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“Change is the only constant” and “Time is of the essence”
Both of the above quotes resonate with me this month. Are you looking forward to the Nov 5 outcome? If you are still undecided, I would like to shed some light. These are important concerns to address. The first is to protect our freedom of speech (held in a peaceful manner), which includes non-censorship of successful sciencebacked health information.
Throughout the recent decades, many natural health advocates have been silenced (medical licenses threatened, online platforms banned, etc.) solely because they questioned Big Pharma’s agenda. We especially witnessed this during the initial Covid crisis. Did you know that the United States had more “so-called” covid deaths than any other country? Most of the deceased were already unhealthy. Those with preconditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, respiratory, heart and mental health challenges, were among the greatest casualties. Contrarily, healthy individuals survived a positive covid diagnosis. We know that even the vaccinated (1, 2 or 3x) still contracted the virus. Many still suffer from LTC: long-term covid. I believe, our dismal death rates could have been greatly reduced if we were a healthier nation.
Let’s make America healthy again! I am choosing the party that supports organic farming and an overall safer lifestyle. Health organizations (such as FDA, CDC, EPA, NIH) need major pruning and weeding. We need science-backed solutions which include producing Real Food—not lifetime prescription drugs. Remember: Big
Pharma thrives on our sick populations, just as cancerous tumors thrive in overly-processed, sugary-sweet diets. Not convinced? Just read the drug disclaimers of possible (likely?) side effects of each prescription. Often those side effects are worse than the initial ailment.
For example, Ozempic (prescribed for obesity) is a drug created in Denmark. It has recently been projected by JP Morgan to escalate in sales over the next 10 years. Get this: Denmark does not advertise it as heavily as in the United States. Instead, their (not surprisingly) recommendation is to first eat Real Food. This seems to be a no-brainer; however, our children need to know that relying on Big Pharma is not the answer.
Don’t get me started on alcohol consumption. The only disclaimer on these ads is “Drink Responsibly.” This is probably because the side effects of alcoholic beverages are too long to list. These death rates rank high no matter your age or ethnicity. Why aren’t these beverages classified as a fatal drug such as tobacco?
The answers will appear if you just “follow the money.” Finally, let’s ask: Is health or wealth more important to you? Solutions for healthy living should not be difficult. With proper knowledge, a DIY healthy lifestyle is attainable and your best defense! However, we must protect our food sources. The organic farmers have always been included in my list of heroes. I hope you support them, too.
Finally, October is the perfect time to get outside, and soak up the free Vitamin D. Here is a mini-list of some local markets. Enjoy fresh produce and these beautiful autumn days!
Here’s to Peace, Freedom & Health,
AUDUBON PARK
1842 Winter Park Rd, Orl Mondays 5 pm
Vendors: www.GoodFills.co
Instagram: CMBakari.fl
MAITLAND
701 Lake Lily Drive & 17-92 Sundays 9 am
MOUNT DORA
239 W 4th Ave #237, Mt Dora Sundays 9 am
Vendor:
Margaret Mary Jones PUBLISHER
Pick Up the Current Natural Awakenings Magazine at Select Vendor Tables WANTED! ARE YOU A VENDOR AT A LOCAL MARKET?
Aintyomamasbakedbeans.com
WINDERMERE Fridays 9a-1:30p
Vendor: www.GoodFills.co
WINTER PARK
200 W New England Ave, WP Saturdays 8 am
We Want to Promote Your Products!
Contact Margaret Jones at 407-628-0705 or email: naturalawakenings@earthlink.net
Find
Join the Fun: 19th Annual CFL Veg Fest
Join us for an exciting day of colorful and educational exhibits and activities! The 19th Annual event will take place at Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Admission is Free! Veg Fest is a familyfriendly, dog-friendly, and smoke-free event. Enjoy speakers, food demonstrations, a kids zone, humane education center, animal haven, artist corner, live music, 200+ veg-friendly vendors, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Central Florida Veg Fest will draw both committed vegans and those who want to learn more about how a plant-based lifestyle enhances our health, the planet, and its inhabitants. Discover new products and ideas from vendors and contributors, and learn from a wide variety of presentations. Whether you’re looking for new ideas to add flavor, variety, and health to your meals, or you’re a “seasoned” vegan interested in expanding your knowledge of nutritious and ethical foods, this is the place for you.
Central Florida Veg Fest is organized by Vegetarians of Central Florida, Inc., a nonprofit, volunteer-operated organization. VegCF also organizes Central Florida Earth Day at Lake Eola Park in April. All money raised will be used to support the veg community and educate our neighbors. Hurry, if you are interested in vendor/sponsor opportunities! For more information, visit www.CFVegFest.org
Be sure to visit us at the Natural Awakenings tent, too. See you there!
Manatee Lovers Unite in Central Florida
friends on Saturday, October 12 for the Save the Manatee 5K event at Blue Jacket Park, 2501 General Rees Ave, Orlando 32814. The run/walk will begin at 7:30 am.
Together meetup on a scenic 3.1-mile route around Blue Jacket Park (adjacent to Baldwin Park) in Orlando. Participants will register and receive their race packet, including a shirt, bib, and medal, in the mail prior to the event and will need to bring the packet to the meetup.
Can’t make it on October 12? You can still sign up for the virtual option to complete the event on your own time from anywhere doing an activity of your choice.
Save the Manatee Club will have a tent and table set up as well as their big inflatable manatee, “Hope.” Discover lots of fun educational items, a donation draw, and the chance to adopt a real living manatee. All proceeds from this event will go towards manatee conservation efforts. This is not a timed event, but a fun meetup that is family-friendly and open to everyone! Register today at raceroster.com/events/2024/92045/florida-save-the-manatee-5k. Please register early to ensure the best chance of receiving your packet in time for October 12. More Info: 407-539-0990 or visit: www.savethemanatee.org
Mindbody Activation Comes to Florida this November
Join Qigong expert Jeff Primack and guests for three days of the most powerful breathwork, qigong forms and hands-on healing practices known, taking place from November 9 to 11, at Lake County Fairgrounds, in Eustis, Florida. Learn techniques to open the chakras, improve digestion, reduce allergies, increase blood circulation, deepen sleep, and overall make you feel amazing anytime you want.
Qigong Healing uses a slow martial arts style movement that noticeably boosts blood circulation in profound ways. Primack has been sharing Qigong for 25 years with live audiences of 70,000-plus. When large groups practice together, a group energy is formed that further amplifies everyone’s energy.
In addition to Qigong, participants will gain valuable insights into free radicals and how the immune system works. The importance of breathwork and food-healing strategies has never been more crucial in our timeline. A unique opportunity, secure a seat now.
Cost: 299/All 3 days; $254/Before 9/30. Free to military, veterans, firefighters and police officers. Lake County Fairgrounds, Eustis, FL. Seating limited. Advance registration required. For details and complete curriculum, visit MindBodyActivation.live or call 561-275-8384. See ad page 31.
In 2025, the Max Planck Society, a German research organization, plans to launch into space five miniature satellites, each the size of a Rubik’s Cube, as part of the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (ICARUS) project, which is designed to track the movements and body temperature of tagged animals, as well as the surrounding air temperature, air pressure and wind speed. Tiny solar-powered tags and artificial intelligence applications will allow scientists to gather and evaluate data on migration, nesting and mating patterns, while also determining the environmental and human conditions that may lead to an animal’s death. Because of advancements in tagging modalities and ICARUS’s relatively low cost, tags may also be employed to follow more obscure species, as well as things such as glaciers and plastic debris.
Boy Scouts Save Life Mid-Flight
On a Southwest Airlines flight to LaGuardia Airport, a flight attendant asked over the public address system if there was a doctor on board. Three doctors and a nurse responded to the request and began treating a man in cardiac arrest with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because CPR is exhausting to do for more than a few minutes, the professionals needed help, at which point a group of boy scouts returning from the Philmont Scout Ranch, in New Mexico, jumped into action and helped perform CPR for 40 minutes until the plane was able to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh. To receive training and certification in this life-saving skill, contact the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
European Union Bans Mercury Dental Fillings
Dental amalgam, a material used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay, is made by mixing a powdered alloy of silver, tin and copper with liquid mercury. The European Union already bans its use for treating children under 15 years old, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women. New rules adopted by the European Council completely ban the use of dental amalgams for all ages starting in 2025, unless deemed strictly necessary by the dental practitioner to address the specific medical needs of a patient. In this country, the use of dental amalgam is permitted even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that exposure to mercury may pose a greater health risk to pregnant and nursing women, newborns and infants, children younger than 6 and those with neurological disease, impaired kidney function or an allergy to mercury.
claffra from Getty Images/CanvaPro
Take
Leap: Regenerative Medicine for Knee Osteoarthritis
Whenit comes to knee pain from osteoarthritis, traditional treatment options often focus on managing symptoms primarily through medication and physical therapy.
Regenerative medicine offers a more innovative approach to this gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This specialty harnesses the body’s natural healing processes to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. By using techniques such as platelet-rich plasma injections or prolotherapy, regenerative medicine can stimulate the growth of new cartilage cells and reduce joint inflammation. This not only helps to alleviate pain and improve function, but also promotes long-term healing and joint restoration.
PRP therapy involves injecting a concentrated solution of the patient’s own blood platelets into the affected joint to promote healing and reduce inflammation. The concentrated platelets contain growth factors that help promote tissue regeneration and repair, leading to improved function and reduced pain.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a solution of dextrose (sugar water) and other substances into the inflamed joint to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. This triggers a localized inflammatory response, which helps promote the growth of new collagen and tissue repair in the affected area. One of the key benefits of prolotherapy is its ability to target the root cause of knee osteoarthritis by promoting tissue regeneration and repair.
These holistic approaches are at the heart of Family Integrative Medicine, where they integrate regenerative treatments with other non-surgical options for long-term illnesses and chronic conditions, including functional medicine, Oriental medicine and chiropractic care. To learn more, call 407-584-4994, email care@familyintegrativemedicine.com or visit FamilyIntegrativeMedicine.com
New Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease
Diagnosing
Alzheimer’s disease currently relies on cognitive exams and the observation of symptoms, followed by a brain scan or spinal tap to look for the buildup of beta-amyloid protein. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association involving more than 1,200 Swedish patients with memory complaints showed promise for a blood test diagnosis, which would be easier and less costly to administer.
Participants received an initial diagnosis by a primary care physician or specialist doctor and then got the blood test—which is developed by C2N Diagnostics (C2ND) and measures the buildup of tau proteins—as well as a confirming brain scan or spinal tap. While the doctors’ initial diagnoses were 61 percent (primary care) and 73 percent (specialist) accurate, the C2ND blood test proved to be 91 percent accurate. Approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in the works for this and other competing blood tests.
QI: The Force Behind Blood Flow and Higher Intelligence
Interview with Qigong Practitioner Jeff Primack
Conducted by Damon Damato
DD: Can you bring a Universal meaning to describe “Qi”?
JP: Qi is the electric Life Presence that beats the human heart and charges the air we breathe. Gong, like Gong Fu, is a repeated action to activate higher energy. Qigong generates a powerful magnetic field in the hands, and this energy “dilates arteries”, healing what it touches. The effects of Qi are profound for increasing circulation and improving endocrine imbalances. Science will discover Qi is related to static electricity and can be harnessed with hand postures.
DD: MindBody Activation is coming, November 9 to 11, to Lake County Fairgrounds. What is your higher vision for sharing this kind of healing with so many people in 2024?
JP: I believe when more human beings develop “Qi Awareness”, human evolution will go higher. Florida is home to our national event where we transform a huge outdoor pavilion into sacred space. Our intention is to experience the authentic healing and stress-dissolving practices of Qigong in a strong group energy field. Sound, light and Qi graphics are used to improve learning; everyone can feel what is going on without any previous experience. It’s rare that 500-plus people all inhale at the same second while holding the same healing prayer. Many people that attend heal old injuries, and everyone is strengthened. Our vision for this event is to uplift the group energy to the highest level.
DD: Is there significance to practicing Qigong in large groups?
JP: From 1980 to1999, the Chinese gathered for Qigong events inside arenas and stadiums with tens-of-thousands of people. Dr. Yan Xin led the first wave of Qi awareness with integrity, but other fake masters misused Qigong to protest the government and it was then banned in large group settings. Chinese people had discovered the secret of “group energy” and it went beyond the roar of a rock concert or the cheers in a football game. Where two or more practice Qigong sincerely, there exists a larger quantum living field of energy.
DD: The breathwork at the MindBody Activation is transformative. Since every person is connected to it, do you believe the answers to healing and overcoming negative emotions are found here?
JP: Breathing is the most powerful skill humans can learn to attune with the spirit of life. Genesis 2:7 reveals, “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became
a living soul.” People report euphoric vibrational experiences when they do our Breath Empowerment even if they don’t believe Qi exists. Breathwork is the best Gong Fu; repeated deep breaths will break the veil of darkness and bad thoughts, eventually flooding the body with light energy.
DD: I’ve seen a shift over the past few years where your focus has really zeroed in on food healing, especially in regards to food science. Why do you feel this is so important in today’s world, and how does it relate to one’s personal Qi?
JP: Food is key to excellent health, especially natural foods made before the inventions of man. For example, kiwi helps to reverse asthma, as in hundreds of students I’ve counseled. Moreover, the prestigious medical journal Thorax indicates children who ate kiwi 3 to 5 times a week vs. those who didn’t eat any had a much lower incidence of asthma.
DD: You perform a Global Healing Circle that is legendary. How does it connect participants using the 9-Breath Method with an expanded process?
JP: The living electricity felt in the hands of the healing circle is unlike anything else we teach. After everyone is proficient in using the 9-Breath Method, our signature breathing technique, we hold hands while doing it many times. The feeling is like an electric current going through everyone’s legs, arms and hands. It feels so very good! Delicious, I might say. We focus our mind to God and ask for healing of people we love and send light to noble groups and nations.
MindBody Activation is $299 for three days. Massage Therapists earn 21 CE hours. U.S. veterans attend free. For more information and reservations, call 561-2758384 and/or visit MindBodyActivation.live. See ad page 31.
The Weston A. Price Foundation teaches about healthy foods of the past and how to incorporate them in the present. We explain the science of why certain foods are healthy, where to get them and how to prepare them.
Request a free copy of our 28-page booklet about Dr. Weston A. Price’s research:
Timeless Principles of Healthy Traditional Diets: westonaprice.org/infopack
Become a member: $40 $30/year for our quarterly journal and more. Use code NA30
The Rise of Bodywork Modalities
Integrating Innovative and Ancient Healing Arts
by Marlaina Donato
Only a few decades ago, healing modalities like chiropractic care and acupuncture received little attention in the realm of conventional medicine. Today, the wellness spectrum is much more diverse, and although additional research is needed to confirm their efficacies and treatment guidelines, many forms of bodywork once associated with only spa pampering are now considered allies in the treatment of a wide array of health conditions. With new therapies emerging annually, there are more than 180 bodywork modalities, including cold laser therapy for non-invasive pain management and ancient massage techniques
Full-Spectrum Acupuncture
According to the market research company Technavio, the global acupuncture market is predicted to expand by $16.83 billion from 2023 to 2027, with much of the growth attributed to an aging population opting for non-invasive, drug-free solutions.
Cancer patients are increasingly accessing this 2,500-year-old therapy, as well. The National Institutes of Health reports that acupuncture is used to ease the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation at major treatment centers, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, with the latter offering the modality in their accredited continuing education programs. According to a 2023 study published by JAMA Network Open, both integrative acupuncture and massage applications for advanced cancer patients over the course of 26 weeks were associated with decreased pain and improvements in sleep and quality of life.
“Our patients love having one more expert on their integrative medicine team, an additional professional to help them navigate the rollercoaster stressors of cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship,” says Pauline Sok Yin Hwang, an acupuncturist, registered Traditional Chinese Medicine
practitioner and the clinical director of Hillgreen Oncology
Acupuncture & Herbs, in Toronto, Canada. Hwang also employs other therapeutic elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine that harmonize well with oncology acupuncture, including herbal applications; nutrition; moxibustion, the burning of dried mugwort near parts of the body; cupping; and electroacupuncture, which combines electrical pulses with needles to target specific energetic points on the body.
“Given a prompt, every tiny cell knows where it is and what it should do. The relationship between cells allows them to calibrate, but cancer cells have lost this connection, causing them to proliferate,” explains Jill Blakeway, an acupuncturist and founder of The Yinova Center, in New York City and Long Island. Blakeway adds that acupuncture can also stimulate the nervous system to release serotonin and other endorphins that can dial down pain and elevate mood, something that is much needed by anyone enduring a cancer diagnosis.
Feel-good neurotransmitters are major players in the complex journey of addiction recovery, as spotlighted in a clinical trial published earlier this year in Annals of Internal Medicine. Participants given acupuncture treatments three times a week for eight weeks reduced their methadone dosage by 20 percent or more as compared to subjects that received placebo treatments.
For those that are squeamish about needles, Hwang says, “About 40 tiny acupuncture needles can fit into the hole at the end of a hypodermic needle,” adding that most of her clients do not experience pain throughout treatment, and they are able to relax and even fall asleep by the end of a session.
Moxibustion—an extension of acupuncture that utilizes an herb called Ai Ye—may be promising for chronic kidney disease as a complementary therapy. A 2020 meta-analysis published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and
cottonbro
Alternative Medicine shows the potential of moxibustion to significantly reduce serum creatinine, 24-hour urine protein excretion and blood urea nitrogen—all of which are indicators of compromised kidney function—and markedly improve quality of life of chronic kidney disease patients.
Chiropractic Goes High-Tech
With 150 techniques in its toolbox, today’s chiropractic medicine incorporates more sophisticated and gentler methods than ever before, especially for individuals with osteoporosis, a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue. Fueled by advanced software, modern diagnostic tools give doctors an edge over standard evaluation methods to provide personalized treatment plans. The chiropractic use of electric currentbased muscle stimulation encourages circulation in muscles along the spine to minimize pain, a technique that is safe for patients with fragile bones or spinal stenosis. Another method—cold laser therapy—springboards from traditional ultrasound using specific wavelengths of light. Also known as low-level laser therapy, cold laser aids injured tissues by amping up the production of adenosine triphosphate, a molecule crucial for energy production within cells, to reduce
inflammation and pain and promote healing. A 2021 systematic review published in the Journal of Medicine and Life reports that cold lasers can be effective for decreasing pain and may also improve coexisting emotional factors associated with temporomandibular joint disorders in the jaw.
As with traditional chiropractic care, the objective of modern styles is to address the root cause of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, which, if not treated, can lead to health issues and pain. “When the body is unable to adapt to chemical, physical or emotional stressors, tension within the nervous system is a common result. This often shows up as misaligned vertebrae [bones in the spine], but it can manifest in many ways,” says Brian Stenzler, a chiropractor and author in Sarasota, Florida, and vice president of operations at KnoWEwell, P.B.C. “Every organ, muscle, gland, tissue and cell of the body knows exactly what to do, when to do it and how to do it, as long as the ‘communication lines’ are clear between those body parts and the brain.”
Stenzler notes that because only a small percentage of nerves transmit information about pain, it is unreliable for determining if a chiropractic adjustment is needed. Instead, chiropractors use a combination of objective measures to identify misalignments causing nerve interference,
such as posture, x-rays, motion and static palpation, range of motion, heart rate variability, thermography and surface electromyography, which assesses muscle function using electrodes placed on muscle groups.
New Horizons
Swedish and deep tissue massage have long given sore muscles and overextended nervous systems balm, but massage modalities are expanding their scope. Ancient massage systems making their way out of the shadows include Egyptian (Pharaonic), Balinese and gua sha, among others. More traditional approaches are being used to release trauma held in the body and to aid challenging conditions like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and cancer. “After a mastectomy, for example, a patient may experience swelling in the arm due to obstructed lymph flow. Specialized massage practitioners can offer lymphatic drainage massage to treat lymphedema, a common side effect of cancer treatment,” says Blakeway.
Tuina, one of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is believed to be the oldest form of bodywork and, like acupuncture, targets acupoints, but without the use of needles. In research from 2018, this modality—when combined with other aspects of Chinese medicine—shows promise for earlystage diabetic foot disease, a condition resulting from peripheral artery disease or sensory neuropathy.
Guided by overhead bars for balance and support, practitioners of the Japanese modality ashiatsu primarily use their feet to ease their clients’ tight muscles. “The foot’s broad surface allows for comprehensive muscle manipulation, targeting larger groups while maintaining precision for specific areas. While we may combine foot and hand techniques for certain areas such as the neck, the primary focus is on harnessing the foot’s unique capabilities for a truly transformative experience,” explains Mariah Maven, a licensed massage therapist, ashiatsu educator and owner of THE SPACE, in Spokane, Washington.
Maven points out that ashiatsu can help stabilize the shoulder while gently stretching the neck, creating an unparalleled sense of traction and release, as well as promote better posture, flexibility and quicker recovery from sports injuries, but cautions that “it is contraindicated for individuals with osteoporosis or osteopenia [reduced bone mass].”
Ortho-Bionomy, pioneered by British osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls, has gained attention for its positive effect on pain and postural problems by working with the body’s natural capacity to find balance and reset the nervous system.
“Pauls took the osteopathic principle of positional release, gently placing the body in a position of optimal comfort and adding gentle compression into a joint from its position of greatest ease. He found that this stimulated proprioceptor nerve endings [sensors
in muscles, tendons and ligaments] and produced a release response,” explains Donna Racik, a certified OrthoBionomy practitioner in Leonia, New Jersey, adding that she has found this modality to be effective in relieving pain, restoring alignment and improving the flow of blood and lymph.
Stenzler, who believes that tomorrow looks brighter with the education and guidance of integrative health providers that encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles, says, “While helping people overcome health challenges is very noble and an extremely important aspect of health care, I strongly believe that the future should lie in a salutogenic model,” which focuses on the origins of health and well-being rather than the causes of disease.
Marlaina Donato is an author, artist and composer. Connect at BluefireStudio.art.
Mariah Maven/CanvaPro
Resurrecting From Life’s Darkest Hours
by Marlaina Donato
M“y bones knock together at the pale joints, trying for foothold, fingerhold, mindhold,” wrote Mary Oliver in “Crossing the Swamp”, a visceral poem about finding opportunity to thrive from the bog of life’s dark challenges. If we live long enough, most of us experience a rising from the ashes after burning in the fires of loss, failure or trauma, but sometimes even the most sure-footed and resilient individuals can unexpectedly slip into a deep chasm of futility or questioning.
Dark nights of the soul can follow great periods of growth and clarity, descending upon even the strongest of psyches, rattling the bones with intensity. The black wave can come softly at first, simply inviting us to take inventory or retreat into contemplation. Other times, it sucks out our life force and swallows us whole upon impact.
Unlike other varieties of depression or contraction, the soul’s dark night submerges us until we surrender to
metamorphosis. The gestation of a new self can be difficult, and it is easy to forget that the darkness in which we find ourselves is a nourishing womb. We just need to allow ourselves to experience the process.
Despite the internal urge to disengage from the world and curl into a fetal ball, finding support from spiritual mentors, trusted friends or family members is vital. Expressing our vulnerability can be the most frightening yet most sacred of acts that can light the way for a spirit that feels broken when it is actually breaking open.
Oliver compared herself to a “poor dry stick” in the great swamp, a bough that “after all these years, could take root, sprout, branch out, bud—make of its life a breathing palace of leaves.” We, too, can be reborn with a greater capacity to give and to receive—to reach into a heaven of possibility because our roots survived an unprecedented storm.
Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at BluefireStudio.art.
Carol Orsborn on Growing Whole, Not Just Old
by Sandra Yeyati
For five decades, Carol Orsborn has been a leading voice of her generation and a bestselling author, having written 36 books on quality of life, spirituality and aging. Her latest book is Spiritual Aging: Weekly Reflections for Embracing Life, to be published in December. Designed to be read weekly over two years with 120 readings, it focuses on the issues and concerns that arise among those that view aging as a path to spiritual transcendence.
Orsborn earned a master’s degree in theological studies and a doctorate in history and critical theory of religion from Vanderbilt University, completing her postgraduate work in spiritual counseling at the New Seminary, in New York City. She served on the faculties of Pepperdine University, in Malibu, California; Loyola Marymount University, in Los Angeles; and Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C. She has appeared on Oprah, NBC Nightly News and The Today Show, and presented talks at the Omega Institute, American Society of Aging and Vanderbilt University Hospital.
What do we get wrong about aging?
There have been two dominant theories about aging that have influenced the stereotypes, and each one gets aging wrong in its own way. The first is that aging is a period of sad, slow decline and the best you can do is try and put old people behind gated communities and facilities and keep them as happy as possible.
The flip side, which has been holding sway and is just as insidious, is called
“activity theory”. It keeps older people active—the more active they are, the longer they are active, the better it supposedly is. So, we say things like “60 is the new 30” as we try to extend midlife, turning us into desperate robots.
What is a better way to look at aging?
Getting old is a life stage with meaning and purpose of its own. You have the freedom to choose how you want to live your life. Sometimes you may want to be contemplative, quiet and take time away from the limelight. Other times,
you may want to roar like a lion; you might have a lot left in you that you want to give.
How do you define spiritual aging?
The first tenet of spiritual aging is accepting reality as it is while believing that there is meaning and purpose to life. The second is loving yourself no matter what. Spiritual aging treats the process of getting old not as a problem to be solved, but rather as a spiritual experience in and of itself. This is your last chance to embrace all of life and to have the freedom to pick what you want to do because your soul is telling you to do it.
As
we confront
physical
and
mental diminishment,
what role does grief play in this spiritual experience?
Grief can shake you from your faith. You can hit bottom a lot of ways and feel that life is meaningless and hopeless. In my book, I talk about a place I call “the void”, where reality outstrips your ability to cope and you go to a place that feels bottomless, dark, scary and hopeless. Every spiritual and religious formulation that I’ve ever read has a place like that—like the dark night of the soul in Christianity—where the status quo loses hold of you, and yet it also seems like a holy place because it allows you to let go of the illusions and what used to be, and to reconstruct yourself from the ground up in a way that is more in alignment with reality.
Is it never too late to find your purpose in life?
Of course not. In fact, I would say the opposite. It takes growing old to finally be able to live with some degree of purity of purpose, because you’re not going to be as distracted by what society’s expectations are of you. For those with physical and mental impairments,
Carol Orsborn courtesy of Carol Orsborn
there is an opportunity to find meaning and purpose not only despite those challenges, but through them. If you’re taking a walk and you’re going much slower than you’re used to, you’re much more likely to notice the flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk, for instance.
Our generation has been told all our lives that we should follow our heart and passion. That was hard when we were in our 40s because if you followed your heart and you wanted to be a poet, you couldn’t make a living at it. But now in your 70s, 80s or 90s, if you want to be a poet, go for it! There’s a lot of late-life blooming going on, tempered by what our hearts are telling us and by our physical and mental abilities. That’s what the reinventing should be about.
As we age, we become increasingly dependent on others. What are the spiritual lessons there?
We don’t receive well. The tendency in older people is to complain or get mad at their caregivers if they aren’t giving to us perfectly. So it’s about learning to receive, but also learning to be gracious and put other people before yourself—allowing your caregiver to feel good about what they’re doing for you.
Look, the bottom line is learning to love and be loved. I keep learning every day. I have family issues that may never resolve, but I’m learning I’m beloved anyway. I’m seeing love where I didn’t see it before. I’m having compassion where I didn’t see it before. At 76, suddenly I see things with so much depth that I see the love that was there all along.
Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings.
To read a longer version of this conversation, visit online at TinyURL.com/OrsbornWW or scan the QR code.
Sweet Nostalgia Celebrating National Dessert Month
by Deborah Bevilacqua
Many of us have beloved memories filled with the treasures of the family kitchen—the clanging of baking pans and metal mixing bowls, flour dusted across the counter and the amazing aromas of chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon filling the entire house. That wonderful anticipation of a homemade treat coming out of the oven was pure childhood magic.
“There is nothing better than the smell of home-baked goodies,” says Lynn Feder, owner of Lynn’s Life Breads, an allergen-free bakery. Infused with the best ingredients and dollops of love, desserts are more than just a tasty indulgence. They celebrate long-held family recipes, cultural traditions and the transformative effect of shared
pleasures. October is National Dessert Month, a perfect time to explore the history, nostalgia and nutritional gifts of these delicious delights.
From Ancient Times to Modern Bites
Desserts have evolved from simple combinations of fruits and nuts to elaborate confections. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans enjoyed honeysweetened treats. By the 16th century, sugar had made its way to Europe from Southeast Asia, paving the way for decadent cakes and pastries. Today, each culture brings unique flavors and techniques to homes, bakeries and confectioneries around the globe.
American Favorites
Beloved for its chewy texture and rich flavor, the chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1938 by Ruth Wakefield, a chef, dietitian, educator and author from Walpole, Massachusetts, who also owned a tourist lodge with her husband, Kenneth, that they named the Tollhouse Inn.
Brownies originated in Chicago in 1893 at the Palmer House Hotel, where Bertha Palmer asked her chefs to create a portable dessert that could be served at the World’s Columbian Exposition. These cake-like, fudgy squares may contain nuts, chocolate chips or caramel swirls.
Apple pie is synonymous with American culture. With its flaky crust and sweet, spiced filling, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort, and is often accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In today’s health-conscious households, ice cream is not made with just cow’s milk. Scrumptious varieties are available featuring milks derived from cashews, oats or coconuts.
“The best ice cream is made from scratch in small batches with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients,” says Chloe Bowman, manager of Tin Cup Ice Cream & Desserts, in Crested Butte, Colorado. “One of our adult favorites is Cookie Monster ice cream made with homemade chocolate chip cookies and all-natural pea flour so it doesn’t make your mouth blue.”
While attempting to recreate a French version, William Lawrence, a New York dairyman, invented the now-classic New York-style cheesecake. It features smooth, rich cream cheese and a graham cracker crust that can be customized with various toppings.
The Sweet Benefits of Desserts
Aside from satisfying our sweet tooth, some desserts come with nutritious benefits. Dark chocolate contains flavanols that help lower blood pressure and fight cell damage, as well as polyphenols that, according to a 2022 study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, help maintain a better mood. Fruits and nuts are packed
Scukrov/CanvaPro
with vitamins, minerals and fiber, which play an important role in lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Indulging in a sweet treat may even lead to a sweeter disposition, according to research led by North Dakota State University.
Healthy Alternatives
Dessert time is not always kind to people that are diabetic, vegan, on restricted diets or have gluten sensitivities or allergies to ingredients like eggs, diary and nuts. “I can adapt any recipe to make it delicious and allergy-free. Today, we have so many options,” says Feder, who began baking allergen-free products as a result of her own health issues and allergies.
Dairy substitutes are plentiful in the grocery store, including milk made from oats, almonds, soy, coconut and rice. Alternatives to butter include nut butters, sunflower oil and coconut oil. For those with nut allergies, the texture, taste and nutritional value can be supplanted with rolled oats, granola, crisp rice cereal, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries, or dairyand nut-free chocolate chips.
For those looking to reduce their consumption of sugar, there are a number of healthier natural sweeteners, including monk fruit extract, raw honey, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia and blackstrap molasses. Stevia and monk fruit extract are derived from plants and have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. A quick search online will provide guidance on measurement equivalents. Monk fruit, which does not raise blood-sugar levels, can be up to 250 times sweeter than sugar.
Celebrating National Dessert Month
To celebrate National Dessert Month, consider hosting a dessert-themed party where invitees can share their favorite recipes, and be sure to include lowsugar, vegan and gluten-free options, to accommodate everyone’s preferences and dietary restrictions.
Deborah Bevilacqua is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.
Volcano Surprise Brownie Cupcakes
STRAWBERRY LAYER
3 large fresh strawberries, quartered
1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
CARAMEL
LAYER
¼ cup smooth cashew or almond butter
1 date, pitted
1 tsp gluten-free vanilla extract
BROWNIE
MIXTURE
2 Hu brand chocolate bars
1 Tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 cup smooth cashew butter (choice of hazelnut, cashew, almond 1 large egg or cashew raspberry)
½ cup maple syrup
½ tsp baking soda
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ cup mini chocolate chips, ¼ tsp Himalayan salt plus extras to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Prepare the strawberry layer by combining the strawberries, maple syrup or honey, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from stove and pour off the liquid, retaining the strawberries. Place the strawberries in the refrigerator to cool while preparing the other layers.
To make the caramel layer, first soak the date in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cut it into small pieces and drop them in a blender along with the other ingredients, blending for 40 seconds until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
Place the brownie mixture ingredients in a bowl, except the chocolate chips and Hu chocolate bars. Blend using an electric, hand-held mixer. Once combined into a batter, fold in the chocolate chips.
Line a 12-cupcake baking tray with unbleached paper liners. Put one heaping tablespoon of the brownie mixture in each cupcake liner to coat the bottom. Break Hu chocolate bars into squares and place one square on top of the brownie mixture. Spread one teaspoon of caramel sauce on top of the chocolate. Add strawberries to the caramel layer. Top with additional brownie mixture until the liner is three quarters full. Sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips.
Bake cupcakes for 20 minutes. Remove and place on a cooling rack. They are delicious at room temperature, cold from the refrigerator or frozen.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
Courtesy of Lynn Feder
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Apple Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
YIELD: 8-10 SERVINGS
BASE
2½ cups almond flour
2 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp Himalayan salt
⅓ cup melted coconut oil
⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
STRAWBERRY FILLING
2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
2 tsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp maple syrup
RHUBARB FILLING
2 cups rhubarb stalks, sliced
1 Tbsp coconut sugar or maple syrup
APPLE FILLING
2 large honey crisp or pink lady apples, peeled and sliced thin
2 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp lemon juice
CASHEW STRAWBERRY
CREAM TOPPING
1 cup raw cashews
3 Tbsp boiling water
2 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp maple syrup
4 large fresh strawberries
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Mix all base dry ingredients together in a bowl until there are no lumps. In a separate bowl, mix the base wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and blend with a fork to form a loose dough.
Grease a 9-inch pie dish with coconut oil. Gently pat the dough onto the bottom and sides of the pie dish. Place in oven for 10 to 12 minutes until light brown. Remove and let cool. Set aside.
Place strawberry filling ingredients in saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from stove and drain off fluid. Set strawberries aside to cool.
Place rhubarb filling ingredients in a saucepan, cover with water and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain off fluid and set aside to cool.
Place apple filling ingredients in a saucepan and simmer until the apple slices are slightly tender, approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Drain fluid and set aside.
Blend the cream topping ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Arrange the apples in a circular pattern on the pie crust followed by the strawberries and rhubarb. Spread the cashew strawberry cream on top of the pie, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
Lynn’s Pumpkin Cheese-Less Cake
YIELD:
10-12 SERVINGS
BASE
1¾ cups raw almonds 8 dates, pitted
1 tsp vanilla extract ⅛ tsp Himalayan salt
FILLING
3 cups raw cashews
1 cup coconut milk or almond milk
¾ cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 15-oz can of pumpkin puree (or equivalent of fresh-cooked mashed pumpkin)
2 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ to ½ tsp nutmeg, to taste
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp cloves
½ tsp Himalayan salt
1 cup melted coconut oil
For the base, soak the dates in boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove dates from water and put in food processor with salt, almonds and vanilla, and blend until the nuts are broken down into small pieces and the mixture is sticky when pressed between fingertips.
Line a springform pan with parchment paper. Gently hand-press the pie crust onto the bottom and sides of the pan. Set aside.
For the filling, soak cashews in water overnight or cover cashews with boiling water and allow to soak for 2 hours. Strain the soaked cashews and add them with the other filling ingredients except the coconut oil to a food processor. Blend for 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Then add the melted coconut oil and blend until well incorporated into the mixture.
Pour filling into pie crust. Set in freezer for 2 or more hours until the center is solid.
Remove and refrigerate for a few hours until it thaws before serving. Recipe and photo courtesy of Lynn Feder.
As a Salon Owner and Master Stylist since 1990, I am also a Certified Trichologist. My passion is to keep the health of the hair and scalp a primary focus. With a holistic approach, we can create a unique plan to stop, reverse, and prevent hair loss. www.myhairessentials.com
An interior design and art studio that focuses on residential sustainability and wellness design.
How Good Posture and Mindful Habits Prevent Injury
by Maya Whitman
Regardless of lifestyle, many people experience everyday aches as they strive to balance work and play. Recurring movements while sitting or standing with bad posture can take a toll on the body. Jobs involving typing, hairstyling, power-tool use or assembly-line tasks, as well as asymmetrical recreational activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, electronic gaming or even playing musical instruments, can amplify the risk for chronic pain.
The American Heart Association reports that 80 percent of all U.S. jobs are mostly sedentary, a problem even without the added burden of too much screen time, poor sitting positions and the long-term effects of repetitive motion. The National Spine Health Foundation offers three recommendations for office workers: be mindful of posture, don’t look down at screens and get up and move around on a regular basis.
The importance of prevention cannot be ignored when we look at the cost of workers’ compensation cases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021 claims included $4.7 billion for awkward postures and $1.7 billion for repetitive motions involving “microtasks” performed in a matter of seconds or a few minutes, such as typing.
us for special ad rates. 407-628-0705
Pressure Points
According to Margie Bissinger, a physical therapist and integrative health coach in Parsippany, New Jersey, one of the most common conditions caused by repetitive movement is carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from pressure on the median nerve, which
extends along the hand, arm and shoulder. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and weakness in the thumb and fingers.
“Ergonomics is the design of working environments to help individuals use the best postures and habits that will keep their bodies healthy and avoid injuries,” Bissinger explains, noting that good posture is designed to maintain the inward curve of the lower back. To reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, pain on the pinkie-finger side of the wrist or other related injuries, she recommends keeping the shoulders relaxed, the wrist in a neutral position, the thumb in line with the
forearm and elbows close to the body while typing.
Gamers are prone to tendinitis in the hands and forearms, notes Shari Berkowitz, biomechanist, ergonomist and founder of The Vertical Workshop, in Beverly Hills, California. She remarks that compression in the neck can lead to not only carpal tunnel syndrome, but also double crush syndrome, a condition associated with compression at more than one location along a nerve path.
“Gamers have a lot of repetition of movement in small joints, as well as holding patterns in the arms, shoulders and spine over a prolonged period. They would benefit from using ergonomic devices that require very little force to press buttons, toggle, etc.,” she advises, adding that players should position themselves to support the entire body, not just the wrists. Whether working or playing, Berkowitz stresses the need to step away from the desk every hour for five minutes to get something to drink, go to the bathroom or just move around.
Bissinger cautions that slouching at the desk or while playing electronic games is a surefire way to set off pain patterns. “You don’t want to be on the couch hunched with your low back rounded,” she says. “You should make sure your neck is looking straight ahead, not up or down, for extended periods of time.”
Exercise Ergonomics
Bad habits in the gym or on the yoga mat can foster chronic pain in the lower back, knees, neck, shoulders and wrists. “Learn about proper joint alignment for whatever exercises you’re doing and then try to achieve that for each movement,” advises Berkowitz. “When a set of muscles that are primary to a movement is fatigued, synergists, or assistant muscles, must work more than they are supposed to. That means strain is going to happen.” She recommends stopping as soon as there is a feeling of muscle fatigue and decreasing the weight and repetitions.
For a well-rounded approach to exercise that aids in preventing issues, Berkowitz suggests mobility training such as Pilates, yoga, tai chi and dance, along with running, walking or strength training. She also suggests replacing backless shoes like flipflops and slides with ankle-supporting, footforming options such as Flux Footwear.
Maya Whitman is a frequent writer for Natural Awakenings
Part One of Special Series on Fertility
The Eye-Opening Truth About Fertility
by Dr. Susan Fox
Global declines in birth rates have made headlines, but the rise of male and female infertility has largely been overlooked. Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after trying for one year. In 2021, Scientific American reported that the world-wide fertility rate dropped by almost 1 percent per year from 1960 to 2018.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 in 5 American married women in their reproductive years have difficulty in either getting pregnant or carrying to a live birth, and 11.4 percent of men ages 15-49 have some form of infertility.
For women, a study found a 1 percent per year increase in reported miscarriage rates in the US over a two-decade period. The increase in infertility among women has manifested itself in the increased use of assisted reproductive technologies, including egg freezing and in vitro fertilization among younger women, not just those that waited to start families until after age 35. There also has been an increasing trend in the use of gestational surrogacy as family has taken on a wider definition than traditionally, and as corporations have begun to include fertility benefits in their employee compensation packages.
Numerous studies have identified an increase in male fertility issues, including:
• Declines in sperm concentration (52 percent) and total sperm count (nearly 60 percent) between 1973 and 2011. At this rate, average sperm count could be zero by the middle of this century.
• Decreases in testosterone levels of almost 1 percent per year during recent decades in excess of natural, agerelated declines.
• Declines in total testosterone levels among adolescent and young adult males from 1999 to 2016.
• Increases in testicular cancer rates.
• Increases in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among younger men.
Susan Fox is Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in Marin County, California, and has specialized in working with women and couples navigating fertility challenge for more than 20 years. Connect at healthyouniversity.co and drsusanfox.com. There is hope!
Register for the Calendar of Events EARLY. Classes often fill up quickly.
House Plants w/ Jim Hunter. 10-11a. Free. South Seminole Farm & Nursery, Casselberry, 407-6953247. www.SSeminoleFarmandNursery.com
Pouring Art with Gratitude w/ Kara. 11:30a1p. Unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in a state of gratitude as you fill your canvas with heartfelt intentions, allowing vibrant colors and fluid movements to create stunning abstract compositions. This is a unique and joyful class! www.ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
SUN OCT 6
Healing Circle 11:30-1p. Immerse yourself in the profound healing energies of guided meditation, Reiki, and Pranic healing techniques. Experience a sense of deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and inner peace as you harmonize your mind, body, and spirit in a supportive and nurturing environment. Join us on this journey to unlock your body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance. Donations are appreciated. www.ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
MON OCT 7
VegCF First Monday Vegan Potluck Hosted by Vegetarians of Central FL, join us from 7-9p. Requested donation per person: a vegan dish (please bring ingredient list) or $10. First Unitarian Church of Orlando. Info: p30.
WED OCT 9
Guided Breathwork w/ Nikki Paschar. 8p. Take the first step towards emotional and mental burnout recovery. Explore the transformative power of breathwork! Free. Reserve your spot at www. nikkipaschar.com/events or email Nikki@NikkiPaschar.com
Save the Manatee 5K Event at Blue Jacket Park (near Baldwin Park) in Orlando. Run/ Walk begins 7:30a or can be done virtually! See pg 8 for details.www.savethemanatee.org
Develop Your Clairs w/ Kara. 11:30a-1p. Unlock your natural gifts and deepen your understanding of the Clairs, such as clairvoyance and clairaudience, through transformative guided meditation and purposeful exercises. This immersive class empowers you to foster a greater connection with your intuition, offering profound insights into your unique abilities for personal and spiritual growth. $22. www.ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
Free Monthly Meditation Event 1:30-5p. (Check-in begins at 12:30p.). This wonderful event includes wisdom from Vipin Mehta, crystal sound bowls with Amy Anthony, a guided meditation experience, and the opportunity to connect with the Center’s guides Ted Skorman, Jax Cassidy, Stephanie Ray, Heidi Bromm & Jill Marie Jordan. Mehta Metaphysical Center (One Purlieu Place, Winter Park 32792). Details on pg 5. Info: www.mehtametaphysicalcenter.com/event
Psychometry w/ Kara. 1-2:30p. Practice your intuitive gifts by holding an item with someone else’s energy and tuning in for a message. $11. www.ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
SUN OCT 20
Healing Circle 11:30-1p. Immerse yourself in the profound healing energies of guided meditation, Reiki, and Pranic healing techniques. Experience a sense of deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and inner peace as you harmonize your mind, body, and spirit in a supportive and nurturing environment. Join us on this journey to unlock your body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance. Donations are appreciated. www.ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
SAT
NOV 2
Florida Palms w/ Jim Hunter. 10-11a. Free. South Seminole Farm & Nursery, Casselberry, 407-6953247. www.SSeminoleFarmandNursery.com
MON
NOV 4
VegCF First Monday Vegan Potluck Hosted by Vegetarians of Central FL, join us from 7-9p. Requested donation per person: a vegan dish (please bring ingredient list) or $10. First Unitarian Church of Orlando. Info: p30.
SAT-MON NOV 9-11
Mindbody Activation - Join Jeff Primack and special guest teachers for three days of profound Healing and Transformation. Experience Qigong, Meditation, Breathwork, Healing with Food, Bodywork, and so much more. 11/9-11. 10a-7p. $299/all 3 days or $254 before 9/30. Lake County Fairgrounds, Eustis, FL. Info & registration, Karen 561-275-8384 or MindbodyActivation.live See pages 9 and 31.
WED OCT 23
Guided Breathwork w/ Nikki Paschar. 8p. Take the first step towards emotional and mental burnout recovery. Explore the transformative power of breathwork! Free. Reserve your spot at www. nikkipaschar.com/events or email Nikki@ NikkiPaschar.com
FRI-SUN OCT 25-27
24th Annual Wise Traditions Conference. Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. 40 Speakers, 75 exhibitors. See ad, pg9. Info & to register: www.wisetraditions.org
SAT OCT 26
19th Annual Central FL VegFest. 10a-6p. Free. Family & Pet-Friendly. Orlando Festival Park. www.CFVegFest.org. See ad, p2.
Pendulum Class w/ Kara. 11:30a-1p. Have you wondered about Pendulums? Learn how to use one or become better at it. In this class you will also receive a pendulum to keep. $35. www. ShiftingSouls.net (7575 Kingspointe Parkway Ste 21 Orl 32819)
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THE CENTER FOR NATURAL & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Kirti Kalidas, MD ND
Amar Kalidas, DO
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HIJAMA CHIROPRACTIC & ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Sham Mohammed, DC 100 S. Bumby Ave, Orlando FL 32803 407-496-7547
HijamaChiro.com
Experience holistic healing with chiropractic care, acupuncture, and energy healing. Unlock vitality, enhance well-being, relieve pain, and improve mobility for a natural approach to your health and vitality.
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HOLISTIC OPTIONS
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407-333-1059
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Experience the bestkept secret for optimal health! We use a Closed system. All disease begins in the gut!
Visit our peaceful Metaphysical store with crystals, books, sage, art and more. Check out all our classes and events in the calendar section.
DENTISTRY
HOLISTIC DENTAL HEALTH
David W. Edwards, DMD 541 N. Palmetto Ave, #101, Sanford 32771 www.HolisticDentalHealth.com 407-322-6143
Since 2007, I specialize in Holistic (Biological), Cosmetic, MercuryFree Family Dentistry and offer safe Amalgam Removal. Enjoy our relaxing view overlooking Lake Monroe in Sanford. See ad, p13.
ECO-ADVENTURES
WINTER PARK SCENIC BOAT TOURS
312 E. Morse Blvd (just east of Park Ave) Winter Park 407-644-4056 www.scenicboattours.com
Tours include 12 miles within the pristine Winter Park chain of lakes. Perfect for office parties & family gatherings. Please call ahead for large groups. Gift certs available.
Electromagnetic frequencies can be detrimental to your health. I provide advance identification and remedies to help your body regenerate, especially in the bedroom areas where healing with restful sleep occurs. Visit the website to learn more about Analysis • Consulting • Testing • Surveys & Mitigations.
for sale
Queen Size Magnetic Mattress pad: $50. email: lindarighton@gmail.com
Mountain Dulcimer: Beautifully handcrafted and carved with maple leaf motifs. Maker was renowned W. Furman Thorton from the Appalachian Western NC area. Includes professional padded travel case ($150 new) and two music books. $600 obo. Email: naturalawakenings@earthlink.net or text: 407-628-0705 for photographs/info.
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opportunities
Pediatric Provider Wanted to join team at Cannizzaro Integrative Pediatric Center in Longwood. We are looking for a PA, NP, DO or MD who is passionate about holistic care. Send resume to: nursemel@mycipc.com or call: 407-862-1163
Natural Awakenings magazine of Central FL is Hiring! Are you Eco-Friendly and want to meet like-minded people? We offer high commissionbased sales & distribution opportunities. Visit www.NACFL.com and contact us or call/text Publisher Margaret Jones 407-628-0705.
ENERGY HEALING
HILLARY STRAUS, LMHC
Maitland Wellness Center 237 Lookout Pl., Mtld 32751 www.HillaryStraus.com 407-573-2285
Experience deep emotional healing with Healing From The Body Level Up™. Remove blocks from the Conscious Mind, Unconscious, Physical Body, and Soul.
TACHYON CHAMBER
Orlando • 407-473-6401
Stephanie Ray www.TachyonEnergetics.com
Move into the high vibrational energies of Love, Joy & Bliss. This Chamber can address all levels: Physical, Emotional, Spiritual. Our website lists many benefits and pricing. See ad, p16.
EQUINE THERAPY
EL RANCHO PARAISO DE SORRENTO
Laura Innis, B.S., M.A., PgDip www.elranchoparaiso.com laura@elranchoparaiso.com 775-374-6773
Conveniently located in Lake County, discover our Boutique Wellness Ranch: Immerse in Tranquility with Horse-Guided Mindfulness, Rejuvenating Meditations, Reiki, Therapeutic Sound Therapy, Revitalizing Massages, Corporate Retreats, and Serene Cottage Stays.
FARMERS MARKETS LOCAL VENDORS
AIN’T Y MAMA’S BAKED BEANS
Arlene J. Guffin, Owner Operator aintyomamasbakedbeans@gmail.com www.aintyomamasbakedbeans.com 407-579-0404
Beaning a Taste of Diversity to Your Table. Come get your bean shot samples! Lady Lake Farmers Mkt (Tues. 9a - 2p) • Bountiful Farms Mkt (Wed. 9a - 2p) • Brownwood Farmers Mkt (Sat. 8a - 2p) • Mount Dora Village Mkt (Sun. 9a-2p). Call/txt for special orders.
CM BAKARI
Cesar Cruz Instagram: cmbakari.fl CMBakari.fl@gmail.com 407-430-7293
Specializing in sourdough bread and fresh to order pizzas. Everything is hand made using the best possible ingredients and organic flours. Find us at Audubon Park (Mon 5-8p) and Packing District (Sat 8a-1p).
GOOD FILLS
Jennie Lee and Trung Tran 2497 Coolidge Ave, Orl 32804 hello@goodfills.co www.goodfills.co
Don’t throw away another bottle! Refill it and save money with natural & eco-friendly soaps, detergents, and cleaning products from Good Fills! Retail location in College Park and mobile refill van at Audubon Park, Packing District & Windermere markets.
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REVIVAL GARDENING
info@revivalgardening.com 4104 Hunters Park Ln, Orl 32837 407-538-7343 www.RevivalGardening.com
Want A Green Thumb? Let Us Help! The Secret to growing healthy plants and nutritious food begins with the soil. We supply Central Floridians with the BEST Worm Castings and Organic Potting Soil! Find upcoming events, read blog articles and/or order online at www.revivalgardening.com
Offering hair care services with Organic, ammonia-free, cruelty-free, vegan & natural products. First-time Color treatments will receive a FREE haircut!
MY HAIR ESSENTIALS
Denise E Hewitt
415 Montgomery Rd, # 145, Alt Sps 32714 deniseehewitt@gmail.com 407-644-6885
www.myhairessentials.com
As a Salon Owner and Master Stylist since 1990, I am also a Certified Trichologist. My passion is to keep the health of the hair and scalp a primary focus. With a holistic approach, we can create a unique plan to stop, reverse, and prevent hair loss. Special Castor Oil available for purchase, too. See ad, p24.
HEALTH FOOD
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For over 85 years, proudly serving the Central Florida community with Organics and Local Products.
M & M VITAMINS & HEALTH FOODS
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HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER
FLORIDA HYPERBARIC
Dr. Sham Mohammed, DC
100 S. Bumby Ave, Orlando FL 32803 407-496-7547
Enhance healing, boost oxygen levels, improve recovery speed, reduce inflammation, and increase circulation with our Hyperbaric Chamber Oxygen Therapy. Ask about our special rates! See ad, p17.
LIFE COACHING
NIKKI PASCHAR
Board Certified Online Services 352- 809-2429
Nikki@NikkiPaschar.com www.NikkiPaschar.com
I facilitate burnout recovery with trauma-informed hypnotherapy, breathwork, and movement therapy—nurturing holistic wellbeing through personalized, mindful approaches. Free consultations. See ad, p17.
MASSAGE
INFINITY MEDITATION & MASSAGE LLC
Katie Feuerbach LMT MA #72353 772-834-8605
katie98feuerbach@gmail.com
With 20+ yrs experience, I specialize in Stress Release with Yoga Nidra Meditation & Therapeutic Massage. I also offer Mobile at home/office services. Regain your inner strength! Text/Call or email for appt.
MEDIUM
REV. JUDI WEAVER
Trance Channel Medium
Licensed Master Metaphysician Ormond Beach, FL Rev.Judi.Weaver@gmail.com 386-503-4930 www.JudiWeaver.com
Are you seeking - clarity, guidance and divine healing from your Angels and Guides? Receive personal insight messages that provide peace and purpose for your body, mind and spirit.
METAPHYSICAL CENTERS
MEHTA METAPHYSICAL CENTER
One Purlieu Place, WP, FL 32792 info@vipinmehta.com www.mehtametaphysicalcenter.com 407-853-2698
Founded by Vipin Mehta, this 8200 sq. ft. World-Class center houses a Metaphysical Art Gallery, Healing & Spiritual Center, Free Lending Library and the Crystal Temple of Love. Sign up early for Guided Tours and Meditations. See ad, p5.
ORGANIC BUYING CLUB
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JoyOfOrganics.carrd.co/#
Enjoy a variety of farm fresh, certified organic fruits and veggies at far below retail. Offering hundreds of regenerative farm food items.
PEDIATRICIAN
CANNIZZARO INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRIC CENTER 321-280-5867, www.MyCIPC.com
Functional, evidencebased medicine providing effective and non-invasive ways to treat the root cause of your child’s illness. Newborn to 21 years. ADHD, Autism, Allergies, Asthma. See ad, p11.
Very competitive prices. Fast turnaround time. Free delivery/shipping to your home or work. We offer free Bioidentical Hormone Consultations.
REAL ESTATE
RUI MANAKA REALTOR®
Align Right Realty Global 10691 E Colonial Dr, Orl. Instagram: @realestaterui realestate.rui@gmail.com 689-310-5389
Offering Real Estate Services throughout Central Florida at discounted commission rates. Short Sales & Foreclosure Resources (SFR®). I also speak Spanish: Tambien hablo Castellano.
SALT THERAPY
THE SALT ROOM LONGWOOD www.SaltRoomLongwood.com 407-862-1163
A safe, drug-free therapy proven effective for relieving symptoms of chronic sinus, lung and skin conditions such as acne, allergies, asthma, eczema, sinusitis and more. See ad, p11.
For Only $2.50 PER DAY
You Can Start Marketing Your Business!
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CATEGORY NAME
YOUR BUSINESS NAME
Contact Name Address City, Tel#
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Description: 20 words. Extra words and info lines available. Listings are a reference tool allowing our readers to find you quickly. Special pricing for all display advertisers
FOR NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE, YOU WILL RECEIVE: One News Brief every four months (News Briefs are your opportunity to announce an event or a news item about your business – approx.. 200 words) and
450 N Lakemont Ave, Ste A Winter Park, 32789 www.massagetherapy.cc 407-673-6776
Take a tour and Enroll for the 2024 sessions. Our graduates easily become certified with our comprehensive programs. This school also offers discounted Massage Therapy appts for readers who apply in advance.
SHOE AND ACCESSORY REPAIR
THE PROFESSIONAL SHOE REPAIR, INC.
Luis Restrepo
407-767-8118
Located inside the Altamonte Springs Mall on the lower level west of JC Penney, I repair all types of shoes, sandals, handbags & clothing alterations. Call for hours. Sometimes I can complete while you wait!
SKIN CARE
TS SKIN CARE
1520 Edgewater Dr, #A, Orl 32804 407-999-5008
Mon-Sat: 9a-6p • Sun: By Appt Only www.TSSkincare.com
For over 20 yrs, we formulate our own natural products and offer a variety of skin care services. We also specialize in Acne Treatments and Deep Pore Cleansing. Visit our website, and Sign up for discounts!
SPIRITUAL CENTERS
CASSADAGA SPIRITUALIST CAMP & BOOKSTORE
1112 Stevens St, Cassadaga (GPS city: Lake Helen) 386-228-2880 www.cassadaga.org
Established in 1894, our community has Mediums, Healers, Classes, Workshops, Tours & events year-round. Seekers are welcome and self-exploration is encouraged. Check out our large Spiritual Book & Gift store. More info on website. See ad, p16.
THERMOGRAPHY
CENTRAL FLORIDA THERMOGRAPHY
1555 Howell Branch Rd, Suite B-2 Winter Park,32789 407-622-9090
Cflthermography.com
Safe, no-contact, no-radiation thermography exams. Interpreted by Certified MD Thermologists. Offering breast, half body, and full body scans. Early detection is key!
FLORIDA MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY
June Drennon, CCT 2008 JuneDrennon@FloridaMedicalThermography.com 727-729-2711
FloridaMedicalThermography.com
Certified Clinical Thermographer 2008. Mindful Wellness with Thermography! Knowledge is power. Know your risk factors to make corrections and avoid developing pathology. Call for location convenient for you.
VEGAN
VEGETARIANS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
www.meetup.com/VegetariansCF www.CFVegFest.org
We are a non-profit, volunteer-run organization. Since 2005 we have hosted monthly potlucks and special events, including the annual CFL Earth Day Festival & VegFest. Sign up to receive notices for future events. All are welcome! .
Our nurturing environment promotes and supports health, well-being and commUNITY. We offer massage therapy, acupuncture, skin care, counseling and more. Space is also available for workshops and special events.
CERESET CAN HELP YOUR BRAIN WITH
INSOMNIA A brain in harmony is likely to facilitate better and more restful sleep.
ADD & ADHD A brain in harmony supports focused attention, memory, problem solving and self-regulation, along with a sense of peace and calm.
MEMORY A brain in harmony is likely to improve memory and create even laser focus and concentration.
ADDICTIONS & ANXIETY A brain in harmony will provide peace, calm, and comfort in the storm.
DEPRESSION A brain in harmony will support an experience of possibilities and comfort to find solutions and acceptance.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS A brain in harmony can reset the autonomic nervous system to resolve stuck fight-or-flight or freeze responses.
LONG COVID This includes loss of taste and smell or any of the other above issues—a brain in harmony has been found to eliminate most post-COVID infection issues.
“We often hear clients at our Cereset center say, “It’s a miracle!” But the real “miracle” is the brain’s ability to “hear” and harmonize itself using Cereset’s patented technology BrainEcho® sessions… with life-changing results.”
LIFE CHALLENGES Since the brain drives everything we humans do, think, say, sense, feel, and experience—a brain in harmony can make life as good as it can be!
was founded on the principle that the brain is capable of correcting itself when it can “hear” that it is stuck. Explore how these non-invasive sesssions can help you achieve wellness from the inside out!
