Natural Awakenings SJersey January 2026

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JANUARY 2026

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

hosted by critically acclaimed actress Be Inspired.

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

SOUTH JERSEY EDITION Owner/Publisher Shae Marcus Associate Publisher Monica DelliSanti Account Executive Therese Howard Bookkeeper Karen Pabellano Editors Sara Gurgen

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Publisher’s Letter

J

anuary has a way of inviting us to slow down—whether we planned to or not. After the fullness of the holidays, a quieter, more honest energy settles in. Less about reinvention, more about recalibration. Less noise, more noticing. It’s the perfect moment to ask a simple, but powerful question: How do I want to care for myself this year?

This January issue is grounded in whole-person health and wellness—approaches that recognize we are not just bodies to be fixed, but layered, interconnected beings.

Shae Marcus, Publisher

Our feature story, “The Power of Integrative Medicine: A Guide to Whole-Person Care,” explores a growing shift in health care as more people seek models that extend beyond symptom treatment and disease management. Integrative medicine blends conventional and complementary approaches, offering a practical framework for personalized care that supports the whole person—mind, body and spirit—while emphasizing prevention, lifestyle practices and coordinated care.

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NATIONAL TEAM

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle COO Michael Bevilacqua CMO Vee Banionis Sr. VP Operations Brian Stenzler, DC National Editor Sandra Yeyati Editor Brooke Goode Copy Editor Melanie Rankin Print Production Specialist Kevin Rankin Design Director Agnes Mazeikaite Production Flip180 Executive Admin Julius Frago

CONTACT US Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 350 Main Street, Suite 9B Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000 NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com Cover image by Gemini © 2025 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.

You’ll also find nourishment explored in thoughtful ways throughout the issue. “Soulful Sourdough: Why This Bread Still Heals” reminds us that some of the most enduring wellness practices are also the simplest rooted in tradition, patience and care. Movement is addressed through “Strong for Life: The Power of Functional Fitness,” which highlights how every day, functional movement can preserve mobility, independence and quality of life at any age.

Additional articles round out this issue, including “Big Dreams, Little Hands,” which looks at creative tools that support childhood emotional development, and “Holistic Health from Nose to Tail,” offering whole-pet strategies for optimized well-being. Together, these pieces reinforce the idea that wellness lives in our homes, families and daily rhythms.

Beyond the January issue, we’re excited to share a special “Behind the Scenes” section that gives space to the people behind local wellness businesses. This feature goes beyond what these businesses offer to explore why they exist at all. You’ll meet founders and owners through their origin stories, inspirations and mission-driven work, gaining a deeper understanding of the heart, courage and lived experience behind the services and products you may already know.

We’re also proud to introduce a new department joining our monthly editorial lineup: “Mindful Journeys”. This section explores how intentional travel—whether a nearby day trip, a weekend away or a destination retreat—can support healing, nervous system regulation, emotional well-being and meaningful connection. It expands our wellness conversation into how we move through the world and what happens when we step outside our familiar routines.

We begin this new chapter with “The Rise of Transformational Travel: Why Wellness Journeys Are Becoming the Modern Reset.” Today’s travelers are seeking more than a pause; they’re craving clarity, grounding and experiences that create lasting internal change. Mindful journeys reframe travel not as escape or luxury, but as an accessible pathway to renewal.

As always, thank you for welcoming Natural Awakenings into your home and your life. Here’s to a January rooted in intention, curiosity and care—no resolutions required.

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

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Contents Departments 8 News Briefs 12 Health Briefs 14 Global Briefs 16 Community Spotlight 18 Feature Story 22 Conscious Eating 26 Fit Body 28 Healing Ways 32 Mindful Journeys 34 Wise Words 36 Healthy Kids 38 Green Living 40 Inspiration 42 Natural Pet 44 BEHIND THE SCENES 50 Calendar 51 Classifieds 52 Resource Guide

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16 A Yoga Teacher Training 18 The Power of Integrative Medicine 22 Soulful Sourdough 25 Eating Healthy in the New Year 26 Strong for Life 28 Intergenerational Living 30 The Truth About Winter Immunity 32 The Rise of Transformational Travel 34 The Beauty in Becoming 36 Big Dreams, Little Hands 38 Clean, Nonstick Cookware 40 Why New Year Intentions Can Become Lasting Habits 42 Holistic Health From Nose to Tail 44 BEHIND THE SCENES SHOWCASE 6

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News Briefs

Live in Joy Yoga & Wellness Celebrates a Global Start to New Podcast

Try a Faster Approach to Cellular Wellness

Audubon’s own Live in Joy Yoga & Wellness is making waves well beyond Merchant Street with its newly launched podcast, Live in Joy. Just two months after debuting on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music, the show has surpassed 400 downloads and reached listeners in 10 countries across three continents, including a surprise appearance in Ghana.

Hosted by studio co-owner Sharon Plower, Live in Joy extends the studio’s mission to uplift mind, body and spirit through heart-centered, accessible practices. Kicking off the new year, listeners can look forward to a two-part joy series. Part one explores how to reconnect with joy, while part two offers guidance on sustaining it into everyday life.

Each episode blends conversations on yoga, Ayurveda, manifestation, meditation and high-vibration living, offering tools to bring more clarity, intention and ease into daily routines. Plower also spotlights voices from the spiritual community, featuring teachers and healers that share their wisdom and lived experiences.

“Live in Joy is a grounding companion for anyone seeking inspiration, balance or a gentle reminder to slow down and connect with their inner light,” shares Plower.

For more information, visit www.LiveInJoyYoga.com.

Yoga, Breathwork and Sound Healing Journey

The experience begins with grounding postures and intentional breathing to release tension and cultivate spaciousness in the body. Participants then settle into stillness as the resonant tones of crystal bowls encourage profound rest and energetic balance.

Photo by Arina Krasnikova for www.pexels.com

Vacanti Jiu Jitsu/Yoga, in Hainesport, will host a Yoga, Breathwork and Sound Healing Journey at 11 a.m. on January 11. The session blends all-levels gentle yoga, guided breathwork and crystal bowl sound healing in a monthly program designed to promote ease, presence and deep relaxation.

“Sound frequency has a remarkable ability to support healing and relaxation, and its benefits are well-documented through extensive research,” says owner and certified yoga instructor Michelle Vacanti, who will be facilitating the monthly program along with certified sound healing practitioner Megan Kenny.

Cost: $44. Location: 1351 Rte. 38, Ste. B3. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, visit www.BalanceIsFreedom.as.me/schedule/857687db/?appointmentTypeIds[]=84569866.

For more information, call/text 267-664-3236 or email HealingHarmony42@gmail.com.

Prime IV Hydration & Wellness, in Marlton, is now offering Niagen IV, a new option for individuals seeking a gentler, more time-efficient way to support cellular health and healthy aging. The clinic says the service provides an alternative to traditional NAD+ infusions, which are often time-intensive.

Created in collaboration with ChromaDex, a leader in NAD+ research, the company reports that Niagen IV can raise NAD+ levels by 20 percent in three hours. Prime IV Marlton co-owner Lynn O’Malley says many clients appreciate the shorter session time and note benefits such as clearer thinking, steadier energy, improved recovery and cellular repair that may support longevity.

“For those looking to broaden their wellness routine, the therapy can also be paired with other micronutrients to create a more customized approach,” says O’Malley.

Prime IV Marlton notes that the goal is to make NAD+ support more accessible to people seeking practical, science-backed options for aging well and maintaining overall health. Consultations are now available to help the community determine whether Niagen IV may be a good fit.

Location: 890 NJ-73. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 856-3863251 or visit www.PrimeIVHydration.com/ locations/new-jersey/marlton-08053.

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News Briefs

South Jersey Physical Therapy Coming to Marlton Early This Year South Jersey Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine (SJPT), currently in Hainesport, is moving to a new clinic at 270 North Elmwood Avenue, in Marlton, projected to open in early February.

To celebrate, SJPT is offering a limited-time opportunity: a Functional Therapy Assessment and Rejuvenation Session for $75, regularly $349—perfect for those looking to start the new year feeling renewed.

“We’re thrilled to share that South Jersey Physical Therapy is moving and expanding to a brand-new, beautifully redeDr. Ken Cheng signed clinic in Marlton,” says owner Dr. Ken Cheng. “With this new space, we’ll be able to serve our community better than ever through expanded wellness offerings, regenerative services and whole-body functional wellness—truly bringing our holistic approach to life.”

Cheng adds that the new Marlton clinic will be a wellness-and-longevity center, helping people not only overcome pain, but thrive well into their 80s, 90s and beyond.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 609-845-3585 or visit www.SouthJerseyPT.com.

Grand Opening IV Special at Nutritional Wellness Center The Nutritional Wellness Center, in Palmyra, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Vibe Wellness IV Therapy business from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on January 24. To mark the occasion, the center is offering 50 percent off all IVs and injections for one day only.

Nutrition & Acupuncture Wellness Center

Vibe Wellness features five core IV options: Myers’ Cocktail for energy, stress resilience and immune support; Immune Defense IV to support immune function, prevention and recovery; Anti-Inflammatory/Recovery IV for inflammation reduction, pain relief and muscle recovery; Brain & Focus IV for mental clarity, focus and nervous system health; and Hydration & Mineral Replenishment IV to address dehydration, fatigue and electrolyte balance.

All treatments are administered by trained medical professionals in a relaxed clinical setting.

Guests at the grand opening can also enjoy complimentary organic food and snacks. Appointments are required, and space is limited; walk-ins will not be accepted.

Location: 1 Cinnaminson Ave., Ste. 206. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 856-499-2160. Also visit www.NWCNJ.com.

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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.

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

Natural Propolis Mouthwash Outperforms Synthetic Counterpart

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Mind. Body. Spirit.

Planet. Community.

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Reducing Anxiety With Virtual Sound Therapy

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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.

ION T A ISTR G E R

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.

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.

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Hazardous Release of Microplastics From Baby Food Containers

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Global Briefs

How Whales Contribute to Coastal Ecosystems

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.

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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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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.

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.

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Indigenous Farming Meets Modern Technology

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Community Spotlight

A Yoga Teacher Training That Extends Far Beyond the Mat

W

hen people hear the words “Yoga Teacher Training,” they often picture memorizing poses, perfecting cues and earning a certificate. Balanced Planet Yoga, in Marlton, invites a different perspective. Their Yoga Alliance–Certified 200Hour Yoga Teacher Training, beginning January 30, is as much about how we live as how we teach.

Owned and led by mother-daughter duo Cheryl Van Sciver and Jenna Kelly, Balanced Planet Yoga has long been known for its grounded, welcoming approach to practice. For them, yoga is not a performance—it’s a relationship that supports steadier nervous systems, clearer decision-making and a more compassionate way of meeting life, especially when life feels too loud or uncertain.

This training offers the comprehensive foundation students expect: alignment, sequencing, anatomy basics, breathwork, meditation and yoga philosophy, all within the Yoga Alliance structure. Yet, the deeper work happens in the spaces between—the self-study and the awareness that follows students off the mat and into their relationships, careers and daily rhythms.

While some participants feel called to teach, many enroll for a different reason entirely. They are seeking tools to manage stress, reconnect with themselves and cultivate a practice that supports real life—not just quiet moments or retreat settings. Balanced Planet Yoga emphasizes that teaching is optional; transformation is not.

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The program is designed for those ready to show up honestly, do meaningful inner work and allow yoga to become a lived practice rather than a checklist. Affordable options and payment plans are available, reflecting the studio’s belief that access matters.

For anyone sensing a quiet nudge toward something deeper, this training may be an invitation worth listening to. Sometimes growth isn’t about adding more—it’s about returning to what matters most.

For more information or to register for the program, email GetBliss@BalancedPlanetYoga.com or visit www.BalancedPlanetYoga.com.

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Feature Story

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

by Hannah Tytus

A

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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 Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in

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Feature Story 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.

“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.”

Despite the growth in integrative medicine, 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-10-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.

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Looking Ahead

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

—Gretchen Rubin

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Conscious Eating

Soulful Sourdough

chip cookies,” says Robitaille. “Once you understand how the culture behaves, you can shape it into nearly anything: soft rolls, bagels, waffles, muffins, even pastry.”

A Belly-Friendly Treat

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.

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.

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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

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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 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 Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

EVERYDAY SOURDOUGH LOAF WITH HONEY

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.

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

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YIELD: 1 LOAF

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.

dough onto a clean work surface and shape it into a ball by hand—this is called a preshape. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes on the counter uncovered.

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.

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

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 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

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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.

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.

January 2026

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Conscious Eating SOURDOUGH CINNAMON CARDAMOM BUNS YIELD: 6 BUNS FOR FILLING 8½ Tbsp softened butter ¾ cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp Ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp ground cardamom FOR FROSTING 7 oz cream cheese ⅓ cup or 2.67 oz softened butter ½ cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract

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FOR DOUGH 2 large eggs 1 cup active sourdough starter ¼ cup sugar 1⅓ cup whole milk 5¾ cups bread flour 2½ tsp salt 8½ Tbsp softened butter

Add the eggs, sourdough starter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix to combine.

With the machine running, slowly pour in the milk. Add the flour and salt. Mix until a rough, sticky dough forms, about 1 minute.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.

Switch the stand mixer to the dough hook. Knead on medium-low speed for 6 to 8 minutes. The dough should be soft, supple and pull away from the sides.

Gradually incorporate the softened butter, one piece at a time, allowing each addition to fully absorb. Continue kneading until the dough is elastic and slightly tacky.

Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 2 hours.

Transfer to the refrigerator and cold proof for 12 to 18 hours.

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and cardamom into a smooth filling. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Using a pizza wheel, cut the dough into 6 strips about 2½ inches wide.

Roll each strip tightly into a spiral to form tall, distinct buns. Arrange the spirals in a 9-by-12-inch ceramic pan, leaving space between each one to allow for expansion during proofing.

Cover and let rise in a warm spot such as an oven with the light on or near a sunny window for 1 hour. Buns are ready to bake when they look puffy, jiggly and spring back slowly when pressed.

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown and fully set in the center.

The next morning, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour.

To prepare the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix until creamy. Spread frosting over warm buns and serve.

Roll the dough into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle.

Recipe courtesy of Lisa Robitaille.

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Eating Healthy in the New Year

by Dr. Allan Magaziner

W

hat we eat each day plays a powerful role in shaping our overall health and long-term well-being. Dietary choices influence whether chronic conditions develop over time, particularly those linked to inflammation. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, obesity, fatigue, anxiety, depression, autoimmune disorders, colitis, fibromyalgia, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and many others. Food is not just fuel; it’s information that continually guides the body toward balance or imbalance.

One of the most impactful steps toward better health is reducing added sugars, sweets and highly processed foods. The average American consumes approximately 150 pounds of sugar each year, accounting for nearly 20 percent of total caloric intake. Processed foods and refined carbohydrates contribute an additional 60 percent. As a result, only about 20 percent of the typical diet truly supports optimal health. Excess sugar intake has been associated with increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, fatty liver disease, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, heart disease, frequent infections, memory decline and chronic fatigue. Because sugar can fuel many disease processes, reducing it is especially important for anyone seeking to prevent or manage chronic illness.

At the same time, many Americans don’t consume adequate amounts of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and fiber-rich foods. These whole foods supply essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect against disease and support the body’s natural healing processes. Replacing processed foods with nutrient-dense whole foods can improve energy levels, strengthen immune function, support gut health and promote healthy cellular repair.

Food is far more than calories alone. It contains fiber, nutrients and amino acids that communicate directly with genes and cells. This biological messaging can influence whether certain genes are activated or quieted, meaning daily food choices can either promote inflammation or help calm it. Because chronic inflammation underlies nearly all chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer, adopting an anti-inflammatory way of eating is one of the most effective tools for long-term wellness.

Mindful eating offers an additional layer of support. Pausing before meals to reflect can help create more intentional choices. Simple questions such as, “Is this the best choice for my health?” or “Will this food support healing or inflammation?” can gently guide daily decisions. Over time, this awareness builds healthier habits. Many people also find that keeping a daily food and lifestyle journal helps reinforce positive changes.

Processed foods now make up roughly 60 percent of the average American diet. These foods are typically low in nutrients and fiber while high in artificial additives, unhealthy fats and added sugars.

When possible, choosing organic foods can help reduce exposure to pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms. Research suggests that individuals that primarily consume organic, non-GMO foods may experience a lower risk of certain chronic diseases compared with those who rely heavily on conventionally grown foods.

While individual nutritional needs vary based on health history, genetics and lifestyle, a foundation of whole, clean, minimally processed foods benefits nearly everyone. Previous generations thrived on simple, real foods without artificial additives or excessive sugar.

Returning to this approach remains one of the most practical and sustainable paths to lifelong health.

Allan Magaziner, DO, is the founder of the Magaziner Center for Wellness, located at 1907 Greentree Rd., in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

His integrative approach focuses on nutrition, lifestyle medicine and root-cause healing to support long-term health and vitality. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-424-8222, email AMagaziner@gmail.com or visit www.DrMagaziner.com.

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January 2026

25

Fit Body

Strong for Life The Power of Functional Fitness

by Zak Logan

A 2021 systematic review in Frontiers in

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!”

Moving Better, Not Harder

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.”

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

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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.

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A

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.

Vital Moves and Modifications

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

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Stationary split squat

reduction.

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 multijoint 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

Mushin

An Aikido Lesson in Clarity and Purpose Translated as “empty mind,” Mushin describes a state of mind free from preconceived thought or reactions based on anger, fear or ego which in-turn allows for a more intuitive “in the moment” response to situations. Having taught the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido to students of all ages for many years, I can see first-hand how the majority of individuals initiate their practice. Typically, they start with a certain amount of enthusiasm and desire with a general purpose to become healthier in some form. Aside from children, who naturally embrace their surroundings, adults often decide early on how they will learn. Their methods have likely served them well in varying degrees in their past, but have left them without clarity.

We need balance. We need self-discipline. We need to stop over-thinking everything and quietly “trust the process” when seeking to learn. Disciplines that lead to mastery require sustained multi-dimensional, handson study over time. While the children embrace their practice, adults overthink and analyze their progress. Positive change will not occur without setbacks and effort beyond the struggle. Embrace the struggle and commit to the effort.

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.”

In traditional martial arts, students learn essential etiquette for practice. Students are asked to be attentive and responsive within their practice which is action without thought. As the instructor, I don’t look to hear the students say “Thank You Sensei” every time they receive personal instruction as part of their etiquette. Rather, I hope their immersion into their practice will allow them to openly receive the lesson and that they will want to speak, move and engage reflexively with right action.

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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 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. 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.

The empty cup is not empty; it’s overflowing with what you seek.

Kathy Crane Sensei, 7th Dan, is chief instructor of Aikido Agatsu Dojos, located in Laurel Springs, NJ. For more information including on lessons and events, visit www.AikidoAgatsuDojos.com.

Self-discipline is doing what’s right instead of doing what you feel like doing.

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January 2026

27

Healing Ways

Intergenerational Living A Healing Model for Families and Communities

by Hannah Tytus

D

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.

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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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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 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 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

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 Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

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.

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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.”

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 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.

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January 2026

29

Healing Ways

The Truth About Winter Immunity Why the First 48 Hours Matter

by Dr. Deanna Nelson

W Photo by cottonbro studio for www.pexels.com

inter is a beautiful season, but it’s also prime time for viruses and other pathogens. One of the most powerful actions one can do for their health is to listen closely when their body whispers that “something feels off ” instead of waiting until they are clearly sick. Those first 24 to 48 hours after exposure are when smart support can make the biggest difference.

Our noses are not just in the way of our glasses; it’s an important part of our immune system. The tiny hair-like structures (cilia) and the protective mucus lining our nasal passages are designed to trap foreign particles and prepare them for removal. In some cases, the mucus can even inactivate certain pathogens before they have a chance to spread.

This is why simple habits matter. Gently blowing the nose and using disposable tissues helps remove what the body is trying to expel, instead of letting it linger and multiply.

During that early “something’s coming on” window, targeted nutritional support can help our immune system respond more effectively.

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Zinc is a well-studied trace mineral involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, including many that affect immune function.

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Oral zinc supplements can help support our body’s natural defenses by influencing how pathogens activate and replicate. The key is bioavailability—how well a supplement can interact with and enter the cells lining your mouth and upper throat.

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One particularly useful form is zinc L-carnosine, a chelated compound that pairs zinc with the dipeptide L-carnosine. This combination helps stabilize zinc and may enhance its ability to adhere to and nourish the delicate mucosal tissues in the mouth, throat and upper digestive tract. If one uses a lozenge or chewable form, choose one that dissolves slowly, is well tolerated and does not leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

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Our gastrointestinal tract is another critical immune hub. A bioavailable zinc chelate such as zinc L-carnosine can also help support the integrity of the stomach and upper intestinal lining, where many pathogens try to gain entry. By nurturing these tissues, we support our body’s own efforts to limit how far and how fast an invader can spread.

Supplements are tools, not magic wands.

Pair them with real recovery: warm, steamy showers to loosen mucus, extra hydration, nutrient-dense meals and taking short restorative naps when possible. These simple acts free up energy so our immune system can do what it does best.

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January 2026

31

Mindful Journeys

The Rise of Transformational Travel Why Wellness Journeys are Becoming the Modern Reset

by Shae Marcus

Transformational travel begins the moment we enter an environment that feels different from our everyday world. Maybe it’s the warm mineral steam rising from an Icelandic hot spring, the hush of a jungle path in Costa Rica or sunrise spilling across Balinese rice terraces. These landscapes do more than impress the senses—they soften something in us the moment we arrive.

On a retreat in Mexico, a small group began their evening by walking barefoot along a stone path toward a candlelit ceremony space tucked into the jungle. The scent of copal drifted through the air. A local healer welcomed them inside. One traveler later said, “It was the first deep breath I’d taken all year.”

Moments like this are the quiet heartbeat of transformational travel—simple, grounding and impossible to experience in the middle

Photo courtesy The 1111 Experience

A recent Global Wellness Institute report projects wellness tourism to reach $1.3

trillion by 2025, with “transformational experiences” listed as the top motivation for wellness travelers. This lines up with another telling statistic from the American Psychological Association: 75 percent of adults report frequent symptoms of stress and overload. It’s no wonder more people are seeking travel that restores them at a deeper level than a typical vacation can offer.

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or many years, a vacation meant a short pause—sun on one’s face, a good meal, maybe a massage—before returning to the same pace that was left behind. But travelers today are craving something more. They want clarity. They want grounding. They want to step into a place that changes them from the inside out.

of daily noise.

These journeys blend place, intention and lived experience in a way that creates true internal reset. Mornings often begin with meditation overlooking mountains or ocean.

Days may include guided journaling under open skies, nature immersions, restorative movement practices or time spent in healing spaces: cenotes, thermal pools, sacred sites or traditional sweat lodge ceremonies led by experienced practitioners. Even meals play a role—fresh, local and intentionally prepared to support the body’s return to balance.

The impact is backed by research. A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that extended immersion in natural environments reduces cortisol, sharpens cognitive function and helps re-pattern emotional responses. Anyone that has ever felt themselves breathe easier near the ocean or think more clearly in the mountains knows this intuitively.

Nature doesn’t just relax us—it recalibrates us.

Experts emphasize that transformational

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renewal—transformational travel offers more than a getaway. It offers possibility.

It invites us to step out of routine and into landscapes that help us remember who we are at our core.

travel rests on three essential pillars:

1. Intention

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Arriving with a clear desire—whether release, clarity, healing or simply quiet—sets the tone for the entire experience.

2. Immersion

Being fully present in the environment, the practices and the cultural wisdom of the place allow deeper layers of insight to emerge.

3. Integration

This is where the transformation takes root.

It’s the journaling on the flight home, the new boundary honored and the healthier habit that finally sticks.

There’s also a growing awareness around traveling responsibly—honoring local traditions, working with trained practitioners, supporting community-based wellness and respecting the land. When approached with care, these experiences connect travelers not only to themselves, but to the culture and wisdom that hold the space for their healing.

What surprises many travelers is that the biggest shift happens after they return home.

People report better sleep, more grounded communication, healthier habits and a renewed sense of purpose. It’s not about escaping life—it’s about reentering life with a steadier center.

As we step into a new year—a season naturally aligned with reflection and

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For those that may feel the quiet pull toward stillness, adventure or simply a place where the mind can finally exhale, consider this an invitation. Somewhere in the world—on a coastline, in a forest, near a sacred site or inside a beautifully held retreat—there’s a moment waiting that could shift everything.

Sometimes the most meaningful journey we take is the one that brings us back to ourselves.

Shae Marcus, publisher of the Natural Awakenings South Jersey and Philadelphia editions, is also the founder of The 11:11 Experience. She offers this piece as a gentle reminder that wherever we feel called next, trust that nudge—it often knows the way before we do. For more information, visit www.The1111Experience.com.

January 2026

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Wise Words

The Beauty in Becoming: How Shifting Friendships Guide Our Growth

by Shae Marcus

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dult friendships are tender, complicated and sometimes downright mystifying.

No one warns us that adulthood doesn’t come with a rulebook, a referee or even a heads-up when the game suddenly changes. As kids, friendships are shaped by proximity. As teens and 20-somethings, we move in packs, convinced the people sharing our late-night diner outings and questionable fashion choices will be with us forever.

Sometimes they are … until they aren’t.

A few years back, I lost the person I believed would be my lifelong best friend. She was my ride-or-die through the bar years, the baby years, the divorces and the quiet moments that stitched our lives together. We joked we’d grow old on a porch someday, complaining about our knees and deciding whether decaf was worth brewing. She wasn’t just part of my life; she was woven into the rhythm of it.

And then the rhythm changed.

It happened quietly. I’d call to see if she wanted to have dinner or a quick walk, and she was always unavailable. One by one, our little rituals disappeared. Eventually, I realized I knew her voicemail greeting better than what was actually happening in her world. I asked if everything was okay. She said yes. But something between us had already begun to unravel.

Losing her without an explanation felt like mourning someone that was still very much alive—a grief with no name, no obituary, no casserole from a well-meaning neighbor. If you’ve been there, you know how disorienting it is when someone becomes a memory

without ever becoming a goodbye.

For a while, I searched for clarity I eventually realized she might not have been able to give.

People’s emotional bandwidth shifts. Adults carry storms they don’t always speak aloud.

I had to remind myself that not every unanswered question is a reflection of my worth.

There came a point when I realized the loss wasn’t just about her stepping away—it was also about where life was trying to move me.

Sometimes the universe has intentions for us long before we’re ready to understand them.

Growth asks us to stretch, expand and step toward new chapters. Not everyone grows at the same pace or in the same direction.

As hard as it is to accept, some friendships fade because the paths ahead are no longer aligned. And even if our hearts resist that truth, our evolution rarely waits for permission.

Recently, over dinner, another friend shared that she was going through something similar: the unanswered messages, the sudden distance, the uncomfortable feeling of walking through the loss unsure of what even happened. Her confusion reminded me how universal this quiet unraveling can be.

The next morning, I revisited the familiar questions: What are the expectations of adult friendship? Does anyone owe us an explanation? And if they don’t offer one, how do we move forward with grace instead of self-blame?

That’s when the concept and essence of Mel Robbins’ recent book The Let Them Theory resurfaced in my mind. The first time I heard her speak about it, something in me softened.

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holistic healing - clinical expertise Let them pull away.

Let them choose differently.

Let them walk their path, even if it no longer runs beside yours.

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Acceptance isn’t giving up. It’s allowing life to reorganize itself without forcing what no longer fits. And in letting go, I found I was growing in ways I never expected.

Some friendships are meant for a season; others for the long road.

The wisdom, I’ve learned, is in trusting the timing.

Maybe adult friendship isn’t about holding on tightly.

Maybe it’s about holding space—for ourselves, for others and for whoever we’re becoming next—because sometimes letting go is simply the first step in letting life surprise us again.

Adult friendships evolve, stretch and occasionally vanish like unmatched socks in the dryer. Here’s to giving ourselves grace as we grow and remembering that connection has a way of returning in surprising, beautifully timed ways.

Santa Crisall, MA, APRN-c, PsyD 201- 400-7292 restorativewellness.net

Shae Marcus is publisher of Natural Awakenings South Jersey and Philadelphia editions.

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January 2026

35

Healthy Kids

Big Dreams, Little Hands Vision Boards and Focus Wheels That Nurture Childhood Development

by Christina Connors

V

ision boards have long been a popular tool for goal setting and manifestation. For kids, creating a collage of pictures and words glued onto a poster board to represent their wishes or goals is a fun activity. Once completed, it serves as a source of inspiration or motivation. This creative project gains deeper meaning when combined with a focus wheel, often with the guidance and encouragement of a parent or caregiver.

Vision boards show what children want, while focus wheels help them emotionally align with their desires. This is how they work: Write a core desire in the center of a circle, then add positive, believable affirmations related to that goal around it. Together, vision boards and focus wheels are engaging and motivating tools for developing self-awareness, emotional regulation and inner confidence in young people.

Beyond Pictures and Goals

A 2024 study in Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shows that creative-arts interventions improve mental health and

emotional well-being, especially in elementary school children with speech, language or communication challenges. Art-making provides a safe, non-verbal way for kids to process complex feelings they cannot yet articulate.

Chanie Messinger, a doctor of occupational therapy, educator, speaker and author in Brooklyn, New York, states, “Vision boards can help children express themselves, explore emotions, practice mindfulness and build skills.” She recommends using them creatively to promote present-moment awareness and emotional growth. Here are a few of her suggestions.

• Sensory boards use textured materials such as fabric, sandpaper or soft cotton to strengthen mind-body connections. This method is particularly effective for tactile learners.

• Feeling boards use pictures, colors or words to represent emotions. This makes abstract feelings like frustration or sadness more tangible and manageable.

• “I Am” boards focus on affirmations such as “I am brave” or “I am creative.” This builds self-esteem rooted in intrinsic qualities, rather than external achievements.

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• Calming boards for anxious or overwhelmed kids include visual reminders of soothing strategies like deep breathing, comforting music, tranquil natural settings or cherished items like a stuffed teddy bear. Such images can provide grounding during difficult moments.

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• Seasonal boards highlight fun activities like building a snowman in winter, picking apples in the fall or swimming at the lake in the summertime, fostering anticipation and family bonding.

• Mindfulness boards incorporate peaceful imagery such as forests, water and breathing exercises to encourage present-moment awareness.

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• Revisit them regularly. Use boards and focus wheels to initiate conversations about feelings, goals and personal growth.

The real magic happens when these tools are combined. Begin with a focus wheel to help kids identify genuine desires, confront limiting beliefs and align emotionally with their goals, paving the way for a more meaningful vision boarding experience. Now the images and words they select reflect their authentic desires, not superficial wants or external pressures.

Why It Matters

“Through images, colors and words, kids begin to develop self-awareness and a connection to their heart’s desires, which is the foundation of intentional creation,” says Tanya Murphy, founder of The Heart’s Desire Method. Vision boards teach children that their feelings are important. By focusing on what makes them happy, they reinforce positive emotions and purposeful living.

Tips for Success

For younger children, vision boards are playful ways to explore emotions like joy and love. Murphy suggests starting around age 6 or 7, when kids can think abstractly and handle fine motor skills. Even children as young as 4 benefit from sensory-based boards, while older kids can use them to visualize personal goals, travel adventures or friendships they want to nurture.

• Use age-appropriate materials. Younger children thrive with large images and simple concepts, while older kids can explore complex ideas.

• Make it a family activity. Working together fosters connection and strengthens bonds. Share, celebrate and discuss each person’s vision.

• Create a judgment-free environment.

Clearly state that there is no right way to create; each board is unique.

Vision boards spark imagination, while focus wheels channel that energy into emotional alignment. Together, they promote whole-child wellness and personal growth, helping children navigate challenges, boost their confidence and foster self-expression.

Visual tools make emotions easier to identify and understand. Affirmations and positive imagery reinforce self-worth and resilience.

Focus wheels lead kids through emotional shifts with clarity and purpose. By adopting these tools, parents and caregivers can equip children with lifelong emotional resources.

Christina Connors is a writer, keynote singer and head of music and SEL integration for the Kind Mind Education Program. Learn more at ChristinaConnors.com.

Prostock-studio/CanvaPro

KWW-NAPC

A Heart-Centered Approach

enabling children to acknowledge how they feel in the moment, while progressing toward hope, clarity and confidence.

• Display the boards. Place them where they are seen daily, serving as gentle reminders.

Delving Deeper for Transformative Awareness

“A focus wheel helps a child take a heart-centered desire, like making new friends, feeling confident at school or improving at a sport, and gently guides them into emotional alignment with it, one believable thought at a time,” Murphy explains.

“This builds resilience, self-awareness and emotional regulation skills a vision board alone cannot provide.”

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37

Green Living

Clean, Nonstick Cookware Transforming the Kitchen for Human and Planetary Health

by Marlaina Donato

F

rom omelets to air-fried treats, modern nonstick cookware makes cooking effortless with minimal cleanup. However, many of these pots, pans, baking sheets, waffle irons, slow cookers, countertop ovens and more are coated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—known as “forever chemicals”.

These substances can leach into food, accumulate in the body and pose serious health risks, including hormone imbalances, altered immunity, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, kidney disease, adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes and cancer.

They also harm the environment, affecting wildlife, soil and water.

still fall under the PFAS family and pose risks to the liver, hormones and immune system,” warns Kali Storm, a functional nutritionist and founder of Root Level Living, in Clear Lake, Wisconsin.

Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as hazardous, and the manufacture of PFOA was voluntarily phased out by 2015 in this country, imported products may still contain them.

High-quality ceramic cookware is generally considered safe. Beth Bollinger, an integrative health practitioner and the founder of Nest Wellness, in Sonoma County, California, points out that true ceramic is stoneware and porcelain. However, she notes that many ceramic nonstick pans are actually metal pans with a sol-gel ceramic coating that can contain nanoparticles, lead, cadmium or PFAS. “Always look for third-party testing certifications and avoid inexpensive ceramic-coated cookware from unknown brands,” she cautions.

Seeing Through False Claims

HAIKAL from blastermoon/CanvaPro

“Even when a label claims PFOA-free or PFOS-free, manufacturers often substitute newer fluorinated chemicals like GenX or PTFE [polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon] derivatives which

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After recovering from a severe illness linked to mold exposure, Storm replaced her nonstick cookware with healthier options like cast iron. She advises caution with imported products, which may not disclose the presence of glazes, adhesives, bonding agents or sealants in multi-layer cookware that can introduce phenols, phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration imposes cookware safety regulations, but it does not test the products. The State of California goes further with Proposition 65, which requires manufacturers to disclose whether their cookware contains lead, cadmium or certain PFAS. And the European Union sets the strictest limits on cookware coatings, banning specified heavy metals and harmful chemicals, including PFAS. Third-party organizations that test products to ensure compliance with applicable safety standards and regulations include Greenscreen Certified (GreenScreenChemicals.org), SGS (sgs.com) and Intertek (Intertek.com).

Choosing Cleaner Options

Like Storm, Bollinger cleaned up her food and home environment, including kitchenware, after a health diagnosis, and she believes those modifications led to significant improvements in energy, Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

Bollinger suggests, “Start out with stainless steel, because it’s the most versatile and user-friendly option. High-quality stainless steel—18/10 with an aluminum or copper core for even heat distribution—is durable, nonreactive, dishwasher-safe and works for almost any cooking method, be it sautéing, searing, boiling or baking.” She acknowledges the challenge of finding air fryers and slow cookers without chemical coatings but recommends models with stainless steel baskets and true ceramic or stoneware inserts for slow cookers. She also advises verifying with the manufacturer that their ceramic is lead- and cadmium-free.

For Storm and her family, cast iron is a versatile and reliable choice. “Cast iron is incredibly user-friendly once you learn how to use and clean it,” she explains. “Many don’t realize how naturally nonstick it becomes when well-seasoned. If you cook in your cast iron regularly and clean it properly with no soap, just hot water and a scrub, you’re technically

ary’s

Storm loves cast iron’s slick surface for egg dishes and golden-edged pancakes. “The same pan can easily go from stovetop to oven. We’ve made lasagna, casseroles, cornbread, skillet meals, roasted vegetables and even apple crisps in cast iron. For stews or chili, a covered cast iron Dutch oven retains heat beautifully.” To season cast iron, she recommends using avocado oil, flaxseed oil or beef tallow, and avoiding budget vegetable or seed oils that may contain fillers and oxidize easily.

Cast iron pans naturally add small amounts of iron to food, especially when cooking acidic ingredients like tomato sauce. This can be beneficial for healthy individuals or those that are deficient, but people with too much iron in their blood might want to minimize or avoid using cast iron altogether.

locknloadlabrador from Getty Images/ CanvaPro

Arijuhani from Getty Images/ CanvaPro

mental clarity and overall well-being. Her kitchen essentials include enameled cast iron, for its nonreactive nature with acidic foods, and carbon steel, which is lighter than cast iron and heats quickly and evenly.

seasoning it a little bit every time.”

Making the Switch

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference in our overall well-being, and opting for cleaner, more sustainable cookware is a wise choice. As Storm points out, “When you remove toxins from what you cook in, breathe in and live around, the body can finally stop fighting and start healing.”

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

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January 2026

39

Inspiration

Why New Year Intentions Can Become Lasting Habits— and How to Help Them Stick

by Dr. Sean Inselberg, DAC, MSc, CNS

E

very January brings a familiar sense of renewal—hope, motivation and the quiet belief that this year can feel different. People set intentions to feel better in their bodies, calm their nervous systems, improve digestion, reduce stress or reclaim their energy.

This desire for change is meaningful. It reflects an inner awareness calling us toward greater well-being.

Yet as weeks pass, many feel discouraged when old patterns resurface. This isn’t a personal failure. More often, it’s a sign that change has been approached in a way that doesn’t align with how the body and brain truly adapt.

After years of supporting individuals physically, emotionally and energetically, one truth remains consistent: Sustainable habits don’t require force. They grow when built on clarity, compassion and consistency.

Anchor new habits to existing routines.

Daily rhythms like brushing teeth, making coffee or getting into bed offer reliable anchors. Pairing new habits with familiar actions reduces friction and decision fatigue.

Why Traditional Resolutions Can Feel Hard to Maintain

Motivation is a starting point, not a foundation. Motivation can be inspiring, but it’s temporary. Stress, poor sleep, emotional strain and busy schedules can quickly drain it. When habits depend solely on motivation, they often fade. Change lasts longer when behaviors become routine and supportive, even on low-energy days.

Let the environment provide support.

Healthy choices become easier when surroundings are aligned with intention. Visible reminders and accessible tools gently guide behavior without relying on willpower.

Big goals need small entry points. Intentions like “be healthier” or “stress less” are meaningful, but the nervous system responds best to specific, manageable actions. When goals feel approachable, the body is more willing to engage. Small steps create safety and safety supports consistency.

Redefine success with kindness. Missing a day is human. Returning without guilt keeps habits alive. Consistency grows through patience, not pressure.

Identity gently shapes behavior. Habits are easier to maintain when they align with how someone sees themselves. Rather than battling old narratives, lasting change occurs when each action reinforces a supportive identity—one choice at a time.

Instead of asking what needs to change this year, consider a gentler question: What small habit can I begin today that supports the life I want to live? This question opens the door to lasting change.

Real life is part of the process. Healing isn’t linear. Schedules change, emotions fluctuate and days are missed. Progress isn’t defined by perfection, but by the ability to return without self-judgment.

How Habits Can Take Root

Across neuroscience, behavioral science and clinical experience, one principle appears repeatedly: Small, consistent actions reshape the brain and body more effectively than dramatic overhauls.

Start smaller than expected. Habits that feel almost effortless are more likely to stick. Putting on sneakers, taking three deep breaths or preparing one nourishing meal builds trust with the nervous system—and trust builds momentum.

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Dr. Sean Inselberg, DAC, MSc, CNS, is a doctor of acupuncture, clinical nutritionist and founder of the Nutritional Wellness Center of South Jersey, in Palmyra, NJ. He specializes in addressing root causes of imbalance and helping individuals create sustainable habits that support long-term health and vitality.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-499-2160 or visit www.

NWCNJ.com.

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January 2026

41

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

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

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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.

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.

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.

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 self-care 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.”

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 Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

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

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.

Da Silva Emmanuelle from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Vincent Scherer from Getty Images/CanvaPro

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.

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.

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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Welcome to this Behind-the-Scenes look at those in the community that help people on their journey to mind-body-soul balance.

BEHIND THE SCENES showcase

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BEHIND THE SCENES

That turning point led her to getting into retail—and, by chance, into the mattress industry. “I’m a very relational person,” Kelly explains. “Back then, we had what was called ‘lay down sales’ where a customer came in, described what they wanted and the sales person ordered it, even if it was wrong for them. But I wanted to go deeper. I wanted to understand how people ‘felt’ when they woke up, how their bodies responded to rest.”

This people-centered approach became her signature. Kelly began asking questions, listening carefully to her customers’ stories and matching them with the right sleep surface for their needs. The results were transformative. “Clients would come back in tears, saying their lives had changed,” she shares. “To know I could make that kind of difference was humbling—and it pushed me to keep learning.”

As her reputation grew, she soon caught the attention of a luxury retail store that invited her to design a custom mattress line. “That was the moment everything clicked,” Kelly says with a smile.

“I realized sleep is not a commodity—it’s a wellness practice.”

K E L LY W E R N E R S B A C H ADJUST YOUR SLEEP MATTRESS BOUTIQUE

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hose that step inside Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique will quickly sense that there’s more happening here than just selling mattresses. Behind the serene showroom and natural fabrics lies the passionate heartbeat of founder and owner Kelly Wernersbach—a woman whose mission goes far beyond helping people choose a healthy place to sleep and rest.

What most visitors don’t see is the personal story that shaped her calling: Years ago, an unexpected heart condition sidelined her husband, pushing Kelly—then a stay-at-home mom of four—into the role of provider. “I didn’t plan to run a business,” she shares with a laugh, “but life has a way of nudging you toward your purpose.” That purpose, it turns out, became helping others find deeper, healthier sleep—one mattress at a time.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Today, as the owner of the Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique, in Marlton, Kelly has taken her vision even further. Most mattresses offered are all natural, many handcrafted from materials like natural latex, wool and hemp. She also sells all-natural bedding. “When you sleep well, you live well,” she says. “Your mattress should support your health, not work against it.”

Kelly is passionate about educating the public about the dangers of toxic chemicals in conventional mattresses, many of which emit harmful gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene—chemicals that many studies have linked to respiratory issues, headaches and long-term organ damage and cancer. “You can eat organic food, exercise, meditate, and keep a positive mindset,” she says, “but if you’re sleeping on a mattress filled with toxins, your body never truly rests.”

Investing in a clean, supportive mattress is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself.”

Kelly’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and radiant purpose—proof that even in life’s most challenging seasons, something beautiful can take shape.

Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique is located at 888 Rte. 73N in Marlton. For more information, call 856-357-3640 or visit www.AYSMattress.com.

JERSEY

January 2026

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SHEILA CUMMINGS ROOT & FLOURISH WELLNESS as divinely orchestrated. “It seemed the universe created a space for me during the pandemic,” she shared. After years in a traditional family practice, she found herself home full time with her then-8-year-old son—an unexpected pause which opened the door to her next chapter. “I began training in functional medicine and launched my own telehealth practice,” she says. “It was the beginning of a completely new way of serving.”

S

heila Cummings is helping to redefine modern healing by fusing ancient wisdom with the most advanced tools in modern technology. From analyzing DNA and gut microbiome health to uncovering hormone patterns, toxin exposures and the emotional echoes of past trauma, she brings a powerful, multidimensional approach to wellness.

A seasoned nurse practitioner, Cummings describes her entry into holistic wellness

For Cummings, conventional medicine felt increasingly limiting. “I was frustrated and not making a big enough impact on my patients. We were more interested in putting a bandage on an illness than finding a root cause.” Her own health journey only deepened that realization. She began to embrace more nutrient-dense food, mind-body practices and a lifestyle grounded in presence and self-love. “I took a deep dive into creating a new lifestyle, and now I help my clients do the same,” she explains.

In her hybrid program—available online and in person from her Moorestown Township practice—Cummings guides clients to transform their physical, emotional and spiritual health from the inside out.

Through personalized functional medicine consultations, she helps clients uncover the origins of their symptoms, develop a customized plan and build daily habits that support transformation. Her online Root & Flourish Functional Wellness Shop offers products created or curated by her, including her own cookbook.

Location: 714 East Main St. in Moorestown Township. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-650-7308 or visit www.RootAndFlourishWellness.com.

D R . D E A N N A N E L S O N , P h . D . ACTIVESR

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ith a storied career grounded in decades of discovery— Dr. Deanna Nelson, Ph.D., researcher and founder of ActiveSr—stands at the intersection of scientific rigor, compassionate innovation and heart-centered care.

“Whenever I see a challenge, I feel a personal drive to dig into the data to try and understand what’s really happening and create an effective, science-backed answer,” Nelson says. “That’s just how I’m made, it’s part of my DNA,” she says, chuckling.

And, that’s how the impressive line of ActiveSr supplements have become a cornerstone in a holistic approach to supporting immunity, bone health, mobility and overall vitality.

From noticing morning stiffness and everyday joint discomfort beginning to ease to moving through the day with more energy and a renewed sense of well-being, many clients report that ActiveSr supplements have made transformative differences in their sense of comfort and their ability to lead a more active and engaged lifestyle.

Nelson’s determination to finding better ways to healthy aging is rooted in her mother’s late-life struggle with brittle bones. “My mother was prescribed bisphosphonates, which is often the first choice for osteoporosis treatment,” Nelson explains. “The side effects of those drugs caused jaw-bone issues resulting in my mother losing her teeth as well a spontaneous break in her thigh bone.” This devastating experience sparked in Nelson a deep reevaluation of conventional bone-health protocols and inspired 46

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years of research into safer, more effective approaches found in ActiveSr supplements. “I began to realize that so much of what we were being told about bone health simply wasn’t supported by the science,” she says.

In addition to taking higher quality supplements, Nelson recommends the importance of weight-bearing exercises and adopting a healthy lifestyle along with good nutrition. “Our supplements lay the foundation which enable individuals to be proactive in embracing their own wellness goals.”

Today, she is putting the finishing touches on a ground-breaking supplement line set to launch this year—carefully crafted to support the health and vitality of pregnant women and new moms.

“There is never a more important time for a woman to nourish her body and protect her well-being,” Nelson explains. “These formulations were developed with the unique needs of motherhood in mind, offering gentle, science-backed support during one of life’s most life-changing seasons.”

For consultations, Dr. Nelson is available via email at DNelson@ ActiveSenior.com. For more information, visit www.activesr.com.

BEHIND THE SCENES

L Y N N O ’ M A L L E Y PRIME IV HYDRATION MARLTON

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or Lynn O’Malley, the journey to wellness leadership has always centered on service, curiosity and a genuine desire to help people thrive. She began her career as a family nurse practitioner, fascinated by how daily choices, environment and lifestyle can influence long-term health. That instinct to look beyond the surface quickly became her guiding thread.

Already established in her career, O’Malley felt a strong emotional calling to deepen her service and joined the U.S. Navy. Over the next 20 years, she cared for service members and their families while living in Norfolk, Virginia. These experiences strengthened her leadership, broadened her clinical perspective, and deepened her commitment to purposeful, patient-centered care. She retired as a Navy Captain, carrying forward the discipline and heart that shaped her work.

A defining moment arrived in 2016 with an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. It opened an entirely new chapter in how O’Malley understood health and healing. She immersed herself in functional medicine, studying nutrition, environmental toxins, microplastics, movement and other modifiable factors that influence disease. This exploration reshaped her philosophy toward root-cause healing, prevention and empowered living.

As she incorporated these principles into her clinical work, her

longtime friend, Eileen Propp, invited her to become a partner at Prime IV Hydration. It offered a natural extension of her passion: pairing medical insight with education and whole-person wellness.

Today, as co-owner of Prime IV Marlton, O’Malley helps lead a center offering IV hydration, nutrient therapies, immune and weight-support programs, athletic performance enhancements, hormone wellness including BRITE therapy by Daved Rosensweet, M.D., and peptides delivered through buccal strips. The practice also recently added Niagen as part of its longevity-focused services.

For O’Malley, the future of Prime IV is rooted in empowerment: helping individuals understand their bodies, elevate their well-being, and live with more clarity and vitality.

Prime IV Marlton is located at 300 Rte. 73 S., Marlton, NJ. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-334-3084 or visit PrimeIVMarlton.com.

C O R Y O W L E S THE CENTER FOR LIVING “I’m a daydreamer and a night thinker,” Cory says with a laugh. “It works for me. My ideas never clock out.”

That’s a good thing, because her world is a blend of the mystical and the wildly practical.

As she recently became the owner of The Center for Living—a beloved hub for healing, workshops, community and transformation—Owles is constantly switching hats. One minute she’s a healer tuning into the energy of the space and the next she’s an event planner juggling schedules, updating the website or calming a client in crisis. Add in a fullscale renovation of the historic house—still filled with generational stories and spirits— and her days are anything, but predictable.

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ach morning, well before sunrise, Cory Owles slips into the quiet of her rural neighborhood for a brisk walk with her dog. It’s her daily reset—a chance to breathe in the stillness, gather her thoughts and charge up before diving into a day that balances intuition, logistics and the lively energy of The Center for Living, in Medford.

BEHIND THE SCENES

She describes her role as “a strange, but wonderful duality”—part spiritual caretaker, part CEO. The building itself adds to the fun. With its long history, creaky charm and what she cheerfully calls “a few mischievous house ghosts,” the center keeps her on her toes. “It really is like tending both the seen and the unseen at once,” she says.

But Owles thrives in the mix. She loves the problem-solving, the surprises, the fresh ideas that show up out of nowhere, and the personal connections she forms with guests and clients.

Launching in January, her new podcast, Life in the Center, carries a beautiful double meaning. “It’s a nod to the physical space so many have grown to love, while also pointing to the inner place we all seek—where hope returns, safety is felt and our sacred stories are woven into the tapestry of our community.”

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D A N A R E Y N O L D S MOUNT MERU HOLISTIC our upbringing,” Reynolds says. “And we were always expected and encouraged to study or take part in different modes of consciousness transformation and energetic healing.”

And, that’s just what Reynolds has been doing for the last 35 years. Today, she works virtually and in clients’ homes, offering 40- to 50-minute energy-based sessions. “Many clients experience a rush of euphoria and well-being after their sessions.”

Her work mostly centers on Chunsu (energetic acupressure treatments), a 6,000-yearold Korean method of channeling vital Ki heaven-earth energy from nature through acupressure and sound vibration. The treatments are traditionally used to restore family harmony, prosperity and well-being by dispersing ancestral energy blockages. They act as an internal cleansing, clearing toxins from the chakras and organs, reducing pain, rejuvenating body cells and bringing balance to the mind and emotions.

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or metaphysical healer and educator Dana Reynolds, the spiritual energy world has never been an abstract concept. Since early childhood, she has been immersed in learning and practicing spiritual traditions, various world cultures and esoteric philosophies.

“I was born into a family where things like metaphysical awareness, clairvoyance, reincarnation and spiritual awakening was taken for granted. It was foundational to

However, Reynolds’ gift doesn’t end when the session does. She leaves each client with personalized tools—chants and curated nature sounds—to help them continue cleansing ancestral, spiritual and physical dis-ease from daily life. “It’s been quite amazing to see what comes up during our session; often, it’s past generational experiences the client isn’t even aware [that] exist.”

Her organization, Mount Meru Holistic, reflects her lifelong mission to support global well‑being while honoring the interconnectedness of cultures, traditions and the natural world. Guided by ancestral insight, global wisdom traditions and a profound respect for the Earth, Reynolds offers clients not just relief—but a pathway back to balance, clarity and spiritual renewal.

For more information, call 856-993-1786 or visit www.mtmeruholistic.com.

A N D R E A R O S T MSN, RN D A W N P A L M E R - V A C C H I A N O MSN, RN iNNERPHUEL “We’ve known each other for 20 years and we were both beginning to experience real burnout especially after Covid,” Dawn says of their partnership.

Both still work fulltime in the field. Dawn as a hospice nurse and Andrea as a nurse consultant. Together they are building a new platform for wellness with innerPhuel. “It was very important to us that we give back to our own community,” Andrea says. “So among innerPhuel’s services, we are accredited CE providers who approve and offer continuing education courses for nurses.” Additionally, experiential group workshops and individual training designed to cultivate resilience, clarity, and meaningful change are also provided.

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s health care leans into personalization and prevention, innerPhuel is leading the charge. Founded by seasoned nurses Andrea Rost, MSN, RN, and Dawn Palmer-Vacchiano, MSN, RN, the practice blends science-backed medicine with proven whole-person wellness.

Rooted in three decades of clinical experience, the founders built innerPhuel with a bold vision: to place transformative, heart-centered and evidence-based approaches at the forefront of modern health.

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Aptly named, InnerPhuel’s focus is to help clients realize the power to heal lies within. “If you’re looking somewhere on the outside for ways to improve your health, your relationships, your career, you’re not going to find it,” Andrea says. “Health care deserves a model that honors both rigorous science and the human experience,” Dawn adds. “When people understand how change actually happens—physiologically and emotionally—they can rewrite their health, their relationships and their future.”

Both trained under globally renowned Dr Joe Dispenza and hold certificates as Neuro Change Solutions (NCS) consultants as well as certified HeartMath® trainers.

These two trailblazers, who are redefining wellness, will be holding in-person workshops at the Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford, January 10-11. To learn more, visit www.InnerPhuel.com.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

GENEVIEVE BROOMES

LIFEVANTAGE

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enevieve Broomes has spent more than two decades helping people heal. As a speech therapist, pediatric registered nurse and holistic life coach, she has seen firsthand how many individuals quietly struggle in unhealthy states. Her dynamic yet gentle presence has made her a trusted rehabilitation provider for over 20 years—but more recently, she has expanded her mission.

For the past three and a half years, she has been a passionate LifeVantage distributor, guiding clients toward science-supported solutions designed to nurture cellular wellness and healthy aging. “I believe the body is always trying to move toward healing,” Broomes shares. “Sometimes we just need the right tools to help the cells wake back up and do what they were created to do.”

She was drawn to LifeVantage because of its focus on activation—supporting the body’s natural pathways for resilience and repair. “When I learned about oxidative stress and how it impacts everything from energy to vitality, I knew this was something people deserved to understand,” she says. “Helping someone feel hope again is the greatest gift.”

For Broomes, empowering wellness is more than a profession— it’s a calling. “I want people to know they’re not powerless,” she adds. “Your body remembers how to be healthy. I’m just here to help you reconnect with that truth.”

Call 215-906-5027 or visit www.Wilsong.LifeVantage.com.

JUDY DINGLER

SEEKING SERENITY

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t the heart of Seeking Serenity is Judy Dingler, a compassionate and seasoned healer with nearly three decades of experience guiding clients toward achieving balance, clarity and renewed energy. Her gentle presence and deep spiritual insight create a sanctuary for anyone ready to transform their well-being from the inside out.

“Whether you’re dealing with emotional stress, generational trauma or just feeling lost, there’s always a path back to peace,” she says. “You don’t have to walk it alone.”

As an ordained minister, Dingler blends spiritual wisdom with powerful healing modalities. A Reiki Master and Teacher, psychic medium, hypnotist and both an Integrative Energy Therapy and a Path to Heal practitioner, she offers a truly holistic, soul-centered approach to mind-body-spirit harmony.

Her connection to spirit began early. “From the time I was a little girl, growing up Roman Catholic, I felt this strong pull toward the saints and the world of spirit,” she says. “I always knew there was a loving presence watching over me.” She carries that reverence into her work today. “I honor all faiths, all traditions. Spirit speaks many languages, and they all lead back to love.”

Seeking Serenity is located at 4501 Rte. 42S, Ste. 3, Turnersville. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-236-6059 or visit www.YourGuideToSerenity.com.

As this Behind the Scenes section comes to a close, we hope these conversations offered more than a business snapshot. Each story shared here is rooted in lived experience—the moments that shaped direction, ignited passion, and ultimately gave purpose to the work these owners bring into the world.

What stood out most in these interviews wasn’t growth metrics or polished plans, but heart. Many of these journeys began not with certainty, but with curiosity, challenge or a quiet nudge toward something more meaningful. Their businesses were built from resilience, intuition and a genuine desire to serve.

This section exists to honor the people behind the work. It’s easy to see the services or storefronts; what’s less visible is the courage to pivot, the vulnerability to begin, and the commitment to stay aligned while evolving.

These local businesses are doing more than offering solutions—they are creating spaces for connection, care and transformation within our community.

We invite you to support the individuals featured here by visiting their businesses, sharing their work, and exploring the many others highlighted throughout this magazine. Every story you read and every business you support helps strengthen the community we’re building together.

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Calendar of Events

Saturday, January 3 108 Sun Salutations – 11:30am. Welcome the New Year with guided yoga practice of 108 Sun Salutations to ignite inner strength and reunite mind and body, concluding with a rejuvenating relaxation. Cost: $20. Forged Soul Fitness & Yoga, 103 N. Egg Harbor Rd., Hammonton. www.ForgedSoulFitness.com.

Full Moon Trapeze Sound Bath – 6:308pm. A floating full-moon sound bath combining gentle aerial yoga trapeze with immersive sound healing (crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes) to release emotional energy and deeply relax. Cost: $50. Forged Soul Fitness & Yoga, 103 N. Egg Harbor Rd., Hammonton. www.ForgedSoulFitness.com.

Sunday, January 4 Vision Board Party—10am-12:30pm. Unlock your goals and ignite your inner spark! Join Michele for a transformative Vision Board Party where creativity meets clarity. Cost: $55. Halo Wellness Center, 968 Route 73, Evesham. 856-574-4433. www.ElevateYourHealth.com.

Aligning Your Vision for 2026: A Vision Board Workshop – 1-4pm. Join health and wellness coach Anita Romero, NBCHWC and therapist Beth Filla, LCSW for an inspiring afternoon designed to spark clarity, creativity and intention. 210 Haddon Ave., Haddon Twp. Register: https:// www.GrowthAndGritHealth.com/workshops.

Full Moon Sound Bath: New Year, New Energy – 6-7:15pm. Guided full-moon meditation and sound healing session to release the old and welcome fresh energy for 2026. Cost: $40. Mystic Ginger, 36 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood. www.MysticGingerApothecary.com.

Tuesday, January 6 Beginner Yoga Series – 6:30am. This 4-week series is perfect for complete beginners who want to learn the foundations of the practice in a supportive space, as well as practitioners with some experience who wish to deepen their connection to breath, alignment, and mindful movement. Cost: $70. Mystic Ginger, 36 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood. www.MysticGingerApothecary.com.

Thursday, January 8 Sacred Circle of Healing – Gallery Reading – 7-8:30pm. Join Antonia, The Psychic Medium, at the Sacred Circle of Healing for a Meditation and Gallery Reading with channeled messages from your guardian angels, spirit guides and loved ones who have crossed over. Cost: $44. The Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford. 609-975-8379 or Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

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Manifesting with Vision Boards Workshop – 7-9pm. 2026 is full of potential and possibility. Make the most of it with a vision board to help you focus on your intentions! Cost: $50. The Enlightened Elephant Wellness Loft, 3 Deltona Lane, Marlton. https://EnlightenedElephantLoft.com.

Saturday, January 10 & Sunday, January 11

Monday, January 12 6-week Psychic Development Course – 7-9pm. Learn various ways we all tune in to energy including intuition, psychic abilities and mediumship, and how to understand, utilize and enhance those abilities with practice, meditation and mindfulness. Cost: 125. The Enlightened Elephant Wellness Loft, 3 Deltona Lane, Marlton. https://EnlightenedElephantLoft.com.

InnerPhuel – Change Your Mind … Create New Results – Dr Joe Dispenza – 9am3:30pm. Join Dawn and Andrea as they present this interactive event that guides participants through personalized process using neuroscience-backed models and practical tools to help break limiting patterns of thinking, shift old habits, and create lasting change. Program designed by Dr Joe, The Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford.

609-975-8379 or Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

Tuesday, January 13

Saturday, January 10

Fuel Your Fire - Hormonal Wellness 101 – 7:15pm-8:45pm. Join Kat Farrell, Nurse Practitioner Functional Medicine & Nutrition Expert specializing in women’s health, to help you through one of the most challenging times in your wellness. Cost: $45. Halo Wellness Center, 968 Route 73, Evesham.

856-574-4433. www.ElevateYourHealth.com.

End the Burning, Tingling, and Discomfort in Your Body WITHOUT Pills or Surgery – 10am. This session is ideal for anyone who feels they’ve tried everything for their neuropathy symptoms but still can’t find relief. Cost: free. South Jersey Physical Therapy, 1299 Route 38, Suite 9, Hainesport.

609-845-3585.

Sunday, January 11 Year Ahead Tarot 2026 Workshop – 10am-12pm. An intuitive tarot workshop to reflect on last year’s lessons and cast insight for 2026. Cost: $40. Mystic Ginger, 36 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood. www.MysticGingerApothecary.com.

Sound Healing Journey with Gentle Yoga and Breathwork – 11am. Treat yourself to a blend of gentle “all-levels” yoga, breathwork, and crystal bowl sound healing.

Begin with nurturing postures and intentional breathwork to release tension and create openness. Cost: $44. Vacanti Jiu Jitsu/Yoga, 1351 Route 38, Suite B1, Hainesport. https://BalanceIsFreedom.

Effort + Ease: A Yoga + Chair Massage Offering – 1pm. Many of us only get one side: We work out but don’t slow down. We meditate but don’t move. We get a massage, but don’t change the patterns that create tension. In this workshop, we choose it all: expansion and grounding, movement and stillness, opening and integration. Cost: $70.

Balanced Planet Yoga, 795 E. Rt. 70, Suite F, Marlton https://BalancedPlanetYoga.com.

Group Light Grid with Lisa – 7pm. Join Lisa for a group energy healing session to activate your original connection and help clean up your blueprint, physical body, mind and soul. Cost: $35. Halo Wellness Center, 968 Route 73, Evesham. 856-574-4433. www.ElevateYourHealth.com.

Wednesday, January 14

Friday, January 16 Strings of Stillness: A Restorative Sound Experience with Caryn Lin – 6:30-8pm.

Let yourself drift beyond the weight of the world. Settle into deeply supported restorative postures, allowing your body to release layer by layer. Cost: $44. Live in Joy Yoga, 118 W. Merchant St., Audubon. www.LiveInJoyYoga.com.

Self-Care Tea Affair – 7-10pm. An evening tea party featuring premium teas and treats plus mini reiki energy healings and tarot readings to nurture mind, body, and spirit. Cost: $65. Jane’s Tea House, 602 Station Ave., Haddon Heights. https://JanesTeaHouse.com.

Saturday, January 17 Free Sound Bath – 2pm. Join us for an immersive sound bath meditation in an hour of harmonic crystal bowl sound frequencies for mind, body, and soul healing, combined with the ambience of the Aurora Borealis that will soothe away your stress and anxieties. Cost: free. Mount Laurel Library, 100 Whitman Ave., Mt. Laurel. https://MountLaurel.librarycalendar.

A year from now you may wish you had started today.

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—Karen Lamb

Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

Sunday, January 18 Serenity & Sound (Massage & Reiki-Infused Sound Bath) – A unique 90-minute sound bath experience infused with Reiki and gentle massage techniques to bring your body, mind, and soul into harmony and deep relaxation. Cost: $52. Studio 67 Medford, 67 N. Main St., Medford. https://Studio67Medford.com.

Reiki Refresher Workshop – 10am-2pm.

Join Lisa for a refresher class for All-Level Reiki Practitioners. Giving attunements, sessions and symbols will be reviewed. All participants will receive an attunement, as well as a Reiki Session similar to a Reiki Share. Cost: $120. Halo Wellness Center, 968 Route 73, Evesham. 856-574-4433. www.ElevateYourHealth.com.

Sound Healing Session with Angela Fields – 6-7:15pm. Join Angela for a deeply restorative evening of sound healing, guided meditation, and journaling. Cost: $40.

Live in Joy Yoga, 118 W. Merchant St., Audubon. www.LiveInJoyYoga.com.

Release & Renew New Moon Sound Immersion & Guided Meditation – 7-8:30pm.

Join Briana & Michael Schuster in this immersive experience blending soothing sound frequencies, intuitive guidance, and energetic recalibration to help to clear what no longer serves you and call in what your soul is ready to receive. Cost: $35. The Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford. 609-975-8379 or Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

Wednesday, January 21 Sun + Moon with Cheryl – 8pm. This class is for anyone who wants 2026 to feel less like a sprint and more like a skillful unfolding. Come as you are. Leave feeling aligned, steady, and recommitted. Balanced Planet Yoga, 795 E. Rt. 70, Suite F, Marlton https://BalancedPlanetYoga.com.

Thursday, January 22 Sushi Making & Plant-Based Cooking Class – 6pm. A fun, hands-on sushi-making workshop (BYOB) where participants learn to roll fresh, healthy ingredients with guided instruction, all in a social “good-vibes” atmosphere. Cost: $75. NutriaMed Metabolic & Lifestyle Center, 3100 Hingston Ave., Egg Harbor Twp. https://NutriaMed.com.

Saturday, January 24 End the Burning, Tingling, and Discomfort in Your Body WITHOUT Pills or Surgery – 10am. This session is ideal for anyone who feels they’ve tried everything for their neuropathy symptoms but still can’t find relief. Cost: free. Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness Center in Moorestown, 401 Young Avenue, Moorestown. 609-845-3585.

Saturday, January 31 Wellness Made Simple with Brianna Vaughn and Lauren Wheeler – 1-2:30pm.

Join us for an empowering workshop focused on three key pillars of well-being — gut health, hormonal balance, and blood sugar stability. Cost: $22. Live in Joy Yoga, 118 W. Merchant St., Audubon. www.LiveInJoyYoga.com.

Classifieds

For Hire PART-TIME POSITION - Medford Functional Medicine is looking for a parttime functional medicine nurse practitioner. 609-969-4844.

For Rent OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – Integrative Physician looking to share office space in Voorhees. 856-669-9118.

STUDIO AVAILABLE FOR RENT – The Center for Living, LLC, located in an 1890’s Victorian Mansion on historic Main Street in Medford, has newly renovated studio/office units available for single FT or shared PT rental. Off-street parking, renovated common space, individual en-suite bathrooms, Heat/AC/Hot Water, and more included. Contact: Cory Tapper/Owner at 609-975-8379 or email Cory@TheCenterForLiving.net.

Ongoing Events

Sunday Bodyology YOGA with Tiffany Larkin – Fourth Sunday – 10-11am. Join Tiffany in her Sunday Morning class. Breathe, Move, Align…Body-Ology combines gentle restorative flow with crystal sound bath. Cost: $30 The Center for Living, 45 S. Main St., Medford. 609-975-8379 or Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

Wednesday Blanket Angels with Kristy McAdams Second Wednesday – 10:45-11:45am. Come help spread warmth and comfort by making cozy, no-sew fleece-tie blankets for those undergoing chemotherapy in the South Jersey area. Just bring your loving energy and helping hands. All materials are provided. This is a FREE event. The Center for Living, 45 South Main St. Medford, 609-975-8379. Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

Christopher’s Weekly Tea Talks – 7pm. Join our weekly Zoom call to learn about Kratom, its traditional use, safety tips, industry news, and your rights as a consumer. Sign up here: www.bit.ly/47vJtgC.

Thursday YBarre with Jenna – 5:30pm. If your goals for 2026 include feeling stronger, more toned, more stable, and more energized—this is your class. And it supports your yoga practice by strengthening what yoga asks for most: control, steadiness, and presence. Cost: $25.

Balanced Planet Yoga, 795 E. Rt. 70, Suite F, Marlton https://BalancedPlanetYoga.com.

Friday Psychic & Healing Fair - Third Saturday – 10am-2pm. The fair offers holistic and innovative lectures and workshops on healing.

Guests are able to sit-in on lectures, have an intuitive psychic reading, a reiki session, energy healing or lie on the BioMat.Cost: $30/20-minute session. Pre-registration and Walk-ins are welcome. The Center for Living, 45 South Main St. Medford, 609-975-8379.

Info@TheCenterForLiving.net.

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Community Resource Guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, email Publisher@NASouthJersey to request our media kit.

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Awareness Coaching

DR. SEAN C. INSELBERG, DAC, MSC, CNS Nutritional Wellness Center 1 Cinnaminson Ave, Ste 206 Palmyra, NJ 08065 856-499-2160 www.NutritionalWellnessNJ.com Offering simple, effective solutions for optimal health for the whole family. Includes: Functional Medicine testing, Othromolecular energy medicine, Neuro-Emotional Technique, Psycho neurobiology, autonomic response testing, Theta Healing.

Ancestral Energy and Pranic Healing DANA REYNOLDS-MARNICHE, Ph.D. Shaman-based Qi Channeler, Clairvoyant and Teacher Mount Meru Holistic Earth Power Healing 856-993-1786 MtMeruHolistic.com/healing-testimonials Highly trained with 35 yrs experience in mind-body healing, I utilize Korean Chunsu, a 5,000-yr-old therapeutic practice, involving the channeling of balanced Heaven-Earth cosmic qi energy to release negative ancestral patterns from the body and mind. Rapidly restores well-being, addresses anxiety, depression, treats hormonal, immune system and chakra imbalances, alleviates physical pain, rejuvenates body cells and clears toxins. Over time, a prevalence of harmony in one’s home and work environment and the ability to manifest abundance and protection become our natural state of being.

MARYANN PINO MILLER, M.ED. Certified Heal Your Life® Teacher Emotion Code Practitioner 520 Stokes Road, Suite C-4 Medford, NJ 856-912-2087 MP.Miller1945@gmail.com www.MaryannPinoMiller.com Become aware of your true nature, meet your inner child waiting for your love, become aware of the and unload the baggage weighing you down, become aware of the depth of love that exists within you and gain the understanding of the importance of your relationship with yourself and how that can be fostered.

Ayurveda Wellness Coaching SUSAN DESIDERIO, BA, LMT Ayurvedic Wellness Coach Pitman, NJ 856-535-7478 BlueHavenMassage@gmail.com BlueHavenMassage.MassageTherapy.com With over 20+ years’ experience in the Wellness industry, Susan specializes in holistic lifestyle management. She offers Ayurveda coaching, mindful movement classes, massage/reiki sessions.

Chiropractor HARMONIOUS HEALINGS HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE 30 Jackson Rd, D207 Medford, NJ 08055 856-359-6005 www.DrKevinG.com Optimize your human potential holistically: functional neurology & kinesiology, stress release & neuro-emotional technique, structure & posture improvement with advanced biostructural correction, biophysics body optimizer.

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Coaching

GROWTH & GRIT HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING Anita Romero MSN, APN, RYT-200, NBC-HWC Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach 856-281-7285 www.GrowthAndGritHealth.com Anita@GrowthAndGritHealth.com As a board-certified health and wellness coach, my mission is to empower women to take charge of their health and wellbeing with clarity, vitality and confidence. Healthy aging starts now and is supported by healthy lifestyle choices. I will be your ally as we create meaningful goals, and a customized action plan aligned with your values and unique needs.

STEPHANE PONCELET 570-449-2219 calwl2022@gmail.com www.Create-A-LifeWorthLiving.com/ Clients learn to observe and respond to deep-seated emotions of conflict, emptiness, and loneliness that often arise from family dysfunction. Guided in mourning the unchangeable aspects of their past, helped to own their truths and grieve their losses, clients are encouraged to show themselves the love, patience, and respect they truly deserve. A transformative process which creates a life that is truly worth living.

Complementary/ Functional and Regenerative Medicine ALLAN MAGAZINER, DO Magaziner Center for Wellness 1907 Greentree Road Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003 856-424-8222 magazinercenter@drmagaziner.com www.DrMagaziner.com With nearly 40 years of excellence in patient care, the Magaziner Center for Wellness is the area’s premier center for integrative and function medicine. We solve complex medical problems naturally.

Support the Small Businesses that Advertise in NASJ

Energy for Healing INFINITE POSSIBILITIES CENTER LLC 801 Rte 73, Ste I, Evesham, NJ 08053 856-983-1767 Elsie@LoveInfinitePossibilities.com www.LoveInfinitePossibilities.com Infinite Possibilities invites you to relax in our zero-gravity chairs and experience the Energy Enhancement System which generates life-enhancing scalar wave energy, light, and color therapy.

Other services include a Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna, LET Lymphatic Drainage, BioWell personal energy field scan, nourishing massage, and restful Reiki sessions. The EES system has been tested, peer-reviewed, and recognized at medical, scientific and professional conferences.

Functional Medicine CHARLOTTE NUSSBAUM, MD Medford Functional Medicine 103 Old Marlton Pike, Suite 203 Medford, NJ 08055 609-969-4844 www.MedfordFunctionalMedicine.com Board-certified pediatrician and internist Charlotte Nussbaum is a founder of Medford Functional Medicine where we partner with people of all ages to reclaim their health.

Functional Nutrition NICOLE L. KITZITAFF, RDN TriUnity Nutrition & Wellness 1060 Kings Highway N., Ste. 301 Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 856-667-6805 Info@TriUnityNutrition.com www.TriUnityNutrition.com TriUnity Nutrition & Wellness, led by Nicole Kizitaff, RDN, uses functional nutrition, muscle testing, and holistic remedies to address root causes and optimize your health.

Holistic Coaching

APRIL WILLARD The Zen Den on Main 5 South Main Street Medford, NJ 08055 609-975-8379 www.TheCenterLifeInBalance.com Ordained Minister (all denominations), Art Therapy (all ages), Sound Healing, Reiki II, Guided Meditation and Letting Go Ceremonies. Supporting holistic and emotional coaching. Contact: YogiCaresNJ@gmail.com or 215-205-2786 for bookings and inquiries.

Hypnotherapy DR. JAIME FELDMAN, DCH Chairman, Medical & Dental Division, International Hypnosis Federation 214 W Main St, Ste L4 Moorestown, NJ 08057 856-231-0432 • DrJaimeF@aol.com www.PartsTherapy.com Dr. Jaime Feldman, one of the pioneers in an advanced technique called “Advanced Parts Therapy,” has been able to unlock the subconscious and remove unwanted behaviors: stop smoking (guaranteed), weight loss, stress, depression, pain and anger management, and more.

Outstanding success in curing phobias and deep-seated trauma, and treating the immune system to put cancer into complete remission.

Integrative/Holistic Medicine DR. STEVEN HORVITZ Institute for Medical Wellness 110 Marter Ave, Ste 408, Moorestown, NJ 856-231-0590 www.DrHorvitz.com Board-Certified Family Medicine blending traditional family care with a holistic focus and preventive, nutritional and integrative approach. We look for causes and triggers for disease before reaching for the prescription pad. Same and next day appointments are available.

Integrative Medicine/ Holistic Pain Management POLINA KARMAZIN, MD Board certified in Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture 2301 E Evesham Rd, Bldg 800, Ste 219 Voorhees, NJ 08043 856-528-2258 www.SouthJerseyHolistic.com Our practice treats each person individually by addressing the root cause of the problem. Dr Karmazin employs holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, biopuncture, homeopathy and nutritional counselling for a variety of ailments. We also specialize in holistic pain management and do not use narcotics, NSAIDs or steroid injections.

Intuitive Coach THE CENTER FOR LIVING, LLC 45 S. Main Street Medford, NJ 08055 608-975-8379 www.TheCenterForLiving.net Certified hypnotist, energy healer, and ICF transformational coach, Cory offers gentle, intuitive, evidence-based support. As owner of The Center for Living, she helps individuals cultivate healing, clarity, and authentic growth on their personal journey. Cory Tapper, Owner/Intuitive Coach.

Intuitive Healing SUSAN COSTANTINO DRUMMOND Reiki Master & Intuitive Medium Offices in Medford & Manahawkin 609-923-3154 Susan@NJBalance.com www.NJBalance.com Susan is an Intuitive Medium and Reiki Master. She specializes in intuitively enhancing the mind, soul and physical body with healing energy for your highest well-being. Susan can connect you to your loved ones in spirit for healing and peace.

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

—Tom Peters

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January 2026

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IV Therapy

Natural Mattress

PRIME IV HYDRATION & WELLNESS 900 Rte 73 N, Ste 890, Marlton 856-386-3251 www.PrimeIVHydration.com/locations/ new-jersey/marlton-08053

KELLY WERNERSBACH Adjust Your Sleep Mattress Boutique LLC 888 NJ-73, Marlton, NJ Kelly@aysmattress.com

Prime IV Hydration & Wellness is the nation’s leader in vitamin-infusion therapy. They offer a spa-like environment and utilize only the latest in cutting-edge intravenous (IV) therapies.

Offering a personalized, educational approach to mattress selection, we focus on your comfort and health needs to ensure a perfect sleep system—because quality rest is essential for overall well-being and daily vitality.

Life Coaching THERESA HIGGINS, HC, NS Certified Health Coach, Nutrition Specialist, and Personal Trainer 101 Route 130 South, Ste. 320 Cinnaminson, NJ 08077 609-558-8614 Theresa@LivingHealthierByDesign.com www.LivingHealthierByDesign.com Living Healthier By Design empowers individuals to achieve lasting health through personalized nutrition coaching, fitness training, and lifestyle guidance. Combining science-based strategies with supportive accountability, I help clients lose weight, gain strength, and manage chronic conditions for sustainable results. For more information, visit www.LivingHealthierByDesign.com or stop by at Riverton Health and Fitness Center, 600 Main St., Suite 9, Riverton, NJ 08077.

Call or text 609-558-8614.

Medical Skincare and Cosmetics DR. ANAMARIA NEWPORT, DMS, DMD, MHS, PAC 17 White Horse Pike, Ste 10B Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 856-323-8885 Dr. Newport is a discerning artist, highly experienced master cosmetic injector and renowned dermatology speaker with 10+ years of extensive medical training. Her continuous dedication for skincare, surgery, dentistry, and cosmetic procedures are enhanced by combining the use of the latest technology and her unique homeopathic style. As an artist, she is genuinely passionate about bringing out the unique beauty in each one of her patients. Look no further for your organic skincare specialist, offering the purest treatments achievable with our personalized natural products.

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SouthJersey Edition

Transformative and Harmonizing Massage Therapy and Hands-On Reiki TRUSTED HEALING HANDS AT THE CENTER FOR LIVING The Center for Living 45. S. Main St., #5, Medford 609-752-7675 www.TrustedHealingHands.com Twenty years of experience mixing Eastern modalities with Western massage therapy to assist with pain, injuries, stress and wellbeing. Also offering Skin Therapy Facials and Bodyology Yoga. See website for more information.

Numerologist TRACI ROSENBERG, MA Numerologist & Empowerment Coach 609-417-4526 TraciRosenberg@gmail.com www.SoulTalkWithTraci.com Join the region’s leading numerologist as you discover your life’s purpose. Encoded in your name and birth date are your lessons, talents and desires.

Traci will help you realize your full potential.

Wellness Centers RESTORATIVE WELLNESS 103 Old Marlton Pike, suite 203 Medford, NJ 08055 201-400-7292 www.RestorativeWellness.net A safe space is provided for exploration and development of creative strategies for healing.

Clinical expertise meets holistic healing, to establish new coping and creative self-care methods.

Reiki

DR. JOCELYN FLAY, DAC Nutritional Wellness Center 1 Cinnaminson Ave, Ste 206 Palmyra, NJ 08065 856-499-2160 www.NutritionalWellnessNJ.com Open to the flow of reiki that is before you and experience the divine life force energy that is innate to all of us. You can heal, grow, process trauma, change your beliefs, create new experiences, and shift into a life that you love, and reiki can guide you. Individual reiki sessions and reiki courses are provided at the Nutritional Wellness Center.

Spiritual Wellness BETH O’BRIEN Spiritual Healing Through Guidance The Center Life in Balance, 45 N Main St, Medford On Angels Wings, 110 Creek Rd, Mt Laurel BethOB67@yahoo.com Beth, a psychic/medium, can give you spiritual and intuitive guidance from your loved ones. Beth is also a Reiki Master and an ordained minister to officiate your wedding. She also is a paranormal investigator and does private and public homes. She also does house blessings and cleansing.

NASouthJersey.com

Yoga RISE AND THRIVE WELLNESS YOGA Terry Veit-Harmening 714 E Main St, Moorestown 609-923-5782 www.RiseAndThriveWellnessYoga.com Terry Veit-Harmening is a certified Yoga Therapist, a certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Educator and a brain longevity specialist with the Alzheimer’s Research Association. Yoga Therapy is a holistic approach to health care using postures, movement, stretches, lifestyle choices, relaxation and breathing practices to address your specific issues.

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