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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Moving Through Changes

May 01, 2020 03:19PM ● By Joe Dunne

To our readers, advertisers, families, employees and friends, we wish you only the best through these challenging and unpredictable times. As always “if you have your health, you have everything” seems to ring true. All of us at Natural Awakenings wish you good health.

        “In patience there is wisdom, and in wisdom there is the need for patience.” This is one of my favorite quotes and has echoed in my mind for years, yet never has it felt so true as now. Although I write about change constantly and how little we truly can control, this pandemic makes the point in a way no written word could describe. Change is upon us and our new reality is forming in real time.   

While you are reading this message in our Digital Only Special Edition, our intention is to resume printing in June. Like so many businesses, we will remain flexible as we adjust to changing circumstances. In the meantime, I hope you will help spread the word, and let everyone know they can visit our website to read the latest issue. Most of our advertisers are local and have a presence on our website. Many are open and sharing in some capacity with online courses, training, virtual consultations, livestreaming and so much more. Please support them, since using local services and businesses will help our communities to recover and thrive again.

Yes, this is a time of change, but with change and disruption comes opportunities. Aside from business concerns, I have also been thinking about what I have been taught by life. In times like these, the opportunity to grow is epic. It has also been a time to reflect on my life as a husband since today my wife and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. 


What else has been good?


I have flossed more in five weeks than in five years.

My exercise program has increased, improved and changed.

My garden looks amazing.

Our house has eliminated the junk drawer.

We have cleaned out all the 20-year-old shirts, jackets, etc., and the closet now has room.

We have eliminated all the unnecessary monthly charges, and now have one music source.

My computer is much more organized.

We are happy that we are healthy.

We pray as a family with a little more sincerity.

I appreciate more and take less for granted.

We have supported each other like never before.

I believe we have brought much more love back into our family.


What has been good for you? E-mail us or leave a comment on our website.


Thank you for all your support.


In peace, love and laughter,

Joe Dunne, Publisher



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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