_______________
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER
Patty Strauch
patty@ourberkshiregreen.com
______________
EVENT COORDINATOR
Patty Strauch
patty@ourberkshiregreen.com
_______________
CONTACT
Our BerkshireGreen, Inc.
P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236
Phone: (413) 274-1122, Fax: (413) 541-8000
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com
_______________
COVER ILLUSTRATIONS
Like Us On
4 art, culture & entertainment


EVENT SAMPLER

8 home, garden & landscape

HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT TREE
Our bimonthly publication (six issues yearly, starting in February) is free to the
public and distributed throughout western MA, northern CT, eastern NY,
and southern VT, and is enjoyed by community members, second home
owners, and visitors alike.
Most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members. We
welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original
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errors of the publisher's responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which
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5 shop local special feature

OUR BERKSHIRE MARKETPLACE
10 food & drink


HONEY DO!

ELSIE'S CRANBERRY PIE
12 animal talk


KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE
14 fashion & beauty


NATURAL SKIN CARE
16 education & workshops


OUR GIFTS TO CHILDREN
19 community spotlight


STOCKBRIDGE & W. STOCKBRIDGE
20 health & wellness


TAMING HOLIDAY WOLFISHNESS
22 mind & spirit


THE TRUE MEANING OF GIVING
23 featured advertisers


SPECIAL THANKS
tell our advertisers you saw


them in OUR BERKSHIRETIMES!

F
ollow the stars (small gold stars
placed in the advertisements scattered
throughout this issue) to find advertisers
who are offering additional online
coupons and deals starting 12/1/13. Go
to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/coupons
to check out these fantastic savings and
fun deals for holiday shopping. Join our
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BerkshireTimes

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4

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
art, culture & entertainment
december - january
event sampler

see more events or post your event for free at
www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com
104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 413-637-3206 GildedAge.org
Visit gildedage.org
for a complete schedule of events
A Home
for the Holidays
AnnuAl event november 30
through new yeArs eve
Enjoy a beautifully decorated 1893 Mansion with Tours,
Holiday Events, Victorian Teas, Museum Shop, More!
SECOND FLOOR EXHIBITS NOW OPEN! SECOND FLOOR EXHIBITS NOW OPEN!
HOLIDAY FAIR
Date: Sat, Dec 7, 2013, 10am-3pm
Place: First Congregational
Church of Lee, 25 Park Place
(Route 20), Lee, MA -
(413) 243-1033, Price: Free.
Handmade items, raffle, meals-
to-go, children's shop, baked
goods, jams, jellies, plants &
berry bowls, pet toys and treats,
and more! www.ucc-lee.org
SUNDANCE INSTITUTE
THEATRE LAB
Date: Sat, Dec 7, 2013, 8pm
Place: MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS
MoCA Way, North Adams, MA
- (413) 662-2111, Price: $12 ad-
vance / $16 day of / $10 students.
For several weeks in December,
MASS MoCA becomes the home
of venerable Sundance Institute
Theatre Lab. Sharing our mission
to support the development of new
art across all media, Sundance The-
atre Lab provides workshop sup-
port to important new playwrights,
directors, composers, and librettists.
www.massmoca.org
BHS BLOODMOBILE
AT HADDAD TOYOTA
Date: Tue, Dec 10, 2013, 9am-3pm
Place: Haddad Toyota, 130
Pittsfeld-Lenox Road, Pittsfeld,
MA - (413) 445-4535. Berkshire
Health Systems Bloodmobile
will be at Haddad Pre-Owned
Tuesday, December 10th, from
9am-3pm. All blood collected
will stay right here in Berkshire
County! www.berkshirehealth
systems.org/bloodmobile
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Date: Sat, Dec 14, 2013, 7pm
Place: The Colonial Theatre,
Pittsfeld, MA - (413) 448-8084
Price: Adults: $35, Children: $25
Revel in the joy and redemptive
power of Christmas as told in
the timeless tale of Ebenezer
Scrooge, the infamous miser who
is reformed and shown the error
of his ways by four spirits.
www.berkshiretheatregroup.org
BREAK YOUR SUGAR
ADDICTION!
Date: Sat, Dec 14, 2013, 10am
Place: Hands, Heart and
Health - Virtual Skype Session,
Cheshire, MA - (413) 743-0483.
Price: Free. Are you in that
roller-coaster ride of eating sweet
food to get energy only to feel
tired, and reach for more to keep
going? This crazy pattern can be
managed, and you will feel better.
Register for our free session to
help you address this problem
before the holidays hit!
www.handshearthealth.com
SUNDAY MUSICAL BRUNCH
Date: Sun, Dec 15, 2013,
10am-1pm
Place: Starving Artist Creperie
and Cafe, 40 Main Street, Ste 2,
Lee MA - (413) 394-5046.
Price: Free. Join us every Sunday
starting at 10am for live bluegrass,
jazz, funk, classical, and other
types of music from talented local
performers and enjoy organic,
vegan, vegetarian options! View
the artwork from the adjoined
Good Purpose Gallery.
www.starvingartistcreperie.com
HOFFMANN BIRD CLUB FIELD
TRIP SOUTH BERKSHIRE
Date: Wed, Jan 1, 2014, 7am
Place: Location TBA, Lenox,
MA - (413) 637-0320. Price:
Free. South Berkshire Christmas
Bird Count. Join a team and
welcome the new year with
some winter birding. Contact
Ren Laubach (413) 637-0320,
rlaubach@massaudubon.org,
www.hoffmannbirdclub.org.
INSPIRATION OF THE SPIRIT
November 22 thru January 6
Open Fri thru Mon
11am - 5:30pm www.facebook.com/stfrancisgallery
Please join us for our Artists Reception on
December 7, 2013 3 to 6pm
MONTH OF DECEMBER HOLIDAY BAZAAR
CLOSED JANUARY 7 THRU APRIL 1
Route 102 (Next to the Fire Station)
South Lee, MA

(413) 717-5199
presents
www.saintfrancisgallery.com
F
ollow the stars placed in
ads scattered throughout
this issue to find advertisers
who are offering additional
online coupons and deals
starting 12/1/13.
OurBerkshireTimes.com/coupons
Go to

5


www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014
shop local special feature
shop local!
I
ts that time of year again, when the holiday spirit warms our
hearts and makes us feel generous. If you love to shop, this
is your time to indulge in that heady sport. Keep in mind that
the amount of money you spend on a gift is far less signifcant
than the amount of time you invest in thinking up the perfect
gift for each person! And the delight you take in selecting a gift
becomes part of the gift itself, which the recipient will surely
feel. So let your imagination soar. Here are some suggestions
to spark your imagination if you should run out of ideas.
Start by giving some thought to the recipients interests
and passions. Is she artistic? Consider art supplies such as
paints, canvas, sketch pads, brushes, markers, sculpture tools,
or clay. Does he love to spend time in his workshop? A special
tool he doesnt own would make a great gift. The gardeners on
your list would be delighted by tools, gloves, seeds or plants,
or a birdbath. For your favorite gourmands, think kitchenware,
interesting gadgets, lovely table linens, goblets, wine chillers, a
corkscrew that really works. Music lovers might enjoy a house
concert or a CD from singer-songwriter Bruce Mandel.
A needlecrafter would love some luscious yarn, needles, or
even a yarn winder from Wonderful Things, which also stocks
unique handcrafted gifts including jewelry, buttons, toys, and
home goods. Anyone, but especially a writer, would love a gor-
geous handcrafted pen or pencil from Berkshire Pens.
Browse happily for exquisite items to decorate the home
or one-of-a-kind vintage treasures at Gallery315 Home or the
Museum Facsimiles Outlet Store, as well as the many other
exquisite antique and consignment stores in our area.
If clothing, jewelry, or other fashion accessories would delight
your giftee, visit Pateez or Crown Jewelers. For something truly
original, give the gift of security from New England Dynamark.
Food and drink are a perennially welcome choice; they ft
virtually any recipients taste and any givers wallet! The variety
of delicious treats and local food you can fnd in our area is posi-
tively dizzying, including the pure favoring extracts at Charles
H. Baldwin, or the home-delivered baskets from Berkshire Or-
ganics. Other offerings include preserves, honey, herbs, choco-
late, coffee, tea, and a host of other mouth-watering treats.
Personal-care products are another consumable (and there-
fore always welcome) category. Think perfume, aromatherapy
oils, cosmetics, scented soaps, and bath brushes. Moon God-
dess Herbals offers organic and wildcrafted cosmetics.
One last terrifc idea is to offer a gift certifcate not just
for retail stores and restaurants but also for a salon, spa, or
bodywork treatments; landscaping; pet grooming or daycare;
dance, music, art, or computer lessons; and home improve-
ment. Happy shopping!
~ Rodelinde Albrecht is the Director of Concerned Singles, an on-
line service for socially conscious singles who care about the environment,
race and gender equity, and personal growth. www.concernedsingles.com.
See ad on page 23.
WITH THE BEST OF OUR COMMUNITY
by rodelinde albrecht
SINGER/SONGWRITER, HOME & CONCERT PERFORMER
Bring the magic of music
into your home
Accoustic guitar, a keen lyrical ear and
honest vocals . . . delight your guests with a
personal and memorable musical experience.
Available for House Concerts & Intimate Gatherings
www.brucemandel.com / 413.269.7229
Contemporary Folk Americana
photo courtesy of Michael Lavin Flower
.
December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
shop local special feature
gift guide
Our Berkshire Marketplace
HOLIDAY SHOPPING 2013!
Charles H. Baldwin & Sons Pure Vanilla Extract
Their signature product: Hand-crafted from Bourbon
Madagascar vanilla beans and aged in oak casks it has a sweet, intense
avor. The extract blends easily and the mouth-watering avor and aroma
remain through cooking and baking to every last bite. Charles H. Baldwin
and his father, H. M. Baldwin, ofcially established the company in 1888
more than 125 years ago! The present owner, Earl Baldwin Mofatt, is the
great-great grandson of the founder. Located in West Stockbridge, MA,
the store (celebrating 125 years) is a delight to visit and you can purchase their
homemade extract in person or online starting at $8.96 for a 2oz bottle up
to $252.49 per gallon. (413) 232-7785, www.baldwinextracts.com.
BAKE
Berkshire Pens are hand turned from native
woods and acrylics right here in Stockbridge, MA.
No two are the same. Each boasts a mirror shine nish. They may
be designed as a ballpoint, gel, fountain, or pencil. Pens come in all
sizes and styles some specic for women, adorned with Swarovski
crystals, others for children with cool colors. Mens items range
from those for the sportsman made from machine gun shells
to a more sophisticated presentation for the professional in his
workplace. Berkshire Pens also turns bottle stoppers, napkin rings,
small bowls, spinning tops, and yo-yos.
Dan Burkhard, owner of Berkshire Pens, always loved working
with his hands. The lathe he uses to create his products was made by
his grandfather, Samuel Burkhard, more than a hundred years ago.
If you are looking for something unique in design, contact Dan. If you
have a piece of wood that has meaning, the possibility exists that you
can have an item turned from it. You will work together to create an
item that you, or that special someone, will cherish. Prices range from
$25.00 to $220.00. We make the pens . . . You make your mark!
www.berkshirepens.com
WRITE
Museum Facsimiles
Outlet Store's Giclee
Print of Antique Schmetterlinge
Butterfies, 1790 / Available framed or
unframed, in various sizes, starting at $30. A
true factory outlet (except they left the factory for
their new digs in downtown Pittseld, MA), all of
Museum Facsimiles' products are made in an old
factory about four blocks east of their downtown
retail location. Their products are sold to ne
boutique stores around the world and are priced
wholesale. Their custom framing is afordable. Visit
their store (next to the Berkshire Museum) or their
website to purchse ne picture frames, ne wall
decor, framed French posters, letterpress greeting
cards, and eclectic gifts. 31 South Street,
Pittsfeld, MA. (413) 499-1818,
www.museumoutlets.com
www.museumfacsimiles.com
ADORN

6

shop local special feature
DYNAMARK
SECURITY
CENTERS
We Protect Ameri ca
www.nedynamark.com
New England
Security Center
55 Church St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413.442.5647
Since 1978 MA 982 C
For all your security needs
www.pateezboutique.com
A unique boutique in downtown
Pittsfield for you to explore!
Clothing Accessories Gifts
137 North Street, Pittsfeld, MA - The Shops In Crawford Square
Just a short ride from anywhere. Next door to Baba Louies.
Shop for the Holidays!
Celebrate Our Forty-first Year!
Wonderful Things
Harry and Debbie Sano
232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Lar arns
and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the Berkshires
413-528-2473

www.wonderful-things.com
Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 12-4
Gift Certificates

Free Knitting Lessons
gest Selection of Y
gift guide
Moon Goddess Herbals
Botanical Skin Care / Alana
Schwartz, owner of Moon Goddess Herbals, uses only food-
grade, organic ingredients in her products. Most of the herbs
that she infuses into the oils are consciously grown and
harvested on her farm using organic and sustainable practices.
Pictured above is her Organic Awaken Salt Scrub for
the Bath and Body, with Pure Essentail Oils of Ylang
Ylang, Tangerine, OG Orange, and Lavender. Gardener's
(or Mechanic's) Goat Milk Soap for $6.50 is a great
exfoliating bar to remove grease and grime from the hands with
locally roasted cofee grinds and cornmeal. Order though
Etsy or from www.moongoddessherbals.com.
PAMPER
Gallery315 Home
is your one-stop source
for antique, mid-century modern, and contemporary
home furnishings and fabrics located in Shefeld,
MA. We found this Stunning Rare Twentieth-
Century Striped Swiss Art Pottery Vase that
is meticulously decorated and well marked on their
website. Hand-written inscription on the base reads,
"Luzern Handarbeit." This 9" high, 5" wide vase
sells for $695. Nineteenth-Century Italian
Neoclassic Sunburst Wall Mirror, measuring
seven feet in diameter, featuring a circular disc of
mirrored glass surrounded by a studded border and
radiating clusters of wooden spokes nished in cream
paint and silver gilt varnish (call for more information).
www.www.gallery315home.com
DECORATE

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

7


8

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
home, garden & landscape
OUR "STAND STRAIGHT" TREE STANDS MAKE
SETTING UP YOUR TREE EASIER THAN EVER!
Beautiful Handmade Kissing Balls and Wreaths
All Types of Garlands and Greens
Holiday Gift Baskets
Seasoned Firewood, Cut, Split & Delivered
Visit our Gourmet Farm Market for everything
you Need for your Holiday Entertaining
Closing December 24
TH
2013 - Reopening April 1
ST
2014
Gorgeous Fresh Cut Trees & Live Potted Trees
Route 8, Cheshire
www.whitneysfarm.com 413-442-4749
holiday festivities
A
re you are looking for a tree that is very fragrant? Then a
Balsam Fir is the tree for you. Are you are looking for
a tree that has good needle retention and strong branches to
hold all of your ornaments? Then a Frasier Fir is the tree for
you. What about a tree that has soft and fuffy branches with
a soft fragrance? Then a Douglas Fir is for you. Or, if you
are looking for a tree that has very dense branching and thick
branches, then a Blue Spruce is for you.
Be sure to measure the area where you plan to put your
tree to make certain you select the correct size. Take into
account the height of the stand as well as the height of
the tree topper that you will be using. Now that you have
selected the type of tree that you want, follow these tips to
bring home a good, strong, healthy tree.

Grab a branch of the tree with your hand and pull the
needles through your hand. If the needles do not easily re-
move, then you have found a healthy tree.
Spin the tree around on the peg to see if it loses a lot of
needles. Firs will lose interior needles normally. You do not
want to see needles falling off of the branches. If the needles
are falling off the branches keep looking.
Look for a tree that is dark green in color, if the tree is a
pale green or brown keep looking
The easiest way to transport your tree and bring it into your
home is to have it wrapped in tree netting. Make sure that you
cut at least one inch off the bottom of the tree to allow water to
move through the trunk and branches once it is in your home.
Then securely attach the tree to your vehicle as you leave the lot
so you do not lose it driving down the road.
Once you get your new tree home, set it up right away so
the freshly cut bottom does not seal up. Using a Stand Straight

tree stand will make setting up your Christmas tree much easier
than setting it up with a conventional tree stand. The Stand
Straight

tree system has a tapered pin in the center of the

stand. If you ask to have a hole drilled in the bottom center
of the tree stump, when you get home all you will have to
do is put the tree on the peg in the stand and add some hot
water and tree preservative. Next remove the netting and you
are ready to decorate. Do make certain that you add hot water
though. The hot water keeps the sap in the tree from stiffening
up and allows it to absorb more water.
You do not want the water level in your tree stand to go
below the cut end of your Christmas tree. If this happens, the
sap in the tree will dry out and your tree will not be able to ab-
sorb water. The addition of a tree preservative can greatly ex-
tend the life your Christmas tree. ~ Eric Whitney, Whitneys Farm
Market, www.whitneysfarm.com. We provide a fresh cut, tree netting,
and we secure the tree to the top of your car for all the trees that we sell
from our Christmas tree lot.
HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE
by eric whitney
F
ollow the stars placed in ads scattered throughout this issue to
find advertisers who are offering additional online coupons and
deals starting 12/1/13.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

9

home, garden & landscape
The Empire State Building has gone GREEN
because of a window energy retroft technique
to remove, weatherproof and replace all 6,514
windows to help the famous landmark reach
its goal of reducing energy consumption
by 38%. Exclusively sold at Morrison's.
Morrisons window glass technology
- energy eciency higher than the rest!
Fuel Savings
up to 50%
obtained by customers!
We don't brag about
having the best windows,
our customers do it for us!"
413-442-3001
674 North Street Pittsfeld, MA 01201
Very satisfed with replacement window installation."
Windows have proved to keep the house cooler."
"Noticed extreme dierence right away."
"I used less than a half tank of oil!"
"Gone are the rattles and the drafts."
"Tremendous savings on fuel bills."
www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com
Licensed-CSL #051408
Registered-HIC #131832
The Empire State
Building just
got SERIOUS
EMERGENCY ON CALL SERVICE
24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK
413-445-5678
800-707-1441
Licenced
Bonded
Insured
800-707-1441
www.servicemasteroftheberkshires.com
L
o
c
a
lly

O
w
n
e
d
A
n
d
O
p
e
r
a
t
e
d
Disaster Restoration
Over 20 Years Experience In
CERTIFIED & TRAINED
TECHNICIANS WITH OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE
GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
ServiceMASTER of the Berkshires,
ServiceMASTER of Columbia County, NY
Emergency Water Damage Remediation
House Wide & Post Construction Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Floor Maintenance Animal Debris & Odor Clean Up Sewer & Septic Clean Up
Fire, Soot & Smoke Remediation Mold & Odor Remediation
3 Westview Road, Pittsfeld, MA
www.HartsvilleDesign.com
Do you want the
kitchen that youve always
dreamed o?
Hartsville Design
Woodworking


(413) 528-6133
FSC Certified Wood Upon Request
Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com
Call today.
It's time.
Kitchens Baths Entertainment Centers Home Offices



10

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
food & drink
Cross Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing with Amenities
Warm up by the replace
Enjoy delicious mulled cider,
hot chocolate and fresh baked goods
Taste any one of our wines for FREE
Professionally groomed trails designed by
Olympian John Morton.
Hilltop Orchards,
home of Furnace Brook Winery
Open daily 9am-5pm
508 Canaan Rd/Rt 295 Richmond, MA 01254
Snow conditions: 800-833-6274 / Hilltoporchards.com
Check website for details of full moon snowshoe treks!
SNOWSHOE &
SKI RENTALS
honey do!
T
here is a huge debate going on about
what is killing our bees and that has
focused all of us on their amazing impor-
tance. The vast majority of the food we
eat depends on their pollinating ways, so
protecting them is not optional. In addi-
tion, of course, bees make this magical
golden potion known as honey.
The expression busy as a bee is apt:
They must visit two million fowers, log-
ging in 55,000 fight miles (which is twice
around the earth and then some), to make
one pound of honey! The Fresh Honey
Cookbook by Laurey Masterson, who is a
beekeeper, gives us her personal disaster
to victory tale. The recipes are seasonally
organized and fabulous: Just reading the
instructions for Meyer lemon- and honey-
marinated chicken skewers, rack of lamb
with a coffee and avocado honey crust,
switchel (aka Haymakers Punch), Elsies
stewed apples, and Russian tea makes my
mouth water.
Her suggestions of ways in which we
could help our beleaguered bees are real-
istic (and I hope will spark you to action)
from buying honey from your local bee-
keeper to planting the kinds of fowers
that bees like to visit. Her plan for creating
safe little watering holes for the bees in our
gardens is a great creative recycling idea.
The most moving image in the book
is opposite the help the bees page. It is
an amulet called lifes work and it is a vial
containing one twelfth of a teaspoon of
honey, which is the total amount a worker
bee will produce in her lifetime. It is a poi-
gnant reminder from the humble bee to
us all, that even small actions by a lot of
people can create a huge, sweet outcome.
~ Mi ri am Jacobs wri tes about food at
www. sandwi chdiva. com.
THE FRESH HONEY COOKBOOK BY LAUREY MASTERSON
review by miriam jacobs
S
elsie's cranberry pie
PUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE FRESH HONEY COOKBOOK
T
his is another fun dessert. Though called a pie, it doesn't have a pesky crust, so calm
your worries about that. My version is made with cranberry honey instead of sugar.
If you need a quick dessert for a family supper or a potluck contribution, give this one
a shot. Outside of cranberry season, use seasonal berries. Serves six.
the ingredients:
3 cups fresh cranberries | cup chopped pecans | cup honey, preferably cranberry
honey | 2 eggs | cup unbleached all-purpose four | cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
2. Butter a ten-inch pie plate and fll with the cranberries and pecans. Drizzle with
cup of the honey.
3. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl until light and lemony yellow. While still beating, add
the remaining cup honey, the flour, and the melted butter, and mix thoroughly. Spread
the mixture on top of the cranberries.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the crust is nicely toasted light brown. Let cool slightly,
and serve while still warm. Leftovers (if any!) will be great for breakfast.
here's what you do:
Cross Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing with Amenities
Warm up by the replace
Enjoy delicious mulled cider,
hot chocolate and fresh baked goods
Taste any one of our wines for FREE
Professionally groomed trails designed by
Olympian John Morton.
Hilltop Orchards,
home of Furnace Brook Winery
Open daily 9am-5pm
508 Canaan Rd/Rt 295 Richmond, MA 01254
Snow conditions: 800-833-6274 / Hilltoporchards.com
Check website for details of full moon snowshoe treks!
SNOWSHOE &
SKI RENTALS

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

11

food & drink
Hafinger Haus
Restaurant, Tavern & Inn
Voted Best Restaurant in the Berkshires
Austrian-American Cuisine
413-743-2221 www.hafingerhaus.com
17 Commercial Street, Adams, MA
We host weddings, birthdays,
reunions, and funerals.
Book your holiday party now!
413-232-8595
Main St., West Stockbridge MA
INTRODUCING OUR CUSTOM MADE
SOUR DOUGH
TAKE AND BAKE PIZZAS!
Take Out Dinner Specials Freshly Made Daily
ORGANIC CHICKEN & NATURAL PRODUCTS
Local Products in Season
Wine & Beer Fresh Ground Coees
ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY PLATTERS & PIZZA NOW
5pm dinner only, seasonal hours
150 Main St., Lee, Mass.
413.243.6397
cheznousbistro.com
BTW save room
French chef,
American baker,
real food
Holistic Health Coaching
for woman in their prime
Whole Foods for Healing
Menopause Management
Specializing in cleansing and detox programs,
menopause nutrition, cooking classes, and more.
Mention this ad for a free strategy session.
www.Kosmic-Kitchen.com
Do you want to look and feel your best?
Find out how I can help.
(413) 822-8390, katherine@kosmic-kitchen.com

413.499.1192 Trattoria-Rustica.com
26 McKay Street in downtown Pittsfield. Dinner 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday)
Antichi Sapori
The authentic flavors of Pompeian brick oven cooking
& grilling savored in an elegant rustic ambiance.
Emphasis on local and organic products.
Meats are antibiotic & hormone-free.
Beautiful Courtyard Dining

12

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
animal talk
keeping your pets safe
T
he holidays can be such a wonderful time! We decorate,
connect with friends and family, and eat wonderful food.
For our pets it can be a stressful, chaotic, and dangerous time.
Below you will fnd some of the most important areas to pay
attention to so everyone enjoys a great holiday season.
FOODS TO AVOI D
It is a good idea to feed your pet before the festivities begin;
they will be less likely to try to steal food with a full belly. The
following items should be avoided as they can cause symptoms
ranging from stomach upset, bloat, ruptured digestive systems,
and even death in your pet.
Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate
Alcohol dogs can be driven to steal some as it is sweet
Rich fatty foods
Uncooked dough
Grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts
PLANTS TO AVOI D
Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias
DECORATI ONS
Do not use food to decorate your tree
Ribbons on your gifts can cause blockages
No tinsel or angel hair on the tree (especially attractive to cats)
Clean up pine needles as they can puncture intestines
Be sure your pet cannot drink out of the tree water; this
water can contain toxic chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides,
and fame retardants
If you have an artifcial tree, avoid using snow sprays and scents
Secure the tree to the wall and hang lights higher up as
pets can get entangled in the lights, chew on the wires, and
tip the tree over
Place all candles out of tail-wagging height
Aluminum foil and wrappers can cause blockages; be sure
to keep counters clear of food and trash cans secured
Finally, keep in mind that not all people like animals, and not all
animals like to be around large groups of people. So offer your
pet a place of respite where they can get away from it all and if
you can keep your pets schedule as close to normal for feeding,
playtime, and exercise, it will truly be a wonderful holiday season
for all! ~Jennifer M. Andrews, ABCDT, Camp Wagalot, Stockbridge, MA,
www.lovecampwagalot.com. See ad on facing page.
DURI NG THE HOLI DAYS
/ by jennifer m. andrews

940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230



CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957

BENSDOTTERS PET 413-528-4940


Your trusted source
for quality foods
and supplies.
Your trusted resource
for raw-feeding
information
and advice.


Convenient Location with Ample Parking
on Route 7 less than a minute south of Guidos

www.bensdotters.com
Mon-Fri 10a-6p Sat-Sun 10a-4p


www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

13

www.lovecampwagalot.com
CAMP WAGALOT
Stockbridge, MA
SOCIAL BOARDING & DOGGY DAYCARE
SAFE, SUPERVISED EXERCISE & PLAY
. . . and a cookie before bed!
www.lovecampwagalot.com
(413) 298-5300
Where True Friends are Made
animal talk
28 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Pick Up & Delivery
Natural Products Available
Geriatric Pets Welcome
WE OFFER mini-grooms ALSO
413-770-6988
All Breeds & Sizes

charmedladybugs@yahoo.com West Stockbridge, MA

SMALL ANIMAL INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND SURGERY
CAROLYN CANNON DVM
CERTIFIED VETERINARY CHIROPRACTOR
ACUPUNCTURE
CHINESE HERBAL THERAPY

199 ROUTE 44, MILLERTON, NY 12546
518-789-3440


I am a small-animal veterinarian,
extensively trained, qualified, and
experienced in both conventional
and homeopathic medicine. My
practice is 100% devoted to holistic
and classical homeopathic care.

www.vethomeopath.com
Anne C. Hermans DVM
Certified Veterinary Homeopath
New Preston, CT
860-868-6406
The Gifts Our Animal Companions
Give Us Every Day . . .
Recent studies show that children who grow up with
pets in the house have stronger immune systems than
those who live in pet-free households.
Psychologists have found reason to believe that
owning a dog helps lower your blood pressure and
your cholesterol.
A study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute showed
that people who own cats are 30 percent less likely to
suffer a heart attack.
Pets give us joy and make us feel better overall and help
us to deal with stress, which can be a source of illness.

14

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
fashion & beauty


A service salon providing
Lakme Products
Three dimensional coloring
Soy based color

Sharon Shopping Center
Sharon, CT
860.364.5111
Chemicals can be absorbed through skin and into the
blood stream, causing toxic effects, says the Extension
Toxicology Network. Researcher Linda Cha, who writes
for www.thehealthytruth.net, agrees, citing the danger to un-
born children: Recent studies by dermatologists at the University
of California and a multiple university cooperative team confrm
that skin absorption is the major route of entry [for chemicals from
skin or hair products getting into the womb].
Balance Calendula Face & Body Cream
I
started making organic skin
care products for myself
over nine years ago because
I am chemically sensitive and
have very dry, sensitive skin.
Even healthy products at
the health food store did not
seem to work for me. As I
became more involved mak-
ing these natural products, I
began to research the ingredi-
ents I used. Does it really matter what you put on your skin? Many
of us think about what we put in our mouths, but we dont apply
the same level of thought and care to what we put on our skin.
Our skin is our largest organ. Some research suggests that
what we put on our skin goes directly into our bloodstream,
and others say it goes directly into the liver. Ultimately, they all
agree that our skin does absorb what is applied to it. The tag
line for my organic line of skin care products is Food to Nourish
Your Skin, because you are not only what you eat, you are what
you put on your skin, so feed it well!
Most topically applied creams, lotions and potions, soaps, per-
fumes, and other beauty care products on the market today con-
tain fragrances, preservatives, and other chemicals that readily
penetrate the skins surface and travel to our liver. Your liver
can be compared to a giant flter that works to remove wastes
and keep your insides clean. Whether a substance is swallowed,
inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, it is our livers job to flter
it. Because the liver is the bodys primary detoxifer, keeping it
healthy is critical to our overall health, including proper metabo-
lism and function of our hormones. When we expose our bod-
ies to chemicals, our liver is required to work overtime to flter
out these harmful and toxic ingredients. When overburdened,
just like a flter that is backed up, the liver cannot then process
toxins as effciently and thoroughly as needed, and the excess
can escape back into the body, compromising our health.
Not only is the skin an absorption organ, the skin is also one
of the largest organs of elimination, assisting the liver in the
detoxifcation process. It is, therefore, important to keep skin
natural skin care
DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR SKIN?
by alana schwartz
W
onderful Things, 232 Stockbridge Road,
Great Barrington, MA 01230. Gifts Yarn Supplies
(413) 528-2473, www.wonderful-things.com.
"Fashion is a kind of communication. It's a language without
words. A great hat speaks for itself." ~ author unknown

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

15

pores unclogged. Products that contain in-
gredients that clog skin pores (like petro-
chemicals) make the livers job even harder.
According to the iSO-Care FAQ page (www.
isocare.net/displayarticle.asp?id=51) there
are more than 800 chemicals commonly
used in commercial skin care products, 44
of which you should never use. Avoid pet-
rochemicals and synthetic preservatives and
fragrances, which may dehydrate and cause
dry skin, irritate and clog the skin, leading
to infammation, breakouts, or potentially
more serious health problems. Ever notice
that people need to reapply ChapStick con-
tinually? Thats because it contains petroleum
derivatives and chemical ingredients that ac-
tually dry out the lips. Our FDA does not
protect us from these harmful ingredients,
so we need to become educated consumers
to help protect ourselves and our families.
Check the ingredients on your skin care
products to see if any of these petroleum
derived ingredients are present:
Mineral Oil Petroleum or Petrolatum
Propylene Glycol Isopropyl Alcohol
Ceresin Toluene Benzene Paraffn
So what can you put on your skin? First,
the best way to feed our skin is from the
inside out what we put in our bodies. And
yes, while it seems clich, drinking water is
one of the smartest ways to keep our skin
hydrated. Then nourish the skin from the
outside with natural products made from
wholesome, natural, and organic plant and
mineral ingredients. When you put some-
thing on your skin, imagine that youre
eating it. Do your feel comfortable eating
those ingredients? If not, use products with
simpler ingredients (all of which you can
pronounce) that you can feel good about.
~ Alana Schwartz lives in Stuyvesant, NY,
and farms and homesteads, working to live in
harmony with nature. Shes created a cottage busi-
ness, Moon Goddess Herbals, where she grows
the vast majority of her own herbs and pasture-
raises the goats for goat milk soaps and creates
superior, food-grade, organic skin care products
infused with botanicals. Learn more or contact her
at www.moongoddessherbals.com.

16

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
education & workshops
M
o
n
t
e
s
s
o
r
i

s

d
i
s
c
o
v
e
r
y
-
b
a
s
e
d
educatio
n
...
c
a
n

m
e
a
n
a
whole
n
e
w

p
e
r
s
p
e
c
t
i
v
e

f
o
r

y
o
u
r

c
h
i
l
d
.
Toddler Childrens House Elementary Adolescent Summer
Current openings in our
Toddler Community and
Childrens House
Now accepting applications for
the 2014-2015 school year.
(413) 637-3662 BerkshireMontessori.org Lenox Dale, MA

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

17

our gifts to children
T
he brain of a young child works dif-
ferently than the brain of an adult.
Sensorial experiences actually shape the
childs brain, forming neurological webs
that last throughout the childs life.
The fact that our interactions with young
people help shape their future selves opens
up an incredible opportunity. Each experi-
ence can be a gift. Often the simplest mo-
ments can carry the most meaning.
During the rush of this season, we have
the opportunity to slow down and really
be present with the young children in our
lives. By being open to the wonder and de-
light our children experience, we gain new
perspective while also giving the best gift
of all: our total attention.
This may mean taking a deep breath and
momentarily turning off the chatter of
the to-do list, squatting down to a childs
eye-level, smiling, and just listening or
seeing what he wants to share. A helpful
holiday mantra can be: Talk less. Listen
more.
In addition to giving our full attention,
whether for 20 seconds or 20 minutes, we
can also offer to teach a young person a new
skill. The key to these teaching moments is to
focus on each distinct step so that its simple
and attainable. Even very young children can
be involved with tasks like setting the table,
wrapping gifts, and tending to simple house-
hold maintenance. They appreciate being in-
volved with routine activities and they want
to contribute in a meaningful way.
Dr. Jane Healy, author of numerous books,
including Your Childs Growing Mind, reminds
us that children need the opportunity to re-
peatedly practice activities that seem sec-
ond nature to adults: Self-help skills and
household jobs are very important for the
child to master help your child, but en-
courage him to do it himself even if the job
isnt done exactly your way!
When encouraging or supporting a child
in trying a new skill or participating in a
new task, be sure to take the childs per-
spective into account. Showing how to do
something is often most effective, and ver-
balized instructions can be kept to a mini-
mum. It is best not to talk while showing
something and not to show something
while talking! This allows the child to fo-
cus on absorbing one kind of sensory in-
put, thus keeping the information clear in
his mind.
These kinds of ordered and clear expe-
riences are key to a childs development.
Impressions do not merely enter his
mind; they form it, explained Dr. Maria
Montessori a physician turned educator
who spent intensive time observing chil-
dren, making scientifc notes, and thus
coming to an enlightened understanding
of childhood development.
Dr. Montessori observed how children
respond positively to organization, both
in terms of expected routines and physi-
cal space. Current research, such as that
comparing the HOME inventory (Home
Observation for Measurement of the En-
vironment) to longitudinal information
collected in the Bayley Mental Develop-
ment Inventory, shows that organized
environments lead to higher intelligence
scores.*
We all know that the holiday season throws
our routines and even our physical settings
a bit askew. With this in mind, children
beneft greatly from adults in their lives
maintaining a calm sense of order during
this busy time.
In order to create a calm, ordered environ-
ment, we ourselves need to have balance
and clarity in our own lives! Staying pres-
ent in the moment, breathing deeply, and
ultimately taking care of our own needs
allows us to offer our best selves to the
children around us.
What we offer to our children, in terms
of our presence, special activities, or toys,
can provide opportunities to aid their de-
velopment. During this time of gift giv-
ing, for example, we can provide objects
that have an intelligent purpose and help
children contribute in a meaningful way
to the order around them. Child-sized, yet
real, items are particularly valuable: cook-
ing tools, building tools, yard tools, even
mops and brooms.
Children dont stay young for long, and
the early years are extremely formative.
In her book, Understanding the Human Be-
ing: The Importance of the First Three Years
of Life, Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro
explains the significance of a young
childs experiences:
by meagan ledendecker
education & workshops
Getting down to a childs eye-level shows
him you are really listening and seeing.
Having a real and usable object can be a
tremendous source of joy.
A Montessori School toddler sets the table
for lunch
continued on page 18

18

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
education & workshops
A wonderful, well-rounded collection
of books for all ages and interests,
plus friendly, respectful library services
with a fine "listening ear" to
patron suggestions!
(413) 274-3738
1087 Main Street in the
Village of Housatonic, MA
Menu of Services
Public Computers and a
computer game station for kids
Unique world and traditional
crafts for all ages
"Ancient History Fairs" for
children that include related books
and hands-on arts/crafts
Live music from local &
distant musicians
All-genre sessions for writers to gather,
read and discuss works.
Professionally led history, science, animal,
and earth programs for families.
Well-respected jugglers and storytellers.
and so much more!
Everyone is
WE L C O ME
our gifts to children
Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School
Wal dor f Educat i on i n t he Berkshi res f or over 40 years
(413) 528-4015 www.gbrss.org Great Barrington, MA
We educate our students to meet life with courage,
impart meaning and purpose to their lives, and
respond with creativity and integrity to the needs of
the world. Our well-rounded, hands-on education
prepares students for their choice of high school and
college and to reach their full potential.
P a r e n t - B a b y P r e - K K i n d e r g a r t e n
1 s t - 8 t h Gr a d e S u mme r P r o g r a m
Everything that comes from the environment is received,
processed and stored in the brain cells with no effort using a
form of unconscious absorption. This intense mental activity
is always going on, even in prenatal life, and it characterizes
the absorbent mind.
For those interested in learning more about optimal environ-
ments for these absorbent minds, visit www.BerkshireMontessori.org.
There you can inquire about setting up home environments
that best support child development from birth to age three,
register for a Parent-Child Playgroup to learn about ideal play
materials, or schedule a visit to The Montessori School of the
Berkshires to see learning environments specifcally designed
for neurological growth.
Knowing that the young children around us are absorbing
everything about their surroundings, this season lets give them
our attention, meaningful ways to contribute to daily tasks, and
a calm, ordered environment. As a result, were helping some
remarkable young people as they develop into capable, caring
young adults.
*For more information on this research, take a
look at the book, Montessori: The Science Behind the
Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard.
~ Meagan Ledendecker has three children and
is the Director of Education at The Montessori
School of the Berkshires. In addition to Mon-
tessori training for ages three through twelve,
she has Assistants to Infancy training for pre-
natal through age three childhood development. See ad on page 16.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
by meagan ledendecker
Whole Foods Holiday Desserts Class
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2013, 11am - 2pm
Place: Kosmic Kitchen, 121 High Street, Lee, MA - (413) 822-8390
Price: $75.
*
Delicious sweet treats with no dairy, no gluten, and
no refned sugar! Desserts that are a pure pleasure to eat, and no
guilt to deal with afterwards!
*
nut nog
*
maple walnut-craisin crunch
*
clementine compote with cardamom cake
*
pomegranate-coconut cream tart
*
chocolate cheese cake
*
chocolate mousse
*
hazelnut macaroons
$75 includes all materials, recipes, and eating.
*Register with a friend and you each get $10 off your tuition
(add two classes to your cart, use the coupon code friend for
$20 off your total). Visit www.kosmic-kitchen.com/classes/ for
information. See ad on page 11.
learn about healthy desserts!
S

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

19

community spotlight: stockbridge & west stockbridge
Felted Things
BY JULI
Handmade - Felted
Lamb & Llama Wool
Decorations & Ornaments
for all OccasiOns
Special Orders Available
Call now 413-770-6988
charmedladybugs@yahoo.com
See our line on
stockbridge &
west stockbridge
S
tockbridge is blessed with great physical beauty and rich
cultural history. The town was incorporated in 1739 for
the purpose of establishing a mission for the Mahican Indians.
The collaborative experiment was led by John Sergeant, often
considered the father of Stockbridge. In the late 1700s, the
Mahicans sold their property (under some duress) and were
resettled in New York State, and later, Wisconsin. In 1850, the
railroad came to Stockbridge, making the community easily
accessible to New York City and ushering in the era of the
Berkshire Cottages and the tourist trade.
The cultural and artistic community in the town has al-
ways been unique. Religious leaders from Jonathan Edwards to
Reinhold Niebuhr, writers from novelist Catharine Sedgwick to
playwright William Gibson, and artists such as Norman Rock-
well and Daniel Chester French have made their home here.
Tanglewood and Berkshire Theatre Group draw artists of in-
ternational renown. Psychoanalyst Erik Erickson worked at the
Austen Riggs Center, and Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is
the largest retreat center of its kind in North America.
In 2012, the Stockbridge Library Association celebrated its ses-
quicentennial, and the 75th anniversary of its Historical Museum &
Archives. Sitting at the center of town, the Library has a frst-hand
view of Stockbridge people, their activities, and their accomplish-
ments. Pay us a visit and see for yourselves. ~ By Katherine ONeil,
Director of the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives
W
est Stockbridge has long prided itself as being a little
different from its better-known and richer neighbors,
Lenox and Stockbridge, and protective of its small-town sensi-
bility. It has an 1800s feel with a contemporary artistic inspira-
tion, and a natural beauty unspoiled by development.
As you walk around the downtown, you get the sense of
history with Chas. H. Baldwin & Sons, celebrating 125 years
in business in the same family with vanilla and other extracts,
unusual gifts and cards, and candy you havent seen since child-
hood. Across the street is Baldwin Hardware, 150 years old next
year. There you can get almost any part you need for your proj-
ect, and more importantly, advice on how to actually do it. The
centerpiece of the Main Street is the 1854 Town Hall, headquar-
ters of the West Stockbridge Historical Society and currently
being renovated as a town meeting and activity center.
Recent arrivals in town are 6 Depot Roastery & Cafe, in the
old train station, and the Shaker Dam Coffee House & Stan-
meyer Gallery in the former mill managers house. Both serve
incredible coffees and boast world-class art/photography exhib-
it spaces. In Fall 2014, the West Stockbridge Sculptural Park will
open an 11-acre outdoor sculpture garden in the town center.
On Friday, December 6, from 4:30 to 8pm, the Village As-
sociation, Cultural Council, Parks & Recreation, and Historical
Society will sponsor the Deck the Halls in the Streets gather-
ing with hayrides, music, refreshments, caroling, and tree light-
ing on Main Street. West Stockbridge is a wonderful place to
live, visit, dine, shop, explore the outdoors, and just enjoy. ~ By
Robert Salerno, President of the West Stockbridge Historical Society
Charles H. Baldwin & Sons
Since 1888, manufacturers of vanilla
extract and favoring extracts.
Country store: old time toys, candies,
baking ingredients, misc. sundries &
more. Check out our old time photo
booth! Open year round.
413.232.7785
1 Center Street West Stockbridge
www.baldwinextracts.com
Purveyors of ne, rare and hard to nd
wines and spirits fom around the world.
(413) 232-8522
26 Main Street
West Stockbridge, MA 01266
Artisianal Fine Wines, Craft Beers,
Wide Selection of Liquor,
Locally Made Cheeses
Free Wine & Beer Tastings
Every Saturday
Queensboro
Wine kSpirits
www.queensborowineandspirits.com
Charles H. Baldwin & Sons
(413) 232-7785
Celebrating 125 years!
Berkshire Pens, Lathe-turned writing instruments,
bowls, bottle stoppers, napkin rings, spinning tops,
and yo-yos. (413) 298-4773, www.berkshirepens.com
Zoftique, 8 Center Street, West Stockbridge, MA
01266. Designer womens styles featuring tops, bags,
scarves, and jewelry. (413) 232-0200
Hotchkiss Mobiles, 8 Center Street, West Stock-
bridge, MA 01266. Colorful contemporary mobiles.
(413) 232-0200, www.artmobiles.com
stockbridgelibrary.org
Photo by Joe Mabel

20

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
health & wellness
Were Perfecting the Art of Superior Care.
Its all included at PineHill.
Job#: BERK130922
Size: 5.31 x 6
Publication:
Client: Kimball Farms
De: mdk
Ae: sd
Date: 10.06.2013
Rnd~Ver: r03vA
Colors
C M Y K
NA NA NA NA
Notes:
1017 TURNPIKE STREET, CANTON, MA 02021 (P) 781.828.9290 (F) 781.828.9419 WWW.TRIADADVERTISING.COM
235 Walker Street Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-7000
www.kimballfarms.org
At PineHill, the only surprises we believe in are surprise birthday celebrations,
surprise outings, and our chefs surprise desserts. Our residents enjoy an all-
inclusive service fee, covering the services you need, for one predictable price.
Call today to discover the value of All-Inclusive Assisted Living.

taming holiday
wolshness
by pam youngqui st
I
will not eat any sugar. I will not eat
any baked goods. I will not drink
any alcohol or caffeine. I will not fll my
plate. I will be good and healthy this time,
I swear. How many of us started out this
holiday season with some variation of these
same vows to ourselves? We always hope
that the Angel sitting on our shoulder will
fnally win out over that little Devil on the
other side that beckons, cajoles, and bullies
us into making wrong choices about what
to put in our mouths during the holidays.
If we guilt and shame ourselves for
our excesses, we will only set up a dynamic
of tension within our bodies, which has
worse effects than what we consumed. The
digestive, immune, and nervous systems
are all sensitive to our self-shaming mental
shenanigans. We will end up not digesting
our food properly, potentially setting up
infammation in the body and then becom-
ing anxious or exhausted as a result of how
badly we feel. Dog chasing its tail, right?
Truthfully, most everyone succumbs
to the consumption blowout during the
holidays. Thats why New Years resolu-
tions were created, to appeal to that old
guilt anthem in our heads that begins any-
time after January frst about how badly
we behaved in the prior months.
Am I advocating far-reaching rapa-
ciousness? No, of course not. What I am
suggesting is that moderation and accep-
tance are concepts to embody if you do
not wish to make an enemy of yourself.
So you drank a bit too much, quite a bit
too much. So you ate gluten and dairy and
sugar, all at once, all too many times. So you
flled your plate twice at the buffet because
it all tasted so good. You did not exhibit the
modest food decorum that you had so des-
perately hoped you might this year. It is okay.
You have not committed a crime that alerted
the Food Police waiting in the paddy wagon
out front. You have not failed yourself.
The way forward is to address the slight-
ly uncomfortable effects that overconsump-
tion might bring to you over the next two
weeks, getting you through the blowout and
its aftermath and then taking each day at a
time to begin to build back into your desired
healthy routine with food and beverage.
Adding bitters to your beverages before
meals over the next weeks can do a good bit
of wonder. Yes, how many of you remem-
ber the old bottle of Angostura Aromatic
Bitters in the home bar? Traditionally, bitter
herbs have been used for hundreds of years
for easing the digestion after overconsump-
tion. Bitter herb combinations, such as gen-
tian, barberry, and wormwood, increase the
fow of digestive juices, help the liver to
detoxify, produce bile, and impose a regu-
latory effect on blood sugar and insulin.
While widely used in alcoholic beverages,
adding a few drops to your sparkling water
and fruit juice can have the same good ef-
fect. The frst step towards digesting all that
you imbibe: bitters.
If bitters did not make it into your bev-
erage and you are experiencing a good deal
of discomfort after eating more than your
share of goodies, then turn no further than
the kitchen cupboard for baking soda. Two
teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in one
cup of warm water, sipped somewhat slow-
ly, can ease the beast of overmixed mediums
in your belly. Baking soda will neutralize an
i will not i will not eat any sugar i will not eat any baked goods i will not drink any alcohol or cafeine i will not ll my plate i will not eat any sugar

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

21

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overly acidic digestive tract. Better than
Tums or other antacids, baking soda does
not leave any residual bad effects when
used this way. Though a fairly surefre
remedy in a pinch, we dont want to make
a habit of this gastric soother.
If you fnd yourself feeling not so
fresh the morning after festivities of these
weeks, slightly hungover, overflled, and
sporting a nausea that wont quit, consid-
er the homeopathic remedy nux vomica.
Its amazing ability to defuse the ravages
of overconsumption is only one of the
more than 200 uses for this little miracle-
working remedy. The best potency for
acute issues is 30c; take 3 pellets under
the tongue, where they will dissolve on
their own, every half hour for a total of 3
hours. Do not drink or eat for 15 minutes
on either side of taking the remedy.
Hopefully these small tips might help
tame the effects of your holiday wolfsh-
ness. Remember there is no need to pun-
ish your wild side. Just be sure to support
yourself through this undomesticated time.
~ Pam Youngquist PhD, Traditional Naturopathic
Care, www.traditionalnaturopathiccare.com
i will not i will not eat any sugar i will not eat any baked goods i will not drink any alcohol or cafeine i will not ll my plate i will not eat any sugar

22

December | January 2014 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
health & wellness
Andrew M. Goldman, DO is pleased to announce that Kim Tripp,
DO, PhD has joined the practice. Dr. Tripp was originally a patient of
Dr. Goldmans while she was the Director of the New York Botanical
Garden. In 2007, Kim made the inspired decision to change her
career and become an osteopathic physician. She graduated from
the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in
2011. She has now completed her required post-graduate training.
Many of Dr. Goldmans patients have already met Kim while she was
training in his ofce. Those patients know how gifted Kim is and how
much she will bring to the practice.
Now Accepting Appointments
Great Barrington, ma 413-528-3334 | Sharon, ct 860-364-5990
Dr. Kim Tripp
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the true meaning
O
ne of the greatest holiday memories I have as a child is of my
father sitting at the kitchen table with his checkbook, and my
mother and I diligently licking stamps to put on the back of our holiday
cards. Yes, once upon a time stamps needed to be licked! These stamps
had a beautiful illustration of a young boy carrying his little brother
on his back through the snow. Underneath were the words He aint
heavy Father, hes m brother. The check was going to Boys Town,
an organization for orphans and troubled boys. My parents didnt
have much, but that check went out faithfully every holiday season.
Children truly do learn from example. For my parents, giving was
something you did year round. What incredible examples I had as a
child! My grandfather put on shows to raise money for families in
crisis. Now I fnd that by habit, or instinct, this time of year is a
time I start thinking again about my father and those stamps, and
the true meaning of giving. For me it is about the joy . . . the joy of
giving. Thats the fun part! There are so many nonproft organizations
right here in Berkshire County that desperately need our help. I felt
frustrated that I could not give more, so three years ago I called sev-
eral friends and asked them if they would like to throw a few bucks in
a pot every month and take turns picking where we would send the
money. After three years we have helped the hungry, the cold, various
veterans organizations, abandoned animals, the homeless and abused,
injured children, and more. Even though none of us are very well off,
together we make a difference. Our motto is: Every Pebble Makes a
Ripple. I highly recommend trying this as well. Its fun, its satisfying to
your spirit, and you will never regret making out that check!
OF GI VI NG
/ by sharon vidal

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com December | January 2014

23

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