October 2016 Natural Awakenings Peace River

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

feel good • live simply • laugh more

P L A N E T

FREE

Beyond an

Change ALIGNED Born to Makers Eat Wild SPINE Why Ancestral Inspired Actions Help the World

Chiropractic Helps Heal a Host of Ills

Diets Boost Health

October 2016 | Englewood • North Port • Port Charlotte • Punta Gorda • Venice | PeaceRiverNA.com

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letterfrompublisher

W contact us Publisher Janet Lindsay Managing Editor Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer Contributing Writer Juliette Jones Calendar Editor Cheryl Hynes Design & Production Susan Jones Social Media Manager Amy Hass To contact Natural Awakenings Peace River Edition: 941-564-0885 publisher@nasrq.com © 2016 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. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. 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. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

ell, autumn has officially arrived, ushering in pumpkin patches, farmer’s markets and more community-wide festivities! In Southwest Florida, we don’t often experience that blustery breeze or colorful leaves, but we can still take advantage of the excitement synonymous with this season. In fact, Natural Awakenings’ October issue is all about raising awareness and getting involved in local initiatives to help our community remain thriving and vibrant yearround.

Our feature article on “Community Game Changers” places the spotlight on inspiring “dogooders” who’s continued efforts have made a sustainable, resourceful and impactful difference throughout their hometowns––and beyond. Perhaps their stories will even motivate you to leave your own impression right here on the Suncoast. Also, check out “Green Business Ideas” which explains how local companies can reduce environmental hazards and conserve energy usage to improve the quality of life throughout our entire community.

Of course, because no fall season is complete without colorful produce, this month’s issue also contains palate-tempting tips for hearty and healthy feasting.

Our “Eat on the Wild Side” article delves into the benefits of consuming lean grass-fed proteins and organic fruits or vegetables––otherwise known as the ancestral diet. Since autumn is celebrated for its farm-fresh bounty, there’s no better time to introduce nutritious meals into your cooking repertoire.

As always, I hope you’ll find this issue both enlightening and enjoyable, as we transition together into this festive season. Please feel free to email any questions, comments or suggestions to Publisher@NASRQ.com. Here’s to a memorable October, dear readers!

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contents 9 7 newsbriefs 9 healthbriefs 11 globalbriefs 13 actionalert 13 ecotip 16 inspiration 11 18 healingways 19 wisewords 20 healthykids 21 naturalpet 22 fitbody 24 consciouseating 13 26 greenliving 27 calendar 28 classifieds 31 resourceguide

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

14 CHANGE MAKERS

Inspired to Act

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by Linda Sechrist

18 CHIROPRACTIC TO THE RESCUE

It Helps IBD, ADHD, PMS and Other Conditions

by Edward Group

16 TREE-MENDOUS LOVE

How Trees Care for Each Other

by Melissa Breyer

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19 EDWARD HUMES ON THE HIGH COST OF TRANSPORTATION Small Consumer Choices Have Big Impacts

by Randy Kambic

advertising & submissions

20 SORE THROAT

HOW TO ADVERTISE

SOOTHERS

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 941-564-0885 or email Publisher@ nasrq.com. Deadline for ads: the 15th of the month.

by Kathleen Barnes

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@nasrq.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Natural Remedies Help Kids Heal

21 CAT-ASTROPHE

How to Slim a Fat Feline

by Sandra Murphy

22 WALKING

MEDITATION

Email Calendar Events to: calendar@nasrq.com. Deadline for calendar: the 12th of the month.

The Calming and Centering Effects of Labyrinths

REGIONAL MARKETS

24 BORN TO EAT WILD

Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 941-564-0885. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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by Gina McGalliard

Why Ancestral Diets Boost Health

by Judith Fertig

26 PLANET-FRIENDLY AND PROFITABLE The Rise of Ecopreneurs

by Avery Mack

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Join Us in Spreading the Light.

Become a Natural Awakenings Publisher!

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Natural Awakenings recently received the prestigious FBR50 Franchise Satisfaction Award. Our publishers ranked us among the highest in franchise satisfaction for our Training, Support, Core Values and Integrity!

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newsbriefs What’s in your City Drinking Water?

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f you ask the average person about the condition of their tap water, they’d most likely respond that it tastes or smells unappealing which is usually a result of chlorine and other contaminants.

Every day, we face new obstacles to keep water safe from improper treatments. The most prevalent of these issues is people trying to purify their water with chlorine to kill bacteria. We are now learning that our bodies actually absorb this harmful chlorine. So, can you imagine how much chlorine your body absorbs in the shower or after consuming washed vegetables? Scientists have recently discovered that chlorinated water is hazardous to our health.

The Sparky Healthy City Water unit removes all traces of chlorine and other contaminates through a multi-media filter which never needs to be replaced.

This yields a potential savings of $1200 or more during the system’s lifespan, without any maintenance required. We use oxygen to sanitize and clean the filter, so the water throughout your entire home tastes fresh, clean and chemicalfree. We achieve this desired outcome by replacing chemicals and contaminates with healthy oxygen bubbles.

Our equipment is manufactured with locally in Venice, and is designed to work with city water. This unit extends appliance life, provides safer drinking water and sustains healthier cooking practices.

For more information on installing a Sparky Healthy City Water System in your home, call 941-202-9050 or visit SparkyHealthyWater.com.

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A community is

like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. ~Henrik Ibsen

Chlorine FREE CITY Water!

Chorine free city water can be achieved by installing a Sparky Healthy City Water System in your home.

With the patented Oxygen Bubbler Sparky removes harmful chemicals and contaminants and leaves you with clean bottled water quality without the expense of filter replacements for the entire home. Sparky extends the life of your appliances, provides you with safer drinking water, healthier water for cooking and bathing. Sparky Healthy City Water Systems are manufactured right here in South West Florida and are currently offering factory rebates call 941-202-9050 today!

SparkyHealthyWater.com 941-202-9050 35 Years Serving Healthy Water All Major Credit Cards Accepted natural awakenings

October 2016

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newsbriefs Scare Fair Open House Y

ou’re invited to join us at Keiser University’s Scare Fair Open House!

Get an early start on Halloween this year at Keiser University’s Scare Fair. Gather your family and friends to visit the Keiser University Sarasota campus on Wednesday, October 26th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Costumes are welcome at this funfilled community event hosted by Keiser University’s faculty, staff and students!

Enjoy activities for the kids such as a Haunted House, Face Painting, Games, Trick or Treat, and more!

Refreshments will be served as we highlight career paths in areas such as Health Care, Business, Legal Studies, Psychology, Information Technology, and Culinary Arts.

Keiser University takes pride in offering a quality education and hands-on approach to learning. Our goal is to improve each community one person at a time by providing education and helping our students to become productive members of their communities.

Location: 6151 Lake Osprey Dr. For more information, visit KUopenhouse.com or call 888-844-8404.

Chill With Your Soul Mate J

oin the largest database of health-conscious and eco-minded, spiritual singles for FREE and manifest an extraordinary relationship!

Chandrakant Hiester’s Deepening Yoga Practice

by Sandy Pukel

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handrakant Hiester, a senior teacher and seminar leader at the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida, develops and presents student and training programs worldwide. For the last 10 years, he has specialized in the Integrated Amrit Method (I AM) including Amrit yoga, yoga nidra and stress-reduction. As a student and practitioner of yoga and meditation with pioneering yogi Amrit Desai for 40 years, Hiester has learned to nurture and encourage positive changes in his and others’ behavior, understanding and practice in order to more fully realize the original purpose of yoga.

What are the benefits of having a regular yoga practice?

It’s important to understand the purpose behind any regular practice. Yoga practice in America popularly encompasses releasing physical tensions, developing muscular strength, increasing balance and flexibility, reducing stress and mental anxiety, and promoting mental clarity and relaxation.

The original purpose of yoga is described as “evenness of mind” cultivated through developing “skill in action.” The I AM method is a series of techniques designed to reveal an inner attunement to the innate intelligence of the universal vital life force, or prana. This attunement can transform everyday life into a meditation in motion.

How does a yoga nidra practice further enhance this?

Albert Einstein realized the mind that creates the problem doesn’t see the solution. Yogic philosophy, along with modern psychology, enumerates three basic types of tension responsible for all of the problems of modern life: muscular, emotional and mental. Yoga nidra is a systematic, guided meditation method of inducing complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation, in which long-held limiting life patterns can be resolved through experiencing a profound change of mind.

Living with less tension is the single greatest contributor to personal, family and community well-being. People going through divorce might use yoga nidra techniques three times a day to short-circuit the mental and emotional whirlwind consuming them, while others might employ it once a day to cleanse their minds of stress. The fullest benefits are realized when we’re so familiar with what a deep state of physical, mental and emotional ease feels like that we’re able to return to it without needing to revisit the learned techniques.

How has a mental practice of yoga changed your life?

Remaining consciously alert has revealed the universal presence as a constant touchstone in all states and experiences which enables me to better manage life’s ever-changing thoughts, feelings and perceptions.

Join for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com 8

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Chandrakant Hiester will be a featured instructor on the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise, March 11­–17, 2017. For more information, call 800-496-0989 or visit HolisticHolidayAtSea.com.

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healthbriefs

Medical Errors Cause 250,000 Deaths a Year

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new study from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reports that preventable medical errors are killing far more people than previously thought. The research estimates that a quarter-million Americans die every year as a result of medical errors, constituting the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. This is a substantial increase from the 98,000 deaths from medical errors reported in a 1999 study from the Institute of Medicine, now the National Academy of Medicine.

Lead researcher and Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins Dr. Martin Makary clarifies that medical errors include mistakes by doctors, along with systemic problems related to communication breakdowns when patients are passed between departments. “It boils down to people dying from the care that they receive, rather than the disease for which they are seeking care,” he observes.

One of the problems highlighted is a lack of public reporting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require hospital-error reporting in deaths, which makes it difficult to accumulate related statistics. “The CDC should update reporting requirements for vital statistics so that physicians report whether there was any error that led to a preventable death,” says Makary. “We all know how common it is and how infrequently it’s openly discussed.”

Dr. Frederick van Pelt, with the healthcare consultancy Chartis Group, says that severe injuries resulting from medical errors are also often overlooked. “Some estimates would put this number at 40 times the death rate.” He indicates that this gets buried in the milieu of expected suffering and pain that care providers are daily exposed to following any surgical procedure.

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esearch from Austria’s University of Graz has found that high-dose vitamin D3 significantly alters the gut’s microbiome for the better. The researchers tested 16 healthy people for eight weeks, giving them a dose of 980 international units (IU) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight. At this rate, a 150-pound person would take more than 66,000 IU per day.

The scientists took samples from the stomach, small intestines, colon and stool before and after the testing period. They also tested for bacteria species using gene sequencing and measured T-cell counts. Afterward, the subjects showed reductions in disease-producing bacteria and increased diversity among their gut probiotics.

The research also discovered that the high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation increased immunity in the gut. “Vitamin D3 modulates the gut microbiome of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which might explain its positive influence on gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease or bacterial infections,” the researchers explain.

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Vitamin D3 Boosts Gut Health

Sweat Can Transfer Happiness

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esearch published in Psychological Science, the journal of the Association for Psychological Science, has found that positive moods can be transferred from one person to another via human sweat. The scientists from Utrecht University, in the Netherlands, tested 12 young men and 36 young women. The men were given clean shirts and absorbent pads were attached to their armpits while they watched video clips that induced several emotional states—fear, happiness or neutral. The researchers then stored the absorbent pads for each emotion into sealed jars.

The 36 women were then tested with each of the absorbent pads randomly, with five-minute breaks in-between. They placed their chins on a special rest that held the absorbent pad underneath. The research was double-blind, so neither the researchers nor subjects knew which pads they were exposed to. During each exposure, the women’s facial expressions were recorded. The researchers determined that the women had facial expressions reflecting the emotion induced by the videos the men watched, based on the activity of the women’s facial muscles.

Senior researcher Gün Semin, of Utrecht University, says, “Our study shows that being exposed to sweat produced under happiness induces a simulacrum of happiness in receivers and induces a contagion of the emotional state. This suggests that somebody that’s happy will infuse others in their vicinity with happiness. In a way, happiness sweat is somewhat like smiling—it’s infectious.”

natural awakenings

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Senior Joggers Enjoy Youthful Metabolic Rate

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cientists from the University of Colorado have determined that individuals older than 65 that run three times a week will likely burn oxygen at the same rate as a 20-year-old runner. Despite being more than four decades older, these runners spend a similar amount of metabolic energy as their younger counterparts.

Published in the American College of Sports Medicine journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the study tested 15 older and 15 younger runners.

Each ran a minimum of three times a week for at least 30 minutes each time during the prior six months.

The subjects were tested on a specialized treadmill that measured the force applied to the running belt. Each person ran for five minutes during each test at different speeds between 4.5 and 6.5 miles per hour. Regardless of running mechanics and technique, the older runners utilized their metabolic energy at a similar rate as the young runners at all speeds.

“Our prior research suggests that the muscles themselves are becoming less efficient. I think of it as your body is like a car. Your body has its own fuel efficiency, and what we’ve seen is that the fuel efficiency in muscles is reduced in older adults that are sedentary or only walk occasionally,” says lead researcher and Professor of Kinesiology Justus Ortega.

Diabetics Improve Using Sesame and Rice Bran Oils

esearch published in the American Journal of Medicine found that treating people with a blend of cold-pressed sesame oil and rice bran oil significantly normalizes blood glucose levels. Testing involved 400 men and women for eight weeks, including 300 that had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, by replacing cooking oils in their diet with a blend of sesame and rice bran oil.

The researchers, from Japan’s Fukuoka University and India’s Council of Medical Research, divided the patients into four groups. For two months, 100 healthy people and 100 Type 2 diabetes patients replaced their cooking oils with the sesame/rice bran blend, another 100 Type 2 diabetes patients were treated with five milligrams per day of the diabetes drug glibenclamide (glynase in the U.S.) and the remaining 100 Type 2 diabetes patients were treated with a combination of the same dosage of glibenclamide, along with consuming the sesame/rice bran oil blend over the two-month period.

After four weeks and eight weeks, the researchers found the diabetes patients that consumed the oil blend had significant reductions in fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels. They also had lower levels of glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and improved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (“good” cholesterol). Those treated with the diabetes drug without consuming the oil blend showed none of the same improvements.

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Acupuncture Eases Hot Flashes

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esearchers from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center tested 209 women between 45 and 60 years old with a history of hot flashes and/or night sweats. After up to 20 treatments over six months, the women receiving acupuncture reported a 37 percent reduction in hot flashes, while the control group saw a 6 percent increase. The symptom relief among the women treated with acupuncture persisted for a year.

The researchers also found that the acupuncture group experienced an improvement in several menopausal quality of life measurements.

Nancy Avis, Ph.D., a professor of public health sciences at Wake Forest University and lead author of the study, says, “There are a number of nonhormonal options for treating hot flashes and night sweats that are available to women. None seem to work for everyone, but our study showed that acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist can help some women without any side effects. It also showed that the maximum benefit occurred after about eight treatments.”

Men can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as they can from a lack of bread. ~Richard Wright

Organic Rally

globalbriefs

October is Non-GMO Month

Incandescent Lights Reinvented as Eco-Friendly

Older incandescent light bulbs have been phased out in many countries because they waste huge amounts of energy as heat, but scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have reported in Nature Nanotechnology that they are finding a way to recycle the waste energy and focus it back onto the filament, where it’s re-emitted as visible light. Their innovative structure is made from thin, stacked layers of a type of light-controlling crystal that allows visible wavelengths to pass through while reflecting infrared back to the filament as if striking a mirror.

Traditional bulbs are banned in the European Union and Canada, and their manufacture and importation are being phased out in the U.S. They’ve been replaced by more expensive compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which are significantly more efficient. In theory, the crystal structures could boost the efficiency of incandescent bulbs to 40 percent, making them three times more efficient than the best available LED and CFL bulbs.

School Haze

EPA Helps Schools Cut Bus Emissions The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is helping finance the replacement or retrofitting of older school buses in public and private school fleets to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.

Owners can install catalysts and ventilation systems to reduce emissions by up to 25 percent or replace older buses with newer ones that meet the latest highway emission standards. The EPA will pay up to $25,000 each, depending on the size.

“Our kids spend a lot of time on the school bus, and buses spend a lot of time in our neighborhoods and schoolyards. They are a national symbol of safety,” says Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Air and Radiation. “Significantly improving school bus fleets across the country with retrofits, replacements and idle reduction practices is imperative in meeting the agency’s goal of reducing children’s exposure to air toxins.”

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Source: BBC

The Non GMO Project is sponsoring National Non-GMO Month in October. Observed since 2010, the program seeks to increase education and awareness about the growing presence of unlabeled genetically modified (GM/GMO) food products and ingredients.

People and organizations across North America are discovering the risks GMOs pose to our health, families and environment. Non-GMO Month provides a powerful opportunity to coordinate voices and actions around the country as brands, retailers and individuals stand up for the right to know what’s in our food and to choose to avoid GMOs. Protecting consumer choice and a non-GMO food supply requires a multifaceted approach with online and boots-on-the-ground teamwork.

The Non GMO Project invites everyone to help create local events and spread the word in communities.

Begin at NonGMOMonth.org.

natural awakenings

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Bright Idea

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News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Green Crisis

One in Five Plant Species May Face Extinction

Cause and Effect

A new report from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK, has issued the first comprehensive assessment of plant life, the inaugural State of the World’s Plants, and found that one in five plants may be at risk of extinction due to invasive species, disease and changing landscapes.

Researchers also have determined that just 30,000 plant species have a documented use out of hundreds of thousands of known species. These are only the vascular plants that have specialized tissue for sucking up water through their systems.

Over the years, different people and agencies have identified the same plant at both different times and locations, so they may have accumulated multiple names. The Kew researchers determined that each plant in the International Plant Names Index had, on average, 2.7 different species names. By cutting out the duplicates from more than a million different names, the Kew report was able to pare down the known species to 391,000.

In the Arctic, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a doomsday bank buried in the side of a mountain, contains more than 800,000 samples representing 5,100 different crops and their relatives.

Activists Will ‘Sue’ Monsanto in Mock Trial

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Monsanto, the U.S.-based, multinational producer of agricultural products infamous for its controversial Roundup herbicide, will be “sued” for crimes against humanity in the independent International Criminal Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, on World Food Day, October 16.

Plaintiffs include the Organic Consumers Association, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, Navdanya, Regeneration International, and Millions Against Monsanto, along with dozens of global food, farming and environmental justice groups.

The court, developed in 2011, will use the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to assess damages for Monsanto’s acts against humans and the environment.

The court will also attempt to reform international criminal law to include crimes against the environment, or ecocide, as a prosecutable criminal offense. It has determined that prosecuting ecocide as a criminal offense is the only way to guarantee the rights of humans to a healthy environment and the right of nature to be protected.

Source: Wired

Biodegradable Bottle

Algae-Based Jars Quickly Decompose

Source: TakePart.com 12

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Source: NaturalSociety.com

Sergey Ash/Shutterstock.com

Ari Jónsson, a 32-year-old student at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, has invented an all-natural water bottle that holds its shape when full and decomposes when empty. He debuted his creation at the DesignMarch 2016 festival in Reykjavík, Iceland. The only two materials needed to create the bottle are agar, a gelatinous substance that comes from red algae, and water.

“I just followed the path in what I was researching, trying to find new ways to use materials,” says Jónsson, who combined the two ingredients, heated the mixture, poured it into a mold, and then quickly cooled it. The H2O binds and thickens the agar when cooled, retaining the shape of the water bottle mold, explains Jónsson. When the finished bottle is empty, “It will rot like other foods.”

The bottles can sustainably decompose in soil, although Jónsson has yet to determine exactly how long that process will take. A plastic water bottle takes more than 1,000 years to biodegrade, and in the U.S., more than 2 million tons of the containers are languishing in landfills.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. ~Dalai Lama

action alert

Boo! To-Do

Join the Safer Halloween Movement Halloween can be safe, economical and eco-friendly fun. Crusader costumes remain popular this year, but with a tutu twist. Avoid long skirts or capes that can trip up children and instead recycle a princess tulle skirt from a thrift shop into a shorter frock.

T-shirt tops with a superhero logo plus a painted cardboard headpiece transforms kids into do-gooders. Homemade natural face paints are another alternative (see Tinyurl. com/Trick-Treat-Tips).

Treats should also be eco-friendly. Equal Exchange offers fair trade, organic and kosher low-fat chocolates from crops grown by small farmers in the Dominican Republic and Peru, shipped in a quantity big enough to split the cost with friends (Shop.EqualExchange.coop/chocolate.html). Nut-free, homemade trail mix, wrapped in eco-friendly tissue paper or a square of cloth tied shut, provides a welcome change from sweets.

In 2014, the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization launched the Teal Pumpkin Project. Place a downloadable sign in a window to announce that non-food, Earth-friendly treats are offered at the house for kids with allergies or food sensitivities (Tinyurl.com/TealHalloweenPumpkins).

actionalert Voter Beware - Vote No on Amendment 1 Amendment 1 on Florida’s November ballot is deceptive and anti-solar. Backed by monopoly utilities seeking to stifle solar power and keep Floridians captive power consumers, it is bankrolled by Florida’s big power companies and groups supporting fossil fuels. “Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice may sound great for solar in Florida, but take heed. Amendment 1 will do the opposite of promoting solar,” says Susan Glickman, Florida director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Why voters should say no to Amendment 1: The language of the amendment sounds appealing, but won’t grant Floridians any new rights. Floridians already have the right to own or lease solar equipment on their property to generate electricity for their own use.

It will change the Florida Constitution to include a presumption that non-solar customers somehow “subsidize” solar customers. No empirical evidence supports this.

Power companies should not have constitutional protections to punish Florida residents with charges if they install solar.

It will be used by power companies to attack Florida’s net metering rule, which currently allows customers to receive credit for generating solar power, as well as sending their excess energy back to the grid. This policy is key to making the economics of solar work. Power companies object because it allows Floridians to generate their own power and pay less on their electric bills.

“Take note that Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente called Amendment 1 a wolf in sheep’s clothing, masquerading as a pro-solar energy initiative,” notes Glickman.

What voters will see on the November ballot: Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice This amendment establishes a right under Florida’s constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.

“Vote no to this utility-backed solar petition and stop big monopoly utilities from choking off rooftop solar and keeping a stranglehold on customers by preventing them from generating their own power,” advises Glickman.

Constructive Campaigning

Meditate the Vote Supports Political Sanity The Meditate the Vote – the Real Conversation segment is the brainchild of the globally broadcast America Meditating radio show (BlogTalkRadio.com/AmericaMeditating), which features prominent thought leaders sharing methods for personal development.

In the midst of the 2016 election campaign, they ask people to step up the quality of citizen debate using Meditate the Vote questions to stimulate more intelligent and inclusive discussions via a variety of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other outlets leading up to national election day on November 8.

Meditate the Vote does not endorse any candidate or political party. It’s a movement to socially engage all ages in a higher-quality and more cohesive way of working together. The Internet will be used to spread the word, with participants making videos in which they say, “I meditate the vote,” and why they do so, sharing feedback from their conversations.

A Pause for Peace app is available to access communications, meditations, videos and the America Meditating radio show.

The program is also available on Blog Talk Radio, iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Aha Radio and the PlayerFM app.

Take action at AmericaMeditating. org/events.meditatethevote.

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ecotip

For more information, visit ConsumersForSmartSolar.org or FLSolarChoice.org natural awakenings

October 2016

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calls the “right thing to do” fed more than 41,000 people that day.

Named one of Toyota’s 2016 Mothers of Invention, Ahmad uses the company’s $50,000 grant to boost Copia’s services throughout the U.S. Recently, German and Austrian government officials expressed interest in expanding the service to help feed Syrian refugees in their countries.

Friends Margot McNeeley and Janet Boscarino, in Memphis, Tennessee, looked around for local problems they could fix and took action starting in 2008.

Margot A former retail entreMcNeeley preneur, McNeeley

CHANGE MAKERS INSPIRED TO ACT

by Linda Sechrist

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“

urs is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. Any small, calm thing that one soul can do to help another soul will help immensely. It is not given to us to know which acts, or by whom, will cause the critical mass to tip toward an enduring good,” says Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D., a world-renowned author and Jungian psychoanalyst specializing in post-trauma counsel.

Thousands of people each day choose to see a world radiating with hope and light, despite ever-present conflict and strife. Their talents and gifts, alliances and collaborations are inspiring a new story that ripples outward into our communities and beyond.

In The Ten Gifts: Find the Personal Peace You’ve Always Wanted Through the Ten Gifts You’ve Always Had, author Robin L. Silverman affirms that everyone can reach within, even in the worst of circumstances, for treasures that can be used to improve the lives of others.

She concludes, “We are not meant to use our gifts simply to survive, but to

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satisfy our souls and inspire others to do the same.”

Meeting Basic Needs Komal Ahmad was unaware that her single act of kindness in simply offering to share her lunch with a homeless veteran in 2011 while she was attending the UniKomal Ahmad versity of California, Berkeley, would lead to a multiplying mission to feed America’s hungry. His heartfelt expression of gratitude for his first meal in three days sparked an epiphany: Her school was regularly throwing away thousands of pounds of food while neighbors were going hungry.

Today, Ahmad is the founder and CEO of Copia, an app that matches nonprofits serving in-need veterans, children, women and others with companies that have leftover gourmet food. Following the 2016 Super Bowl, she used Copia’s technology to organize food pickups throughout the San Francisco Bay area. What she

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didn’t want food to go to waste and created the Project Green Fork certification program after learning that 95 percent of restaurant waste can be diverted from landfills. Her Janet Boscarino nonprofit helps restaurants to conserve water and energy, develop recycling and composting systems and switch to biodegradable containers and environmentally friendly cleaning operations.

Boscarino’s experience in business development and sales, combined with her disdain for litter, led her to found the nonprofit Clean Memphis, which began in 2008 with volunteer crews picking up litter. In recent years, the initiative’s community-wide strategy has expanded to involve local governments, businesses, neighborhoods, faith-based organizations and 20 local “sustainable schools”.

In 2017, Project Green Fork will become a part of Clean Memphis.

Throughout two decades of educational activism, John G. Heim’s passion John G. Heim for clean water

as a human right has not waned. The founder and leader of The SWFL Clean Water Movement, headquartered in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, persisted even when many business owners considered him a nuisance, driving off tourists.

As infestations of blue-green algae blooms have reached emergency levels, Heim’s ongoing grassroots campaign to increase awareness of water quality issues that’s backed by social media recently brought him to Washington, D.C., to make his case before Congress.

The nonprofit’s 18,000 members have succeeded in bringing national attention to the thick muck now plaguing both Florida coasts. They’re working to alter nutrient-laden discharges from Lake Okeechobee that send agricultural toxins and rain overflow down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and out into vital estuaries.

Scott Bunn’s Seneca Treehouse Project, launched in 2010, grew from his building background in a family of entrepreneurs to encompass design/ Scott Bunn build services and education in eco-housing and ethical living. Bunn’s original Seneca, South Carolina, homestead and acreage includes apprentice learning programs teaching practical skills in cultivating permaculture, growing food, building structures, working with tools and living in an intentional community.

“For the next six years, our goal is to annually train 50 people that will train 50 more people. Continuing this exponential growth pattern means the potential for 312 million more people living more compatibly and lightly upon the Earth. We’ve already established collaborations with six other cities around the U.S. that can potentially duplicate our efforts,” says Bunn.

Providing Healthcare Options Martie Whittiken, of Plano, Texas, a board-certified clinical nutritionist and host of the Healthy by Nature nationally syndicated radio show, uses her talents to advocate for health freedom in

We are a community of possibilities, not a community of problems.

Community exists for the sake of belonging, and takes its identity from the gifts, generosity and accountability of its citizens. We currently have all the resources required to create an alternative future. ~Peter Block, Community: The Structure of Belonging America. Educating listeners for 19 years, she served as president of the National Nutritional Foods Association during crucial phases of the 1992 to 1994 fight to successfully Martie Whittiken pass the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act to preserve consumer choices.

The author of The Probiotic Cure also helped found the Texas Health Freedom Coalition to protect citizens’ rights to choose alternative medical treatment in her state. Whittiken says, “My work is a labor of love. I have no interest in becoming famous or well known unless it contributes to getting the job done.”

On a 2006 medical mission to Haiti, Gigi Pomerantz, a licensed nurse practitioner at the Aurora Sinai Medical Center, in Milwaukee, disGigi Pomerantz covered the impact of a lack of clean water and sanitation as her four-person team treated 1,400 patients for worms, stomach problems, diarrhea and poor appetite. Two years later, she founded Youthaiti, where she serves as executive director.

The nonprofit helps rural Haitians

build composting toilets and develop organic gardens using recycled waste as fertilizer. It also provides community hygiene education and reforestation.

Everything is aimed at breaking Haiti’s widespread cycle of contamination and disease, and safely convert human waste into agricultural fertilizer that’s increasing crop productivity and the availability of healthy food.

Psychotherapist Jacqui Bishop and Integrative Nutritionist Lisa Feiner, co-founders of Sharp Again Naturally, in White Plains, New York, believe that dementia is reversible, and no case Jacqui Bishop should be considered hopeless until all causative factors have been tested and ruled out. Their resolve for eliminating causes of disease rather than managing symptoms is based on University of CalLisa Feiner ifornia, Los Angeles, research studies and sources quoted in a Health Advocates Worldwide documentary.

Project Yoga Richmond, established in 2010, makes yoga accessible to everyone in the city’s metro region.

Thirty yoga teachers lead pay-whatyou-can studio classes that help fund 22 outreach programs for underserved communities. Healing programs are designed for needs related to autism, recovery, seniors, special students and youths in the court system. “We also provide continuing instructor education, visiting teachers, workshops and other special events that deepen yoga practice in our community,” says co-founder Dana Walters, who serves as the board of directors vice president.

Enriching Lives

As an Emmy Award-winning trumpeter, composer, educator and co-founder, conductor and artistic director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP), Orbert Davis is dedicated to multigenre projects. His collaborative research in 2012 while in Cuba on a people-to-people exchange accom-

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Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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inspiration

Tree-Mendous Love How Trees Care for Each Other

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by Melissa Breyer

rom learning to communicate to physically caring for each other, the secret lives of trees are wildly deep and complex.

“They can count, learn and remember; nurse sick neighbors; warn each other of danger by sending electrical signals across a fungal network known as the ‘wood wide web’; and keep the ancient stumps of long-felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through their roots,” reveals Peter Wohlleben, a German forest ranger and author of The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate— Discoveries from a Secret World, released in September.

Upon seeing two soaring beeches in the forest, Wohlleben observes, “These trees are friends. See how the thick branches point away from each other? That’s so they don’t block their buddy’s light. Sometimes, pairs are so interconnected at the roots that when one tree dies, the other one dies, too.”

Wohlleben is rekindling a re-imagination of trees even as many people consider their role is only to supply us with oxygen and wood. Using a mix of scientific research and his own observations from studying forestry and working in the forest since 1987, the man who speaks for the trees does so in decidedly anthropomorphic terms.

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“Scientific language removes all the emotion, and people don’t understand it anymore. I use a human language. When I say, ‘Trees suckle their children,’ everyone knows immediately what I mean,” he says.

After years of working for the state forestry administration in RhinelandPalatinate, and then as a forester managing 3,000 acres of woods near Cologne, he began to understand that contemporary practices were not serving the trees or those that depend on them very well. Artificially spacing out trees ensures that trees get more sunlight and grow faster, but naturalists report that trees exist less like individuals and more as communal beings. By working together in networks and sharing resources, they increase their resistance to potentially damaging influences.

After researching alternative approaches, Wohlleben began implementing some revolutionary concepts.

He replaced heavy machinery with horses, stopped using insecticides and let the woods become wilder. The pilot German forest plot went from losing money to posting a profit in two years.

As Dr. Seuss’ tree-loving Lorax says, “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”

Melissa Breyer, of Brooklyn, NY, is the editor of Treehugger.com, from which this article was adapted.

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panied by fellow musicians and River North Dance Chicago’s Artistic Director Frank Chaves (now retired) proved to be a multifaceted boon.

It generated the philharmonic’s Havana Blue live performance in 2013 and ignited a weeklong cultural exchange with Cuba’s Universidad Ciudad de las Artes (ISA) during his return trip for the Havana International Jazz Festival in 2014. President Barak Obama’s announcement of the normalization of Cuban/U.S. diplomatic relations opened up the possibility for a continuing CJP/ISA relationship, as well as their 2015 landmark partnered event when 37 ISA students traveled to Chicago to perform Scenes from Life: Cuba at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Davis promises more such events to come.

All of these individuals represent a small percentage of the game-changers actively moving to create an alternative future. Estés observes, “What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts; adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take everyone on Earth to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group that will not give up during the first, second or hundredth gale.”

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healingways

Chiropractic to the Rescue It Helps IBD, ADHD, PMS and Other Conditions

by Edward Group

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hiropractic care corrects spinal alignment abnormalities as a means of treating a wide range of health problems. Addressing skeletal and muscular disorders and relieving pain are just the beginning. Research studies reported in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics and the journal of healing science Explore have found chiropractic beneficial in treating connective tissue abnormalities, infant lactose intolerance and even autism.

More than $13 billion is spent annually on chiropractic health services, making it the largest alternative health practice in the U.S. Science supports its usefulness in addressing a wide range of conditions.

Bell’s Palsy. Recovery varies among patients as chiropractors create patient-centric treatment programs designed to improve facial motion and hearing, relieve pain and address other nerve-related issues (Archives of Internal Medicine; Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). A Canadian survey of chiroprac18

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tors has reported success in using spinal manipulation to relieve IBD, colitis and other bowel disorders (Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology).

Cancer. The Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine publishes numerous studies of therapies supporting cancer patients suffering the side effects of conventional treatment. The American Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that chiropractic care rates as one of the leading alternative medical treatments for pain management, among other related benefits. Chiropractic offers economical and effective strategies that may help quality of life, as discussed in Seminars in Oncology Nursing.

High Blood Pressure. While many relevant studies can’t yet generalize results, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics documents success by chiropractors treating hypertension without the downside of medical drugs that can include the risk of stroke (University of Alabama at Birmingham).

Chronic Sinusitis. Patients with nasal and sinus passages that don’t drain

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properly due to physical or nerve-related causes may find relief through chiropractic care. A study cited in the same journal showed that patients experienced relief of all related symptoms after a single adjustment.

Arthritis. A study published in a journal from the the University of Virginia School of Medicine Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies notes that arthritis patients obtaining chiropractic care enjoyed better health and quality of life than those that did not.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

In clinical studies, combining manual spinal adjustment with soft tissue therapy has been found to relieve PMS discomfort. In one study, two groups of women were tested, switching off in receiving chiropractic adjustments or a placebo alternative. Each time, the group receiving chiropractic adjustments reported the greatest improvements (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A study published in Explore suggests that chiropractic care combined with other holistic elements such as appropriate nutrition may provide a more gentle, yet effective approach than conventional psychotropic drugs. It employed chiropractic treatment for boys 9 to 13 years old diagnosed with ADHD. Spinal manipulation with nutritional supplementation was reported to improve hyperactivity, inattentiveness, impulsiveness and behavioral, social and emotional difficulties.

Headaches. Based on recent studies, spinal manipulation has proven effective against migraines and headaches originating from the neck. Manual therapy of the spine, along with neck exercises, promotes improvement in patients with neck-related headaches. Side effects are rare and minor (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics).

Dr. Edward Group is CEO and co-founder of the Global Healing Center, in Houston, TX (GlobalHealingCenter.com).

He is a doctor of chiropractic trained in naturopathy, herbals and clinical nutrition; author of The Green Body Cleanse; and a diplomate of the American Board of Functional Medicine.

wisewords

Edward Humes on the High Cost of Transportation Small Consumer Choices Have Big Impacts

by Randy Kambic

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dward Humes investigates the origins and impacts of the expensive and complex process that brings us everyday products and items in his new book Door to Door: The Magnificent, Maddening, Mysterious World of Transportation. His latest work, which also covers our love affair with cars, is popularizing the eco-conscious term, “transportation footprint”.

Aligned with this, he recommends a move to driverless cars to save lives and fuel.

In an earlier book, Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash, the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Southern California journalist examined the causes and effects of waste. Solutions are showcased by how institutions and families are consciously reducing their wasteful ways.

What are some everyday impacts of the “door-to-door machine” you write about?

Transportation is embedded in our lives, both in our personal things and our travel. It can take 30,000 miles to get our morning coffee to the kitchen, with another 165,000 miles attached to all the components of the coffee pot, water, energy and packaging—a worldwide mix involving trains, planes, boats and trucks. Unprecedented amounts of transportation are embedded in everything we do and touch, with many hidden costs to our environment, economy and traffic.

Take the world of online retailing.

That “buy it now” button seems so

convenient, but it’s also a traffic jam generator.

Each click births a new truck trip. What used to be a single truckload of goods delivered efficiently to a store or mall now demands hundreds of single-item deliveries to far-flung homes.

Which transportation footprint surprised you the most in researching Door to Door?

The smartphone is a paradox, in that it has reduced our transportation footprint in some ways because of all the separate devices it has replaced, from navigation in cars to calculators to cameras. Phones also empower a transportation-free option for online banking and bill paying, eliminating all sorts of trips in the physical world.

On the flip side, making and assembling smartphone components requires a lot of back-and-forth transport between many countries because no one can make the whole “widget”.

With its many raw materials, rare earth minerals and manufactured components, we’re talking about an overall transportation footprint for one phone that’s equivalent to a round trip to the moon; a phone that users will trade in for a newer model in just a few years.

What’s a particularly negative impact of the huge distances involved in today’s movement of goods?

Cargo container ships create immense amounts of pollution. About 6,000 container ships worldwide ship 90 percent

of consumer goods. Natural Resources Defense Council data show that the smog and particulate emissions from just 160 of these vessels equal that of all of the cars in the world. If the cargo fleet were a country, its carbon emissions would exceed Germany’s, the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to the European Commission. Cargo ship carbon emissions are projected to rise to about 18 percent of the global total in the next 25 years if our appetite for goods continues to grow at current rates.

What are the consequences of the U.S. ranking 16th worldwide in infrastructure quality?

Americans are under the illusion that we pay high taxes to build and maintain roads, bridges and rails. However, as a portion of our gross domestic product, we invest about one-fifth of what China does and the poor results are apparent. We have a $3.6 trillion backlog in needed modernization. This drags down the economy and increases harmful emissions through shipping delays and rush-hour jams, as well as raising road safety concerns.

How can we each lessen our “transportation footprint”?

We have power as individuals, families and communities to make a difference.

Americans walk less than almost any other people on Earth. A Los Angeles study showed that half of its residents’ daily trips are less than three miles, with many under one mile, which is crazy. Using alternative transportation for just 10 percent of those trips would have major positive impacts. Far fewer children walk or bike to school than in the recent past, even as we face a youth obesity crisis. We can also adjust when and how we drive; half the cars on the road during rush hour are not job-related. Driving at other times would ease traffic for everyone and reduce traffic jams, emissions and crashes.

All of this is something we could easily change—and that many other countries have changed—with substantial health, economic and traffic benefits.

Randy Kambic is a freelance editor and writer in Estero, FL, and a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

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healthykids

SORE THROAT SOOTHERS

Natural Remedies Help Kids Heal

by Kathleen Barnes

T

he household is settling for the night when the 5-yearold cries out, “My throat hurts!”

“There’s no need to panic,” says Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, in Pecos, New Mexico, an integrative physician and chief medical officer of Weil Lifestyle. “It’s pretty easy to figure out if it’s strep throat, which requires antibiotics, or something you can treat at home.”

Only 10 to 20 percent of sore throats in children are caused by Streptococcus bacteria which, if not properly treated, can lead to heart damage. The first question to ask is, “What are the symptoms?” If these include sudden onset of a severe and worsening sore throat without any complaints of scratchiness; a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or more; headache or stomach pain; and the lack of a stuffy nose, cough or sign of a cold—a trip to the pediatrician is essential and a course of antibiotics is necessary, says Low Dog.

The vast majority of youngsters’ sore throats, which may accompany a common cold, are caused by viruses and will heal on their own in about a week. Many natural remedies will help children feel better and relieve the pain; some cost so little they are nearly free.

Salt water gargle: “A glass of warm water with half a teaspoon of sea salt swirled into it is an old-school remedy that works well for kids at least 5 years old,” says Erika Krumbeck, a naturopathic doctor and licensed primary care physician practicing pediatrics in Missoula, Montana. She notes that a salt water gargle can also moderate the symptoms of strep until the child can see a doctor.

The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies confirms that the salt water draws excess fluid from inflamed throat tissues.

It also loosens mucus and removes other irritants, including bacteria, allergens and fungi. Just make sure children don’t swallow the salt water, counsels Krumbeck.

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Warm compresses: A warm water compress using a wet hand towel applied for 10 or 15 minutes every hour loosens mucus and is soothing. “It’s amazing how effective these familiar practices are,” says Krumbeck. “Grandma knew what she was doing.”

Lemon juice and honey: “Honey is sweet, so kids love it,” says certified nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, of New York and Los Angeles. This traditional recipe works because the honey has antibacterial properties and the lemon juice is packed with immune-boosting antioxidants.

Snyder cautions that babies younger than 12 months old should never be given honey because their immune systems cannot handle the bacterial spores sometimes present in the sweet treat.

Elderberry: The tiny purple berries of the Sambucus nigra L. plant shortens the duration of colds and flu often suffered by air travelers, according to research that includes a large Australian study. Elderberry syrup appeals to kids because it tastes delicious. Low Dog recommends keeping a bottle on hand at all times because it’s hard to know when a child will complain of a scratchy throat. “This yummy syrup is good for all ages. It’s so safe. I love it,” says Low Dog, adding, “Plus, you can always use it on whole-grain pancakes.”

Sage and Echinacea: Drinking sage tea and gargling with echinacea are old-time remedies for sore throats that now have scientific backing, says Snyder. Go for a twofer and add a little echinacea to the tea, she suggests.

A Swiss study showed that an echinacea/sage spray soothed sore throat symptoms just as well as a chlorhexidine/lidocaine spray, which can have side effects that include more swelling and even allergic reactions; the suggested spray should not be used with children under 12.

Pairing up a dose of safe and gentle, time-tested sore throat recipes with a big hug will go far toward relieving most little ones’ suffering.

Kathleen Barnes has authored numerous natural health books, including Food Is Medicine: 101 Prescriptions from the Garden. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

UNSAFE DRUGS Acetaminophen, a popular ingredient in over-the-counter children’s cold medicines like Tylenol, has been linked to twice the risk of developing asthma. Immediate side effects can include rapid heart rate and convulsions.

Ephedrine, pseudophedrine and phenylephrine are popular ingredients in children’s cold medications even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says they’re not effective. Side effects include the possibility of unsupervised children overdosing on the sugary concoctions and can even prove fatal. In 2008, the FDA warned parents not to use any such cold medications for children under 4.

Antibiotics are not effective against the viruses that cause most colds and flu. Antibiotics kill bacteria like those associated with strep throat, not viruses. Using antibiotics for a cold can actually lead to future antibiotic resistance.

naturalpet

Cat-astrophe How to Slim a Fat Feline

Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock.com

by Sandra Murphy

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lmost 60 percent of America’s pet cats are overweight, according to a survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Feline obesity can lead to joint pain, hinder self-grooming and make it harder to use the litter box, all resulting in fat cats being left at shelters by frustrated owners.

Chubby kitties also are more prone to osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory problems and non-allergic skin conditions. “Potential health problems make overweight cats harder to adopt,” says Deanna Schmidt, with the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in Pittsburgh.

“On Fat Cat Tuesdays, we waive the adoption fee for cats 14 pounds and over. We counsel adoptive families and follow up so that ongoing healthy eating and exercise continues to melt away the pounds.”

Experts advise that a house cat should maintain the sleek, fluid motion of a jungle cat. Viewed from above, healthy cats have a distinct waistline, an inward curve between the rib cage and hips. Pick it up and step on the scale. The pet’s weight should comprise between six to 10 pounds of the total.

“The first time I saw healthy cats, I thought they looked small because I’d become used to seeing fat cats,” recalls Traci Pichette, founder of Pumeli tea and gift boxes, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

She’s not alone in her assessment.

Suggested Solutions

While free-feeding dry food is easier for owners and allows a cat to snack at will, some take advantage and overeat, often from boredom. To help the transition from always-available dry food to mealtime wet food, use kibble as a special treat.

Food puzzles, widely available online or in pet supply stores, will keep Kitty busy during the day. Homemade feeding puzzles work, too; put a small amount of kibble in a cardboard tube or small box, tape the end shut and randomly cut small holes in the sides.

Kitty will have to roll the tube or fit a paw inside to retrieve a treat.

“Free-feeding dry food is comparable to a constant supply of Fritos on our desk,” says Jackson Galaxy, author of Cat Daddy. “As far as the myth that dry food cleans teeth, I ask, do you floss with Melba toast? Dry food leaves plaque. A grain-free, wet food adds needed mois-

ture and fat to their diet. A cat’s teeth are designed to rip and tear, not crunch.”

“Changing my cat’s food to an all-wet diet slimmed her down to a healthy weight. I hated the smell, but it made sense to me that dry food was just carbs,” says Pichette. “At first, she whined at not having food all the time, but got used to it, and now she can eat treats in moderation. The cool thing is we’re all enjoying her increased energy and playfulness.”

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their natural diet comprises 90 percent meat and 10 percent vegetable matter. A roaming cat’s native routine is to search for food, hunt, catch and eat, groom and nap. Because each catch is small, they eat frequently.

“There’s still an ancestor cat inside domesticated felines, a ‘raw’ cat that wants to hunt for its food,” explains Galaxy. “We need to play into that thinking and feed at intervals; ideally, every five hours or so, or at least in the morning, after work and about an hourand-a-half before bedtime.”

While the family’s morning and evening schedules mean just a quick scoop of food in the bowl, the third meal should be an interactive one. “A battery-operated toy or waving a laser light around is not play,” says Galaxy.

“Interactive play is not texting with one hand and wiggling the fishing pole toy with the other. You have to get up and move to let the cat search for the toy, watch and wait, then pounce. It engages the animal mentally and physically and brings the raw cat to the surface. When you reach the point of diminishing returns, the pet is tired and it’s time for a meal.” His foundation improves lives of shelter animals, teaching staff to clicker train, entertain and exercise their cats to make them more adoptable.

After an active day, the cat will be ready for bed, syncing its rhythm with the rest of the household. “A full play session satisfies natural instincts and prevents the cat from hunting your ankles as you sleep,” advises Galaxy.

“It’s not a luxury to have a variety of toys; it’s a necessity for having a quality relationship with a healthy cat.”

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

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WALKING MEDITATION The Calming and Centering Effects of Labyrinths

by Gina McGalliard

While many of us like to meditate, some can’t sit still. Walking a labyrinth provides an enticing alternative.

A

n archetypal labyrinth gently leads us in a circular path inward toward a center and then back out again. Found in ancient cultures from African, Celtic and Greek to Native American, they became especially popular fixtures in Medieval European churches; one of the most renowned is in France’s Chartres Cathedral.

Depictions of labyrinths have been included in paintings, pottery, tapestries and in Hopi baskets as a sacred symbol of Mother Earth. Several American tribes saw the pattern as a medicine wheel. Celts may have regarded it as a never-ending knot or circle. While some of the oldest known labyrinths decorate cave walls in Spain, today they grace diverse locations ranging from spas and wellness centers to parks, gardens, university campuses and even prisons.

“Labyrinths can be outdoors or indoors. Permanent labyrinths may be made of stones, rocks, bricks or inlaid stones. Temporary labyrinths can be painted on grass or made with all sorts of things for a particular purpose or appropriate to a specific cause,” explains Diane Rudebock, Ed.D., resource vice president and research chair of the Labyrinth Society, in Trumansburg, New York.

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“Walking a labyrinth is useful for those that sometimes have a hard time being outwardly still and drawing themselves inward. You must move your body, and because you’re focused on the path while you’re walking it, it’s easier to drop wholly into the journey and let go of all else,” says Anne Bull, of Veriditas, a Petaluma, California, nonprofit that supports new labyrinth designs to suit the spiritual needs of hospitals, schools and retreat centers. The group also sponsors a worldwide directory at LabyrinthLocator.com.

Individual Approaches

A labyrinth walk typically involves three stages. The first is for releasing extraneous thoughts on the way to the center. Upon arriving in the stillness of that point, the participant opens heart and mind to receive whatever message or wisdom is intended for them. The return path is the integration phase, to make a fresh insight our own.

Participants should approach their walk in different ways: One may have a specific question or intention in mind; another may be open to whatever occurs during their meditation; yet another may repeat a meditative mantra. One might even choose to bypass the path entirely in order to sit contemplatively

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fitbody

at its center. Unlike a maze, it’s impossible to lose our way with the circular path serving as a simple and reliable guide.

Although scientific research on labyrinth meditation has been limited to participant questionnaires, future studies may incorporate the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging technology to measure brain activity and record what individuals experience. Labyrinths located in settings like hospitals and prisons lend themselves to such research, says Rudebock. As a Veriditas-certified labyrinth facilitator, she conducts workshops and observes, “Walks are unique to each individual and may not produce uniform or replicable results.”

At its core, the experience is about listening to our truest self, away from the cacophony of modern life.

“I believe that the world needs places where our souls can be quiet,” remarks Jean Richardson, director of the Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, in Bangor, Pennsylvania, which includes a seven-circuit labyrinth. “Retreat centers and labyrinths are places where we can listen to our inner heart, feel our inner calling and tap into our own divine nature. I think deep listening is not always valued in a world where we are rewarded for being busy and keeping our schedules full.”

Nearby Opportunities

Today, labyrinths—indoor, outdoor, natural, urban, secular and religious— are found in or near many communities. Following the lead of California’s Golden Door Spa, in Escondido, which pioneered the use of a labyrinth in a spa setting, many spas now incorporate them in their wellness or mindfulness programs.

Labyrinthine invitations to a mindfulness practice are open to everyone.

“A labyrinth can bridge all beliefs, faiths, religions and walks of life,” says Bull. “You can walk a labyrinth no matter what you believe. Benefits come in walking it with an open mind and open heart.”

Gina McGalliard is a freelance writer in San Diego, CA. Connect at GinaMcGalliard.com.

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Find Jo Robinson’s free Wild Side Shopping Guide at Tinyurl.com/ WildSideProduceList.

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consciouseating

Born to Eat Wild Why Ancestral Diets Boost Health

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by Judith Fertig

n The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, Michael Pollan surmised that we’d be healthier if we ate the way our great-grandparents did. It would mean sticking to regularly scheduled meals instead of impulsive snacking, having a meat or protein item comprise only a quarter of our plate, adding fresh vegetables and eliminating junk food.

We must look further back than our immediate ancestors, counters Jo Robinson, a food journalist who surveyed more than 6,000 scientific research studies before writing her bestselling Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health. She has also co-authored several other books, including The Omega Diet: The Lifesaving Nutritional Program Based on the Diet of the Island of Crete.

Narrowed Field of Foods

“Many believe we have dumbed down the nutrition in our food over the past 100 years,” says Robinson, who lives and gardens on Vashon Island, Washington. “Research shows we have been breeding out proteins and minerals and most importantly, antioxidants, for much longer.”

She points out that the hunter-gatherer diet encompassed many wild foods that tasted more bitter, astringent, sour and earthy than the sweet blandness in today’s fruits and vegetables. Wild foods offered a wider variety of phytonutrients, but came at a cost—the time required to hunt and gather enough food for a day, let alone a season.

“Then, 12,000 years ago, we had a better idea—gardening,” says Robinson. “We evolved to 20 varieties in a garden versus 150 in wild plants.” First, farmers chose sweet, starchy, mild-tasting, oil-rich foods such as figs, dates and olives. “We’re hard-wired to choose high-calorie foods because they’re directly connected to the pleasure centers of the brain,” she adds.

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www.peaceriverna.com

After that, the trend to grow sweeter-tasting, less nutritious plants snowballed. Robinson cites research that found adding one Golden Delicious apple to the daily diet of a small group of overweight men led to higher levels of undesirable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides due to its high-fructose content and low levels of antioxidants (International Journal of Preventive Medicine).

Wilder Options Even organic farming methods, in which the soil is naturally enriched, can’t return all those lost nutrients to our food.

Rather than advocate that we return to eating wild foods, Robinson suggests finding wild equivalents. Even those that follow a paleo diet—presumably eaten by early humans and consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, excluding dairy, grain products and commercially processed items—could use further refinements in the produce they choose. She recommends specific varieties of fruits and vegetables and explains the benefits of “wild” foods such as meat, eggs and dairy from livestock and poultry fed on grass on her website, EatWild.com.

We can make smarter choices, seeking wilder-type varieties of foods at the grocery store, farmers’ market and garden seed companies. In general, they are more vividly colored, especially from red to purple, and less sweet.

Brightly colored fruits and vegetables indicate a botanical sunscreen the plant produces to protect itself from ultraviolet light and other external threats, notes Robinson; it’s an indication of a higher antioxidant activity.

“Find as many purple foods as possible because they have anthocyanins, known to fight cancer and inflammation,” suggests Robinson. “The original carrot from Afghanistan is purple.

It’s only been orange for the past 400 years when it was bred to salute the royal House of Orange, in the Netherlands.”

According to Robinson, we can also prepare our foods in ways that maximize their phytonutrient content. Eat fresh-picked asparagus and broccoli immediately or their natural sugars and antioxidants disappear. Let chopped or pressed garlic sit for 10 minutes before using so its pungent allicin—the healthy compound that benefits our health—will increase. Tear fresh lettuce the day before eating and keep it fresh in a plastic bag with poked holes, to allow the still-living lettuce to rally its healthy compounds as if its battered leaves were repelling an insect attack.

This emerging science of polyphenols, the technical term for phytonutrients in our food, will be explosive, predicts this pioneering research-based author. “There’s a new study just about every month,” she finds. It can all lead toward breeding and growing more nutritious foods that are more readily accessible to everyone.

Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

“It’s the Green Pumpkin!”

The 7th Annual Tour de North Port October 23, 2016 Sponsored by People for Trees, Inc.  An on-road scenic ride through the beautiful pine flatwoods of North Port! It is NOT a race!  Choose your distance, 15, 35, or 65 miles on-road, or a “Gravel Grinder” route of about 10-miles. 

Breakfast by First Watch, catered lunch prepared by Earth Cafe, desserts, rest stops with homemade snacks, and mobile SAG provided by Louie’s Bicycle and The Bicycle Center of Port Charlotte.

FREE ride t-shirt, “got shade?” sunglasses and goody bag guaranteed to the first 250 who pre-register by Oct. 21.

Begins: Imagine School (Upper Campus) 2757 Sycamore St. 34289 with breakfast @ 7AM Group Starts begin @ 8AM 

$40 online registration by Oct. 21/$45 on-site registration

Proceeds benefit the efforts of People for Trees, Inc., a 501©3 non-profit group that strives to create awareness about the importance of protecting and maintaining our native tree canopy through educational programs, workshops, and tree plantings.

Event Sponsors include: Natural Awakenings of Sarasota, Real Bikes, FirstWatch Daytime Café, T’s Plus, ROI Media, Anytime Fitness, Heron Creek Animal Hospital, Jim Dodson Law Registration/information: www.peoplefortrees.com Contact: Alice White (941)426-9752 or treelady12001@yahoo.com “Save a tree today, and we’ll all breathe a little easier!” natural awakenings

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greenliving

Planet-Friendly and Profitable The Rise of Ecopreneurs

W

by Avery Mack

hether it’s a sideline or full time, flourishing small businesses stimulate the economy. The U.S. Small Business Association found that between 2009 and 2013, companies with fewer than 500 employees accounted for 60 percent of net new jobs. Technology allows new commercial ventures to be launched from home, yielding huge savings in startup costs. Owners have found ways to fulfill needs by leveraging their past job experiences and personal interests.

House and Garden

When the economy faltered in 2008, Dave Marciniak, owner and lead designer at Revolutionary Gardens, in Culpeper, Virginia, offered eco-friendly services.

“I focus on a few key points and design to make the outdoors a place where people want to be,” he says.

Even for urbanites, fresh garden herbs are available thanks to ecopreneurs like Andy Avramenko, who created TrendyThing, in New York 26

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City. “The edible plants our bike messengers distribute come from local farmers,” he explains. Basil, parsley, dill, lettuce and other herbs and greens are available for all five boroughs; potted plants arrive fresh weekly via subscription.

In addition to cleaning homes, Debbie Sardone, owner of Speed Cleaning, in Lewisville, Texas, saw an opportunity to manufacture her own green cleaning products. They’re part of a full-line online catalog.

Ryan Riley and his wife, Ashley Spitz, of Los Angeles, own and operate Biz Bagz, dog waste bags made in America from bio-based resins and recycled plastics. He notes the genesis of their idea: “Landfills are anaerobic, so biodegradable bags don’t get the oxygen required to break down.

Compostable bags are available, but few places provide composting services. We offer a cleaner alternative.”

Another pet-inspired idea was spawned when Kevin Li, of Manhattan, New York, left his puppy home alone for the first time. He invented an app-operated remote control ball with a camera called PlayDate (Tinyurl.com/ RemoteBallApp).

Personal Care

People- and planet-friendly personal care products address other ongoing customer needs. Nitya Gulati, founder of Sugarloom Cosmetics, in Ashburn, Virginia, specializes in American-made, vegan, cruelty- and toxin-free nail polish. She advises, “Look for ‘five-free’ on the label, which means no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and allergens camphor and formaldehyde resin.

Watch out for guanine, made from fish scales, found in glittery polishes.

Oleic acid, a thickener, is animal fat.

Vibrant reds may contain carmine, made from boiled, crushed beetles.”

She warns that products tested by a third party can obscure animal testing during product development.

Amelia Swaggert and Elizabeth Ripps, co-founders of California Scrub Company, in Los Angeles, upcycle coffee grounds into a natural facial scrub.

They’ve eliminated plastic at every step of production from sourcing to packaging.

www.peaceriverna.com

They’re also helping to keep the world’s oceans from becoming plastic soup by supporting the Beat the Microbead campaign. (BeatTheMicrobead.org/en).

Maintaining a professional look while living green can be a challenge.

OneSavvyMother.com found a stylish, eco-friendly, lightweight and durable tote bag designed by Natalie Therése.

The vegan cork tote is made in Boxford, Massachusetts. Shavings from the bark of the cork oak tree grown in Portugal are transformed into ultrathin sheets to produce cork fabric; the certified organic cotton lining is produced in Korea and China in certified Global Organic Textile Standard and fair trade facilities.

Out and About Mya Zeronis saw a need for healthy food and stepped out of her comfort zone to fulfill it through her extra VEGANza Pgh restaurant and its catering arm, Lean Chef en Route, recognized by Sustainable Pittsburgh.

“We source locally, compost produce scraps, serve meat- and dairy-free menu options, practice food waste management with root-to-stem preparation and maintain energy conservation,” she says. Customers are encouraged to bike to the restaurant; there’s even a bicycle air pump and flat tire repair kit on the premises if emergencies arise.

Shared bikes are a welcome addition at colleges for budget-minded and time-strapped students. Rented by the hour or day, they’re a convenient, healthy and non-polluting way to get around campus. New York University at Buffalo students can remotely locate, rent and unlock GPS-enabled bikes.

At Williams College, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the Purple Bike Coalition provides free use of bikes and a staffed repair station; a cargo bike helps transport larger objects.

Entrepreneurs are creative by nature; seeing a need and asking, “What if?” Eco-friendly, green-minded entrepreneurs take ideas a step farther, working to ensure the health of consumers and the planet. They succeed as they serve and inspire us all.

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 12th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email publisher@nasrq.com for guidelines. No phone calls or faxes, please. Visit NASRQ.com to submit online.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 The Science of Energy Medicine – 1:30-3:30pm.

Energy Medicine techniques such as Reiki, EFT and Integrated Energy Therapy affect us on spiritual, psychological and cellular levels. The mechanisms through which this takes place are explained

by Cynthia Higgens, MD in a manner that is easily understood and relevant to attendees. The lecture will conclude with a guided meditation through which attendees can experience the healing touch of one of the Angels. $20. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, Light@ VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2 ECK Worship Service – 10-11am. Can My Attitude Change the Experiences in My Life? This lifetime could be a high spiritual experience. Whether or not it will be depends on your attitude. Free, Charlotte County Cultural Center, Rm A, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, 941-764-1797, Meetup. com/EckankarInSarasota.

UNIVERSAL NEW THOUGHT SERVICE – 11:30am-2:30pm. An interfaith service, each Sunday brings forth an offering and an opening towards joyous Divine connection. Donation. Rising Tide, 5102 Swift Rd, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham, 941-922-7839. Zan@Woman-Spirit.com. Woman-Spirit.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3 Paddle from Ponce De Leon Park – 10am-2pm.

Explore mangrove tunnels and the shoreline of Charlotte Harbor with Florida Master Naturalist Helen Buonviri and Bill Schuyler. Facilities available. Participants are required to wear a PFD. Bring your kayak/canoe (no inflatables), water, bug spray, lunch/snack. Donations to the Sierra club are gratefully accepted. Reservations, Helen 941-467-0974 or Bill 941-763-9248.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4 Chakras, Mythology and Astrological Symbolism – 7-9pm. Astrologer Johnny Barnett leads us on an exploration of the “Spiritual Anatomy”, the Chakra System, painting a dynamic picture of how we are put together and how Spirit moves through the body, informing and defining each of our lives with purpose. The corresponding symbolism of Astrology and Greek Mythology help illustrate the simple yet profound dynamics that comprise each one of us and help us understand our passions, conflicts and dreams as meaningful expressions of Spirit through the matter of our bodies. $25. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 Guest Reader, Johnny Barnett – 10:30am5:30pm. Your reading will empower you to tap into your inner wisdom as Johnny describes the planetary energies that have influenced you since birth and continue to act upon you in the present and future. The practice of “Chakraology” is rooted in the realization that the 7 traditional planets correspond to the 7 chakras and thus the ancient Hermetic principle, “As Without, So Within,” comes to life in your reading as we see the planetary dynamics manifesting through your body via

the chakras. 15mins/$30; 30mins/$50; 45mins/$70; 60/mins/$90. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 Interactive Class on the Chakras – 7-9pm. Cristo L Bowers will provide a comprehensive overview of the chakras, talk about their structure and function, and certain anomalies that result through subtle trauma. Cristo will supplement the lecture material with real-life examples taken from volunteer participants randomly selected. $25. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdws, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 Guest Reader, Sherry Lord – 10:30am-5:30pm.

Sherry is a Reiki Master, ordained reverend, teacher, psychic intuitive and deeper trance channel. She can see angels, guides and auras as well as channel loved ones who have crossed over. She is a versatile channel who can answer your questions, both business and personal, and help you on your spiritual path. 15mins/$40; 30mins/$75; 60mins/$125.

Deep Trance Channel Sessions 50mins/$175. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

Community Kirtan – 7pm. Join the community in leading this fun, moving, heart-opening practice of chanting together in a group. Meet new friends, learn new music. Bring instruments and drums.

All ages. Garden of the Heart Yoga, 2888 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. 941-341-9781, GardenOfTheHeartYoga.com.

Reiki Circle – 7-9pm. Are you a new student, advanced practitioner, seasoned Reiki master? Perhaps you want to know more about this ancient healing art. Everyone is welcome! $5.Angel Ministries, 2269 Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org.

Homeoprophylaxis: The Evidence-Based Choice – Oct 7-9. Supporting parents’ right to choose health practices and providing information about healthy alternatives to vaccination for disease prevention and robust immunity. Hilton Bayshore Hotel, St Petersburg. WorldwideChoice.org.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 Learn Energetic Healing with Reiki 1 – 10am2pm. In this fun and powerful one-day class you will learn Reiki healing along with other advanced techniques. Anyone with a compassionate heart and a commitment to learn can become a practitioner of energy healing. Although other healing arts may use hand positions on the client, only Reiki has the wonderful benefit of the attunement process. Fully claim the healing power within you by attending this one-day seminar. $98/in advance, $118/door, plus $18 manual. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, Light@ VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Intuitive Arts Fair – 10:30am-5:30pm. Featured readers: Catherine, Deborah, Elizabetta, Jackie and Skye. No appointments made by phone. First come, first served. 30mins/$35. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota.

941-361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

Reiki I Certification Class - 11:30am-5:30pm. The first of 4 classes towards a Reiki III Master Healer Attunement and Certification. This ancient form of hands-on healing handed down by Dr Usui is a profound path of initiation into becoming a conduit of light on the planet. $122. Location near Proctor, off Swift. Rev Zan Benham, 941-922-7839. Zan@ woman-spirit.com. Woman-Spirit.com.

Tips for Improving Communication with the Afterlife – 1-3pm. Psychic mediums like Chuck Bergman have an ability to sense and interpret the messages of people who have passed on. We can all receive messages in a variety of different ways.

Some people “hear” the message, others “see symbols” that correspond to the messages from loved ones. Psychic mediums may even “smell” scents.

Accurately interpreting the message brings forth clear communication with the other side of life.

Learn how. $25. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Solving Crimes with the Help of the Deceased – 3-5pm. Psychic Medium Chuck Bergman was a law enforcement officer for 32 years. He has been successful in solving many cold cases. Learn the difference between going with a hunch versus receiving vital information that is actually coming from the victim of a crime. Chuck will also share tips on contacting police departments to offer your insights, visions or spirit communication. $25. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Healing Sounds – 4-5:30pm. Each part of our bodies has a note; when we are out of balance our note goes off and we feel bad. Pure sound restores our notes to perfect balance and harmony. The vibration of sound has the potential to change molecular structures. $15. Angel Ministries, 2269 Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley 941-492-4995.

AngelMinistriesfl.org.

Ghosts, EVPs, Haunted Photos – 7-9pm. Everyone has a ghost story! Apparitions are trying to reach out to us, but we often ignore their presence.

Can ghost voices be caught on tape? Are EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) real? How can you take a paranormal photo? Chuck Bergman, a medium for more than 30 years, will teach you safe ways to communicate with spirits. $25. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-5445874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 Messages from the Spirit World – 1-3pm. Receive a message from Evidential Psychic Medium and Psychic Detective Chuck Bergman. In this gallery style session, Chuck will read as many people in the audience as possible. His sessions are all about having fun and enjoying evidential information including personalities and, on occasion, secrets that only the person being read would know or understand. Limited seating. $30. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. RSVP 941544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Master Class/Immersion with Jaye Martin – 1-4 pm. Explore preps & poses to open your shoulders, heart & upper back to make back bending poses more accessible & enjoyable. Some yoga experience is recommended. Garden of the Heart Yoga, 2888 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. 941-341-9781, GardenOfTheHeartYoga.com.

Mediumship Mastery: Spirit Connections – 1-5pm. Do you have psychic abilities or see and

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sense spirits? Want to develop your mediumship ability? This workshop teaches you how to unlock your abilities. Easy Spirit contact techniques, conducted in a safe and encouraging atmosphere. Your success in learning is the primary concern as your intuition helps you spiritually grow and take flight into other dimensions. With Victoria Ackerman. $79/advance, $89/door. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 Mindfulness Food and Body Image Workshop – 6-7:30pm. Mondays, Oct 10-Nov 14. Six-week workshop for women who have struggled with eating too much, too little, too fast, too junk, and/ or for emotional fulfillment. Includes mindfulness meditation and practice related specifically to food or body image; Q&A; discussing experiences, anger, deprivation, family history, how we sabotage or nurture ourselves in ways related to food and body image. No meditation experience necessary. $150. Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota Info & Registration, Lily 603924-2216, LilyMyers@comcast.net.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 Voyager Tarot Readings with James Wanless – 10:30am-5:30pm. Oct 14-15. Dr. James Wanless, creator of Voyager Tarot: Intuition Cards for the 21st Century, bridges an academic background with ancient “manifestation magic,” behavioral economics, depth psychology and the regenerative principles of ecology. James has carved out a successful and uncommon career as a writer, corporate trainer, keynote and motivational speaker, artist, sage, and seer with a prolific practice as counselor, consultant and mentor. 30mins/$75; 60mins/$135. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Women’s Full Moon Meditation with Jennifer Sault – 6:30pm doors open; 7pm doors close and meditation begins. Drawing on her extraordinary skills in leading group meditations, Jennifer takes us on a guided journey into altered states of consciousness. Her voice can propel the listener into realms of deep imaginings. The Women’s Meditation Circle meets on New and Full Moons for a guided meditation led by a senior member of the community. $10 donation to Rising Tide for use of center. 5102 Swift Rd, Sarasota. Info, Jo Mooy 941-355-1414, JoMooy@gmail.com.

2nd Tuesday Anchoring Light Channeled Meditation in Charlotte County – 6:45pm. With Sharon Elizabeth James Serving the Ascension of our planet with the Ascended Realms as Anchors of Light since 7/16/07. Love Offering. Port Charlotte Beach Park, 4500 Harbor Blvd, Rm A, Port Charlotte.

Teachings with Stephanie South – 7-9pm, Oct 14, 13 Steps to Navigating the New Beam. Open to all.

Oct 15, 9am-noon, Synchronicity Exploration. Experienced students. 1700 Park St N, St Petersburg.

Pricing and details, 727-347-0354, SacredLandsPreservationAndEducation.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 The Mystery of Pendulums – 7-9pm. A pendulum is a small object but it wields great power!

Pendulums have been used for thousands of years to predict the future. In this class, you will learn the basics of how to use a pendulum for divination purposes. You will also learn how to utilize a pendulum for practical, every-day use such as determining the quality of food and drink, supplements, essential oils, flower essences, crystals, your health and more! $15 (includes cost of pendulum). Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch. RSVP or to schedule an appointment, 941-373-3955, FourPillarsFlorida.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 Guest Reader, Deborah Chadwick – 10:30am5:30pm. Using a deck of regular playing cards, Deborah is able to communicate with her guides and angels, quickly receiving very specific information for her clients. She brings forth humor and healing to aid her clients in achieving a higher level of understanding and focus. 15mins/$30; 30mins/$60; 45mins/$90. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-3613006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

Awakening: Spiritual Wisdom to Transform Your Life – 7-9pm. Taylor Rose, Spiritual Messenger and Energy Intuitive, will introduce her book, Awakening: A Journey to Uplift and to Enlighten, inspired by her own profound spiritual journey. She will unveil some of the spiritual wisdom and powerful messages from the book to ignite the spark within and help you to transform your life by providing greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Q&A opportunity and also schedule your individualized spiritual guidance/energy work with Taylor at Four Pillars on Oct 15. Leave feeling inspired and uplifted! $20/includes signed copy of the book. Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch. To RSVP or schedule an appointment, 941-373-3955, FourPillarsFlorida.com.

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Douglas Brooks Philosophy Seminar – Oct 1416. Vampire stories from the ancient philosophy of yoga, just in time for Halloween. No yoga in this workshop, just lecture. Garden of the Heart Yoga, 2888 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. 941-341-9781, GardenOfTheHeartYoga.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Getting to the Cause of Cancer – 9am. You are sick long before cancer symptoms show up. Learn how to prevent cancer with practical protocols to get yourself healthy before disease sets in. Presenters Dr. Leigh Treco Sierra & Dr. Gary Bolen.

Venice Area Board of Realtors. Free Tickets, 941497-7424.

Individual Sessions of Spiritual Guidance/Energy Work with Taylor Rose – 10am-1pm. Author of Awakening: Spiritual Wisdom to Transform your Life. Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch. To RSVP or schedule an appointment, 941-373-3955, FourPillarsFlorida.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 The Mindful Voyager: A Transformative Tarot Practice for the 21st Century – 10am-5pm.

Mindfulness is the new human potentiation tool for the times, and Voyager is the mindful psychology enabling you to stay clear, centered and resistant to the challenges of today’s demanding world. Join Dr. James Wanless, creator of the iconic Voyager Tarot deck, for a powerful mindfulness practice that goes far beyond the tarot of old. Learn how to use the cards as your multi-purpose psychology of transformation and success and a powerful catalyst for personal growth. $150/pre-reg required. $125 early bird sign-up special by 10/7. Hotel Indigo, 1223 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota. Discount rooms for attendees of the class, 941-487-3800. Pre-register by calling Elysian Fields, 941-361-3006.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 Body Image and Weight Loss Workshop – 7-9pm.

www.peaceriverna.com

classifieds SUPPORT HELPING PARENTS HEAL. At Unity of Sarasota on second Wednesday each month, 7–9pm. $5 donation. Sandi Crea 814-449-7481.

Is your body image getting in your way? Preventing you from reaching your goals, feeling confident, loving yourself? Reinforcing the lie that you’re not good enough? Learning how to change your mindset and create a new relationship with your body is the key to higher self-esteem and lasting weight loss.

Led by former Shape magazine life coach expert, Pavitra Ciavardone, CPCC. Free. Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch. To RSVP or schedule an appointment, 941-373-3955, FourPillarsFlorida.com.

Fall Ayurvedic Rejuvenation/Detox – Oct 1730. From the comfort of your home, enjoy a 14day exploration of an Ayurvedic rejuvenation cleanse, complete with recipes, yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic practices. Led by Cheryl Chaffee through email and internet. Details GardenOfTheHeartYoga.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18 Charlotte Harbor Sierra Club – 7pm. General Meeting open to the Public. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building, 1532 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte. Info 941-423-2713.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 Reiki III Master Share – 7-9pm. Masters of all lineages come together to share, expand, enhance and brush up on their Reiki. Wear comfortable clothes. $5 Suggested Donation. Enlightenment Center at Unity Church, 3023 Proctor Rd, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham 941-922-7839. Zan@woman-spirit.com. Woman-Spirit.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 Paddle Shell Creek – 9am-2pm. Join Master Naturalist Rick Fried as he leads us on one of the most charming waterways in Charlotte County. Participants must provide their own watercraft and be able to swim. This outing is free to the public. Voluntary donations to the Sierra Club are gratefully accepted. Reserve at 941-637-8805.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 Guest Reader, Joann Leo – 10:30am-5:30pm.

Join us in welcoming back guest reader, Joanne Leo, who has more than 30 years’ experience as a psychic reader and life coach. Combining psychic-channeled numerology and astrology with her tarot card readings, Joanne is able to provide detailed insights about your life based on your birth date and birth name. Her candid “Readings with a Heart” provide a unique and profound guide to all aspects of your life. 15mins/$30; 30mins/$50; 45mins/$70; 60mins/$90. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-3613006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com Couples Yoga Date Night – 7-9pm. Connect with your partner through yoga. No experience is necessary to enjoy breathing, stretching, and compassionate communication together. Led by Harmony Ananda and Rick Joyce. Garden of the Heart Yoga, 2888 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. 941-341-9781, GardenOfTheHeartYoga.com.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 22 Kayak Deer Prairie Creek – 8am-noon. You will see wildlife on this pristine waterway near North Port with Allain Hale. There’s the opportunity for an additional side trip to the Myakka River, but portaging will be required for that. Participants must provide their own watercraft, PFD and be able to swim. Voluntary donations to the Sierra Club gratefully accepted. Must reserve, 941-423-2713.

Community HU Song – 11am-12:30pm. Come experience for yourself, with others, how your days can be enhanced by singing the word “HU” for 20 minutes from your heart to God. You can also do this on your own at any time. It is for everyone of any background or religious beliefs. Light refreshments follow. Fellowship and light refreshments.

Free. Mid-County Regional Library, Meeting Rm B, 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte. 941764-1797. Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 Eckankar Worship Service – 10-11am. Spiritual Tools for Every Situation. The key is to stay in tune with Divine Spirit. Through the hints, nudges and whisperings of the Holy Spirit, you learn that there is always a way. Always. La Quinta Inn, 5931 Commercial Way (W of I-75), Sarasota, 941-358-0325, Meetup.com/EckankarInSarasota.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24 Paddle Myrtle Slough – 9am-1pm. Trip is conducted by certified guide and Florida Master Naturalist, Jim Story. Depending on weather conditions the trip can proceed up Myrtle Slough to Lake Surprise and/or downstream to Shell Creek, navigating up to the 400-ft wide water fall at Punta Gorda reservoir. Kayak and PFD required. Limited to 12 people. Reservations 941-505-8904.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25 Holistic Wealth – 5:30-7pm. As viewed by FireStar Capital: A female-founded, female-run holistic financial advisory practice; helping women who are forward-focused and legacy-minded as they grow their net worth. Julia Miller and Randi Sanders present financial planning by women, for women, to empower women. Free. SRQDC and All Stat Home Health, 8520 S Tamiami Trl, Ste 1, Sarasota. 941-518-2247.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 Documentary: Facing the Surge – 5:30-7:30pm.

Sharing the stories of the communities dealing with the leading edge of climate change. Diogo Freire, the filmmaker, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteers host an East Coast screening tour to raise awareness about the immediate impacts of sea level rise and inspire action among coastal communities. Following the showing, round table discussion on topics such as local sea level rise impact on wildlife, building codes, infrastructure, social justice and national lobbying efforts for carbon fee and dividend legislation. Snacks provided.

Free. Donations welcome. Selby Library Auditorium, 1331 1st St, Sarasota. Info, jsDarovec@verizon.net. Register, cclusa.org/register.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 Calling in the One – 7-9pm. Who do you plan on kissing New Year’s Eve? The Universe is set up to deliver the people and things into our lives consistent with our personal belief systems. If you don’t believe that you will ever find the one, you probably won’t. But when you realize that the one you seek is also seeking you, then true love can be yours. This workshop provides a 7-week approach

(techniques, rituals, projects recommended to prepare your home, body, mind, and spirit for the lover that your heart truly desires. Based on the book, Calling in the One. $15. Four Pillars, San Marco Plaza, 8209 Nature’s Way, Ste 221, Lakewood Ranch. To RSVP or schedule an appointment, 941373-3955, FourPillarsFlorida.com.

What the Dead Want Us to Know – 7-9pm. Internationally-renowned Rosemary Altea. Most of us now understand and accept that there is no such thing as the permanent death of the soul. When our loved ones pass into the spirit world, they have many things to tell us. They want us to know what the most important lessons were for them in their lives. What advice do they have for you? What can we learn about ourselves and living life from their otherworldly perspective? Have you ever wondered what your loved ones know once they’ve passed over? Do you want to know what it’s like on the other side? Join us to find out what the dead want us to know. $40. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941-3613006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 Women’s New Moon Meditation with Fairy Elaine Silver – 6:30pm doors open; 7pm doors close when meditation begins. Using music and song to invoke harmony and gentleness, Fairy Elaine sings the circle into a state of reverence. She’s performed in thousands of venues in North America and Europe. Her rich voice and the ballads she composes poignantly heal a world in turmoil. The Women’s Meditation Circle meets on New and Full Moons for a guided meditation led by a senior member of the community. $10 donation to Rising Tide for use of center. 5102 Swift Rd, Sarasota. Info, Jo Mooy 941-355-1414, JoMooy@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29 Shaman Journey – 1-4:30pm. Similar to a guided meditation, enhanced by the heartbeat of the large mother drum. An evolving experience into a parallel reality of the wonderful world of the Shaman’s dream, where the seen and unseen, known and unknown open up for guidance and insights, healing and clarity. Perfect for All Hallows Eve. RSVP. $25. Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdws, G-52, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham aka Butterfly Deerwoman, 941-922-7839. Zan@ woman-spirit.com. Woman-Spirit.com.

AMC Reiki I Certification – 1-5pm. Receive reiki attunement, experience guided meditation & meet your reiki guides. Learn hand positions to treat yourself & others, including your pets.

Prepare for the 21-day Reiki Self-Healing. $75 + $15 manual. 0.5 college credit. Angel Ministries College, 2269 Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley 941-492-4995. AngelMinistriesfl.org.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 Intuitive Faire – Noon-5pm. Get the answers, healing & guidance you seek. Psychic Mediums, Divine Healers, Astrology & more. 15 minute sessions/$20.

Wild Ginger Apothecary, 6557 Superior Ave, Gulf Gate, Sarasota. UniversalSoulConnection.net.

Top Drawer Trick or Treat – Noon-5pm. Visit Top Drawer Furniture for a “trick or treat” special, while supplies last. 1955 Northgate Blvd, Sarasota. 941-877-1381. TopDrawerFurnitureStore.com.

Trick-or-Treat Naturally at Earth Origins – 4-7pm. Sample stations for kids and adults! See store for details. Earth Origins, 1930 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, 941-924-4754 and 1279 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, 941-365-3700, EarthOriginsMarket.com.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 Channeled Anchoring Light Meditation – 7:45pm. Serving the Ascension of our planet with the Ascended Realms as Anchors of Light, with Rev Sharon-Elizabeth James since July 16, 2007.

Love Offering. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdws, Bldg G-2, Sarasota.

941-371-9333, ccosl.com.

planahead WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Spiritual Arts Decoded – 7:15-8:45 pm. The Spiritual Arts are time-honored methods to connect to Spirit, higher consciousness, and the energy of the universe. They allow us to create pathways to greater possibilities. This Week: Intuition, Psychic Ability, Evidential Mediumship – contacting loved ones, Signs and Synchronicities-how Spirit contacts us, What is a Development Circle? With Shanna Spalding St Clair. $15. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Reconnecting with Your Past Lives: An Experiential Journey – Based on a comprehensive mandala of human consciousness, each of us has the opportunity to visit our past, both in this life and previous lives. Jef Bartow will teach you what that mandala is and then provide a guided experiential journey into one of your past lives. Utilizing guided meditation with the energy of the mandala will open the unconscious door to a journey into the circumstances and reality of a past life that significantly affects the present. $35. Follow-up consultations for participants Nov 4 & 6. 60mins/$110. Elysian Fields, Midtown Plaza, 1273 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941361-3006, ElysianFieldsOnline.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Reiki 2 Certification – 10am-2pm. Teaches Distance Healing and opens additional energy centers.

Includes Reiki 2 Attunement. We will also touch on animal healing. Prerequisite is Reiki 1 Certification. Class size is limited. With Barbara Harrison. $98 plus $18 manual. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. Please Pre-register, 941-544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Flourishing With Qi – 1-4pm. Learn the cultivation practices of the 9-Breath technique, level 1 healing form and join hands in a 9-Breath Prayer Circle. Creating a Healing Chain of Energy for personal and planetary healing. Facilitated

by Supreme Science Qigong Instructors Denise Duquette and David Smowton. $35. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. Please Pre-register, 941-544-5874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

Animals as Messengers of Spirit – 2:30-4:30pm.

Animals can act as messengers from Spirit, and also from deeper parts of our being. In this workshop: How to learn from the animals around you, Energy and animals, Calling in a teacher, Working with animal symbols, Animals as reflections of part of our souls, Soul retrievals of the animal parts of us. Come dressed to be outside and use art supplies. With Anne Cederberg. $25. The Spirit University, 373 Braden Ave, Sarasota. 941-5445874, Light@VictoriaAckerman.com, TheSpiritUniversity.com.

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ongoingevents sunday Sunday Services Cosmic Center – 10am Hands on Spiritual Healing. 10:30am Open Arms Metaphysical Spiritualist Service: Inspirational lectures and messages from your loved ones and friends on “The Other Side”. Reverends Thomas & Mary Linn Clarke. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

Silent Retreat – 10am-3:45pm. 2 Sun. Venice Mindfulness Community. Come to all or part.

Silent brown bag lunch Noon-1:30pm. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice, RSVP 941-615-7613. nd

Sunday Worship Service – 10:30am. Start your week renewed and encouraged. Join the CMF for a morning of inspiration, spiritual healing, inspirational talk, special music and Spirit messages.

Fellowship period follows the service. Center for Metaphysical Fellowship, 2044 Bispham Rd, Sarasota. 941-266-8435. cmfSarasota.org.

Sunday AM Service – 10:30am-Noon. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-4924995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.

Chess – 11am-3pm. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte. Info & sign-up 941-625-4175.

A Cosmic In-Service Gathering of Lightworkers – 12:15pm. A call to Planetary World Servers to Anchor Light and work with our Family of Light to bridge Heaven and Earth.

Reverend Sharon-Elizabeth James. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

Open Heart Divine Healing Service – First Sunday. 12:15pm. Through the Gathering of the faithful, experience and co-create the Anchoring of Powerful Divine Healing Energies within the Sacred Circle. Expect miracles! Reverend Sharon-Elizabeth James. The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333. ccosl.com.

Sunday PM Service – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual church messages and, after service, messages from Spirit with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-4924995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.

monday Free Max T3 – 7:30am. Ultimate Boost Training.

For all levels of fitness! Dower Chiropractic, 2226 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota.

30

Peace River Edition

Paddleboard Lessons & Tour – 9-10:30am. Learn how to stand up paddleboard while exploring the barrier islands that surround the North Jetty. Great opportunity to see dolphins, manatees and other wildlife. $25. N Jetty, Nokomis. 941-234-4311. SUPEnglewood.com.

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Sunlight Yoga – 9:30-11am Mon, Tues, Thurs.

5:45-7:05am Wed. With Debbie Downing. Gentle flowing hatha yoga for range of motion, balance, relaxation. Mixed level. $10. The Power of One, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice Centre Mall/KMI Bldg, Rm 250. 941-468-0403. SunLightYoga@verizon.net.

Slow Flow Kripalu Yoga with Angelena Craig – 4-5:15pm. A gentle, yet energetic approach to traditional yoga, suitable for beginners or the more advanced. First time student special $15/ first class, second one is free; $55/5 class packages. Circusoul Yoga Studio, 4141 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota. 941822-9620, ANewAgingMovement.com.

tuesday WSLR Peace & Justice Show – 9-10am. Tune in to 96.5 on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month for The Peace and Justice Report. Submit any event announcements for the show to Info@wslr.org.

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

The Reflexology Clinic – Sept 6, 13, 20, 27. Destress in a nurturing environment. $25/30 minute reflexology session. Heart and Sole Organics, 1435 S Osprey Ave, #200, Sarasota. For appointment, call 941-228-9724. HeartAndSoleOrganics.com.

Transformative Yoga – 5:30-6:45pm. The literal translation of Nidra is sleep. However, Yoga Nidra is a dynamic state, not the unconscious sleep of nighttime. It has the ability to alter your unconscious programming. You tap into creative powers beyond the ego-mind and have access to healing on physical, mental and emotional planes. First class complimentary, $10 thereafter. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice.

Register, Facilitator Rick Rabalais 941-539-9149.

The Greater Charlotte Harbor Group of the Sierra Club – 7-9pm. 3rd Tuesday monthly. Open to the public, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to discover what your local Sierra Club is all about.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Building, 1532 Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte. Info, 941-4232713, AllainHale@hotmail.com.

Anchoring Light Channeled Meditation Charlotte County – 7:45pm. 2nd Tuesday monthly.

Reverend Sharon-Elizabeth James. Serving the Ascension of our planet with the Ascended Realms as Anchors of Light since July 2007. Love Offering.

The Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light, 5041 Ringwood Mdw, Bldg G-2, Sarasota. 941-371-9333, ccosl.com.

www.peaceriverna.com

wednesday Yoga/Pilates Flow, Level One – 11am-12:15pm.

With Lata. Great for beginners and all levels. A flow of yoga postures and Pilates to strengthen, tone and stretch the entire body. Packages available. 3455 S Access Rd, Englewood. 941-4730135. LovingLightYoga.com.

Free Healing Clinic – 4-6:30pm. Our Masters tap into the Divine Source of energy to balance and heal your being. Relax and enjoy this renewing and enlightening experience. Love Donation Appreciated. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl. org.

Debbie Downing Yoga – 5:45-7:15pm. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels and bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Free Max T3 – 6:30pm. Ultimate Boost Training.

For all levels of fitness! Dower Chiropractic, 2226 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota.

Square Dancing – 7-9pm. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte.

941-625-4175.

thursday Kundalini Yoga/Gong Meditation – 8-9:30am. A blend of postures, mantra & gong meditation offering a technology that aligns with the ever-evolving universe. All levels. $15; $52/4; $88/8. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941812-8695.

Zumba/Yoga Class with Allison – 9-10am. Feel young & energetic on Venice Beach. Dance & relax. Donations. W Venice Ave, on the Beach, Venice. VeniceInformationCenter.com.

Englewood Farmers’ Market – 9am-2pm. Find a wide range of fruits, organic vegetables, fresh baked German breads, gourmet French foods, fresh seafood, bonsai plants, orchids, garden plants, kettle corn and much more! Olde Englewood Village, W Dearborn St, Englewood, EnglewoodFarmersMarket.org.

Gentle Mixed Yoga – 9:30-11am. Gentle mixed level yoga. All levels & bodies welcome. $10. 238 W Tampa Ave, Ste 250, Venice. 941-468-0403.

Deep Water Aerobics – 10-10:45am. Some swimming ability required. $3. S County Regional Park, 670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda. 941-629-0170, 941505-8686.

Awakening Spirit Kundalini Yoga – 11am12:15pm. Awaken spiritual energy with breath, movement and meditation, with Jana and Hannah. $10. Venice Holistic Community Center, 714 Shamrock Blvd, Venice. Register 941-488-1828.

Mindful Movement – Noon-1pm. Qigong with Daniele. $10. Sarasota Mindfulness Institute, 1530 Dolphin St, Studio 6, Burns Ct, Sarasota. Details SarasotaMindfulness.org/calendar.html.

Open Gym Basketball – 5-8pm. Drop in & enjoy a game of indoor basketball. Shoot some hoops.

Play 3 on 3, 5 on 5 or a pickup game with friends.

Times subject to change. $2/player. Tringali Recreation Ctr, 3460 N Access Rd, Englewood.

Gentle Restorative Yoga – 6pm. Unwind the body with this gentle restorative class. All levels. $15/ first class free. Moving Toward Stillness Wellness Center, Osprey. 941-266-6962.

Healing & Messages – 6:30-8pm. Join us for a free chair healing, singing, inspiring spiritual messages with our Psychic/Mediums. Love Offering Welcome. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice. Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@ angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.

Law Of Attraction Class – 7-9pm. Starting September 22 to December 15, this class takes you to the leading edge, working with the Principles of the Laws of Cause/Effect or Sow/Reap. We are entering a study series of intention for living life as masterfully as we can, given our various quirks and preferences. $10. Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Rd, Sarasota. Rev Zan Benham, 941-922-7839.

Zan@Woman-Spirit.com. Woman-Spirit.com.

friday Free Max T3 – 7:30am. Ultimate Boost Training.

For all levels of fitness! Dower Chiropractic, 2226 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota.

Mindful Basics at SMI – 8:30-9:45am, Yoga Basics with Larisa, $10. Noon-1pm Sitting Meditation, Donation. Sarasota Mindfulness Institute, 1530 Dolphin St, Studio 6, Burns Ct, Sarasota. Details: SarasotaMindfulness.org/calendar.html.

Astrology Fridays at the Power of One – 11am3pm. Know thyself and know what’s coming in your future. New relationship, order a synastry chart. Accurate, affordable prices. Call for an appointment or stop by the store to talk. Ask for Astrology Bob. $35/Natal or Progressed chart. The Power of One Metaphysical Shop, 238 W Tampa Ave, Venice. 941-493-6096.

Green Door Organics Co-op – 1-5:30pm. Every Friday of the month. Premium organics, affordable prices, no cross-contamination. Four locations, 941-378-9036 or OrganicVeggies.net.

Private Readings Walk-in – 6-7:30pm. End your work week on a pleasant note, and with helpful guidance from your spirit guides and angels! Come and receive a 15-minute message from a loved one or guide from one of our gifted workers. Stop anytime during 6-7:15pm on Fridays, no appointments needed. Two workers available; minimum wait time, if any. $20 donation. Center for Metaphysical Fellowship, 2044 Bispham Rd, Sarasota. 941-2668435. cmfSarasota.org.

Friday Night Concert – 7-9pm. Join us in Downtown Venice for our Free Friday Night Concert series at the Gazebo in Centennial Park, 200 W Venice Ave, Venice. Info MainStreet.com.

communityresourceguide 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@nasrq.com to request our media kit.

MINERAL SPRINGS/SPA THE SPRINGS AT DAYS INN

18051 S Tamiami Tr., Fort Myers 239-267-7900 TheSpringsResortFL.com From over 1,000 feet below, warm mineral spring waters bubble to the surface and cascade from our large fountain beneath our domed pool. Even those with sun sensitivites can enjoy our local fountain of youth. Come and enjoy the healing and resorative powers of our high-mineral-content waters. Just 30 minutes away.

ORGANIC SALONS EUROPEAN HELIX HAIR DESIGNERS

Jutta Mestas, P.H.D. The Vines , 701 JC Center Court, Unit # 10 Port Charlotte, FL 33954 941-629-0074 Discover the “Magic” of Helix. Adds Volume, Body, Curls or Waves. We do with Scissors what others do with Chemicals.

PEST CONTROL GOOD NEWS PEST SOLUTIONS

saturday Punta Gorda Farmers Market – 8am-Noon.

Voted the ‘Best Small Market in Florida’ and 15th in the USA, we have a large number of vendors offering fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and nuts, Italian bakery, fresh homemade pasta, kitchenware, cupcakes, beef and fresh seafood, fresh citrus, jewelry, candles and soaps, dip mixes, Florida arts and crafts, cheese, French bakery, baguettes and olives, homemade pies, orchids, organic produce, personalized pens, kettlecorn, coffee beans and drinks, native and exotic plants.Taylor St (across from Historic Charlotte County Courthouse), Punta Gorda.

941-391-4856.

Info@PGDowntownMerchants. com.

Venice Farmers Market – 8am-1pm. Every Saturday morning, local farmers, fisherman, craftsmen, bakers, artists and others gather in the heart of historic downtown for a weekly celebration of the best of Venice where you can get fresh seasonal Florida fruits and vegetables direct from local farms. You can’t find any fresher shrimp or seafood. There’s incredible tasty homemade baked goods, trinkets, crafts, soaps, flowers, plants, locally roasted coffee, and more. Tampa Ave between Nokomis & Nassau.

941-929-5304. TheVeniceFarmersMarket.com.

Psychic Fair – 10am-3pm. 2nd & 4th Saturdays.

Are you searching, questioning and seeking answers? Choose from some of the best Intuitive Artists in the Area! See what your future holds! Complimentary refreshments. Private Readings $1/Min. Angel Ministries, 2269 S Tamiami Trl, Venice.

Rev Patricia Charnley, 941-492-4995, revpat@angelministriesfl.org, angelministriesfl.org.

Free Sleep Consultation at Sleep Organics – 10am-5pm or by appt. 650 Central Ave, Sarasota, 941-312-5906, Sleep-Organics.com.

Silva Method (Level 1) – First Saturday each month. This 2-day workshop teaches specialized techniques. Covered topics include habit control, accelerated learning, intuition, healing. Angel Ministries, 2269 Tamiami Trl, Venice. Info, Tami Patzer, MA, CSMI, 941-421-6563. AngelMinistriesfl.org.

Dean Burnside, President Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice 941-371-1311 GoodNewsPestSolutions.com Go Green Plus 3 • Pest Control, Termite Control • Rodent Proofing and Trapping • Bat and Bird Exclusion • Mosquito and Mole Suppression • Bed Bug Control • Residential and Commercial.

YOGA LOVING LIGHT YOGA & HEALING CENTER

3455 S. Access Rd., Englewood 941-473-0135 • LovingLightYoga.com Yoga for Every Body. Restore your Body, Mind & Spirit!

natural awakenings

October 2016

31

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463 US HWY 41 Bypass S. Venice, Fl 34285

(941) 375-4005

*The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.

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Peace River Edition

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