Natural Awakenings Charlotte - September 2022 Issue

F

E E HEALTHY LIVING R

HEALTHY

PLANET

PRESERVING THE FOOD DEHYDRATION HARVEST DO’S AND DON’TS HEADING OFF HEADACHES HOLISTICALLY

THE RISING SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY NATIONAL YOGA AWARENESS MONTH September 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

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Contents

ORGANIC FOODS, PRODUCTS AND SUPPLEMENTS

BACK TO SCHOOL

20%

14 SUN RAISED FOODS

Raises Lamb on NC Solar Farms

OFF

ANY ONE ITEM One offer per family. Valid Through SEPT. 30, 2022.

16 GROWING YOUNGER

Longevity Strategies that Help Reverse the Aging Process

19 LIVING LIFE IN FULL COLOR

In-store only. Excludes clearance,

20 FOOD DEHYDRATION

wine, or sale items.

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19

MADE EASY

I-85

Best Ways to Preserve the Harvest

I-85

EAST GARRISON

S NEW HOPE

HWY 74 ARMSTRONG PARK DR

H

ORGANIC MARKETPLACE

1012 S. New Hope Rd. Gastonia, NC 28054

ROBINWOOD

704.864.0605 www.organicmarketplacenc.com

22 HEADING OFF HEADACHES

Natural Strategies Help Halt the Pain

20

24 AGING GRACEFULLY How a Yoga Practice Keeps Us Young

DEPARTMENTS 10 news briefs 12 local health brief 13 health briefs 13 global event 14 local spotlight 15 global briefs 19 inspiration 20 conscious eating 22 healing ways 24 fit body 28 resource guide 31 gaston county natural guide

31 classifieds 6

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

16

Take Your Next Step To

Better Health STOP

Placing Band-Aids On Symptoms

START

Treating The Underlying Cause Digestion Disorders Autoimmune Diseases • Diabetes Anxiety/Depression • Women’s Health Wellness and Prevention

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 704-499-3327 or email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline for ads: the 9th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@ AwakeningCharlotte.com. Deadline for editorial: the 9th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events on AwakeningCharlotte.com.

REGIONAL MARKETS 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 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

Dr. Michael Smith and Team Naturopathic Physician

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704-486-2448

6404 Bannington Road, Suite A Charlotte, NC 28226

CarolinasNaturalHealth.com

Empowering People to Better Health Since 2005

Virtual Appointments Available September 2022

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

CHARLOTTE EDITION PUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca AD DESIGN Helene Leininger EDITORIAL Jane Aylward Allison Gorman

Randy Kambic Martin Miron

CONTACT US P.O. Box 456 Cornelius, NC 28031 Ph: 704-499-3327 • Fax: 866-632-9118 AwakeningCharlotte.com Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Free subscriptions are available for our digital issue by emailing Publisher@AwakeningCharlotte.com

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne Layout & Design Gabrielle W-Perillo Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan

letter from publisher

Hands Up

I

t’s back-to-school time, and as I attend open houses with my kids, I’ve been reflecting upon my own school days. When I was really young, I was so eager to be called on in class that I could be annoying. In second grade I moved with my family to a town where the kids had not learned their vowels in first grade, as I had. When my new teacher asked questions about vowels, my arm would shoot up, and if she didn’t call on me, my arm would go up higher as I manically tried to get her attention. There was a point in time when she started saying, “Anyone but Shannon.” I guess it didn’t deter me, as I remember her saying that often. Then at the beginning of fifth grade, when the teacher was assigning us to reading groups, she asked us what our reading levels had been in fourth grade. I answered with confidence that I was in the very top reading group, although I was not. I was pleasantly surprised when my strategy worked.

But then we moved to a new town again—this time when I was in the middle of seventh grade. All I wanted was to blend in and not be noticed. This desire lessened over time, but after reading this month’s Inspiration article, “Living Life in Full Color,”

by Marlaina Donato, I realize I never did make it back to that time when I desperately wanted to be called on. I simply care too much what others think.

Donato writes about how nature invites us “to live more boldly before it’s too late, and to express the passions we’ve held in for dear life.” I don’t know quite how to apply her words, but they resonate with me right now. There’s something enticing about that little girl unapologetically wanting to be called on and confidently jumping up reading levels.

Wishing you boldness this September,

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103

Shannon

NaturalAwakenings.com © 2022 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

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Charlotte Edition

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news briefs

ABŌDE Wellness Lounge Includes Apogée Fertility

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wner Christan Hunsbedt, LMBT, designed the newly renovated ABŌDE Wellness Lounge, in Davidson, North Carolina, to house her business, Apogée Fertility, and as a place to seek lifestyle wellness with halotherapy and an infrared sauna. The practice has also quickly welcomed a community of familyfocused wellness providers, lifestyle coaches and clean-living enthusiasts. ABŌDE offers flexible and competitively priced options to holistic practitioners and wellness providers considering adding a location in the Lake Norman area.

“From the moment you step into ABŌDE, the collaborative environment welcomes you warmly,” says Hunsbedt, one of the few Merciér Therapy certified practitioners in North Carolina and trained directly with founder Jennifer Merciér. “From the plant wall, a Scandinavian interior, the beautiful Salt Lounge and infrared sauna, ABŌDE is the ideal space to ‘be well.’”

Merciér Therapy is a safe, gentle, deep, pelvic visceral manipulation protocol that effects better organ mobility and restores blood flow so optimal pelvic organ function returns.

Hunsbedt has studied natural fertility for 10 years, is also certified in myofascial release, prenatal massage, cupping, lymphatic, massage labor support and neuromuscular therapy. She offers free fertility phone consultations.

Location: 610 Jetton St., Ste. 210. For more information or to make an appointment, text 704-401-7428, email ApogeeFertility@gmail.com or visit www.AbodeWellnessLounge.com or www.ApogeeFertility.com. See ad, page 2.

New Retail Location for Farm Fresh Carolinas

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arm Fresh Carolinas will conduct a grand opening event for their new retail facility, Our Market at Farm Fresh Carolinas, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 23 and 24 at 8161 Regent Parkway, Suite 102, in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Local Charlotte vendors will be present including Coddle Creek Farms, Funky Farmer Microgreens, Ogre Sauce, Sweet’s Elderberry, Flavor Seed, ZolaTerra, Backyard Brew and Farm Fresh Fare, for customers to meet their representatives and sample their products.

“Farm Fresh Carolinas has been delivering fresh organic produce into our greater Charlotte community for the last five years,” says Lisa Strump, CEO (Chief Everything Organic) of Farm Fresh Carolinas.

“Farm Fresh provides all-organic, in-season produce from Charlotte area farms first, and obtains produce from the outside area in the offgrowing season. We are excited to now have a retail location.”

Ongoing hours for the pantry market will be 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, with the farmer’s and pantry market open from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays and on select Saturdays.

For more information on the Grand Opening, visit www.FarmFreshCarolinas.com/our-market/.

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

Discount for New Plant-Based Protein Powder

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lace Ziperovich, of Fierce and Fit Lifestyle, a Charlotte-areabased, woman-owned, small business, is launching her Plant Based Protein Powder at a special discount. It features a special blend of powerful greens from 30-plus plant-based superfoods and nutrients including acai, acerola, camu camu, elderberry, turmeric, spinach, broccoli, sprouts and antioxidants to help repair and protect the cells with vitamins C and E and selenium along with enzymes to aid with digestion.

She attests the product “offers an amazing way to stay healthy, fit and fierce every day” and will “encourage and empower more people to feel good about their bodies and stay active and healthy every day through natural and clean nutrition. The product uses the best quality ingredients only found in Mother Nature. I worked hard to get the right taste, the best and cleanest ingredients. I’m super proud of what I was able to accomplish with my team.”

“Growing up in Brazil, I had access to an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables all year round,” Ziperovich adds. “I grew up eating camu camu, acerola, cacao fruit and acai, all fruits known for their restorative health benefits. I believe we must honor the sacred knowledge that lives in the soil of the land. Nature is a wise and intelligent teacher, and we must take advantage of Her powerful bounty of superfoods. Nature is your beauty!”

For more information or to place an order, visit www.Tinyurl.com/OrderFierceandFit. For a limited time, obtain a 20 percent product discount by typing BEWELL20 at check out. See ad, page 5.

(silver fillings) are removed using safe accredited protective protocols.

All of our crowns, bridges, and veneers are made in-house with CAD/CAM computer milled technology.

FR

EE H E A L T H Y L I V I N G

HEALTHY

PLANET

PRESERVING THE HARVEST FOODDOʼSDEHYDRATION AND DONʼTS

As true Biological/Holistic Dentists, Drs. Eric Kempter, Erin Wilbanks and John Kempter combine modern technology & safe protection protocols with advanced knowledge of biological dentistry.

Thank you Community KempterDentistry.com Sponsor Kempter Holistic Dentistry

1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1, Charlotte

HEADING OFF HEADACHES HOLISTICALLY

September 2022 | Charlotte Edition | AwakeningCharlotte.com

704-782-0797

VISIT US ONLINE @ www.AwakeningCharlotte.com

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THE RISING SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY NATIONAL YOGA AWARENESS MONTH

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LISSA RANKIN

on the Mysteries of Healing

CONSCIOUS CONSUMERISM

The Rise of Sharing and Reselling

LEARNING TO GRIEVE

How to Help Children Navigate Through Loss

HEALTHIER PETS

CALENDAR Check out the latest events at www.AwakeningCharlotte.com/calendar

Top Supplements for Dogs and Cats

LOOKING FOR

Elevating

– CONVERSATIONS & – SOLUTIONS TO ISSUES? SEPTEMBER GUEST BLOG

Ebba P Karlsson, owner of True Star Coaching, on the Importance of Awakening to Your Higher Self

September 2022

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local health brief

Alkalizing the Body Can Help Maintain Muscle Mass Muscle mass is a major predictor of quality of life, particularly as we age, and aging muscle loss begins quite early in life. From the age of 30, we lose as much as 3 percent to 8 percent of muscle per decade. Most of those living the Western lifestyle will lose at least 30 percent to 40 percent or more of their muscle mass during their lifetime.

Less muscle equals less functional capacity, a greater chance of injury from falling and potentially life-limiting frailty. Less muscle also means less energy production because muscles are a major site of energy production for the entire body. Also, muscles contain most of our body’s insulin receptors, which are needed to maintain optimal blood sugar levels. It’s easy to see why anyone planning to live a long, active life would do well to pay attention to building and maintaining muscle mass over the years.

As early as 1997, noted scientist Dr. Lynda Frassetto documented that alkalizing the diet through mineral supplementation provided for the recovery of lost muscle mass and the prevention of further excessive loss in aging individuals. The past 25 years have witnessed a growing appreciation for the musclepreserving power of the alkaline diet. Recently, a three-year study by Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes, of Tufts University, found that a diet rich in high potassium foods such as fruits and vegetables reduced acid load and resulted in preservation of muscle mass in older men and women.

Dawson-Hughes has also conducted several laboratory studies documenting that supplementation with alkalizing forms of potassium such as potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate, preserves muscle mass.

Potassium from foods is generally in the form of potassium citrate, which the body converts into bicarbonate, a strong alkalizing agent. This bicarbonate neutralizes acids and helps to preserve muscle mass. The goal, however, would not be to use high-dose potassium supplements, but rather to increase

Excess Acidity Starts With What You Eat And Drink Symptoms such as heartburn, gout and indigestion often stem from excess acidity in the body.

Multiforce is formulated with the aim of providing a sustainable response to the root cause – excess acidity Scan to purchase Free Shipping when ordered on Multiforce website www.multiforcehealth.com 12

Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

our intake of foods high in potassium.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance for potassium is 4,700 milligrams (mg)/day, while most of us consume half of that. If we consumed the full 4,700 mg of potassium from our food, we would likely alkalize enough to preserve both muscle and bone.

Additionally, the correction of acidosis may preserve muscle mass in those suffering medical conditions associated with muscle wasting, such as diabetic ketosis, trauma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and kidney failure.

Here are the facts. Muscle mass is a major predictor of quality of life and longevity. Aging muscle loss begins around age 30 and accelerates after 50. Both men and women lose 30 to 40 percent or more of their muscle with age, and, with poor health, one loses even more. Aging muscle loss can lead to reduced functional capacity, fall injuries, frailty, and excess mortality. The high-mineral, wholefoods alkaline diet has been proven to reduce aging muscle loss. Key muscle-protective, alkalizing nutrients include magnesium, potassium, buffered ascorbate, the carotenoids, quercetin and many plant antioxidants. Also, at-home pH testing is simple and easy.

Multiforce Health is headquartered at 157 Church St., in New Haven, CT. For more information, call 941-251-8210, email Info@MultiforceHealth.com or visit www.MultiforceHealth.com.

Nuruddin Bharmal/Pexels.com

Sales of fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir have been steadily rising in the U.S., and a new study from Australia’s Deakin University might accelerate that trend.

Researchers examined 24 years of nutritional and health data from 2,603 Finnish men between 42 and 60 years old. They found that men that ranked in the top third of consumption of non-fermented dairy products such as milk and cream had double the risk of depression, while those in the top third of consumption of fermented dairy products like kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream and buttermilk enjoyed a 45 percent reduced risk of depression.

Vitamin E Enhances Cancer Immunotherapy

ready made/AdobeStock.com

In a study published in Cancer Discovery, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported that vitamin E can enhance immunotherapy responses in cancer patients by stimulating the activity of dendritic cells in tumors.

Combing the records of patients with melanoma, breast, colon and kidney cancers that were being treated with immunotherapy, they found that taking vitamin E improved survival times and boosted treatment responses.

In laboratory work, the researchers demonstrated that vitamin E directly binds and blocks the activity of the SHP1 checkpoint protein in dendritic cells, which primes T cells for an anti-tumor immune response. “This study broadens our understanding of factors that can influence responses to immunotherapies,” says author Dihua Yu, M.D., Ph.D. Unlike chemotherapy, which acts directly on cancerous tumors, immunotherapy treats patients by revitalizing their immune system and “teaching” it how to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness in older Americans, became less of a threat in 1996 when the national Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) verified that certain nutrients—beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, copper and zinc—slowed its progression. But after other studies showed a link between beta-carotene and lung cancer, it was removed from the formula. Two carotenoids found in the retina—lutein and zeaxanthin—were added, and the formula was rebranded as AREDS2. In a new, 10year, follow-up study by the National Eye Institute (NEI), AREDS2 was found to reduce late AMD symptoms an additional 20 percent compared to the original formula. “This 10-year data confirms that not only is the new formula safer, it’s actually better at slowing AMD progression,” says Emily Chew, M.D., lead author of the study and director of the NEI Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Application.

global event

Peace Day Addresses Global Racism

Established in 1981, the United Nations-sanctioned International Day of Peace, or World Peace Day, is a holiday observed around the world on September 21 each year. The 2022 theme is “End racism. Build peace.” To that end, the General Assembly has dedicated this day to observing 24 hours of nonviolence and cease-fire.

Secretary-General António Guterres says, “But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.”

September 2022

Orion/Unsplash.com

Fermented Dairy Helps Sidestep Depression

Revised Supplement Formula Slows Macular Degeneration

Camille Richert/Pexels.com

health briefs

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local spotlight

Sun Raised Foods Raises Lamb on North Carolina Solar Farms Without Antibiotics or Harmful Chemicals

S

un Raised Foods was founded in 2018 to market lamb raised on the pastures of North Carolina solar farms. The company sells lamb salami, lamb cuts and organizes farm-to-table dinners to promote North Carolina lamb.

The Origins of Their Meat

“We believe taste begins with where and how you raise an animal,” says Sales Manager Brooks Mixon. Most meat sold in grocery stores comes from large feed lot operations that use antibiotics to increase weight gain. Over 60 percent of lamb consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries creating a huge carbon footprint. Lamb from New Zealand and Australia are considered “wool” sheep which have stronger “gamey” taste compared to sheep raised in North Carolina which are consider “hair” sheep and have a milder flavor.

Sun Raised Foods grazes its sheep on grass and other vegetation which is abundant in the Southeast. The company prides itself on ensuring that its meat and salami come from lamb raised on farms that follow Animal Welfare Standards. “We believe well-cared-for sheep raised with less stress are more tender and just tastier for our customers,” says founder Tonje Olsen. Lamb raised on solar

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

farms benefit from the shade created by the solar arrays which lower the temperature during the hot summer months and provide shelter from the winter rain. Sun Raised Foods’ lamb help to maintain the vegetation on local solar farms which would have otherwise been managed by mowing, weed eating and heavy herbicidal spraying. The fences around the solar farms protect the sheep from the stress of predators.

The Contents of Their Meat

According to Web MD, lamb contains important vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, phosphorous and zinc. These are all important nutrients for vital body function, including for immune support, cholesterol management and bone health. Lamb contains monounsaturated fats that can help your heart when you eat them in moderation.

They can help reduce levels of “bad” cholesterol in our blood, lowering our risk for heart disease and stroke. Lamb is high in conjugated, natural linoleic acid which has been shown to reduce body fat mass. In moderate amounts, it might be helpful for weight loss or management.

It’s important to consider what is “not” in the Sun Raised Foods Lamb. No antibiotics and no harmful chemicals are used on the lamb sold by the company. At a time with rising antibiotic resistance, this is important.

global briefs

Hurricane-Resilient Wind Turbines Modeled After Palm Trees

Four-course dinner ($95/person): for reservations and/or lodging, visit www.SunRaisedFoods.com/events or scan QR code. Sun Raised Foods is located at 20035 Jetton Rd., Ste. D, in Cornelius, North Carolina.

The Montgomery www.SunRaisedFoods.com/events or scan QR code.

Sheep Farm is at 933 S. U.S. Hwy. 220 Alt, Biscoe, North Carolina. For more information or to order lamb, call 844-417-4337, email info@SunRaisedFoods.com or visit www.SunRaisedFoods.com. See ad, page 25.

Common California Bumble Bees Go Missing The Western bumble bee, once easily spotted in California, could not be found in a recent survey led by the University of California-Riverside (UCR). The first statewide census of California bumble bees in 40 years found several other species absent, as well. UCR entomologist Hollis Woodard’s research group collected bees from 17 sites representing six different ecosystems previously known to host a large variety of bumble bees, as documented in the journal Ecology and Evolution. One of the missing species, the Western bumble bee, is an important pollinator of wild plants and crops. “We didn’t find it, even once,” says Woodard.

This study was an effort to document changes in bumble bee populations across large geographic areas in California since the last one in the 1980s.

Smaller-scale studies have documented significant declines in bumble bee populations around the world due to climate change, development of wild habitat and the use of bee-killing pesticides, so it is important to have data that documents bee health. Bumble bees can fly in cooler temperatures and lower light levels than many other bees, helping to pollinate crops worth $3 billion annually in the U.S., including tomatoes, peppers and cranberries.

Ernie Cooper/AdobeStock.com

To promote their lamb to our area around Charlotte, Sun Raised Foods will host a four-course, farm-to-table, gourmet, lamb dinner on November 5 at the Montgomery Sheep Farm in Biscoe, North Carolina. The Montgomery Sheep Farm is situated on a 200-acre tract of land surrounded by forests of pine in Biscoe, North Carolina, just 60 miles from Charlotte.

Guests will meet at the farm at 3 p.m.

They will be greeted with a complimentary drink as they arrive and begin a tour of the farm, including its operations, their 500 sheep, 120 acres of solar panels and their Great Pyrenees dogs when everyone has arrived. The dinner, prepared by an awardwinning chef and paired with fine wines, a true culinary experience, and an opportunity to learn about local sustainable agriculture and clean energy, follows. The dinner concludes at approximately 7:30 p.m.

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Farm To Table Lamb Dinner on November 5

Atlantic hurricanes pose risks to renewable energy wind turbines, and researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder are developing more resilient models. Lucy Pao, the Palmer endowed chair in the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, says, “We are very much bio-inspired by palm trees, which can survive these hurricane conditions.” Traditional upwind turbine blades face into the wind, so the blades must be stiff, which requires more material and increases cost. Blades on downwind rotors face away from the wind, with less chance of hitting the tower when the winds pick up, so they can be lighter and more flexible, requiring less material. Downwind blades can also bend, instead of break, like palm trees do.

Over the last six years, Pao’s team, in conjunction with collaborators at the University of Virginia, the University of Texas at Dallas, the Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, have collaborated to develop the Segmented Ultralight Morphing Rotor turbine, a two-bladed, downwind rotor, to test the concept in action. The researchers found that their turbine performed consistently and efficiently during periods of peak wind gusts. Mandar Phadnis, lead author of a study in Proceedings of the 2022 American Control Conference, says, “The blades are manufactured to be lightweight and very flexible, so they can align with the wind loads.”

September 2022

15

GROWING YOUNGER LONGEVITY STRATEGIES THAT HELP REVERSE THE AGING PROCESS

by Marlaina Donato

L

ongevity, a human quest through the ages, is now a hot topic among scientific researchers that assert there has never been a better time to maximize our potential for metabolic renewal. Biological age—the state of our health at the cellular level—is in the spotlight, as are the anti-aging benefits of science-supported phytonutrients, cell-rejuvenating foods and safe, non-surgical, stem cell procedures. Functional medicine, with its focus on the biology-based root causes of disease, is also a rising star in the arena of age reversal.

No matter which path we follow to aging vibrantly, the most inspiring takeaway is that lifestyle, not genes, determines destiny. “On average in the United States, the last 16 years of life are spent with multiple diagnoses and on multiple medications. We are giving our hard-earned money to pharmacies, hospitals and nursing facilities,” says Kara Fitzgerald, a naturopathic doctor in Newtown, Connecticut, and the author of Younger You: Reduce Your Bio Age and Live Longer, Better. She and other researchers contrast “lifespan,” the years from birth to death, to “healthspan,” the years spent in good health free of age-related disease and disability. “Lifespan is not necessarily healthspan, and we can change that,” she says.

Until recently, age was determined by the year on our birth certificate, but “bio age” is the new number to pay attention to. It might not only predict health outcomes down the road, but also add years to our lives. In groundbreaking work in 2017, anti-aging researcher Steven Horvath at the University of California, Los Angeles, used algorithms to calculate biological age on the basis of how extensively our genome is modified by a process called DNA methylation.

Researchers are now understanding what factors can turn on positive gene expressions and turn off those that may activate life-threatening diseases.

“Bio age is how fast our bodies are aging, and aging is the main risk factor for all diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders,” says Fitzgerald, noting that only 10 to 20 percent of longevity outcomes are genetic.

Fitzgerald and her team drove this point home with the first randomized, controlled study on the power of lifestyle and diet to turn back the biological age clock. Based upon 16

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Age Is Not Just a Number

functional medicine, the program enrolled 18 healthy men between ages 50 and 72 in a target group and 20 in a control group. Those in the target group ate a nutrient-rich diet, slept seven hours a night, practiced relaxation techniques and took supplemental probiotics and phytonutrients. They ate only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., exercised for at least 30 minutes five days a week, avoided sweets and consumed two cups of dark, leafy, greens and three cups each of cruciferous vegetables and colorful vegetables daily, as well as six ounces of animal protein.

The results, published last year in the journal Aging, showed that three years of bio age were reduced in the target group in just eight weeks compared to the control group. “What we eat, our stress load and our response to it, the quality of the air we breathe and if we exercise are all drivers or reducers of our bio age. Knowing this, we absolutely need to take responsibility for our lives,” says Fitzgerald.

This bio age reversal is good news when we look at the grim statistics. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Cancer Society, approximately 610,000 people die of heart disease in this country each year and more than 600,000 Americans are predicted to succumb to cancer this year alone.

consuming foods like naturally fermented sauerkraut, raw milk, nutritional yeast and pumpkin seeds is also a good strategy.

SIRT6, an enzyme in close relationship with NAD and responsible for many molecular anti-aging processes, including DNA repair, is abundant in seaweeds, especially the strain Fucus vesiculosus, commonly known as bladder wrack. Research published in the journal Marine Drugs in 2017 indicates bladder wrack’s antiinflammatory and anti-tumoral properties, as well as its potential to protect the

liver and normalize high blood sugar and blood pressure.

Fisetin, a powerful flavonoid found in certain foods like strawberries, peaches, apples, persimmons, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, rivals ever-beneficial quercetin. Research published last year in the European Journal of Pharmacology cites fisetin’s numerous potential benefits for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and vascular dementia.

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Molecular Magic Harvard genetics professor David Sinclair, author of the seminal Lifespan: Why We Age—And Why We Don’t Have To, discovered antioxidant-rich resveratrol in grapes in 2003. Since then, he and other researchers have found additional compounds with the ability to activate longevity pathways.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD, or B3), a coenzyme involved in many metabolic processes essential to life, has been shown to rejuvenate aging mice, increasing energy-producing mitochondria in the cells and fortifying muscle mass.

The body makes less NAD as we age, but research suggests that intermittent fasting, exercise and heat saunas can stimulate this youth-preserving molecule. NAD-boosting supplements are also on the market, but September 2022

17

The Trifecta of Acid, Inflammation and Stress Chronic systemic inflammation is now understood to be the physiological springboard for most diseases ranging from cancer to depression, but its connection to uric acid is critical in producing free radicals that accelerate aging. “Unfortunately, most doctors look upon uric acid solely as a risk marker for gout. We now recognize that uric acid serves as a powerful signal in the body to prepare for food and water scarcity,” says neurologist David Perlmutter, author of The New York Times bestseller Grain Brain and the recent Drop Acid, a guide to lowering uric acid in the body. “Uric acid levels above 5.5 milligrams per decilitre trigger the body to raise the blood pressure, increase the blood sugar, become insulin-resistant and increase the formation and storage of body fat,” he says. “Central to regaining metabolic health and reducing risk for metabolic conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, coronary artery disease and Type 2 diabetes is reining in uric acid.”

Chronic, unmanaged stress is a major factor in physical and mental decline due to elevated levels of cortisol. “Stress threatens the health and diversity of our gut bacteria, leading to increased gut permeability, a central mechanism underlying widespread inflammation, which is the cornerstone of all chronic degenerative conditions,” says Perlmutter. “Those conditions as a category are ranked by the World Health Organization as the number one cause of death on our planet today.”

Fitzgerald concurs, “Excessive inflammation—an imbalanced immune response—accelerates the aging process, and it increases with stress. Stress is the gasoline on the fire of aging.”

Eating to reduce inflammation is key, and there is power on our plates when we add some of Fitzgerald’s longevity boosters like turmeric, green tea, shitake mushrooms, wild-caught salmon, eggs, liver and sunflower seeds. A study last year in Experimental Gerontology reported that the amino acid L-theanine, found particularly in green tea, reduced oxidative stress, liver degeneration and inflammatory responses in aging rats.

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Radical Renewal Without Surgery In the daily survival game, the body’s stem cells generate specialized cells to replace those throughout the body that are damaged and dying. This ongoing repair process slows down as we advance in years, but cutting-edge procedures offer new hope for conditions ranging from arthritis to agerelated brain fog.

“Stem cells improve DNA methylation and telomere length, and result in a reduced physiologic age compared to your chronologic age,” says Chadwick Prodromos, a Chicago-based, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the founder of the Prodromos Stem Cell Institute, in Antigua. “Joint replacements are offered quite liberally nowadays, but most of our patients with severe arthritis who were offered joint replacements do well in our care without them for virtually any joint in the body.” Prodromos and his team combine umbilical cord-derived stem cell treatment (non-embryonic/fetal) with specially selected nutritional supplements and in some patients, platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid injections.

Even with exciting advances in the promotion of long life, experts are unanimous in stressing that going into our golden years disease-free begins and ends with individual lifestyle choices, starting with what we put in our mouths. “Diet is the most critical variable in terms of our metabolic destiny.

It’s been said that a person can’t exercise away a poor diet, and there’s great wisdom in this statement,” says Perlmutter.

“While stem cell treatment has been quite effective, it is important to remember that avoiding chemicals in the environment, exercising vigorously and maintaining a low BMI [body mass index] are clearly the most important factors in good health,” advises Prodromos.

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

inspiration

Living Life in Full Color

by Marlaina Donato

N

ature concludes each day with a fiery mural, never again to be exactly duplicated and missed if we look away for a moment too long. “What color is in a picture, enthusiasm is in life,” said Vincent van Gogh, and to live with passion is to live life in full color.

As children, it was in our nature to live out loud. We sang off-key, belly-laughed and showed off our blueberry-stained tongues. Somewhere between grade school and adolescence, we learned to swim with the social current, content to blend in for comfort.

As adults, too often we are barely aware of our lives stuck in grayscale, but if we look deep inside, we long to be the brave red rose in a black-and-white world. Sometimes it takes something drastic, like being faced with a terminal illness, to throw off the shackles of, “What would they think?” and follow our own brand of bliss. Hopefully, most of us can make that decision without such a drastic wake-up call.

In many parts of the world, nature saves her best for last and pulls out all the stops. She dresses the trees in unapologetic glory, inviting us to live more boldly before it’s too late, and to express the passions we’ve held in for dear life. If we are wise, we will follow our bliss, whether it’s painting that wall in a color that might compromise resale value or dusting off the violin we set aside after high school. Autumn gives us much-needed permission to let our hair down, let our locks go silver or feisty red, let our souls blow in the wind and come in for dinner a little late and disheveled.

What parts of ourselves do we hold inside for fear of standing out a little too much?

What would we wear if we defied fickle trends? How would we love if we realized that there is nothing more important than embodying love?

Here’s to living in full color, come what may.

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

September 2022

19

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Food Dehydration Made Easy BEST WAYS TO PRESERVE THE HARVEST

by Sheila Julson

F R E E

M E E T

Julia Skinner, founder and director of Root-Kitchens.com, an online fermentation and food history company, adds that when foods are dehydrated, they shrink and therefore take up less storage space. “They’re great to pack for traveling or for small kitchens. Dehydrating can also concentrate some flavors, such as with dried tomatoes.”

Many types of food can be dehydrated, including fruit, veggies, meat, fish, herbs and nuts. “It’s easier to say what can’t be dehydrated,” Cancler says. “The general rule is you don’t want to dehydrate food that has a high fat content, such as fatty meats or avocados.”

They go rancid quickly during storage. While there are dehydrated, high-fat foods sold commercially such as cheese, peanut butter and eggs, these are processed using special equipment and techniques that can’t be copied in a home kitchen.

Sliced strawberries, chopped onions or celery are good foods for beginners. “People tend to throw those foods away a lot. They buy them and don’t use it all up before they spoil.

Dehydrate leftover strawberries for snacks and dehydrate vegetables to use in soups or stews,” Cancler suggests.

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Almost Anything Can be Dehydrated

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D

rying food is the oldest known method of food preservation. Middle and Far Eastern cultures have used the sun and wind to dry foods since 12,000 B.C., according to the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP). Today, the easy availability of food dehydrators offers a convenient way to preserve the fall harvest.

When done correctly, dehydrating food is a safe method for maintaining its original state, says Tracey Brigman, NCHFP associate director and University of Georgia clinical assistant professor.

“Dehydrators remove the water content in foods, resulting in a low risk of bacteria and spoilage.”

Unlike other food preservation methods such as canning or fermenting, dehydrating food does not require lots of special equipment, tools or skill. “Dehydrating food is super easy to do,” says Carole Cancler, the Hawaii-based author of the Complete Dehydrator Cookbook. “Drying food is more forgiving. You can’t make a lot of mistakes. Canning, if you do it wrong, can make everyone in your family sick.”

The only caveat, Cancler says, is that food not thoroughly dried will get moldy. In humid environments, dehydrated foods must be kept tightly sealed to keep out moisture and prevent mold from forming.

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Getting Started Starter model home food dehydrators, often found at resale stores or rummage sales, can be purchased for about $50. Some have adjustable temperature settings for different kinds of foods.

When purchased new, most food dehydrators include recipe booklets.

When using a dehydrator, Skinner advises, turn it on to the appropriate setting and lay the food in a single layer on the trays provided, then let the dehydrator run for a few hours. She usually turns food halfway through to prevent sticking.

Cancler says that in some cases an oven can be used to dehydrate food, but it isn’t the most cost-effective method. “I don’t recommend continued use of the oven, because depending on where you live and the type or size of food being dried, drying can take anywhere from eight to 36 hours.

Running an electric or gas range for that long uses a lot of energy.”

She says that ideal temperatures are 125 to 135 degrees, but most standard ovens only go as low as 170 degrees, which is too warm to dehydrate fruits or vegetables. “Then you must do wacky things like prop the door open to cool down the oven.” The exception, she says, is jerky: “It must be dried at a higher temperature, and lower-end food dehydrator models don’t get hot enough.”

Sun-drying foods outdoors is risky, Brigman cautions, due to varied weather conditions. In addition, insects and air pollution have to be considered. “For safety reasons, consumers should really purchase a food dehydrator. While it may be a high cost when you begin dehydrating, if you are a serious food preserver, it will save you money in the long term,” she says.

Sheila Julson is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.

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AIR-DRYING FRESH HERBS Fresh herbs of choice (basil, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and dill are all good candidates) String (such as cotton baker’s twine) Rinse off the fresh herbs and pat them dry. Tie the herbs by the stems in small bunches.

Hang them upside-down indoors and out of direct sunlight. Depending on the type of herb, they will take several days to a week or longer to dry. When dry, crush herbs with a mortar and pestle or in a clean coffee grinder. Store in glass jars with tight-fitting lids.

MANGO LEATHER YIELD: 8 FRUIT ROLLS FROM ABOUT 2, 14-INCHDIAMETER DRYER TRAYS 4 cups mango purée (from about 4 large, unripe mangoes) 1 cup clover honey ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground cloves Preheat electric dehydrator to 140° F. Wash and peel mangoes, chop roughly into chunks.

Purée in blender until smooth. Pass purée through a food mill or sieve; discard any coarse fiber extracted in food mill. Add honey and spices to the purée and mix thoroughly.

Lightly spray two fruit roll tray liners from an electric dehydrator with vegetable oil cooking spray. Spread mango mixture evenly to ¼-inch thickness on the trays. Position fruit roll liners on dryer trays and place in dehydrator. Dry continuously for about 10 hours. Maintain dehydrator air temperature steadily at 140° F. (Monitor the dehydrator air temperature periodically with a thermometer.)

Remove trays from dehydrator when purée is dry, with no sticky areas (about 10 hours— this will be highly dependent on the relative humidity of the drying room). Test for dryness by touching gently in several places near the center of leather; no indentation should be evident.

Peel leather from trays while still warm. Leave the second tray on the dehydrator while peeling the first leather, or re-warm leathers slightly in the dehydrator if they cool too much prior to peeling. Cut into quarters, lay on a piece of clean parchment paper about 1 to 2 inches longer at each end of the leather and roll into fruit leather rolls. When cool, twist the ends of the parchment paper tightly to close.

Store fruit rolls in an airtight container for short-term storage, up to about 1 month.

Leathers should be stored in a cool, dark dry place. For longer storage up to one year, place tightly wrapped rolls in the freezer.

Source: National Center for Home Food Preservation September 2022

21

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H

eadaches are one of the most common pain conditions in the world. According to the Cleveland Clinic, up to 75 percent of adults have had a headache in the past year. While symptoms vary in scope and intensity, understanding the underlying cause of a headache can lead to better treatment outcomes. Most headaches can be treated holistically, and lifestyle modifications can be key to lasting relief.

There are more than 150 types of headaches, with the most common being tension, migraine and cluster. Migraine attacks, which according to the Migraine Research Foundation affect 12 percent of people in the U.S., are about three times more common in women than in men. Classic symptoms, which can be mild to severe, include throbbing or pounding pain located in the sinuses, forehead, back of the head or one of the temples.

Triggers Migraine can be triggered by changes in the weather, fatigue, stress, anxiety, insufficient sleep, dehydration and hormonal changes, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Headaches can also be provoked by certain allergens, such as cigarette smoke, exposure to harsh chemicals in cleaning or beauty products, mold, dust, caffeine, alcohol and fermented foods.

According to Alexander Feoktistov, M.D., Ph.D., founder of the Synergy Integrative Headache Center, in Chicago, many headaches are caused by some form of stress. “Both physical and emotional stress can manifest with headaches. These are often triggered by changes in a routine or schedule, which throws the body’s regulatory rhythm off. Skipping meals, varying your sleep patterns and exercising inconsistently can all confuse the body and lead to a headache, varying in intensity from dull and distracting to severe and debilitating,” he explains.

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selections for you. Many nutrients can be found in common foods like dark chocolate, leafy greens, seeds and nuts, meat, fatty fish and legumes.”

Most headaches can be treated holistically, and lifestyle modifications can be key to lasting relief.

The Mind-Body Connection

Don’t Forget Exercise

While not completely understood, mental stress and anxiety can also be a trigger. “The mind-body connection is fierce,” says Christina P. Kantzavelos, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in chronic illness and pain at Begin Within Today, in San Diego.

“It’s important to keep in mind that pain literally originates in the brain. I use a Constructed Awareness approach with clients and bring curiosity to the pain they are experiencing, including headaches. What thoughts and emotions are coming up when they focus on the pain?” she says. “Physical symptoms are often the manifestation or tangible evidence of what is going on in your unconscious mind. Our bodies become stronger or weaker, depending on our emotional state. Fear, self-criticism and invalidating the self can be the root of a headache.”

Supplements Help

Renee also suggests maintaining a regular exercise routine to ward off headaches.

“The less active someone is, the tighter their muscles are and the more likely they will experience headaches. Make sure to get out for a walk every day, or try running to keep the body and mind moving. Yoga is another great activity as a mindfulness practice that decreases stress and also keeps the body moving to eliminate tension.”

Nutritional supplements can also be helpful, Renee says. “Increasing nutrients such as magnesium, coenzyme Q-10 and riboflavin can help minimize pain. Before stocking up on supplements, be sure to consult with a holistic practitioner to make sure you are making the wisest and safest

Try Acupuncture or Acupressure Evidence suggests that acupuncture is effective in relieving the pain of headaches by changing the flow of energy, increasing blood circulation, releasing endorphins and relaxing muscles. Acupressure and other techniques can be done anywhere, says chiropractor and acupuncturist Michele Renee, director of integrative care at Northwestern Health Sciences University, in Bloomington, Minnesota. “The best acupressure point for headaches is the soft skin in-between the thumb and pointer finger. Massage it for 20 to 30 seconds at a time to relieve pain or hold it for 10 seconds,” she says. “Migraines are caused by vascular dilation in the head, so I recommend putting your hands and feet in hot water or taking a bath to stimulate blood flow away from the head to the rest of the body.”

Good Practices Feoktistov recommends that patients experiencing headaches start with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter meds such as ibuprofen. “Practice good sleep hygiene, stay hydrated by drinking water and minimizing caffeine, and introduce meditation as a way of focusing on what’s physically and emotionally going on in your body,” he says. “If headaches disrupt your daily routine, are severe or frequent and/or poorly controlled with over-thecounter medications, it’s time to seek help from a headache specialist or other medical professional who can work with you on a path to healing.”

Carrie Jackson is a Chicago-based writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at CarrieJacksonWrites.com.

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Aging Gracefully HOW A YOGA PRACTICE KEEPS US YOUNG

by Maya Whitman

Ancient Moves for Modern Life “What I learned is that we need four essential physical skills to navigate through life as we age—strength, flexibility, balance and agility—and we get that from yoga. We can find independence in our everyday life, and we don’t need a vigorous yoga class to do that,” says Ruth Pipitone, a gentle yoga instructor at various studios and senior centers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For those that only associate the practice with youthful bodies and hip yoga gear, yoga is a full-spectrum practice. “Anyone can do yoga—gentle yoga, chair yoga and even wheelchair yoga.”

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I

n 1967, Tao Porchon-Lynch left a successful Hollywood career as a model and actress to become a full-time yogi in her 50s. At age 87, she added ballroom dancing to her list of passions and at 93, she landed in the Guinness World Records as the oldest yoga teacher on the planet.

She continued to teach a weekly yoga class just days before her death at age 101. “I love seeing students realize what is possible,” PorchonLynch said in an interview, and her words are an added incentive to reap the many benefits of a regular yoga practice at any age.

Whether it involves getting down on a mat or practicing modified poses with the use of a chair, yoga helps us to stay nimble, manage stress, reduce symptoms of depression and tame high blood pressure. Yoga has been around for thousands of years for good reason, and health organizations like the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center are now recommending the healing modality for a better quality of life.

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According to a 2016 study of 227 participants reported in the journal Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, just 12 minutes of daily gentle yoga over 10 years improved bone mineral density in the spine and upper legs. About four in five participants had osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone density), indicating that yoga is a good strategy for the 10 million Americans over the age of 50 with osteoporosis and the 44 million with osteopenia.

For Terecita “Ti” Blair, yoga offered a new way of life after a catastrophic automobile accident in 2009. The Denver-based trauma and resilience educator and 2017 SilverSneakers Instructor of the Year says, “Virtually any style or type of yoga can appeal and work well for you today, but not tomorrow. Therefore real ‘yoga’ is about adaptability, and yes, those of us with compromised joints, immune systems, pain, disability and illness can absolutely benefit from yoga.”

Those with conditions ranging from cancer to Parkinson’s disease can reap benefits from an appropriate yoga environment. In 2021, a meta-analysis of 12 studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that yoga can increase muscle strength, mobility, balance and body

flexibility in mature adults. An older study from Temple University showed that Iyengar yoga can improve balance and prevent falls in women over 65 years old.

The Breath of Now The keystone of all yoga practice is working with the breath, an action that is naturally compromised by just getting out of bed and into the day’s challenges. “Most adults breathe from their chest. That’s where we activate the stress response of fight, flight or freeze. We need to use the lower lungs, too, so we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system to find calm,” says Pipitone.

Blair, who specializes in helping others to find emotional equilibrium after trauma, concurs: “The nervous system is symbiotic with the breath, and vice versa. A long, deep inhale and a long, slow exhale can act as an immediate elixir for the nervous system to recognize that, in that moment, we are okay.” She has taught groups of people, some in wheelchairs and hospital beds, and she “still experienced the entire room shift when breathing together. As long as we are able to consciously notice breath, we can do yoga.”

No matter how many trips we take around the sun, tapping into the life force can give us a new perspective. “I use asana (yoga poses) to examine my thoughts and feelings and to find introspection to examine what is happening with myself physically, as well as mentally and emotionally,” says Pipitone. “You become more mindful of what you need to carry with you and what you don’t need to carry with you.”

In essence, we deepen as we age, and yoga can meet us on a multidimensional level. “Yoga does not have to mean poses.

Possibilities are infinite, and adaptations are unlimited, based upon our needs,” says Blair.

n Classes are not always billed as “Yoga Over 50” or “Senior” classes. They may be called “Gentle Yoga” or “Yoga Basics,” and participants certainly do not have to be of a certain age to benefit from a deliberate and slower-paced approach.

Call local yoga studios to inquire about classes that involve longer warm-ups and a less-intense physical practice. n Warm-ups are probably the most im-

portant part of a practice, especially for

a more mature body; stiffer joints may take more time to relax, and a fast-paced class is less likely to offer that. Make sure to do warm-ups as part of a home practice, too.

Beth Spindler, author of Yoga Therapy for Fear, is a featured presenter for Yoga International, leads retreats worldwide and has more than four decades of experience using yoga as a healing modality.

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Connect with Maya Whitman at ekstasis28@gmail.com.

TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED

by Beth Spindler A regular yoga practice can support better sleep habits, improve flexibility, increase energy and reduce chronic pain.

Do some homework and choose an appropriate class rather than showing up at the local fitness center and hoping to land in the right one.

n Keep it gentle and slow when diag-

nosed with low bone density or a back, knee or hip condition. Look for a slowerpaced class with a well-trained teacher or yoga therapist that can provide a variety of options. Not every yoga teacher is trained to address osteoporosis, joint replacement or overall muscle stiffness.

In a live class, a well-trained teacher can watch for unhealthy knee placement or will notice if someone is holding their breath in a pose.

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com The not-for-profit School of OJAYA Deep Meditation in the Earthborn Rainforest / US Tel. 641-472-3300

Nature’s Virus Killer Copper can stop a virus before it starts

By Doug Cornell cientists have discovered a with a tip to fit in the bottom of the natural way to kill germs fast. nostril, where viruses collect.

Now thousands of people When he felt a tickle in his nose are using it against viruses and bacteria like a cold about to start, he rubbed that cause illness. the copper gently in his nose for 60 Colds and seconds. many other “It illnesses start worked!” he when viruses exclaimed. get in your “The cold nose and never multiply. If happened. you don’t stop I used to them early, get 2-3 bad they spread colds every and cause year. Now New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds. misery.

I use my Hundreds of studies confirm copper device whenever I feel a sign I am about kills viruses and bacteria almost to get sick.” instantly just by touch.

He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Users say: Egyptians used copper to purify water “It works! I love it!” and heal wounds. They didn’t know “I can’t believe how good my nose about viruses and bacteria, but now we feels.” do.

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“The antimicrobial activity of copper “One of the best presents ever.” is well established.” National Institutes “Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!” of Health.

Scientists say copper’s high “Cold sores gone!” conductance disrupts the electrical “It saved me last holidays. The kids balance in a microbe cell and destroys it all got sick, but not me.” in seconds.

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, The EPA recommended hospitals use no more headache, no more copper for touch surfaces like faucets congestion.” and doorknobs. This cut the spread of “Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.

After his first success with it, he The strong scientific evidence asked relatives and friends to try it. gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea.

They all said it worked, so he patented He made a smooth copper probe CopperZap® and put it on the market.

ADVERTORIAL

S

Soon hundreds of people had tried it.

99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.

Longtime users say they haven’t been sick in years. They have less stress, less medical costs, and more time to enjoy life.

Customers report using copper against: Colds Flu Virus variants Sinus trouble Cold sores Fever blisters Canker sores Strep throat Night stuffiness Morning congestion Nasal drip Infected sores Infected wounds Styes Ringworm Other microbial threats

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished.

Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the science teams. He placed millions of viruses on a copper surface. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it.”

CopperZap® is made in the USA of pure copper. It has a 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code NATA30.

Go to www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

September 2022

27

community resource guide

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

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

ACUPUNCTURE EMPOWER LIFE CENTER

Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM 704-542-8088 EmpowerLifeCenter.com

BODYWORK BRITISH MASSAGE

8501 Tower Point Drive, Unit D2 704-572-1310 www.BritishMassage.com

28 years of experience in acupuncture, Chinese medicine and integrated health. Specializing in identifying and correcting the root cause of your health concerns.

P ain c onditions, digestive disorders, stress, women’s health and chronic disorders. Classes in authentic Qigong, Tai Chi and Taoist yoga.

BODY CONTOURING MARIE’S TOTAL BODY STUDIO

9711 David Taylor Dr, Ste 108 704-631-3002 • www.MariesTotalBody.com mariestotalbody@gmail.com Non-Invasive Body Enhancement Spa Therapy & Weight Loss Services: Sauna Wraps, Cellulite Treatments, Butt Enhancements, Wood Therapy, Foot Detox, Teeth Whitening, RF Skin Tightening, Mesotherapy, Fat Reduction, Lipo Cavitation. Call for free consultation.

TRUECARE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

6487 Morehead Rd Harrisburg/N Charlotte 704-909-0355 Info@TrueCareHealth.com www.TrueCareHealth.com

Non-surgical body contouringsafely eliminating excessive fat and tightening skin with laser, lipo, fat-freezing and other technologies-weight loss and optimal health services with a functional medicine approach.

Schedule low price consult, receive credit toward services. See ad, page 17.

Originally from London, Jessica is highly intuitive, has a natural healing touch and loves to help people feel better physically and emotionally. Medical Reiki Master and offers Reiki classes.

Book massage/reiki today. See ad, page 5.

CBD STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com/CBD

Charlotte’s CBD experts.

CBD consultations available with a licensed Pharmacist ($50 per ½ hour). Consultation fee applied to any CBD purchase. Professional grade CBD products available in store and online.

CHRONIC & DIFFICULT CASES HAAS WELLNESS CENTER

3315 Springbank Ln, Ste 102 704-837-2420 HaasWellnessCenters.com

Specializing in chronic and difficult cases and holistic and wellness care. We identify and treat the root cause of your health issues. Call today for a free 15-minute consultation. See ad, page 4.

COLONICS HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

1308 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Our principle service is Colon Hydrotherapy, but we also offer a wide variety of other services. We o ff e r b o t h t r a d i t i o n a l a n d alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance.

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Charlotte Edition

AwakeningCharlotte.com

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612 StanleyRx.com

Charlotte’s most experienced and trusted compounding pharmacy. Skilled pharmacist can prepare custom medications to meet needs of the individual patient. Specializing in women’s and men’s health as well as veterinary medications.

CONCIERGE MEDICINE WELLCOMEMD

8035 Providence Rd, Ste 315, Charlotte 152 Fairview Rd, Ste 325, Mooresville 980-294-4937 · www.WellcomeMD.com

Experience concierge medicine that is more personal and effective. Comprehensive and proactive approach, limited number of patients, unhurried 30-minute consultations for a personal relationship with your physician. Schedule free tour today. See ad, page 5.

DENTISTRY KEMPTER HOLISTIC DENTISTRY

3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord 704-782-0797 KempterDentistry.com Biologically minded family dental office offering 3D digital dentistry, preventative dentistry, safe mercury removal and sleep apnea screenings. In a relaxed and caring environment, all patients are given devoted time. Call the office today to request a new patient consultation.

See ad, page 9.

DIRECT PRIMARY CARE BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com

Affordable convenient Direct Primary Care from a personalized holistic perspective. Thorough and efficient care with nutrition as the foundation. We want to get and keep you healthy. Schedule a new patient consult today. See ad, page 23.

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING RECYCLED COMPOST & MULCH

140 Valleydale Rd • 980-314-3880 17131 Lancaster Hwy • 980-314-3845 MeckMulchMadness.com Supports a 360˚ from your yard to our facility and back again.

Mecklenburg County upcycles your yard waste to create highquality STA approved compost and beautiful mulch at a very affordable price. See ad, page 18

SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN

Claudia Josephine Design 860-796-3415 ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com

Proving that sustainable, ecofriendly design can still be stylish, Claudia creates classic, functional and beautiful interiors. Certified Green Accredited Professional.

Maria Killam True Colour Expert.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville 421-B S. Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte 704-775-6029 • BentonIntegrative.com The Carolina's only Integrative practice offering membership based Direct Primary Care and Functional Medicine wellness programs. Wellness programs are individualized to the patient and address the root cause of illness.

See ad, page 23.

GARDENING

HOLISTIC CLINIC IVY INTEGRATIVE

1520 South Blvd, Ste 228 704-569-5489 · info@IVYIntegrative.com www.IVYIntegrative.com The only Charlotte area one-stop for holistic mind, body, spirit health services with packages, memberships, a la carte and finance options available. Book free meet & greet today. See ad, page 20.

HOMEOPATHY CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 CarolinasNaturalHealth.com C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy—a power system of natural medicine that stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal, without side effects. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral issues, eczema, auto-immune disease, hormonal imbalance, and much more. See ad, page 7.

HYPERBARIC THERAPY NIRVANA HYPERBARIC INSTITUTE

146 Medical Park Rd, Ste 110 Mooresville • 704-471-4100 NirvanaHBO.com

Dedicated to healing, forwarding the science of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and providing patients a tranquil place to heal. Highly effective in treating many conditions, some covered by insurance. See ad, page 31.

THE PATIO FARMER

Charlotte, NC • ThePatioFarmer.com ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com @thepatiofarmer on IG and FB Confidently grow food at home with Consultations, Installation and Maintenance Plans. Also, check out Plant Club for in-depth gardening know-how. Contact us today and start enjoying food from your own plants.

INTEGRATIVE HEALER KATIE SUTTON

Intuitive Channel, Guided Meditation Coach 828-246-3335 ZenWithinAcademy.com Katie synthesizes a unique blend of healing modalities with selfactivation techniques–from sound and vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation– in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH COACH ASHLEY LOGAN WELLNESS LLC

Charlotte www.AshleyLoganWellness.com ashley@ashleyloganwellness.com @ashleyloganwellness on IG and FB

Duke Integrative Medicine Certified Health and Well-being Coach who works in partnership to empower and support you in achieving your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness goals. Book a free discovery call today.

SARA DA COSTA WELLNESS

704-281-2183 Sara@RisingStrongHer.com www.tinyurl.com/SaraHealthCoach Achieve health goals faster. Sara helps clients get to the root source of what’s holding them back and through a collaborative process, creates an individualized plan. Schedule free 30-minute discovery call today. See ad, page 22.

INTEGRATIVE PEDIATRICIAN INFINITE HEALTH, PLLC

Sheila Kilbane, MD 2201 Park Rd, Ste B 704-626-6771 • SheilaKilbane.com Dr. Kilbane is a board-certified integrative pediatrician who specializes in finding the root cause of illness including reflux, eczema, allergies, recurrent ear and sinus infections, asthma, constipation, abdominal pain and more.

NATURAL FERTILITY APOGÉE FERTILITY

610 Jetton St, Ste 210, Davidson www.ApogeeFertility.com 704-401-7428 (text) ApogeeFertility@gmail.com One of the few Mercier Therapy practioners in NC, Christan assists women in natural fertility and hormone balance. Supports all ages wanting natural approaches to pelvic issues. Book free phone consultation today.

See ad, page 2.

DIRECTORY

Find local businesses with ease at www.AwakeningCharlotte.com/businesses September 2022

29

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-486-2448 CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Diabetes, Depression, Digestive Disorders, ​A llergies, Autoimmune disease, A ​ nxiety​,​ ADHD. C h a r l o t t e ’s o n l y d o c t o r specializing in homeopathy. We focus on treating YOU to uncover the cause of your health condition and empower you to better health!​ See ad, page 7.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS ACID-REDUCING

RETREAT CENTER BLUE UNICORN MOUNTAIN RETREAT

152 N Main St, Hillsville, VA 850-380-0561 BlueUnicornRetreat@gmail.com www.BlueUnicorn.PlanetaryPeace.com Join us in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Pranic Healing Courses, yoga, meditation, energy healing sessions and more.

April-October. Dr. Kenneth and Connie Williams, Senior Certified Pranic Healing Instructors.

SCALAR ENERGY PRODUCTS SUPRAGANIC HEALTH

704-920-0963 • Charlotte www.SupraGanicHealth.com cs@supraganichealth.com

MINERAL BASED MultiforceHealth.com Info@MultiforceHealth.com Achieve the right balance between alkalinity and acidity to support immune system and optimum health.

Manufactured under pharmaceutical standards.

Vegetarian, gluten and soy-free and available in 3 natural flavors. See ad, page 12.

ORGANIC SALON ORGANIC SALON LKN

427 E Mills Ave, Mooresville 704-883-6564 www.OrganicSalonLKN.com Harnessing nature's beauty with professional organic products while creatively designing the ideal hair routine and style to fit your life. Call today for a free consultation. See ad, back cover.

Scalar energy wellness and spiritual awareness aids.

Simple, practical, inexpensive, and imprinted with targeted scalar frequencies to help the body repair itself or work with your consciousness. Free shipping. 15% discount with NAM522.

SOUND & VIBRATIONAL THERAPY SPIRIT AND SOUND

Barbara Griggs, LSH, CVSP, CVSC barb.griggs04@gmail.com 248-321-6098 www.SpiritandSound.net Call today for free consultation. Discover avenues to overcome uncertainty and fear. As a licensed spiritual healer, intuitive, and Certified Vibrational Sound Practitioner/Coach, let's awaken the strength and commitment necessary to honor your journey.

PSYCHIC PSYCHIC MEDIUM KELLE

978-420-8213 PsychicMedium@verizon.net www.PsychicMediumKelle.com

Psychic medium +18 years, author and radio show host. Private readings, psychic investigator on missing person cases. Helps those at a crossroads, experiencing unresolved issues or dealing with loss. Call for appointment today.

See ad, page 2.

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Charlotte Edition

SPIRITUAL CENTERS HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER

Rev. David Hulse, Spiritual Leader 7300 Mallard Creek Rd 704-599-1180 HeartLightCharlotte.org

We are a Spirit-Guided, HeartCentered, Christ-Conscious, Loving Family providing an empowering, universal, Christ-centered message grounded in the teachings of metaphysics. Sunday Service 11:15 am. Email Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org.

See ad, page 22.

AwakeningCharlotte.com

LIGHT HOUSE SPIRITUAL CENTER

Rev Kendall Heath, Interfaith Minister 704-658-1442 info@LightHouseSpiritualCenter.com www.LightHouseSpiritualCenter.com

2nd & 4th Sundays, Interfaith/ Interspiritual Fellowship Services 10am-11:30am at Soul Wellness, Mooresville. Heart-centered exploration of esoteric, mystical, wisdom teachings of many faiths/ spiritual philosophies. Services include teachings, dialogue, experiential group learning, and music.

UNITY OF CHARLOTTE

401 E Arrowood Rd Sundays at 9:30am UnityofCharlotte.org

Unity features a vibrant Sunday Celebration Service at 9:30 AM, with inspiring messages from a rotating slate of guest speakers. Unity supports your well-being, prosperity and spiritual journey.

SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE

SustainCharlotte.org

A nonprofit organization working to inspire choices that lead to healthy, equitable and vibrant communities across the Charlotte metro region for generations to come.

Become a member today.

VETERINARIAN ATRIUM ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Kim Hombs, DVM, CVA, CVCH, CTui-Na 6520 McMahon Dr 704-542-2000 AtriumAnimalHospital.com Comprehensive holistic/ integrative animal medicine practice in the Charlotte region.

Alternative vaccine approaches, double certified acupuncturist and herbalist, cold and class 4 laser, TCM food therapy, Tuina, animal rehabilitation with underwater treadmill.

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Gastonia • 704-271-9757 Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560 CWLI.net Developer of the "40 Day Transformation" system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

gaston county natural guide Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living.

To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS ORGANIC MARKETPLACE

1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605 OrganicMarketplaceNC.com 9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 6.

To place a listing call 704-499-3327 or email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com

SPA HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

1308 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia 704-823-1577 HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

Offering traditional and alternative therapies seven days a week to help you achieve optimal health, wellness and balance. Colon hydrotherapy, massage, far-infrared sauna therapy, energizing foot spa and yoni or v-steam.

WEIGHT LOSS CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Lidia Adkins, CFMP, DC, PKT 216 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-271-9757 • CWLI.net

Developer of the “40 Day Transformation” system, a physician designed and administered functional approach with programming tailored to the unique metabolism needs of each individual, to provide safe and sustained weight loss. Call for a free consultation.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 20 words and $1 per word thereafter. To place a classified, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

Deadline is the 9th of the month.

FOR SALE 5 ACRES IN MARION NC – Heavily wooded, lightly developed subdivision. 30 minutes to Linville Falls, 40 minutes to Asheville. 704778-6863.

JOBS PART TIME MAGAZINE Delivery - needed primarily for Mecklenburg County delivering Natural Awakenings magazine. Fuel-efficient/ Hybrid/EV vehicle preferred. Work 1-2 days per month, paid per stop. Must be available during business hours. Info: 704-499-3327.

The Healing Power of Oxygen Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a safe and non-invasive therapy that enhances the body’s natural healing process, stimulates stem cell production and strengthens the immune system

Effective Treatment for Both Insurance & Noninsurance Covered Conditions: • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) • Lyme Disease • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Autism • Fibromyalgia • Ulcerative Colitis • Diabetic wounds • Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Radiation injury • Anti-Aging • Concussion • Stroke • Chrohn’s Disease • Sports Injury • Long COVID During your session you can: watch a movie, listen to music, sleep, meditate, or just plain relax

Get Started Today!

Call to speak with our neurologist

(704) 471-4100

Nirvana Hyperbaric Institute • 146 Medical Park Rd, Suite 110 Mooresville, NC 28117• NirvanaHbo.com September 2022

31

TrueStarCoach ing_0722.pdf Back Cover