Well-adjusted Mama

Penelope Jagessar Chaffer is a multi award winning documentary filmmaker, writer, feminist, children’s environmental health advocate and global environmentalist. She is the first black, female director to be nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award. She has directed several well received pieces of work including “Shakespeare’s Stories” for the BBC, which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2006. She has also won over 10 awards for her British television work, including 5 gold national and international Promax awards and is a double BAFTA, Royal Television Society and Grierson (British Documentary Awards) nominee. A documentary auteur, her films display a singularly unique perspective on the world we live in with The Observer newspaper in Britain calling her work “a joy to watch.” She is the director, producer and writer of Toxic Baby, which will be released as the world’s first interactive documentary app for the iPad. Penelope has been named one of the top 100 Green Online Influence

Ariele Myers is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Board Certified Herbalist, and the owner of Ariele's Apothecary, Hoboken's Acupuncture and Wellness Center.  While Ariele successful treats various forms of dis-ease in the body, from digestive to emotional to pain, her focus is on women's reproductive health.  She enjoys helping a woman throughout the transformational process of becoming a mother, from becoming pregnant and to sustaining a healthy, full-term pregnancy through labor and beyond.   Ariele has two sons, Leo and Jonah, who are constant reminders about the nature of balance and joyfulness.  Since starting her own family, Ariele has been committed to helping other parents make healthy choices for theirs.  Ariele encourages her patients to actively participate in their own healing process, empowering them to achieve and maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health.   When not with patients, Ariele can often be found in the Apothecary basement workshop, hand-blending oils and potions to add to her Artis

Denise Bolds has been a resident of the Hudson Valley for over twenty years and is originally from Harlem.  She is a successful single parent of a son who holds a master's degree and lives in New York City.  Ms. Bolds has earned her undergraduate degrees from Dutchess Community and Marist Colleges and she has a Master's Degree in Social Work.  She is also a self-published author, whose books are sold on Amazon, and Denise has her own Internet show: "Black Motherhood Empowerment" where she is both producer and host.   Denise has worked with women and their families for over sixteen years and she now owns her own business, Bold Doula.  As a certified birth doula, Ms. Bolds continues to empower women, one birth at a time.   In her free time, Denise is currently earning additional certifications, is an avid reader, and she participates in several organizations and activities.  For more information, visit her website at www.bolddoula.com.  

The Fertility Expert is a recognized leader in the field of fertility and reproductive health.  Marc is the creator of www.MarcSklar.com and www.ReproductiveWellness.com, and he's the author of "Secret to Conception."  Marc has been studying, practicing, and educating others about alternative medicine for more than fifteen years in his clinics in Southern California.   After completing his undergraduate degree in Comparative Religion at the University of Florida, he experienced an illness and learned about Oriental Medicine while searching for the most effective way to recover.  That experience was a catalyst to expand his studies of Asia religions to include Oriental Medicine.  To pursue his interest, Marc explored the Middle East, India, and Nepal.   Upon returning to the U.S., he moved to San Diego to pursue and complete his Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.  Marc has studied with many prominent figures in Oriental Medicine, with additional cer

Dr. Stephen C. Marini was educated in basic science and medicine at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia where he received a M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology in 1976.  Doctoral studies followed at the University of Pennsylvania and Pacific Western University with dissertation research on avian tumor viruses accomplished at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia.  He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology in 1989.  Vitalistic training and professional development occurred at the Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic where he received his D.C. in 1988.  He served as professor of Microbiology at the Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic from 1980-1995 and as Academic Dean from 1990-1993.   As a vitalist trained in classical science and conventional medicine, Dr. Marini appreciates the role of energy/information on an individual's health and healing process.  He recognizes the need for a complementary, patient-centered approach to healing and health care options.  Dr. Steve incorporates this knowledge and belief

Laura Lagano, MS, RDN, CDN is a nutritionist and health educator who integrates her classic background as a registered dietitian with cutting-edge training in functional medicine.  Laura brings a range of experience in the food and nutrition world to the table.   She entered the field of functional medicine and nutrition organically-she followed the path set by her children.  Raising a child with a seizure disorder and apraxia has provided Laura with deep insight into life as both a parent and a health professional.  This experience and her own holistic health journey have informed her style of nutrition and health counseling.  Laura's inspiring story combined with her nutrition expertise and communications know-how form a winning combination for her clients.   Laura has immersed herself in the world of food, nutrition, and healing for over thirty years and continues to do so.  She received advanced training in clinical nutrition and biochemistry from the Institute of Functional Medicine which enabled Laura t

Visit www.HobokenChiro.comEmail - [email protected]: @drbrayton Dr. Cathy Wendland-Colby, D.C. is well known for her work with pregnant women and young families.  She lectures around the world on the importance of improving our lifestyles because "Healthy Moms Equal Healthy Babies."  Her lectures take people out of their comfort zone by dissecting the medical model forced on our society and replacing it with the natural approach-the chiropractic approach-to healthy pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.  You can see some of her work at www.educatedpregnancy.com and her YouTube station at DoctorCathy.   Her purpose is to educate as many people as possible how to live a healthier life because she recognizes that babies aren't pin cushions, kids aren't Guinea pigs, and no one should be treated as a human lab rat.  She believes that every person has the right to experience life to its fullest potential without drugs, without interference, and without limitations.  Her mission is to educate and lead our comm

Suzanne Ausnit has more than twenty years as a movement educator and therapist, teaching yoga, the Feldenkrais Method, and most recently, the Child'Space Method.  Prior to that, Suzanne worked as a journalist in Europe and the U.S., covering health, travel, food, and wine for a variety of national publications.   In addition to therapeutic yoga, she has taught various prenatal yoga and Pregnant Pauses classes in New York and New Jersey.  Pregnant Pauses is a Feldenkrais program designed to help women with lower back and rib pain, sciatica, breathing and sleeping difficulties and pelvic floor issues during pregnancy.  She has also taught yoga and Feldenkrais to children (ranging in age from five to eighteen) at three Hoboken schools.   As a Child'Space practitioner, she helps empower parents to enrich their baby's learning through instructive touch, guided movement, and special face-to-face interaction.  The process fosters enhanced mobility, self-soothing, vocal development, and deep parent-child bonding that

Lily Nichols is a registered dietitian, nutritionist, certified diabetes educator,certified LEAP therapist, and certified Pilates instructor whose approach to nutrition embraces real food, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She specializes in helping people with digestive issues heal from food sensitivities and in supporting pregnant women to have the healthiest pregnancy possible (even if, and especially when, they have conditions like gestational diabetes). Lily also helps Pilates teachers love their bodies (and lose weight in the process) by ditching restrictive dieting habits, tuning in to their body's inner cues, and indulging in real food. Lily is the author of Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Visit her website at www.pilatesnutritionist.com or www.realfoodforgd.com.

Madeleine M. Castellanos, MD is a practicing psychiatrist who specializes in sex therapy.  In her practice, she uses a functional medicine approach, both physically and psychologically, in order to get at the root cause of difficulties rather than just chasing symptoms without true resolution.  In addition to sex therapy, she provides bio-identical hormone replacement as well as functional medicine counseling to her patients.   Madeleine is the author of the Amazon #1 bestseller, Wanting to Want: What Kills Your Sex Life and How to Keep It Alive.  Apart from her own private practice, Dr. Castellanos has appeared both on local and national television and has been featured in several publications including Men's Health, Women's Health, Fox.com, Salon.com, Cosmopolitan, Parents.com, and AARP.  She also provides a wealth of information on sex and sexuality through her own blog, TheSexMD.com.  She lives in NYC.

Latham Thomas is a maternity lifestyle maven, women's wellness and birth coach, on the vanguard of transforming the maternal and women's wellness movement.  A graduate of Columbia University and The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Latham is the founder of Mama Glow, a holistic lifestyle hub for women to explore optimal wellbeing.   Her practice provides support to pre/post natal women along their journey to motherhood offering culinary and nutritional services, yoga, and birth coaching services.  She is co-founder of the Mama Glow Film Festival- a platform for maternal advocacy through film and philanthropy which launched in 2011 with Christy Turlington-Burns and Selita Ebanks.   Latham launched the Mama Glow Salon Series in 2012 hosting the East Coast premiere of "More Business of Being Born" and partnered with the Environmental Working Group to launch their co-branded non-toxic pregnancy guide.  Bridging the gap between optimal wellness, spiritual growth, and radical self-care, Latham Thomas is emergin

In September 2008, Lorraine Giordano was diagnosed with atypical uterine hyperplasia.  Due to her history of unresolved health issues, she embarked on a quest to save her uterus from being removed--Operation Save Uterus--and reclaim her mind-body-spirit health.  With her uterus intact, Lorraine Giordano launched "Inspired to Health" in 2012, a company dedicated to helping women let go, de-stress, and bridge the gap from dis-ease to finding their personal healthy way.  Lorraine is certified in Usui Reiki, Quantum Touch, Quantum Energy Transformation, and Integrated Energy Therapy.  She's a 2013 Bronze Stevie Award winner-Women Helping Women and her article "50 Shades of Vegetables" was featured in the Huffington Post.  She also enjoys blogging about female health.  For more information, please visit www.inspiredtohealth.net.  Research risks posed by dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in feminine hygiene products

Dr. Roy Nambudripad completed his undergraduate and medical school education at the University of California at Irvine.  He then completed a four-year residency in surgical and clinical pathology at UC Irvine Medical Center, which is the field focused on medical and surgical diagnosis.  Subsequently, Roy spent a year training and getting certified in medical acupuncture through the UCLA/Stanford program under the tutelage of Joseph Helms, MD.   He is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture as well as the Director of Research for the NAR Foundation, an organization focused on researching forms of non-conventional allergy treatment.  In addition, he spent many years training in NAET with his world-renowned mother, Dr. Devi.  He specializes in NAET and medical acupuncture.   His publications have appeared in peer-reviewed medical journals such as Circulation, International Journal of Surgical Pathology, Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Global Advances in Health & Medicine.

Specializing in pediatric and prenatal chiropractic care, Dr. Magwood is certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and in the Webster Technique.  Opening the IM=X Pilates Studios within his practices in Clifton, NJ and New York City has allowed Dr. Magwood to provide additional services to create and build upon spinal correction and physical rehabilitation.   Dr. Magwood provides true family wellness solutions, first and foremost, to educate and adjust children and their families towards optimal health through natural chiropractic care.  Dr. Magwood strives to help people feel less pain, but more importantly, to teach them to think, speak, and behave in ways that are truly uplifting and transformational in their lives.  As a result, people are less dependent on doctors and more confident in their ability to heal.   For more information, please visit his website at www.purebalancecenter.com.

Dr. Eden Fromberg is an integrative, holistic obstetrician/gynecologist and osteopathic clinical professor whose innovative and engaging approach to re-framing the medical dialogue and implementing effective health and wellness strategies with her patients and clients is unique and biointelligent.   Merging ancient wisdom with cutting edge research and innovation, Dr. Fromberg's women's health practice at SoHo OB/GYN in NYC is a sanctuary for truly holistic women's health care.  Dr. Fromberg is also the Founding Director of Lila Yoga, Dharma & Wellness where she teaches and curates BioIntelligent Movement, Integrative Wellness & Yoga for Women, Prenatal, and Fertility programs/teachings.   Dr. Fromberg's extensive and diverse backgroud, years of clinical experience, dedication to caring well for her patients and active interest in current research and innovation give her the opportunity to sort out complex issues and offer a range and depth of options to meet her patients' needs.   In addition to her

Debra Cerruti's knowledge and passion for all things birth-related began with the natural childbirth of her firstborn, Rebecca, in 1990.  Becca's birth inspired her to become a certified Bradley Method Childbirth Educator and spread the word about birth's amazing possibilities and power.   She had a son, Willem, in 1997, and soon after became a D.O.N.A. certified Birth Doula.  She has guided and encouraged many couples on their own unique birthing adventures both in the classroom and in the birthing room. Deb is also a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, teacher of Calm Birth Meditation, Birth Photographer, and professional Actress.  She takes great pride in the way she can communicate and meet couples precisely where they are, then intelligently, sensitively, and with good humor, guide them where they want to be.  For more information about the Bradley Method visit http://www.bradleybirth.com/

Molly Nichols is the founder of The Mind Belly Connection where she helps women world wide, suffering from infertility, discover the deeper mental, emotional, and spiritual causes for their fertility struggles; so they can finally become pregnant and have the family they have always dreamed of.   Molly helps women connect with a deeper sense of self, to heal from the past and to unleash the powerful fertile energy that lies within them.  She is dedicated to honoring each woman where she is today on her journey towards pregnancy and motherhood, inspiring her to see all that is possible for the future of her family and her life.   Molly's own personal seven year fertility journey ended joyfully with the birth of her twins who were conceived through IVF, then two years later to her great surprise she found herself pregnant again, this time from natural conception.  Molly is now the proud mama of three and dedicates both of her pregnancies to the use of fertility visualizations and the healing powers of the mind,

For almost twenty years, Jen Kowal has been providing restorative, gentle, compassionate, and practical support for families in Northern New Jersey throughout the childbearing year.  Jen is a trained and experienced Birth and Postpartum Doula, a Certified Lactation Counselor, La Matron Quantum Birth Consultant, Sacred Pregnancy Instructor, and Childbirth Educator.  She also provides numerous other services to support the physical and emotional recovery and well-being of the new mother such as placenta encapsulation, Malaysian Belly Binding, and more.   Jen believes that all mothers (and dads/partners) do have a deep inner understanding guiding them in how to best care for their infant.  But with all of the books, workshops, "experts," and unwanted advice out there, we forget how to listen to that intuition.  Jen strives to provide a reassuring and comfortable environment in which parents feel safe exploring their abilities and practicing new skills.  Sometimes simply having an experienced and knowledgeable pe

Orginally from Ireland, Sarah Jane's homeopathic practice is now based in Nova Scotia, Canada.  She began her career as a social care worker and later pursued her studies in homeopathy, receiving her license from the accredited Irish School of Homeopathy after four years of training with a postgraduate in homeopathic therapeutics.   Working out of Ireland's only homeopathic dispensary, she gained seven years of experience prescribing for acute illnesses as well as prescribing constitutional homeopathy from her busy private practice.  For more information, please visit her website at www.anewleaf.me. 

Jesika Wachter is the creator and owner of the Parent Garden, a support network for postpartum families.  She is both a professional postpartum doula and a licensed massage therapist.  To fulfill a life-long interest in the human body, she attended the Academy of Massage Therapy in Jersey City, NJ and passed the NY State licensing test.  She has since become a trained and certified doula, placenta encapsulator, infant massage educator, babywearing consultant, and breastfeeding counselor.   Jesika has worked to educate and prepare expectant families for what is considered the 4th trimester.  The 4th trimester, or the postpartum period, is often overlooked as expectant families focus on childbirth and fail to plan and prepare for life with a new family member.  Jesika provides an unique combination of tools that lays the groundwork so that new parents can relax and enjoy this beautiful and tender period.  Jesika currently resides in Morris County, New Jersey with her husband and two dogs.  For more information,