Natural Awakenings Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex JAN 2026

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NORTH TX CANCER SURVIVORS LIVESTRONG® With Dallas Metropolitan YMCA

12 SIMPLE SHIFTS For a Greener 2026

THE WELLNESS POTENTIAL

of Sourdough

THE RISE OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTH

Health & Wellness DALLAS METROPLEX EDITION

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Dallas Metroplex Edition

NADallas.com

JANUARY 2026

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Publisher’s Letter

FEEL GREAT AGAIN!

J

anuary always invites reflection. Not just on what lies ahead, but on what we’ve learned, what has shaped us and how we choose to move forward. This year, rather than making New Year’s resolutions that often feel heavy or short-lived, I’m choosing something different: a series of quiet but meaningful vows—commitments shaped by the lessons of the past year and grounded in a lifelong journey of struggling for faith, character and growth.

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As a believer and practicing Christian, my faith continually reminds me that our bodies are temples, and our lives are stewardship. Yet even with that understanding, it’s easy to drift into patterns of over— overdoing, overthinking and overcommitting—often at the expense of rest, reflection and renewal. This year taught me again the importance of slowing down, listening more closely and honoring the rhythms God built into creation—and into us.

That perspective beautifully aligns with Natural Awakenings’ 2026 theme: Wellness Made Easy.

Over the next 12 months, our intention is simple but powerful. With each issue and each monthly theme, we will focus on making wellness more accessible, more practical and more sustainable—so it naturally becomes part of daily life. Not something we struggle to maintain, but something we ease into, habit by habit, choice by choice, until healthier living becomes our reality.

Wellness made easy does not mean wellness without effort. It means removing unnecessary barriers, simplifying decisions and providing clear, trustworthy guidance so readers can confidently integrate healthy practices into their routines. Whether that’s nourishing food, movement that feels good, stress management, spiritual grounding or supportive care teams, our goal is to help you build wellness in ways that fit your real life.

A posture of wellness, to me, is about alignment. Alignment of body, mind and spirit. Alignment of values and actions. Alignment of faith and daily living. When we stand in that posture, we’re better equipped to weather stress, recover from setbacks and move forward with resilience and grace.

BS BIOLOGY LICENSED HERBALIST + HEALTH NUTRITIONIST PLEASE CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

9788 Walnut St. Suite #108 • Dallas 75243

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GREEN TEA VITAMINS • HERBS Dallas Metroplex Edition

One of the clearest lessons this past year reinforced for me is that wellness is not something we “add on” to already busy lives. It’s something we embody. Wellness is not a checklist—it’s a posture. A way of standing, living and responding to life with intention, balance, action and trust in God’s design for our bodies, minds and spirits.

For me personally, that has looked like small but intentional shifts. Choosing consistency over intensity.

Building margins into my schedule for rest and prayer. Paying closer attention to what my body is telling me instead of pushing through exhaustion. Returning again and again to Scripture for wisdom, clarity and peace. These are not dramatic resolutions—they are daily practices that quietly shape a healthier posture of wellness.

Leslie Duong

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New Beginnings, Lived with Intention

That’s the posture we hope to support and encourage through Natural Awakenings Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. As North Texas’ healthy living authority, we remain committed to bringing you relevant, credible and inspiring information—both local and national—focused on holistic, integrative, functional and complementary approaches to health. Our role is to educate, empower and connect you with resources that help make wellness practical, personal and achievable.

As we step into this new year together, my hope is that you’ll join us—not in striving for perfection, but in embracing progress. Not in rigid resolutions, but in thoughtful vows shaped by wisdom, faith and lived experience. May this be a year where wellness feels lighter, more natural and deeply rooted—so that living well becomes not an obligation, but an exciting way of life.

NADallas.com

Publisher@NADallas.com

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PL ANET

CONTACT US P.O. Box 140614 • Irving, TX 75014 Fax: 972-478-0339

DALLAS METROPLEX EDITION

972-992-8815 • NADallas.com Publisher@NADallas.com

Publisher Bernice Butler Editor Jane Aylward Design & Production Kim Cerne Web Master Shertech Features Writer Nancy Seigle Distribution Valerie Swearingen Rick Clark Zoe Ronchese

Cover: Adobe Stock #1671804551, Happy new year 2026 spelled out with fresh pomegranate seeds and fruit halves on a marble surface by ZHMPRO

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B Bedminster, NJ 07921 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

NATIONAL TEAM CEO Kimberly B. Whittle National Editor Sandra Yeyati Editor Brooke Goode Copy Editor/Proofing Melanie Rankin Layout Flip180 Media © 2026 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink.

January 2026

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Contents 16 The Power of Integrative Medicine: A Guide to

Whole-Person Care

20 Strong for Life: The Power of Functional Fitness 22 North Texas Cancer Survivors LiveStrong® with Dallas Metropolitan YMCA

16

24 Intergenerational Living: A Healing Model for Families and Communities 28 Soulful Sourdough: Why This Bread Still Heals 32 Dean Mitchell: on Conquering

Candida

24

Departments 9 News Briefs 12 Health Briefs 14 Global Briefs

34 Holistic Health From Nose to Tail: Whole-Pet Strategies for Optimized Well-Being

19 Community Spotlight 20 Fit Body

22 Community Spotlight

28 Conscious Eating

24 Healing Ways

34 Natural Pet

26 Community Spotlight 27 Community Spotlight

Advertising & Submissions HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 972-992-8815 or email Publisher@NADallas.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@NADallas.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online to: Submit.NADallas.com/DAL/Calendar or fax to 972-478-0339.

Deadline for calendar: the 15th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple

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Dallas Metroplex Edition

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markets. Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 972-992-8815.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers.

Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment .

NADallas.com

32 Wise Words 37 Calendars 39 Resource Guide

Corrections & Clarifications Natural Awakenings Dallas is committed to accuracy. To reach us, contact the Publisher, Bernice Butler at 972-992-8815 or email editor@NADallas. com. Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the magazine.

SCAN TO

READ ONLINE

Marty Miron was erroneously listed as editor of Natural Awakenings Dallas-Fort Worth Magazine in the past four issues. We regret the error.

News Briefs

Run for the Range Blends Trail Racing and Texas Land Conservation Runners and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to experience wide-open Texas landscapes at Run for the Range, a fundraising trail race benefiting the Texas Agricultural Land Trust. The event takes place January 31, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the scenic Fall Creek Ranch in Granbury.

Participants can choose a 5K, 10K or half marathon course that winds across 1,500 acres of prairies, rolling hills and creek crossings typically closed to the public. A Couch Conservationist option is also available for supporters who want to contribute from home.

Run for the Range celebrates the connection between land, water, wildlife and personal well-being, while raising funds to protect Texas’ working farms and ranches for generations to come. Post-race festivities include warm food, cold beer and live music, offering a relaxed finish in a memorable ranch setting.

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Registration is $40. Fall Creek Ranch is located at 8220 Langdon Leake Ct., Granbury.

For more information or to register, visit RunSignUp.com or contact Leigh Owen at Lowen@TxAgLandTrust.org or 210-826-0074.

SAVE THE DATE

6525 Forest Ln Dallas 75230 January 2026

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News Briefs

Hike Big Bend National Park With the Dallas Sierra Club

Conservation Accelerator Seeks Texas-Led Projects

The Dallas Group of Sierra Club invites outdoor enthusiasts to experience the dramatic landscapes of Big Bend National Park during a multi-day camping, hiking and backpacking outing, February 18–23, 2026. Registration is open and required, with early sign-up encouraged due to limited group sizes.

Texan by Nature— founded by former First Lady Laura Bush—is now accepting applications for its 2026 Conservation Wrangler, an 18-month accelerator program that supports high-impact, science-based conservation projects across Texas.

The Conservation Wrangler program identifies and advances Texan-led initiatives that demonstrate a positive Return on Conservation, delivering measurable benefits for people, prosperity and natural resources. Eligible projects may focus on wildlife, land or water; operate in urban or rural settings; and address conservation challenges in any region of the state.

Each year, up to six projects are selected through a competitive application process emphasizing proven impact.

Selected Conservation Wrangler projects receive customized support that may include program management, strategic planning, marketing and messaging development, metrics capture and analysis, professional content production and partnership development.

Projects are publicly announced during the first week of April and highlighted at Texan by Nature’s annual Conservation Summit. Past participants report strengthened strategies, expanded funding sources and increased conservation impact statewide.

The 2026 Conservation Wrangler application period is now open and closes January 30, 2026.

For more information, visit TexanByNature.org.

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Dallas Metroplex Edition

Participants may choose from three guided itineraries, including day hikes returning to the same campsite, a High Chisos backpacking trip, or the strenuous Outer Mountain Loop for experienced backpackers. Planned highlights may include the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains, the Rio Grande Hot Springs, Santa Elena Canyon and Emory Peak, the park’s highest summit.

The trip fee is $100 per person and covers group campsite reservations, hiking permits and outing program expenses, with excess funds supporting Dallas Sierra Club conservation efforts. An additional $30 per vehicle park entry fee applies unless a National Parks pass is presented. Participants provide their own food, gear and transportation and typically carpool from North Texas, coordinating travel directly with trip leaders and fellow hikers.

Known for its striking range of desert, canyon and mountain ecosystems, Big Bend also offers opportunities to spot wildlife such as javelinas, mule deer, foxes, bobcats and, on occasion, black bears.

For more information visit SierraClub.org/Texas/dallas or contact RobargeDSC@gmail.com.

Join the Leaders Shaping Holistic Health in DFW Flourish Dental Boutique invites you to be part of our Annual Holistic Provider Dinner — February 2026. This high-vibe gathering brings together the region’s most trusted voices in biologic dentistry, functional medicine, integrative wellness, naturopathy, chiropractic care, and more. Secure a private table for your practice or brand and connect with fellow practitioners who value whole-body healing, collaboration, and elevated patient care. Reserve yours by emailing s i e r r a @ fl o u r i s h . d e n t a l

NADallas.com

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Returns to Fort Worth The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo returns to Fort Worth January 17 through February 8, celebrating Western heritage, agriculture and community tradition. One of the nation’s oldest and most respected livestock shows, the event draws ranchers, youth exhibitors, rodeo athletes and families from across North Texas and beyond.

Held at Dickies Arena and the surrounding Will Rogers Memorial Center complex, the Stock Show features daily rodeo performances, livestock competitions and youth agricultural programs. Educational exhibits and animal showcases offer hands-on learning about farming, ranching and food systems, highlighting the connection between agriculture, sustainability and local economies.

In addition to rodeo action, visitors can enjoy shopping, live entertainment and family-friendly attractions. Longstanding youth programs, including 4-H and FFA competitions, remain central to the event, supporting leadership development and agricultural education for future generations.

Blending tradition with education, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo offers a meaningful way for North Texans to connect with the region’s agricultural roots while enjoying a signature Texas experience.

Location: Dickies Arena and Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth. For more information, visit FWSSR.com.

Holiday Grease Roundup Helps North Texans Protect Pipes and Waterways Residents across North Texas are encouraged to recycle used cooking oils and grease during the 2025 Holiday Grease Roundup, which runs until January 31. Organized

by Defend Your Drains North Texas, the annual campaign invites households of all types, including renters, apartment and condo residents—to collect cooled fats, oils and grease (FOG) from holiday cooking rather than pouring them down the drain. Collected materials can be dropped off at more than 50 community collection sites across the region.

Why it matters: When fats, oils and grease are poured into sinks or toilets, they can harden inside pipes, clog municipal sewer lines and damage local water infrastructure. These blockages often lead to costly repairs, sewer overflows and environmental pollution that strain municipal budgets and disrupt essential services. Recycling FOG helps keep it out of local waterways and allows it to be converted into biodiesel or biogas—cleaner, renewable fuels that reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and support more sustainable energy systems.

Last year’s Holiday Grease Roundup collected 9,080 gallons of used cooking oil and grease from participating communities, reflecting a strong regional commitment to protecting water resources, infrastructure reliability and environmental health.

For drop-off locations and participation details, visit DefendYourDrainsNorthTexas.com.

Annual Holistic Provider Dinner Connects DFW Wellness Leaders

Flourish Dental Boutique is hosting its Annual Holistic Provider Dinner, on Thursday, February 26. The dinner is a collaborative evening that brings together leaders in biologic dentistry, functional medicine, naturopathy, chiropractic care, midwifery and integrative wellness from across the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

February 26th, Thursday evening.

Hosted by Dr. Toni Engram and her team, the dinner is designed as a highenergy, relationship-building gathering that strengthens the local holistic health network—an area of growing interest among North Texas patients and practitioners alike. The event highlights the power of cross-specialty collaboration and shared learning in advancing wholebody, root-cause care.

This year’s dinner is especially timely as more individuals seek natural, preventive and integrative solutions and look for providers who actively work together rather than in isolation. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers, exchange insights and deepen professional relationships that support better patient outcomes across disciplines.

Sponsored tables are available for brands and practices seeking added visibility.

For more information contact 469-6762777 or email Sierra@flourish.dental. See ad, page 10.

January 2026

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Health Briefs Antioxidant May Protect Heart During Chemotherapy

Cancer patients treated with doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy drug, may suffer heart damage, including reduced heart function, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure. A 2025 study published in Nature investigated whether astaxanthin, a natural antioxidant found in certain seafood and algae, could help reduce the damage.

The researchers divided study rats into a group that received only doxorubicin, two groups that received doxorubicin along with different doses of astaxanthin, and a control group. They used ultrasound scans to check blood markers for heart injury, examined heart tissue, measured cellular energy levels and analyzed proteins related to mitochondrial health.

Rats given doxorubicin alone experienced heart damage, mitochondrial disruptions and lower energy levels in the heart. By contrast, rats treated with astaxanthin showed improved heart function compared to the doxorubicin group, fewer signs of injury, healthier heart tissue and higher cellular energy levels. Astaxanthin also protected the structure and function of mitochondria.

Bees create propolis, a glue-like substance, using tree resin, sap and their enzymes to seal and protect their hives.

Traditional herbal remedies have long included propolis for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. In oral care, it has been shown to help reduce plaque, soothe gums and prevent infections naturally.

A 2024 Malaysian clinical trial published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies compared the effectiveness of chlorhexidine-based mouthwash to propolis-based herbal mouthwash in reducing plaque and gingivitis.

While chlorhexidine, a synthetic chemical, is effective at killing bacteria and reducing plaque and gum inflammation, it can stain teeth, alter taste or irritate the mouth.

The study divided 45 adults with chronic gingivitis into three mouthwash groups: propolis, chlorhexidine or a placebo. Participants used each mouthwash for multiple 21-day phases, with a 15-day washout period in between.

Dental plaque and gum inflammation were measured at the trial’s start and after each 21-day phase. Results showed that the propolis mouthwash achieved the greatest reductions in both plaque and gingival inflammation, outperforming chlorhexidine and the placebo.

vcgcorbis from creator1765424/CanvaPro

Further research in humans is needed to confirm whether astaxanthin could safely and effectively be used alongside chemotherapy.

Natural Propolis Mouthwash Outperforms Synthetic Counterpart

Nurture the Heart

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Dallas Metroplex Edition

GenAI/CanvaPro

Coming in February

NADallas.com

Reducing Anxiety With Virtual Sound Therapy

Exercise Beats Sauna at Heavy-Metal Detoxification

Participant surveys revealed significant reductions in anxiety, negative emotions and perceived stress after the treatments. They also reported feeling more positive and less overwhelmed. The practitioners observed a decrease in negative emotional language by the participants, indicating a shift to a more positive emotional state.

Although the study was small, the results suggest that sound-based energy healing could be an effective, low-risk option for managing anxiety.

Six male and six female university students provided sweat samples after running on a treadmill or sitting in a sauna. The samples were tested for arsenic, copper, lead, mercury and nickel. While mercury levels remained constant across conditions, the other heavy metals were secreted in higher concentrations during exercise than during sauna exposure. This difference is likely due to the fact that exercise increases the body’s core temperature, drawing more metals from deeper within the body into the sweat, whereas sauna heat excretes only metals that are closer to the skin’s surface.

marekuliasz from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Sweating effectively detoxifies heavy metals from the body. A 2022 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health investigated how various sweating conditions affect metal excretion.

Syda Productions/CanvaPro

Biofield tuning (BT) balances the body’s energy field using sound vibrations. A 2023 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine involved 15 participants that received three weekly hourlong BT sessions over Zoom from certified practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hazardous Release of Microplastics From Baby Food Containers

BananaStock from Photo Images/CanvaPro

A research team from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln studied the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic baby food containers and pouches under various conditions. Their findings, published in 2023 in Environmental Science & Technology, revealed that refrigeration and room temperature can release millions to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics over six months. Heating in a 1,000-watt microwave for just three minutes released more than 4 million microplastic and 2 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimeter of plastic. Polyethylene-based food pouches emitted more particles than polypropylene containers. A laboratory study showed that the extracted microplastics and nanoplastics killed three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells after 48 hours of exposure.

January 2026

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Global Briefs

Since 1935, researchers have observed and tracked monarch butterflies’ transcontinental journey to their winter home in Mexico. New technology from New Jersey-based Cellular Tracking Technologies now allows scientists to tag and track individual butterflies in real time. Monarch enthusiasts can follow these tagged insects on the free Project Monarch Science app.

The solar-powered tags weigh only 60 milligrams, which is 10 to 12 percent of a butterfly’s weight. Their signals are automatically detected within 300 feet of any of the billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices along the route. In 2025, more than 400 were deployed across the eastern United States and southern Canada.

Jeff McCurry from Getty Images Pro/CanvaPro

Understanding monarchs’ habits and hazards is crucial for preserving these beautiful creatures, whose populations have declined by 22 percent over the past 20 years, according to a 2025 study published in Science.

Fast-Growing Microforests Boost Climate Resilience

Elizabeth, New Jersey, is a bustling industrial center with a major East Coast container port and Newark International Airport. The area faces a high risk of flooding due in part to limited tree cover. In 2021, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation helped plant more than 260 native species in a 40-by-45-foot plot behind one of Elizabeth’s public libraries. Since then, they have added four additional tiny forests.

Native species densely planted in a small, contained area grow twice as fast as standalone plants because they have to compete for resources. In just five years, these microforests have achieved levels of carbon sequestration and oxygen production comparable to older forests.

A 2025 study of three Elizabeth microforests revealed they were four degrees cooler than mature, standalone trees and 50 degrees cooler than nearby asphalt parking lots. Additionally, their soil is now up to 50 times more permeable, providing essential habitats for local wildlife. levers2007 from Getty Images Signature/CanvaPro

New Tech Tracks Monarch Butterflies in Real Time

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new, unnamed moon orbiting Uranus. Measuring just six miles in diameter, it is the 29th known satellite of the giant ice planet and part of a ring of 14 small moons located 35,000 miles from the planet’s center.

This discovery demonstrates the Webb telescope’s high-resolution and infrared capabilities in detecting faint objects in space. In 1986, Voyager 2 astronauts missed this tiny moon while passing Uranus, whereas the telescope successfully overcame the planet’s bright glare to identify it. Researchers anticipate finding more moons.

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Webb Telescope Finds Hidden Moon of Uranus

The Agaw people of Ethiopia have a longstanding tradition of sustainable farming that includes rotational grazing of animals, terracing to conserve water, and soil restoration with native plants. An article from Dialogue Earth reports that the Agaw are experiencing rising temperatures and drier conditions, threatening their ecological stability. In response, they have incorporated modern technology to supplement Indigenous knowledge.

Solar-powered water pumps are now being used to irrigate their terraced farms with ground and river water, boosting crop productivity. The terraces slow water flow, prevent erosion, enhance water absorption and ensure long-term sustainability. Water use is managed by community traditions to promote equity and conservation.

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At their breeding and birthing sites, they release significant nutrients through urine, feces, skin and dead whale bodies. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that the whales annually transport more than 4,000 tons of nitrogen and 45,000 tons of biomass to nutrient-poor coastal areas in the tropics and subtropics.

Indigenous Farming Meets Modern Technology

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How Whales Contribute to Coastal Ecosystems

Researchers from the University of Vermont studied four species of baleen whales—gray, humpback, North Atlantic and North Pacific right—to assess their role in oceanic ecosystems. These whales feed in subpolar waters for most of the year, fattening up before migrating thousands of miles to warm-water breeding grounds in winter.

January 2026

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Feature Story

The Power of Integrative Medicine A Guide to Whole-Person Care

by Hannah Tytus

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s interest in health and wellness grows, more people are seeking medical models that go beyond symptom treatment and disease management. Integrative medicine has emerged as one such approach, blending conventional and complementary methods to address the health of the whole person. An integrative health approach offers a practical, evidence-informed framework for personalized care. Its focus is shifting the conversation to prevention by cultivating holistic health that goes beyond the absence of disease.

Defining Integrative Medicine

The Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health defines integrative medicine as a philosophy that emphasizes the practitioner-patient relationship, focuses on the whole person, is evidence based and draws on all appropriate therapies and lifestyle approaches that promote optimal health and healing.

Brent Bauer, M.D., a professor of medicine and the research chair for Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine and Health, describes it as “bringing the best of both conventional

and evidence-based complementary therapies together to optimally meet the needs of the patient. We simply ask, what is the best therapy for the individual patient? That gets us back to what I would think of as plain old good medicine.”

On an integrative health team, medical doctors may work alongside acupuncturists, naturopaths, herbalists, chiropractors, massage therapists or any number of specialized practitioners. “Integrative medicine is taking the best of what we call Western medicine and integrating it into what is practiced in other parts of the world to create a health plan where the patient is the focus,” says Hakima Amri, Ph.D., co-director of the integrative medicine and health sciences program at Georgetown University. These other medicine systems include Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda, Unani-Tibb medicine, homeopathy and others.

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The Whole-Person Mindset

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Integrative medicine is about viewing patients holistically, considering all parts of their humanity. Rather than examining organs or systems in isolation, practitioners evaluate the multitude of factors that influence illness or well-being. It emphasizes disease prevention, resilience building and health restoration throughout the lifespan.

“We bring a whole team of practitioners to work with the patient, to look at the patient as a whole and not only treat symptoms, but to truly heal the patient,” explains Amri.

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Whole-person health rests on five key principles: patient-centered, relationship-based care; personalized health plans; attention to physical, mental and spiritual well-being; prevention and self-responsibility; and collaboration across modalities and providers. It acknowledges the patient as being embedded in environmental, relational, emotional and spiritual contexts that each play a part.

Integrative Medicine in Practice

Bauer explains how an integrative approach might work for a surgery patient. “If they have pain, a conventional approach might include medications, physical therapy or perhaps an injection. As an integrative physician, I have an even larger toolkit with things such as acupuncture, tuina (a Chinese bodywork technique), massage, mind-body practices like yoga and meditation, herbs and supplements, and low-level laser therapy.”

As the medical doctor leading the team, Bauer confers with other in-house practitioners to build a customized care plan. This expanded toolkit gives him a better chance of finding a therapy that not only works for the patient but also fits their personal preferences to optimize their quality of life.

patients with chronic disease. By definition, most chronic illnesses are ones that conventional medicine cannot cure.” At the Mayo Clinic, he sees firsthand how integrative approaches can transform lives. He often introduces mindfulness and biofeedback-based meditation to help patients manage stress.

Beyond symptom relief, Bauer emphasizes a comprehensive lifestyle framework rooted in integrative principles that include balanced nutrition, regular exercise, daily mind-body practice, restorative sleep, strong social and spiritual connections, and time in nature, finding these evidence-based habits to be not only restorative, but profoundly transformative.

Misconceptions and Skepticism

When it comes to innovative healing philosophies, myths abound.

Here are some common misconceptions about integrative medicine.

• Myth: Integrative medicine is exotic. People often think it is coming from elsewhere—other people’s traditions—and not our culture, yet many of the modalities were founded in the West, including naturopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy and homeopathy, notes Amri.

• Myth: Integrative is the same as alternative. Integrative medicine is not alternative medicine. Alternative therapies replace conventional care, often without scientific evidence, while integrative medicine combines evidence-based approaches for positive outcomes.

• Myth: There is little scientific evidence. According to Amri, the assumption that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of integrative medicine is 30 years out of date. Today, almost every major healing modality has been studied. Bauer highlights the scale of research, pointing to the Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine program, which has published more than 600 peer-reviewed

Why Whole-Person Health Matters

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“Chronic conditions are the biggest plight to humanity today. People are living with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, allergies, irritable bowel disorders and more, often with multiple conditions at once,” says Amri. Chronic disease is now a leading health challenge in the United States, heavily impacting quality of life for many. One in four American adults lives with chronic pain. At the same time, the use of complementary and integrative approaches has risen sharply from 19.2 percent in 2002 to 36.7 percent in 2022, with increases in yoga and meditation leading the growth.

“I think integrative medicine is an excellent approach for any patient,” says Bauer. “But I think it really shines when it comes to January 2026

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Communicating With Healthcare Providers

Although one-third of adults report using complementary and integrative medicine modalities, at least 42 percent of users do not disclose their integrative therapy usage to their doctor. This nondisclosure can be dangerous, as many integrative modalities can potentially interact with medications or chronic conditions.

To facilitate good conversations, Amri advises patients to be open and well-prepared. She encourages patients to bring their research materials with them to their appointments: “Do your research ahead of time,” she says.

“If there are papers or studies you find interesting, take them with you and share them with your doctor. Be prepared and explain why you want to try certain therapies.”

“Physicians can do their part by listening carefully and by honestly acknowledging where their knowledge base might be limited,” says Bauer. “This is a great time for them to reach out to their integrative medicine colleagues and have them provide guidance to help meet the patient’s needs with evidence-based approaches.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the growth in integrative medicine,

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manuscripts covering hundreds of clinical trials over three decades showing the benefits of massage, acupuncture and mind-body practices.

Amri offers an example: “Ginkgo biloba is good for improving memory, but it is also a blood thinner. If someone is on prescription blood thinners, it could cause serious complications.” Many herbs and supplements can interact with prescription medications and preexisting conditions, so it is very important to establish an open and honest dialogue with healthcare providers.

key barriers remain. Bauer points to insurance as the biggest gap, explaining, “Very few of these evidence-based, helpful, cost-avoiding therapies are covered by payers. My hope is that we see that change significantly in the immediate future. In a five-to-ten-year time frame, I think we’ll simply drop all the labels and call it good medicine.”

Amri also sees the field evolving quickly.

“We’ve been training a whole generation of researchers that look at things differently,” she remarks, adding that policy reform and adequate reimbursements are essential to making integrative care more accessible.

Integrative medicine brings together evidence, empathy and empowerment, uniting the best of conventional, traditional and complementary approaches. It emphasizes collaboration between patients and providers, shared responsibility for wellness and a comprehensive focus on the whole person.

By bridging therapies, fostering dialogue and addressing chronic disease with both science and compassion, integrative care offers a hopeful path to redefining modern health.

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, researcher and content creator at KnoWEwell, P.B.C., and former writer at the National Institutes of Health.

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Community Spotlight

Looking Upstream: How Integrative Wellness Addresses Root Causes

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or many North Texans, the journey into integrative wellness begins not with curiosity, but with exhaustion.

After years of persistent symptoms, inconclusive test results or feeling dismissed despite being told everything looks “normal,” individuals often arrive seeking answers that conventional care has not provided.

That pattern is familiar to David Morcom, founder of Integrative Wellness Fx. He works with clients who are outwardly functional yet struggling beneath the surface with chronic fatigue, digestive dysfunction, brain fog, hormonal imbalance, autoimmune concerns or nervous system dysregulation.

“What people are really seeking is clarity,” Morcom explains. “They want someone willing to connect the dots between systems and identify what’s driving the problem, not just manage the symptoms.” He notes that even within some integrative settings, care can become fragmented—layering supplements or protocols without fully addressing underlying causes. True healing, he says, requires disciplined systems-level thinking and a willingness to look upstream.

At Integrative Wellness Fx, care begins with time. Initial visits allow space for clients to share their full health story, including medical history, lifestyle, stress patterns and environmental exposures. This information is paired with advanced functional diagnostics to create a comprehensive, individualized picture. Rather than treating lab values in isolation, Morcom focuses on how systems interact—metabolic, immune, hormonal and neurological—to influence overall resilience.

One of the most common patterns he sees locally is not simply exposure to toxins, but the body’s reduced ability to clear them. Environmental chemicals, mold byproducts, heavy metals and inflammatory metabolites often

become sequestered deep within tissues and cells, contributing to chronic dysfunction.

Addressing these issues requires precision strategies that support detoxification without overwhelming already-stressed systems.

nutrient status, inflammation, detox capacity and metabolic health. Many clients report noticeable improvement even before their follow-up visit, giving them the capacity to engage more fully in long-term healing.

Another growing concern is widespread immune and nervous-system hypersensitivity. Many individuals now react strongly to foods, supplements or environmental triggers they once tolerated. While identifying root drivers such as gut dysfunction, inflammation or toxicity is essential, Morcom emphasizes that healing often also requires calming and retraining the nervous system.

When the body remains locked in a stress or threat response, symptoms can persist even after the original trigger has been addressed.

Looking ahead, Morcom sees integrative wellness becoming an increasingly essential component of preventive care in North Texas. As chronic conditions continue to rise, individuals and families are seeking approaches that address physical, emotional and regulatory health together. Local practitioners, he believes, play a vital role by combining rigorous science with innovative, patient-centered care models.

Care plans at Integrative Wellness Fx are intentionally collaborative. Clients are active participants, helping shape the sequencing and pacing of therapies based on readiness and tolerance. Interventions may include targeted nutrition, lifestyle strategies, natural medicines, hormone optimization, peptides or bioenergetic technologies—selected for relevance rather than trend. Education is central, empowering individuals to understand why each recommendation matters.

Initial visits typically last 75 to 90 minutes and often focus first on stabilization—improving sleep, digestion, energy and stress response— before deeper root-cause work begins. Personalized lab testing frequently extends beyond standard panels, providing insight into

This whole-person approach offers something many people have been missing—not just symptom relief, but restored capacity to adapt, recover and thrive.

About the Practitioner

David Morcom, PharmD, is a Doctor of Pharmacy and functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Integrative Wellness Fx. He specializes in systems-based diagnostics and whole-person care for complex and chronic conditions, integrating evidence-based testing with personalized therapeutic strategies to restore resilience, balance and long-term vitality. He is an expert in the field of Nutrigenomics and Genetic Analysis.

For more information, visit IntegrativeWellnessFx.com.

January 2026

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Fit Body

Strong for Life The Power of Functional Fitness

by Zak Logan

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decline in mobility begins between ages 40 and 55 and accelerates with each decade, according to a 2017 study in The Journals of Gerontology. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly 40 percent of people aged 65 and older have at least one disability. However, consistent, targeted activity can maintain or even improve the ability to rise from a chair, climb stairs, carry groceries or get onto the floor.

Functional fitness exercises that mimic daily tasks like reaching, twisting, squatting and bending enhance quality of life, manage pain and aid injury recovery at any age.

A 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in Physiology found functional training

beneficial for the development of agility, balance and speed. And a 2024 study in Advances in Rheumatology showed that a functional fitness program for fibromyalgia patients was more effective than stretching exercises at reducing pain and improving quality of life and general health. Additional benefits include better cardiovascular health and improved metabolism, without the need for expensive gym memberships or elaborate equipment.

Moving Better, Not Harder

Aches and pains or feelings of limitation often result from a lack of consistent movement, rather than biological age. “As our world has gone more toward technology,

we’ve created a situation where we need to get our movement and cardio elsewhere,” observes Sharon Bourke, a certified medical exercise specialist and executive director of The Life Energy Foundation, in Rockville, Maryland.

Because she lives with the challenges of fibromyalgia, Bourke knows firsthand how ill health can lead to loss of fitness. She shares, “I started walking only five minutes a day because I would get a setback if I did more.

I did this for two weeks. Once I was gaining energy, I added another five minutes. Every time I had a couple of good weeks, I would add more. Was it slow? Yes. Was it worth it?

Oh yes!”

According to certified fitness coach Travis Weber, in Mountain View, California, functional fitness focuses on how the body moves as a system, not on bulking specific muscle groups. “It’s about moving better, not harder,” he explains. “When performed correctly, these exercises let the body stretch and strengthen at the same time, building mobile, flexible strength that translates directly to everyday life.”

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Vital Moves and Modifications

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For easier chair access or stair climbing, Harvard Health recommends functional exercises like the stationary split squat, which targets the quads, gluteal muscles and hamstrings; addresses muscular imbalances by working each leg separately; and is gentler on the knees and ankles than traditional lunges.

A stationary split squat starts in a lunge position, lowering the back knee to tap the floor

while keeping the upper body straight and holding onto a chair for stability.

Squats, with or without weights, strengthen core, leg and gluteal muscles needed to rise from a chair or lift objects. Classic push-ups can be done on the floor from toes or knees, or against a wall. Upper body strength enables picking up a toddler and placing a suitcase in the overhead bin.

“Some exercises use your own body weight with acceleration (going fast) and deceleration (slowing down) to build strength in a certain movement pattern. For instance, going from sitting to standing at a timed speed would increase your ability to get up out of a chair,” explains Bourke, emphasizing fitness geared toward multi-joint movements that resemble everyday activities. Some of her clients that struggled to get up and down from the floor improved by engaging in functional exercises while in bed, and she endorses tailored exercise regimens for pain reduction.

Weber points out that the body moves more freely without heavy resistance; for example, stretching with a weight instead of tightening against it improves flexibility and mobility over time. He recommends lightweight deadlifts and any lightweight

It’s about small, consistent actions that add up. When movement and recovery both feel rewarding, consistency becomes natural.”

Zak Logan is a freelance health writer dedicated to holistic living.

Bourke confirms that strict training routines are not necessary, sharing, “Play with your kids or grandkids. Dance around the house. Sit less. Get up and do some tasks like cleaning or running errands rather than having things delivered.”

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Stationary split squat

squat variation, “because they recruit nearly every muscle in the body while allowing you to move with control and awareness, reinforcing strength and coordination in everyday tasks like bending, lifting or getting up from the floor.” For those seeking a trainer or class, he advises finding an instructor that prioritizes form and quality of movement over speed or intensity.

If a full workout isn’t feasible, he suggests a 15-to-20-minute walk that can make a huge difference.

Weber asserts, “Building healthy habits doesn’t have to mean overhauling your life.

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January 2026

21

Community Spotlight

Stronger Together: The YMCA’s LIVESTRONG® Program Helps North Texans Rebuild After Cancer

By Nancy Seigle felt dedication to her role. “Even if all we can do at first is get someone to tap their toe, we find a way forward. We meet people exactly where they are and build from there.”

The program is led by certified personal trainers who are specially trained to support the physical and emotional realities of cancer.

Activities are thoughtfully customized to individual capabilities, accounting for balance concerns, limited mobility and fluctuating energy. Equally important, the program offers a welcoming environment for connection and shared experience.

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or individuals navigating cancer— whether newly diagnosed, actively in treatment or rebuilding life afterward—healing extends beyond medical care alone. Strength, confidence and connection must be restored alongside the body. At the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, the nationally recognized LIVESTRONG® program is helping North Texans reclaim movement, resilience and community through intentional, compassionate support.

“This is such a vulnerable time in a person’s life, and intentional movement can become a powerful act of self-trust,” says Deb Brackenridge, coordinator of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “It helps individuals reconnect with their strength, their dignity and their sense of wholeness.”

Participating Branches: • Cross Timbers Family YMCA 2021 Cross Timbers Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028 • Frisco Family YMCA 3415 W. Main St., Frisco, TX 75034

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For those traveling the challenging path of cancer, healing is not a single moment but a living, breathing process.

A national initiative, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is currently offered at 10 YMCA branches across the Dallas–Fort Worth area, with plans to expand to all 16 locations by the end of 2026. Participants take part in a 12-week program that meets twice weekly, spending 60 to 75 minutes per session engaging in safe, supportive movement designed to restore strength, improve balance, boost confidence and ease cancer-related fatigue.

“When an individual has cancer, it’s imperative they keep moving,” says Deb. A certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, she brings both professional expertise and heart• JER Chilton Family YMCA at Walnut Hill 6010 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75205 • Lake Highlands Family YMCA 8920 Stults Rd., Dallas, TX 75243 • Moody Family YMCA 6000 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75205

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“It’s not just about rebuilding physical ability—it’s about having a place to belong,” Deb explains. “Participants are walking similar paths, and that shared understanding fosters comfort, trust and encouragement.”

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is offered at no cost, and participants receive a full-access YMCA membership throughout the entire 12-week program. Individuals with any cancer type, at any stage, are welcome to join.

To further extend that care, the YMCA is introducing STAYSTRONG®, a follow-up program created for those who have completed LIVESTRONG. This program helps individuals sustain progress, continue building physical resilience and remain connected to the supportive community they have formed.

• Moorland Family YMCA at Oak Cliff 6701 S. Hampton Rd., Dallas, TX 75232 • Park South Family YMCA 2500 Romine Ave., Dallas, TX 75215 • Plano Family YMCA 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano, TX 75025

Final Ticketing Window Opens as DFW Prepares for FIFA World Cup

“Our staff is deeply committed, ready for all the highs and all the lows,” says Deb. “This program is about helping people reclaim movement, confidence and pieces of life that illness tried to take away.”

At its heart, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is fitness with purpose—demonstrating that healing through movement, connection and thoughtful support can transform the cancer journey into renewed strength. For countless individuals across North Texas, healing continues at the Y—together.

“This work stays with you,” Deb reflects.

“Supporting people through cancer has reshaped how I see strength, faith and perseverance. It’s grounded me in gratitude and purpose in ways I never expected.”

LIVESTRONG and STAYSTRONG reflect the YMCA’s mission to strengthen community by nurturing healthy spirits, minds and bodies—for all. By removing financial barriers, meeting individuals where they are and fostering lasting connections, the YMCA ensures that cancer survivors across Dallas–Fort Worth are supported well beyond treatment. The result is stronger individuals, more resilient families and a healthier North Texas community.

For more information visit YMCADallas.org.

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s North Texas prepares to welcome the world, planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is extending well beyond stadiums and scorelines. Expanded transit access, walkable event zones, volunteer opportunities and community-based programming are beginning to take shape—changes designed to reduce barriers to movement, connection and participation. Together, these efforts signal a broader shift toward making wellness easier at the community level, even before the first match is played.

Against that backdrop, the final countdown to the tournament is officially underway. FIFA has opened its third and final Random Selection Draw ticketing phase, giving fans until January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET to apply for single-match tickets. This marks the first opportunity for supporters to select seats based on the fully finalized match schedule, including confirmed dates, venues and team assignments.

Demand has been unprecedented. FIFA reports approximately 20 million ticket requests submitted during this phase alone, following nearly two million tickets sold in earlier presale rounds. In

response to international criticism around affordability, FIFA has introduced a new Supporter Entry Tier, offering a limited number of $60 tickets for fans of qualified national teams.

These discounted tickets will be available for all 104 matches, including the final, and will be distributed through each nation’s football association to help ensure they reach long-standing supporters.

Successful applicants will be notified and automatically charged in February.

Unsuccessful applicants who applied through their national association will have administrative fees waived if their team does not advance beyond the group stage.

For Dallas–Fort Worth, the ticketing surge underscores the region’s outsized role in hosting the largest World Cup in history.

AT&T Stadium will host nine matches— more than any other host city—including group-stage games featuring Argentina, England, the Netherlands and Japan, as well as a semifinal scheduled for July 14, 2026. Local officials estimate more than 100,000 daily visitors during peak match days.

January 2026

23

Healing Ways

Intergenerational Living A Healing Model for Families and Communities

by Hannah Tytus

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octor of Natural Medicine Sofia Chavez, a curandera, or traditional healer, reflects on her vibrant upbringing in New Mexico. “I grew up with Native American, Latinx, Mexica, Navajo, and Apache family—the blended people and traditions of New Mexico,” she recalls. “I spent a lot of time with my great-grandparents.

The tradition was to let your hair grow long, and I remember how my great-grandfather would sit on the front porch with me and braid my hair.” This early immersion in family, ceremony and the rhythms of the land shaped Chavez’s lifelong path of healing.

Today, her daughter is all grown up and has children of her own. To preserve the family heritage, Chavez once again lives in a mixed-generation home, allowing her to share important values and traditions with

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After moving across the country and starting her own family, Chavez returned to visit her mother’s New Mexico ranch with

a 5-year-old daughter. The visit was joyful, but Chavez was struck by the fact that her daughter barely knew her grandmother, seeing her as a kind stranger rather than a close relation. “My children didn’t experience grandparents the way I did, didn’t know them as I did, and this is how language, culture and ceremony become lost,” she laments. The daily sharing of customs and storytelling that Chavez valued so highly growing up with her grandparents was possible only because of their proximity.

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her grandchildren. This is reflective of a larger trend as multigenerational households are on the rise again after having declined in the mid-20th century.

Adapting to Shifting Trends

Ginger Raya, Ed.D., a healthcare executive, educator, speaker and executive coach in El Paso, Texas, views intergenerational living as a response to systemic strain and a necessity for mutual care. “The benefit is that you have more support—someone who can help you out,” she explains. “If your child is sick, someone can call and advocate for you.

Someone can take your parent to an appointment. In this economy, living together is going to make more and more sense.”

Chavez points out, “During the 1950s through the 1990s, there was such an emphasis on doing things on your own, driven by prosperity. In that independence, we forgot that we need each other. Now the cycle continues, and our world is flowing into different times. We’re remembering that we need one another.” Within her cultural beliefs, which view the world as inherently cyclical and relational, this shift is part of a larger pattern. “We’re living in these cycles of life,” Chavez says. “If we’re going to reclaim our joy and optimism, we have to move forward with it together.”

Raya acknowledges that while families are remembering the value of connection, they are also confronting long-held cultural stigmas. “We carry unnecessary shame about

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song. In other communities, therapy together can help ease tensions and build bridges.

Intergenerational living presents challenges but also offers connection, learning and wisdom across generations. For Chavez, “Traditions are a beautiful way to share our love.”

Hannah Tytus is an integrative health coach, researcher and content creator at KnoWEwell, P.B.C., and former writer at the National Institutes of Health.

aging and dependence,” Raya says, adding that increasing dependence with age is a natural part of life. “Why not embrace intergenerational living?”

Leading a Richer Life

Shared living isn’t all harmony. “Sometimes we need our personal, private cave time,” says Chavez, noting that sacred moments of stillness and connection to both nature and spirit are essential for maintaining our equanimity. By honoring this recharge time in ourselves and others, we create the conditions for greater harmony within the household.

At the same time, balance and flexibility are also important; Chavez may miss a morning ritual or two if her grandchild is sick or her daughter needs her. It is a reminder that honoring both structure and spontaneity allows intergenerational life to flow more naturally.

Listening Deeply

“When we live together, there are simply more possibilities to talk, to listen, to grow and to connect. By being in environments of togetherness more often, you have more chances to really learn how to listen—far more than when you see each other only a few times a year,” says Chavez.

Interpersonal disagreements or “growing pains” can be navigated with a facilitator. In her culture, pláticas—heartfelt, empathetic conversations—are treasured and integral to ceremonies, including the sacred sweat lodge, where a medicine person facilitates emotional and relational healing through an environment of warmth and

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Chavez passes down her way of life through small moments, as her great-grandparents did. “I take my grandchild outside so she can hear me as I do my sun salutations,” she says. “We go to the trees so she can touch the leaves and the bark. My hope is that by being present with me—hearing our prayers and gratitude for food, for nature, for connection—she’ll absorb it. By watching me simply being myself, talking to the earth and the plants, I hope her life will be richer, more vibrant.”

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January 2026

25

Community Spotlight

Wellness Made Easy: A Clearer Path to Whole-Person Health in 2026

By Myra Hedgefield

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n a world overflowing with health headlines, wellness trends and often conflicting advice, one thing has become clear: people want reliable guidance that feels accessible, practical and relevant to real life. That understanding is at the heart of Natural Awakenings Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex’s 2026 editorial theme—Wellness Made Easy.

complementary approaches recognize that the body is interconnected and that healing is rarely isolated to a single system. These approaches ask deeper questions: What is driving the imbalance?

How do nutrition, stress, environment and lifestyle contribute? What supports the body’s innate ability to heal?

Rather than replacing conventional medicine, these modalities often work best alongside it—forming a more complete, collaborative care team.

For many individuals, this integrated approach leads to better outcomes, greater understanding and a stronger sense of agency in their health journey.

This theme is both a promise and an invitation. A promise to simplify the path to better health without oversimplifying the science, and an invitation for readers to walk alongside us throughout 2026 as we explore what it truly means to live well—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

What Does It Mean to Make Wellness Easy?

Making wellness “easy” does not mean quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It means meeting people where they are and offering clear, empowering information they can trust. It means translating complex medical concepts into understandable language, highlighting options beyond conventional care, and showing how small, intentional choices can create meaningful change over time.

Wellness Made Easy looks like approachable guidance on nutrition, movement, stress management and prevention. It looks like connecting readers to local practitioners and resources they can realistically access.

It looks like helping individuals understand their options so they can make informed decisions that support long-term vitality—not just short-term symptom relief.

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Dallas Metroplex Edition

Your Partner in the Journey Health and Wellness: Related, Not Interchangeable

Health and wellness are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.

Health generally refers to the state of the body—how systems are functioning and how disease is managed or prevented. Wellness, on the other hand, is broader and more dynamic. It encompasses lifestyle, mindset, environment, relationships and purpose.

Wellness is not a destination; it is an ongoing process.

When health care focuses only on treating illness, important pieces of the picture can be missed. Wellness invites a more proactive approach—one that emphasizes balance, prevention and whole-person care.

Where Holistic, Integrative, Functional and Complementary Care Fit In Holistic, integrative, functional and

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As the only North Texas publication dedicated exclusively to health and wellness—covering both national developments and locally relevant resources—Natural Awakenings Dallas– Fort Worth Metroplex is uniquely positioned to guide this conversation.

Month by month throughout 2026, we will continue to curate trusted information, spotlight local experts and explore practical strategies that help make wellness feel achievable rather than overwhelming.

Wellness Made Easy is not about doing more; it is about doing what matters, with clarity and confidence. We invite you to join us in 2026 as we continue to educate, empower and connect our community, making the path to whole-person wellbeing clearer, more supportive and more accessible for all.

Myra Hedgefield is staff writer for Natural Awakenings Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Magazine.

Community Spotlight

Aikido for Life: Finding Balance, Resilience and Harmony in Motion

By Lynn Fabia mental engagement rather than brute strength. Fabia often refers to the practice as “Aikido for Life,” highlighting its sustainability and relevance at every age and stage. The elegant movements stimulate both body and mind, encouraging longevity and vitality rather than burnout.

I

n a time when stress, division and imbalance have become part of daily life, many North Texans are seeking practices that restore steadiness from the inside out. Aikido—often described as a moving meditation—offers exactly that. Rooted in harmony rather than force, this Japanese martial art integrates physical movement, mental clarity and spiritual presence into a lifelong path of self-development.

At its core, Aikido teaches recovery. “It’s natural to lose one’s balance in life,” says Lynn Fabia, a seventh-degree black belt with more than four decades of experience and founder of the Society of Aikido Centers. “We don’t focus on mistakes—we focus on how to recover gracefully.” Practitioners learn to fall

safely, roll fluidly and return to standing with ease, mirroring the way challenges arise and resolve beyond the mat.

Unlike rigid or competitive fitness programs, Aikido emphasizes relaxation and flow.

Movements are circular and fluid, redirecting resistance rather than colliding with it.

Exercises demonstrate that a calm, relaxed state is often more powerful than tension or force. Students learn not to telegraph emotion when pressure arises, practicing the art of blending and stepping out of harm’s way. The principle is simple yet profound: resistance rarely works; redirection does.

This philosophy extends into everyday life.

One classic Aikido drill illustrates choice and momentum—when pulled in two directions, pain arises if one remains fixed. By choosing a direction and continuing forward, the resistance dissolves and others move with you. The lesson is practical and transferable: clarity of direction reduces strain, both physically and emotionally.

Aikido is also notably accessible. Many seniors practice well into later decades because it is noncompetitive and adaptable, focusing on awareness, coordination and

While Aikido is an effective form of self-defense, that aspect represents only a small part of its value. The deeper work lies in intention-setting, relaxation and centered movement. Fabia likens it to playing the piano: when relaxed, the music flows; when tense, the experience tightens.

Students are taught to walk from their center, transforming even simple daily movement into an energetic, grounded practice.

At the community level, Aikido fosters cooperation and nonviolence. The goal is never to harm, but to neutralize situations and restore harmony. “It’s a mindset,” Fabia explains. “If you draw a combative mindset, you attract conflict. Aikido teaches deescalation.” The meaning of the art itself reflects this ethos: Ai (harmony), Ki (energy) and Do (path)—the path of harmonious energy.

For those seeking balance, resilience and a more mindful way to move through the world, Aikido offers far more than exercise. It offers a way of being—on the mat and in life.

“Life doesn’t happen to you. You create it through intent.”

Lynn Fabia is a 7th degree black belt with 44 years of experience in Aikido, and Director and Founder of the Society of Aikido Centers.

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Conscious Eating

Soulful Sourdough Why This Bread Still Heals

by Maya Whitman

S

ourdough, made from flour, water, salt and starter, is the oldest form of leavened bread, originating with the ancient Egyptians. Unlike most yeast breads, sourdough has a low glycemic index and does not spike blood sugar levels.

A 2024 study in Foods highlights its benefits compared to other types of bread, including improved digestibility, high mineral and antioxidant content, better blood sugar control and improved dietary fiber composition, including prebiotics to feed healthy gut bacteria.

With knowledge, a good starter and patience, sourdough can become a lifelong friend, offering more than just the iconic crusty loaf. “The same living starter that makes a loaf rise can become the morning’s pancakes, the evening’s pizza or even a tray of chocolate chip cookies,” says Robitaille. “Once you understand how the culture behaves, you can shape it into nearly

A Belly-Friendly Treat

While many yeast breads cause bloating and other gut discomforts, sourdough is gentler. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular consumption of sourdough can improve the intestinal microbiome. “During a long fermentation, the yeast and bacteria produce enzymes that help break down gluten and some carbohydrates and reduce phytic acid, a grain compound that can block mineral absorption. The result is a sourdough bread many people find easier to digest,” explains Katya Nikolov, a cancer research scientist and owner of Dubuque Bakery, in Snohomish, Washington. “My view is simple and science-first: When it is slowly fermented and made with high-quality flour, sourdough can be a delicious, gut-friendly ally within a varied, balanced diet.”

According to Emily Harryman, owner of Plain Jane Bakes, in Keller, Texas, and author of the upcoming cookbook Plain Jane Sourdough, her customers with irritable bowel syndrome and gluten intolerance attest to sourdough’s superiority. “I had one

grafvision from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Artisans that master its versatility also find sourdough to be a source of emotional

nourishment. “You hear the crust crackle as it cools, smell the warmth of grain and time, and know that something very old and very human has happened in your own kitchen,” says Lisa Robitaille, founder of Great Lakes Sourdough, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

anything: soft rolls, bagels, waffles, muffins, even pastry.”

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customer in particular who relayed to me that my bread was the only bread she could eat,” Harryman boasts. “She took my sourdough class before she moved out of state so she could replicate it in her new home. It was such a blessing to her.”

Tips for Beginners

A sourdough starter is a live, active, fermented culture made from flour and water that acts as a leavening agent for baked goods, replacing commercial yeast and providing a signature tangy flavor. Sourdough starters vary greatly depending on water-to-flour ratios (from liquid to stiff), flavor profiles (from tangy to sour to slightly sweet) and flour types (from whole grain rye to whole wheat to unbleached all-purpose).

The secret to sourdough success is letting nature take its course.

Fresh herbs, fruit, cheese, seeds or chocolate can be folded into the dough for a delicious taste experience, but behind every fresh-from-the-oven masterpiece is a good starter. Each one is unique, thanks to a mélange of elements. As Harryman explains, “When the wild yeasts from the starter mingle and consume the sugars in the flour, carbon dioxide gas is released. The dough’s gluten network traps the gas, causing the dough to rise, yielding sourdough’s renowned, airy crumb.”

“Sourdough bread baking isn’t just following a recipe; it’s understanding the living system in your bowl and a constant response to a changing environment like temperature, season, humidity and flour,” says Nikolov, who recommends using a scale, keeping notes and aiming for steady, comfortable temperatures between 72° and 78° F for both the starter and dough. She generally prefers clean, non-processed, organic whole-grain flours milled directly from the grain, as well as ancient wheats like einkorn and spelt.

For reliability and depth of flavor, Harryman suggests acquiring a mature starter fed with organic flour, ideally dark rye. This

can be accomplished by connecting with a local sourdough baker or ordering a well-reviewed, dehydrated sourdough starter. “They are fairly easy to revive, and some are nearly 100 years old in maturity,” she explains. For a gluten-free option, she recommends building a starter from scratch to be sure of its purity.

Robitaille underscores the importance of time, grain and imagination for flavor.

“Red Fife [a North American heirloom wheat variety] brings a quiet sweetness; rye adds depth and spice; and whole wheat speaks of the harvest field,” she explains.

In a busy world, baking bread can be a grounding, meditative act that also nourishes family and friends. “There is a kind of stillness in the act of baking that feels sacred. You watch a living culture transform simple ingredients into sustenance,” she muses. “That, to me, is magic.”

Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings.

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YIELD: 1 LOAF 3 cups white-bread or all-purpose flour 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1½ cup water ½ cup active sourdough starter ¾ Tbsp honey 1¾ tsp salt Rice flour for dusting Combine all ingredients except the rice flour in a bowl or stand mixer. Mix just until no dry flour remains and the dough is cohesive. The bulk fermentation process begins as soon as the starter is mixed with the other ingredients, which means that the dough will rise and grow in size while it ferments. Cover the dough with a damp linen kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes to an hour at 73° to 75° F room temperature.

Stretch and fold the dough as follows: With lightly wet fingertips, grab a portion of the dough and stretch it upward.

Fold the dough over toward the center of the bowl. Give the bowl a quarter turn and repeat the stretch and fold.

Continue to turn, stretch and fold until the circle is complete. Cover the dough and let it sit for 30 minutes. Repeat this stretch-and-fold process three more times, letting the dough rest for 30 minutes in between.

After the fourth set of stretch-and-folds, cover the dough with a linen cloth or towel and allow it to ferment at room temperature. Let the dough proof (rise until the needed bulk is complete) approximately 5 hours, but the time may

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vary. Watch the dough, not the clock, looking for a noticeable rise of about 60 to 75 percent, a slightly domed surface, bubbles on the surface and an airy feel with a gentle jiggle.

Once the dough has proofed, lightly dust the counter with rice flour. Turn out the dough onto a clean work surface and shape it into a ball by hand—this is called a pre-shape.

Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes on the counter uncovered.

Shape the dough and place it seam-side up in a rice-flour dusted banneton (or extra-large bowl lined with a linen cloth). Let the shaped dough rest at room temperature for 1 hour to start fermentation before the cold proof.

To cold proof the dough, cover the loaf with a damp linen kitchen towel and refrigerate 12 to 16 hours.

Place an oven-safe cast iron Dutch oven with the lid onto the center rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 480° F for 1 hour.

Invert the cold dough onto parchment paper, score the loaf, load it into the hot Dutch oven and cover it with the lid. Bake covered for 20 minutes to trap steam and drive dough expansion.

After 20 minutes, remove the lid, reduce the oven to 450° F and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the loaf is deep golden. It is ready when the internal temperature is 205° to 210° F. Let the loaf cool for 1 to 2 hours before slicing, so that the crumb can set.

Recipe courtesy of Katya Nikolov of Dubuque Bakery.

GenAI/CanvaPro

EVERYDAY SOURDOUGH LOAF WITH HONEY

FRENCH ONION SOURDOUGH

Raw milk Gruyère cheese, organic onions caramelized in beef tallow and fresh chives make this loaf truly memorable.

YIELD: 1 LOAF 4 cups plus 2 Tbsp organic bread flour ¾ cup active sourdough starter 2 cups plus 2 tsp room-temperature water ½ cup grass-fed beef stock

1½ tsp salt 1½ Tbsp fresh chives 1 small organic onion, sliced thin 1 Tbsp beef tallow 3 oz raw milk Gruyère, cubed

To caramelize the onions, heat the beef tallow in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and stir to coat. Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply browned and caramelized, about 45 minutes to an hour. Keep the onions in the refrigerator until they are ready to be used.

In a large glass bowl, combine the flour, active starter, water, beef stock, salt, chives and caramelized onions. Mix thoroughly. The bulk fermentation process begins as soon as the starter is mixed with the other ingredients, which means that the dough will rise and grow in size while it ferments. Cover the dough with a damp linen kitchen towel and let it rest for 1 hour at room temperature.

Stretch and fold the dough as follows: With lightly wet fingertips, grab a portion of the dough and stretch it upward. Fold the dough over toward the center of the bowl. Give the bowl a quarter turn and repeat the stretch and fold. Continue to turn, stretch and fold until the circle is complete. Cover the dough and let it sit for 30 minutes.

cloth generously dusted with flour. Turn the dough top side down, then perform a letter fold, folding top to center then bottom to center.

Roll the loaf like a burrito and crimp the sides. Place the loaf into the banneton. If any cubes of cheese are sticking out on the bottom of the dough, tuck them in by pulling a bit of dough over them.

This will prevent the bottom of the crust from burning.

Transfer the banneton basket to the refrigerator and let the loaf cold proof for 12 to 24 hours.

Place an oven-safe cast iron Dutch oven with the lid onto the center rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 490° F. Once the oven has preheated, remove the loaf from the refrigerator and turn it out onto a 12-by-12-inch piece of unbleached parchment paper. Using a bread lame knife (or sharp paring knife), score the loaf down the center. Top with finely grated Gruyère and fresh chives.

Transfer the loaf on the parchment paper into the Dutch oven and seal it with the lid. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes uncovered.

Remove the loaf from the oven and immediately transfer it to a wire rack to cool.

Cut the loaf once it has fully cooled and store it wrapped in a linen kitchen towel at room temperature for up to three days.

Recipe courtesy of Emily Harryman.

Repeat this stretch-and-fold process two more times, letting the dough rest for 30 minutes in between.

Evenly distribute the cheese over the surface of the dough and perform one more set of stretch and folds.

Continue to ferment the dough for 2 to 4 more hours until it has proofed or domed in the bowl with various sized bubbles visible along the sides of the dough. (The dough will ferment faster on a warm day and slower on a chilly day.)

GenAI/CanvaPro

Once the dough has proofed, turn it out onto a clean work surface and shape it into a ball by hand—this is called a pre-shape. Let it rest for 10 minutes on the counter uncovered.

After this pre-shape, it is time to shape the dough. The goal is to create good tension that will help keep the dough’s shape while it bakes. Prepare a banneton (or extra-large bowl) lined with a linen January 2026

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Wise Words

Dean Mitchell on Conquering Candida

by Sandra Yeyati

D

ean Mitchell, M.D., is a board-certified immunologist and a pioneer in holistic immunology. As a founder of the Mitchell Medical Group with his wife, Dr. Ricki Mitchell, in New York City, he specializes in diagnosing and treating candida

overgrowth, mast cell activation syndrome and toxic mold exposure. With more than 30 years of practical experience, he combines conventional and integrative care to address the root causes of disease and educate patients on sustainable wellness solutions.

Mitchell, an adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, is also a published author of several books and host of a popular podcast, The Smartest Doctor in the Room, where he interviews renowned medical specialists. His latest book is Conquering Candida: The New 30-Day Protocol for Restoring Your Microbiome and Health, co-authored with his daughter-inlaw, Joelle Mitchell, a registered dietitian.

Candida is a type of yeast that can live on the skin and in the body without causing problems, but an overgrowth can lead to an infection called candidiasis, also known as a yeast infection, which can range from mild to severe and affect various parts of the body.

What is a candida overgrowth?

A healthy microbiome is diverse, with all kinds of different bacteria, viruses and yeast, whereas an unhealthy microbiome is distorted because the good bacteria have been wiped out, leaving candida, a highly resistant organism, as the dominant species. A candida overgrowth occurs when candida yeast microorganisms predominate, affecting the microbiome and resulting in a range of unpleasant symptoms.

Courtesy Dean Mitchell

What are the most prevalent symptoms of a candida overgrowth?

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After treating thousands of patients, I have categorized symptoms into four distinct levels. The initial stage manifests as gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, constipation or diarrhea. The next stage involves leaky gut syndrome, where the yeast moves out of the intestine. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in women who develop chronic vaginal yeast infections. The third stage of candida overgrowth occurs when the candida penetrates deeper into the body, leading to symptoms like brain fog.

This occurs because excessive yeast production generates acetaldehyde, a substance that can cause cognitive impairment. The fourth stage is when the candida becomes deeply ingrained, resulting in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and widespread muscle pain.

teas, but avoid soda or diet soda. Gradually, we reintroduce certain foods.

Courtesy Dean Mitchell

What about the next prong of your treatment—the antifungal medications?

What causes an overgrowth of candida?

Long-term use of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors or acid blockers, birth control pills and even steroids—including the ones you inhale or take orally—can disrupt the natural balance of the gut microbiome, leading to candida overgrowth. The other big culprit is excessive glucose intake.

Disruptions in the endocrine system can also lead to candida problems. That includes people with diabetes, metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome who tend to have high insulin and high blood sugar levels. And when you’re under a lot of stress, your cortisol levels go up as a defense reaction, which can also increase blood sugar levels and precipitate a candida imbalance.

In your 30-day candida protocol, what dietary changes do you recommend?

Initially, avoid processed sugar, dairy (including cheese and yogurt), grains (especially wheat-based), fermented foods and alcohol. You can consume fiber-rich foods, which benefit your microbiome. Apples and berries are good, but avoid very sweet fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe or pineapple.

Include a variety of vegetables, especially cruciferous ones and greens, but avoid corn (too sugary) and mushrooms (too yeasty).

Skip potatoes and rice, which spike your sugar. Quinoa is a better alternative. Ensure you have quality protein sources like chicken, fish, turkey and meats. Drink water and

There is a big misunderstanding about the dangers of antifungals, even among some doctors. From my experience, they tend to be very safe medications. Several FDA-approved options work very well. Patients typically require a minimum of three to four weeks of treatment, with some needing more, potentially extending to several months, to eradicate candida when it has deeply infiltrated the tissue.

What type of supplementation do you recommend?

I have patients come in, especially when I’m prescribing the antifungals, for intravenous vitamin therapy known as the Myers’ cocktail, comprised of B-complex vitamins, magnesium, vitamins C and D3, plus the

antioxidant glutathione. People who are having medical issues like candida need extra support. Intravenous vitamins also mitigate the Herxheimer reaction, a flu-like response that occurs when candida begins to die off and releases toxins, triggering an immune response.

Could you explain the sublingual immunotherapy drops included in your protocol?

Following my treatment with strong antifungals, the idea is to administer a little bit of candida in the form of sublingual drops to stimulate the body’s own immunity and build up a tolerance. This approach aims to empower the body to effectively manage candida without the reliance on future antifungal interventions. Essentially, it involves stimulating protective antibodies to keep the candida in check.

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.

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33

Natural Pet

Holistic Health From Nose to Tail Whole-Pet Strategies for Optimized Well-Being

by Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

O

verall pet wellness transcends the mere absence of illness, encompassing body, mind and spirit. From digestion to mood, every system is interconnected in subtle ways that influence how animals feel and behave. Understanding and supporting these connections allows pets to experience more ease, energy and joy in everyday life. An integrative, energy-based approach views animal companions as complete physical, emotional and energetic beings, combining modern veterinary science with natural healing strategies to restore balance and connection.

“Holism means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our pets are more than their bodies made up of tissues and cells, so a holistic approach looks at the bigger picture,” says Dennis W. Thomas, a holistic veterinarian and author of Whole-Pet Healing, adding that conventional veterinary medicine often focuses on individual parts of a pet’s body, whereas a holistic approach includes balanced nutrition, daily movement, emotional connection and a healthy home environment to build lasting vitality.

Clean Nutrition and Proper Hydration

Nutrition is the foundation for vitality, and a pet’s food should nourish, not burden, the body. Whole-pet wellness begins with clean, fresh ingredients and balanced hydration.

“We must always look for the best guidance as to how to keep the physical body healthy with proper nutrition,” says Thomas, noting that food is more than just ingredients; it also carries energy and intention. “People were always looking for the right ingredients, hoping to get the same results, without realizing it was the love Grandma had for the child that made the soup healing,” he says, encouraging pet parents to use the same “energy of gratitude” when preparing their food.

pixelshot/CanvaPro

Dr. Chris Bessent, a holistic veterinarian and founder of Herbsmith and Medicus Veterinary Diets, stresses the importance of feeding pets whole foods, defined as “real, unprocessed ingredients, not byproducts or powders, but complete, natural foods that retain their original nutrients.” Whole-food meals combine fresh meats, organs, fruits and vegetables—for example, chicken, liver, blueberries and sweet potatoes—to create balanced nutrition.

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Hydration is equally important for overall wellness. Pets thrive with constant access to clean, filtered water and moisture-rich foods. Adequate hydration supports digestion, circulation and temperature regulation; flushes toxins; and maintains healthy skin and joints.

Vincent Scherer from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Daily Movement and Play

Exercise keeps pets strong, alert and emotionally balanced. Movement promotes flexibility and joint health, as well as behavioral stability. “Exercise is a form of selfcare for dogs. It keeps their bodies strong, minds sharp and emotions balanced,” says Denise Bozenski, a holistic pet health coach, professional dog trainer and certified canine fitness coach based in Phoenix, Arizona. “It’s not about intensity; it’s about consistency, connection and engaging both body and mind.”

Da Silva Emmanuelle from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Bozenski explains that gentle, consistent activity such as walks, swimming and play reduce anxiety and prevent stiffness. Regular movement supports joint health, cardiovascular strength and a healthy weight,

as well as providing essential mental stimulation. Dogs are natural explorers that find purpose through activity and engagement with their environment. Regular movement improves behavior. For senior dogs, staying active preserves mobility, comfort and confidence.

Supporting Pets’ Emotional and Energetic Health

Pets feel deeply, and their emotions directly affect their health and behavior. A 2024 review in the journal Animals reports that various stressors and emotional imbalance can trigger abnormal levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn influences a dog’s behavior and physical state. Emotional balance centers on trust, calm connection and stability. To support this connection, pet parents should focus on creating calm, loving routines, speaking gently and spending unhurried time together. Equally important, creating a safe, toxin-free environment helps pets feel secure.

The bond between humans and pets operates on an energetic level, too. Thomas advises, “Where two energetic beings spend a lot of time together, the energy seeks harmony and the two energies become one.” He calls this “quantum entanglement”, noting that pets often share their higher energy with humans, lifting us up, but sometimes absorbing our stress in return. Because pets mirror the energy around them, calm, gratitude and presence at home are essential.

Supporting whole-pet wellness involves more than keeping animals healthy; it’s about nurturing balance in every part of their lives.

When pet parents meet their pets’ physical, emotional and energetic needs, they build a foundation for lasting vitality and trust.

Ruth Roberts, an integrative veterinarian and a holistic health coach for pets, is the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.

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Calendar of Events

Wisdom & Long Life Retreat – 2–8:30pm. Meditation retreat to begin the new year with teachings and guided practice. Kadampa Meditation Center Texas, Dallas. 214-238-3331. MeditationInTexas.org.

New Year, New You: How Meditation Is the Method for Transformation – 5:30– 8:30pm. Introductory talk on starting or renewing a meditation practice. Free.

Kadampa Meditation Center Texas, Dallas. 214-238-3331. MeditationInTexas.org.

Saturday, January 3 Sunrise Marathon 5K/10K/13.1 – 7:30am.

Early-morning run offering a half marathon plus shorter distances; open to runners and walkers. $32.80-$48.70.

Course location emailed to participants.

Fort Worth. FindARace.com.

Community Sunrise Yoga – 9–10am.

All-levels outdoor yoga focusing on flexibility, breath and balance. Free. Klyde Warren Park, Dallas. 214-716-4500.

KlydeWarrenPark.org.

Oak Cliff Nature Preserve Monthly Workday – 9am-12pm. Volunteer stewardship day focused on trail maintenance and habitat care. Free. Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, Dallas. TexasLandConservancy.org.

Community Reiki Share – 2–4pm. Community Reiki gathering. Free. Breathe Meditation & Wellness, Dallas. 972850-9894.

Info@BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com; BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com.

Monday, January 5 Functional Strength Training – 6–7pm.

Strength class using functional movement patterns for everyday fitness. $30.

Life Time Fitness, Plano. 972-378-1100.

LifeTime.life.

Tuesday, January 6 Pilates Mat Flow – 5:30–6:30pm.

Core-focused Pilates class designed to improve alignment and flexibility. $22.

Club Pilates, Rockwall. 972-722-7788.

ClubPilates.com.

Wednesday, January 7 Midweek Power Yoga – 6–7pm. Dynamic yoga class designed to build strength and endurance. $25. Indigo Yoga, Fort Worth. 817-735-9642. IndigoYoga.net.

Strength & Conditioning Bootcamp – 7–8pm. High-energy class combining cardio and resistance training. $20.

Camp Gladiator, Dallas. CampGladiator. com.

Guided by Wisdom: Creating the Life You Want – 10am–1pm. Meditation retreat focused on cultivating insight and inner peace. Kadampa Meditation Center Texas, Dallas. 214-238-3331. MeditationInTexas.org.

New Year Wellness & Craft Market – 10am–4:30pm. Wellness vendors and local makers. Free with advance ticket; $5 at door. Dallas Events Center, Farmers Branch. DFWCrafts.com.

Breathwork Workshop – 1:30–3pm.

Breathwork session focused on clearing stuck energy and restoring balance. $35. Yoga Art Music, Dallas. 214-2382188. Hello@Yoga-Art-Music.com; Yoga-Art-Music.com.

Somatic Breathwork Journey – 1:30– 3pm. Guided breathwork session for emotional release and nervous system regulation. $88. Breathe Meditation & Wellness, Dallas. 972-850-9894. Info@ BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com; BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com.

Sunday, January 4 Gentle Flow Yoga – 10–11am. Slow-flow class emphasizing mobility and joint health. $20. Black Swan Yoga, Dallas.

BlackSwanYoga.com.

40 Days to Personal Revolution Kickoff Meeting – 1:30pm. Six-week guided program with weekly group support focused on consistency, connection and personal growth. $99. Indigo Yoga, Fort Worth. 817-735-9642. IndigoYoga.net.

tention-setting with take-home vision board. $111. Breathe Meditation & Wellness, Dallas. 972-850-9894. Info@ BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com; BreatheMeditationAndWellness.com.

2026: New Year, New Visions – 1:30– 3:30pm. Movement, reflection and vision-boarding. $75. Yoga Art Music, Dallas. 214-238-2188. Hello@Yoga-Art-Music. com; Yoga-Art-Music.com.

Sunday, January 11 Weekly Meditation Session – 10am– 12:15pm. Guided meditation with dharma discussion. Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center, Dallas. DallasShambhala. org.

Wellness Expo in Grapevine – 11am– 6pm. Continuation of two-day wellness expo. $8/day or $10/weekend; under 12 and over 65 free. Grapevine Convention Center, Grapevine. 972-925-9393. WellnessExpo.net.

Wellness Crawl – 11am-5pm. Self-guided wellness and fitness experience featuring movement classes, health-focused vendors and educational stops. $15. Bishop Arts District, Dallas.

Eventbrite.com.

Restorative Yoga & Stretch – 4–5:15pm.

Deep stretching and relaxation to support recovery and sleep. $28. YogaSix, Dallas. YogaSix.com.

Wednesday, January 14 Full Moon Sound Bath – 7:30–8:30pm.

In-studio sound bath experience. $32. Yoga Art Music, Dallas. 214-2382188. Hello@Yoga-Art-Music.com; Yoga-Art-Music.com.

Thursday, January 8 Mindful Movement for Whole Health – 6-7pm. Gentle movement and breath-focused class supporting balance, flexibility and stress reduction. $20. Community wellness studio, Dallas. Eventbrite.com

Saturday, January 10 Wellness Expo in Grapevine – 11am– 6pm. Two-day wellness expo with fitness demos, screenings and health exhibitors. $8/day or $10/weekend; under 12 and over 65 free. Grapevine Convention Center, Grapevine. 972-925-9393.

WellnessExpo.net.

Meditation Basics – 1–4pm. Introductory meditation workshop. $60 single; $100 couple. Dallas Meditation Center, Richardson.

DallasMeditationCenter. com.

Yoga for Runners Workshop – 1–2:30pm. Yoga session designed to improve mobility and reduce injury risk. $35. Fleet Feet Dallas, Dallas. 214-5204668. FleetFeetDallas.com.

2026 Vision Board Workshop – 1:30– 3:30pm. Guided visualization and in-

Thursday, January 15 Strength After 50 – 10–11am. Strength training class supporting bone health and balance. $15. YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Dallas. 214-954-0500. YMCADallas.org.

Dallas-Tarrant-Rockwall counties

Thursday, January 1

KingVision Fitness Health and Wellness Summit – 6:45–8:45pm. Educational summit focused on fitness, prevention and lifestyle wellness. Free.

KingVision Fitness, Arlington.

Saturday, January 17 Total Body Bootcamp – 9–10am. Fullbody workout combining strength, agility and cardio. $25. Barry’s Bootcamp, Dallas. Barrys.com.

Community Yoga in the Park – 10–11am.

Outdoor yoga class for all levels. Donation-based. White Rock Lake, Dallas.

WhiteRockLake.org.

Visions and Goals 2026 – 3–5pm. Reflection and vision-boarding workshop. $50. Indigo Yoga, Fort Worth. 817-7359642. IndigoYoga.net.

Sunday, January 18 Community Yoga in the Park – 10-11am.

January 2026

37

Denton-Collin-Grayson-Cooke counties

All-levels outdoor yoga class emphasizing breath, mobility and connection with nature. Free. City park location, Dallas. DallasParks.org.

The Holistic Fair – 11am–5pm. Wellness vendor fair with a range of practitioners and services. $10 admission; children under 12 free. CERA, Fort Worth. TheHolisticFair@gmail.com.

Women’s Strength & Conditioning – 2–3pm. Strength-focused class supporting functional power. $30. Grit Fitness, Dallas. 469-779-4128. GritFitness.com.

Sunday, January 11

Day One 5K/10K/15K/1-Mile – 7:50am.

Community fitness event with multiple distances for runners and walkers. $20– $54. North Lakes Park, Denton. FindARace.com.

Guided Trails Hike – 9:30–10:30am Explore native flora and winter ecology on a guided hike through protected natural areas.

Free with admission. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl., McKinney. HeardMuseum. org

First Day Nature Hike – 10:00–11:30am Start the New Year outdoors with a guided winter hike focused on reflection and renewal. Free. Thrive Nature Park, 1951 S. Valley Pkwy., Lewisville. LewisvilleTX.gov

Wednesday, January 21 Healthy Cooking Demonstration – 6-7:30pm. Practical cooking demo focused on whole foods and simple preparation for everyday wellness. $10. Community center, Rockwall.

RockwallParks.org.

Friday, January 23 MLK Day of Service Volunteer Project – 9am-1pm. Community service opportunity supporting reuse, sustainability and housing initiatives.

Free. Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations, Dallas. DallasHabitat.org.

Saturday, January 24 Rockwall Run Club – 7:30am. Weekly social run along the lake; all paces welcome. Free. Downtown Rockwall Square, Rockwall. RockwallRunClub. com.

Pilates Reformer Intro Class – 11am– 12pm. Introductory reformer Pilates focusing on alignment and control. $30. Core Pilates Dallas, Dallas. 214370-2900. CorePilatesDallas.com.

Sunday, January 25 Weekly Meditation Session – 10am– 12:15pm. Guided meditation with dharma discussion. Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center, Dallas. DallasShambhala.org.

The J Reset – Wellness Reboot – 1–3pm. Wellness experience with expert-led talks and hands-on recovery treatments. $55 members; $69 non-members. Aaron Family JCC, Dallas. 214-739-2737. JCCDallas.org.

Saturday, January 31 RefuelHER Wellness Experience – 8:30am–2pm. Women’s wellness experience focused on whole-person alignment and renewal. Arlington. RefuelHerWellnessExperience.com.

Community Fitness Day – 9am– 12pm. Free mini-classes including yoga, barre and strength training.

Free. The Sound at Cypress Waters, Coppell. CypressWaters.com.

Greenbriar Health Fair – 11am–1pm.

Health and nonprofit resources, basic medical screenings and emergency preparedness information. Free.

Greenbriar Community Center, Fort Worth. TexasCrafted.com.

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Thursday, January 1

Dallas Metroplex Edition

Tuesday, January 13 Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalist Meeting – 7:00pm Educational program and chapter meeting focused on conservation and ecology. Open to the public. Free. Heard Natural Science Museum SRC Building, McKinney. TXMN.org/BPTMN

Wednesday, January 14 First Day Hike 2026 – 11–12:30pm. Ranger-led group hike on the Randy Bell Scenic Trail. Park admission required. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point.

TPWD.Texas.gov.

Saturday, January 3 First Saturday Bird Walk – 8:30–10:00am Guided birding walk exploring seasonal species and riparian habitats. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, 6465 Refuge Rd., Sherman. FWS.gov/Hagerman

Nutrition & Wellness Seminar – 11am– 12pm. Educational talk focused on practical nutrition and healthy living strategies. Free. Senior Recreation Center, McKinney. McKinneyTexas.org.

Thursday, January 15 Plano Sustainability & Recycling Workshop – 10:30–11:30am Learn practical recycling, composting and waste‑reduction strategies for everyday living. Free. Plano Environmental Education Center, Plano. Plano.gov/Sustainability

Sunday, January 4 Guided Nature Walk at Oak Point Preserve – 9–10:30am. Leisurely guided walk highlighting seasonal ecology and winter wildlife. Free. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, Plano. PlanoParks.org.

Tuesday, January 6 Virtual Sustainable Gardening Basics – 6–7:30pm. Introductory class covering winter garden planning, soil health and eco-friendly growing practices. $15. Via Zoom. BRIT.org.

Saturday, January 10 2nd Saturday Bird Walk – 8:00– 9:30am. Guided bird walk through prairie, woodland and wetland habitats. All levels welcome. Free with admission.

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl., McKinney.

HeardMuseum.org

Saturday, January 17 Stars & Stripes 5K & Fun Run – 7:30am.

Community-focused run with options for both competitive and casual participants. $28.50–$43.90. Allen. FindARace. com.

Winter Birding Walk – 8:30–10:00am Seasonal bird walk highlighting winter species and habitats. Free. Registration encouraged. Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, Denton. DentonTX.gov Wellness Walk – 9–10:30am. Community wellness walk encouraging physical activity and social connection. Free.

Stonebriar Centre, Frisco. Eventbrite. com.

Native Plant Gardening Workshop – 10am–12pm. Learn how native plants conserve water, support pollinators and thrive in North Texas landscapes. $25.

Community garden location, Denton.

DentonTexas.com.

Wellness Walk – 9–10:30am. Community wellness walk focused on movement and connection. Free. Central Park at Union Park, Aubrey. Eventbrite.com.

NADallas.com

Dallas Metroplex Edition

Edible Gardening Workshop – 9:00am–12:00pm. Hands-on workshop on growing herbs and vegetables using Earth-Kind® practices. $15. Collin County Master Gardeners, Myers Park Event

NADallas.com

Center, McKinney. CCMGATX.org

Saturday, January 24 Urban Gardening Volunteer Day – 9am– 12pm. Help prepare garden beds and compost areas for the upcoming growing season. Free. Community garden, Denton.

DentonCommunityGardens.org.

Winter Nature Walk at Frank Buck Zoo – 10:00–11:00am. Educational walk focusing on winter animal behaviors and conservation awareness. Free with zoo admission.

Frank Buck Zoo, 1000 W. California St., Gainesville. GainesvilleTX.gov

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email NAadvertising@NaturalAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

ALTERNATIVE WELLNESS VENUES THE KAVA BARS

14856 Preston Rd #212, Dallas 469-608-5050 109 Industrial St, Denton 940-320-6015 LoveTheKavaBar.com

Sunday, January 25 Mindful Nature Walk – 2:00–3:30pm Slow, reflective walk combining mindfulness practices with nature connection.

Free. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, Plano.

PlanoParks.org

Saturday, January 31

Discover relaxation and community at The Kava Bars in Dallas and Denton. A serene environment with a variety of kava-based drinks, it's the perfect spot to unwind, connect, and experience the calming effects of kava. Live music, open mic nights, and special events that make every visit unique. Exerience a different kind of Happy Hour.

BRAIN HEALTH

ECO TOURISM FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER 2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose 254-897-2960 FossilRim.org

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, near Glen Rose, an hour and a half from DFW, is a non-profit conservation center. It’s a haven for endangered species, housing over 1,000 animals from 50 species. Visitors embark on guided or self-guided tours across its 1,800 acres, encountering wildlife up close. Lodging, dining, and educational facilities enhance the experience.

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.

Community Wellness Fair – 10am–2pm.

Local wellness providers, educational resources and family-friendly activities focused on holistic health. Free. Community venue, Plano. VisitPlano.com.

CERESET PLANO

1033 E 15th St, Plano, 75074 214-892-2273 Plano.Cereset.com

—Caroline Myss

Winter Wildlife Discovery Walk – 10:00– 11:30am. Learn about winter survival strategies of native wildlife through guided exploration. Free. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Sherman. FWS.gov/Hagerman

Cereset can help your brain reset itself, restoring your brain’s rhythm naturally, enabling it to manage stress more effectively. Cereset sessions jump start the process of re-balancing your brain, and can help issues leading to trouble sleeping, restlessness and anxiety, inability to focus or lack of joy. Periodic “tune-ups” provide ongoing support, ensuring long-term brain balance.

EDUCATION DALLAS COLLEGE

1601 South Lamar, Dallas 214-378-1824 DCCCD.edu Dallas College has seven campuses, including El Centro, Brookhaven, Mountain View, Eastfield, Richland, Cedar Valley and Northlake. Dallas College serves the region with accredited one and two year certificates, degrees and core credit courses guaranteed to transfer to Texas colleges and universities.

CHIROPRACTIC G L E N R O S E , T E X A S I 2 5 4 . 8 9 7. 2 9 6 0 I F O S S I L R I M . O R G I E S T . 1 9 8 4

PASS US AROUND Please share

with your friends and family.

NEW STAR CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE

Dr. Zhangping Lu, DC, LAc, MD (China) 425 Maplelawn Dr, Ste 101, Plano 75075 972-519-8488 DFWAcupunctureChiropractic.com Whole-body wellness center providing chiropractic care, spinal decompression, allergy testing, NAET, IMAET, detoxification, weight loss, hormone balancing, wellness programs and more. All-natural healing, no medication, no surgery.

THE HOCKADAY SCHOOL 11600 Welch Road, Dallas 214- 363-6311 Hockaday.org

Established almost 100 years ago, The Hockaday School provides a college preparatory educa-tion for girls; from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, including Boarding school for grades 8-12. With an approximate enrollment of 1,000 students and a 10:1 student teacher ratio, Hockaday students enjoy a 100% acceptance rate to college.

January 2026

39

HAND CRAFTED GOODS JESUIT COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF DALLAS 12345 Inwood Rd, Dallas 972-387-8700 JesuitCP.org

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is a private Catholic institution for young men under the direction of the Society of Jesus. Located in North Dallas, it provides a student-centered education to approximately 1,000 students, grades 9-12. Our students’ average SAT scores exceed the national average by over 200 points.

ROXANE & CO

Handcrafted Goods RoxaneAndCo.com Info@RoxaneAndCo.com 469-216-0389 Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift, a one-of-a-kind keepsake, or something special just for you, our handcrafted collections are designed to make moments more memorable.

Thank you for supporting small business and the art of handmade.

PARKER UNIVERSITY

2540 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas 75229 800-637-8337/214-902-2429 AskAdmissions@parker.edu Parker.edu More patients want alternative methods of treatment that are healthy, holistic and non-invasive.

Earning your degree from Parker University in Functional Nutrition, Strength and Human Performance, Integrative Health can put you in position to help them. Offering top level experience and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Chiropractic Education, and the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation.

BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 1-800-4BAYLOR BaylorHealth.com/CancerCare

We have a network of comprehensive cancer treatment centers throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, offering full range cancer-related and integrative medical services. Whether you want to learn about types of cancer, screenings, prevention, healthy living or support, Baylor is here for you. We offer the experience, expertise and technology you can trust.

13 Locations in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex 888-286-4603 PrimaCare.com

POLARAID HEALTH PolaraidHealth.com 450-486-7888

Polaraid Health offers the revolutionary PolarAid® body tool, inspired by Nikola Tesla and Dr. Georges Lakhovsky. This device supports overall wellness, including sexual health, weight management, joint flexibility, digestive health, and mental calm. Enhance your well-being with PolarAid®. Visit us to discover more about this innovative health solution.

ACN HERBS AND GREEN TEA LESLIE DUONG 9788 Walnut Street, Suite 108 214-887-8325 LeslieDuong.com

Trained Herbalist, Leslie Duong specializes in traditional herbal remedies and green tea. With over 25 years of experience, she offers personalized herbal consultations, organic herbal medicines, and a wide selection of premium green teas.

Committed to natural healing and wellness through high-quality, safe, and effective herbal products. See ad, page 6.

HEALTH CARE

PRIMACARE

ENERGY MEDICINE

HERBAL MEDICINE

With 13 Urgent Care Centers, PrimaCare serves the medical needs of area families with courtesy, convenience and compassion. Open 7 days a week with extended hours. No appointment necessary. Most insurance accepted. Use our Call Ahead Service and wait where your want. Open: Monday– Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday–Sunday 8am–5pm.

HOLISTIC DENTISTRY FLOURISH DENTAL BOUTIQUE Dr. Toni Engram 415 State St #800, Richardson 75082 469-676-2777 Flourish.dental

At Flourish Dental Boutique, we believe the best dentistry is often the least dentistry. We help your body thrive on its own with therapies that enrich and empower its natural healing processes. As a holistic and biological dental practice, we choose safe materials and treatment protocols with special attention to your nutrition and overall wellness.

Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail, but every day is a clean slate and a fresh opportunity.

—Gretchen Rubin

ND CRAFTED GOODS

If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.

—Tom Peters

Stay Informed. Join Our Community. Subscribe Now 40

Dallas Metroplex Edition

NADallas.com

KOZLOW & ROWELL

Dr. Philip Kozlow Dr. Josh Rowell 5050 Quorum Dr, Suite 300, Dallas 972-458-2464 DallasDentist.net We strive to provide healthy, green alternatives for our dental patients by providing digital X-rays, mercury safe restorative options and chemical free dental hygiene products. Committed to total body wellness while avoiding the use of toxic materials, and continuing education to ensure treatments are up to date and effective in a kind and caring environment. See ad, page 33.

LYNN DENTAL CARE

Dr. D. Brock Lynn 6190 LBJ Freeway #900, Dallas 972-934-1400 LynnDentalCare.com Practicing dentistry for over 38 years, specializing in periodontics, Dr. Lynn is board-certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics and Dental implants.

He practices dentistry with a holistic approach and is a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine &Toxicology as well as the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. See ad, page 2.

HOMEOPATHY HEALTHY HEALING ARTS/HPWWC Cathy May Lemmon, Ph.D. Hom, LCPH, BA 469-383-8442 Cathy@HPWWC.org HealthyHealingArts.com

Homeoprophylaxis (HP), a part of Homeopathy, is a major part of Cathy Lemmon’s practice at Healthy Healing Arts. HP has been used worldwide for hundreds of years with a success rate of over 90% to help fight off disease.

Lemmon uses an energetic, nontoxic means of promoting immunity in a safe and natural way.

INTEGRATIVE FITNESS AIKIDO FOR LIFE

Lynn Fabia, Founder Society of Aikido Centers 2080 N. Collins Blvd. Richardson, TX 75080 lynnfabia@gmail.com 469 767-5864 Discover Aikido for Life - peaceful, powerful, and holistic. Increase confidence, awareness, energy, and self-mastery through fluid movement and non-violent self-defense.

Learn how to process fear with timeless life concepts for mind, body, and spirit.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE DR. CARLOS CHAPA, ND, OMD, L.AC, PH.D

1320 W. Walnut Hill Ln, Irving 18601 LBJ #501, Mesquite 972-444-0660 DrChapa.com Trained in Asia, graduated from a Korean University, Dr. Chapa holds a Naturopathic Doctorate Degree and a PhD in Eastern Medicine specializing in Neurological issues. A former medic/nurse since 1995, this unique training has given confidence from many Physicians to refer their patients. Dr. Chapa is founder and medical director of AIMC established in 2009.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER DALLAS

399 Melrose Dr., Suite A, Richardson 214-368-4132 EHCD.COM A nationally recognized medical facility specializing in the relationship of health and disease to environmental factors.

Thorough investigation is made to determine the cause and correlation of the patent’s disease process to environmental factors. A leader in the field treating mold exposure/sensitivity; oil spill, pesticides and chemical exposure; chemical sensitivities, immune dysregulation and much more.

TENNANT INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Dr. Jerry Tennant MD, Medical Director 35 Veranda Lane, Ste 100, Colleyville 972-580-1156 TennantInstitute.us Providing traditional “standard-ofcare” medicine using prescription as well as complementary medicine.

Recognizing that the human body is not simply a collection of independent parts but rather an integrative whole -we treat it that way. Conditions treated include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, macular degeneration and glaucoma, as well as thyroid support, adrenal support, hormone replacement. essential oil therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

TRULY HEALTHY MD

Dr. Monica Jauregui, M.D. IFMCP 945-286-5711 TrulyHealthyMD.com Info@trulyhealthymd.com Known as “America's Medical Detective,” our functional medicine practice specializes in uncovering root causes of health issues. With advanced diagnostics, personalized plans, and a Health Restoration Membership, we treat conditions like hormone imbalances, Lyme, long COVID, leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, Lyme and co-infections, long COVID, mold and other environmental illnesses, autoimmunity. Financing options available.

WILLOWBEND HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Phyllis Gee, MD 4601 Old Shepard Pl, Bldg. 2, Ste. 201, Plano 469-361-4000 WillowbendHealthAndWellness.com With 30 years of practice, empowerment and whole health are centerpieces of our care. Our goal is finding and treating the root cause of your symptoms to restore your health utilizing regenerative medical practices. We address functional wellness, sexual wellness, weight management. We do functional health testing. Call for appointment.

LONGEVITY MEDICINE JOHNSON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

DR. JEFFREY GLADDEN, MD

Johnson Medical Associates is a state-of-the-art medical clinic offering comprehensive medical services aimed at finding the cause not just treating the symptoms. Dr. Johnson is a doctor of internal medicine with 35+ years of experience in areas of chronic illness, toxic exposures, allergies and the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to address a multitude of conditions. See ad, page 5.

Board certified in Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Gladden specializes in age management, regenerative medicine, and personalized health optimization. With over 30 years of experience, he offers advanced therapies including stem cell treatments, hormone optimization, and functional medicine. Dedicated to maximizing longevity and healthspan for his patients.

Author of 100 is the New 30.

Dr. Alfred R. Johnson, D.O. 997 Hampshire Lane, Richardson 972-479-0400 JohnsonMedicalAssociates.com

16633 Dallas Pkwy #100, Addison 972-310-8916 GladdenLongevity.com

January 2026

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PAIN MANAGEMENT SENERGY MEDICAL GROUP

9901 Valley Ranch Pkwy East, Ste 1009 Irving 972-580-0545 Biomodulator@senergy.us Senergy.us We are the exclusive distributor of the patented Tennant Biomodulator® PLUS & PRO. These FDA accepted non-invasive devices are designed to offer an affordable, drug free, user-friendly option for the indicated use of symptomatic relief for chronic, severe or intractable pain; and adjunctive treatment in managing post-surgical and post-traumatic pain.

PASTURED MEATS BOIS D'ARC MEAT COMPANY

13849 E. FM 1396, Windom, TX BoisDdarcMeatCo.com 617-314-1349 Bois D'arc Meat Company provides high-quality, locally-sourced meats. All our cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys are raised entirely on pasture, are 100% non-GMO and no herbicides, pesticides or chemicals are applied to the land. We offer a variety of cuts and custom butchering services to meet all your needs. Visit us for the finest meats.

SPIRITUAL CONCORD DALLAS CHURCH 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr, Dallas 214-331-8522 ConcordDallas.tv

Concord Dallas is the church that grows people.

Their core values are passion for Christ, passion for people and catalyst for change. Services are Sundays at 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm and online at Streamingfaith.com. Mid-week service is Wednesdays at 7:00pm. Reverend Bryan L. Carter, Senior Pastor.

8220 Abrams Rd, Dallas 214-349-8000 4904 W. Park Blvd, Plano 972-599-7700 ARP-RX.com

Family owned and operated since 1980, with more than 135 years of combined experience. Our pharmacists work to provide proactive solutions to restore health and wellness. We work as trusted partners with physicians and patients to develop targeted treatment plans and customized wellness programs for your unique needs. Pharmacy Compounding. Accreditation Board (PACB) certified. PSY

CHTHE RESTAURANTS

5502 Ben Davis, Sachse 972-984-8946 UnityOfSachse@gmail.com UnityOfSachse.com

We teach positive psychology based on Spiritual teachings of Jesus. Services are held Sundays at 11:30am. Join us as we share truths and principles to help along your spiritual journey. Each week’s message and all events are posted on our website for your convenience. Spiritual counseling and positive prayer available.

THERMOGRAPHY THERMOGRAPHY DALLAS WELLNESS AND THERMOGRAPHY CENTER

5220 Spring Valley Rd #LL-40, Dallas ThermographyCenter.com 214-352-8758 All symptoms have an origin story and we get to the root of yours.

Using radiation-free technology we can identify your symptom’s origin story and exactly what needs to change internally and how it will remedy your symptoms. We then recommend medical grade natural products to help you heal the root cause easily and organically.

CELEBRATION RESTAURANT 4503 West Lovers Lane, Dallas 214-351-5681 CelebrationRestaurant.com

The original farm-to-table restaurant in north Texas, inFood You Can cluding catering and takeFeel Good About! out Dallas’ Market.

With a full -serORIGINAL vice bar, we celebrate farm-to-table restaurant years ofFresh serving afford• Localdelicious, • Sustainable able, locally sourced food. We offer gluten free alternatives, clean water raised salmon and sustain• Local, free-range, 100% grass-fed ably raised seafood, cagebeeffree poultryRanch and 100% from Springerhill No antibiotics ever,in vegetarian grass fed beef. Come in •today, order or take-out. fed, cage-free chicken from See ad, page 29.

Perdue Farms • Verlasso salmon raised in the clean waters of Patagonia

Dallas | Metroplex Edition NADallas.com 42Restaurant - 214-351-5681 4503 West Lovers Lane Dallas, Texas 75209 Catering - 214-351-2456 • Market - 214-352-0031

CelebrationRestaurant.com

As Celebration continues to serve delicious, affordable and locally sourced food,

ROCKWALL COMPLETE HEALING & WELLNESS 2455 Ridge Road, Suite 151, Rockwall 972-771-8900 RockwallColonics.com

“Our goal is to offer our community high-quality wellness services in an exceptionally comfortable and healing environment. We know that time-honored healing traditions-Massage, Young Living Raindrop Therapy, Chiropractic, iV therapy, Juicing and Colonics work.

RCW offers all of these things, come visit us and begin your journey to optimum wellness. See ad, page 21.

UNITY CHURCH OF SACHSE

PHARMACY ABRAMS ROYAL COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

WELLNESS CENTERS

YOGA CRESCENT YOGA STUDIO & ECO-BOUTIQUE Dawn Harris, RYT500 306 W Ave F, Midlothian 214-817-8597 CrescentYogaStudio.com

Ellis county’s premier yoga studio and eco-boutique offers a variety of weekly classes, specialty workshops, private yoga and reiki sessions as well as natural health and wellness events. Come feel your stress and tensions away. New student intro offer: 2 weeks unlimited Yoga for $20. Empowering a healthy lifestyle.

ROXANE & CO

Yoga Instructor Roxane Beneduce, RYT200 RoxaneAndCo.com 469- 216-0389 With years of experience in Yoga & Pilates and passion to keep educating others, I offer a personalized approach to help you grow stronger, more confident, and creatively inspired. I believe in making wellness accessible to all with my unique style. Classes as low as $10 with a year membership plan or reg $25/class at Heritage Senior Center in Irving Mon- Fri. See ad, page 29..

Proudly Announces — A Mini Documentary by

Coming 2026 — On National & Local Public Television

A Mini Documentary on The Regenerative Whole Health Movement Real People. Real Insights. Real Practitioners. Real Healing.

hosted by critically acclaimed actress Be Inspired.

Be Empowered.

Be Well.

KnoWEwell.com

MEG RYAN Join the Movement

2026 DART Student

Art Contest This year’s theme:

Discover new horizons.

Deadline:

2-13-26

Win cash

prizes!

Learn more at DART.org/ArtContest

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