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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey / December 2024

Dec 06, 2024 03:59AM ● By Jerome Bilaos
Each issue is brimming with empowering information on natural health, nutritious eating, invigorating fitness, personal growth, sustainable living, and creative expression. This month, we’re turning up the excitement with a fantastic lineup of articles that will inspire and motivate you! 

Uncover **12 Ways to Fitness** that will elevate your wellness routine, and explore the hot trend of **Shampoo, Conditioner, and Dish Soap Bars**—eco-friendly alternatives that are revolutionizing our daily rituals. Learn how to compassionately support your furry friends with our tips on **Caring for Anxious Pets While We're Away**, and reflect on cherished memories with **From Melancholy to Sweet Remembrance**.

Be inspired by the remarkable **Jean Shafiroff** as she shares her insights on giving back, and discover delightful **Soulful Holiday Gifts** that spread love and joy. Plus, engage with our **Click Local** initiative to support your community, find **Something To Smile About** in every day, and treat yourself to **Healthier Holiday Cookies** that will keep the festive spirit alive—guilt-free!

Join us in this exciting journey towards a healthier, more harmonious life. Every page promises to inform, inspire, and empower you to embrace a lifestyle that nurtures you and the environment. Don’t miss out!
In-Print
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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