Natural Awakenings Charlotte - April 2023 Issue

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

Accepting New Patients! 704-782-0797

• 1000 Copperfield Blvd, Ste 160, Concord

• 3111 Springbank Ln, Ste F1, Charlotte

Kempter Holistic Dentistry

As true Biological/Holistic Dentists, we combine modern technology & safe protection protocols with advanced knowledge of biological dentistry

Dr. John Kempter Dr. Eric Kempter Dr. Erin Wilbanks Dr. Amy Myers

BOONE, NC | AOLRC.ORG

Meditation • Yoga • Ayurveda

Events

Authentic, transformative programming and Ayurveda wellness retreats in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains— just a 2-hour drive from Charlotte.

Dr. Michael Smith and Team Naturopathic Physician

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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“Never again.” — Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 14, 2012. Hazard Community College, January 15, 2013. Chicago State University, January 16, 2013. University of Central Florida, March 18, 2013. Santa Monica College, June 7, 2013. North Panola High School, August 23, 2013. Sparks Middle School, October 21, 2013. Arapahoe High School, December 13, 2013. Purdue University, January 21, 2014. South Carolina State University, January 24, 2014. Los Angeles Valley College, January 25, 2014. Reynolds High School, June 10, 2014. Marysville Pilchuck High School, October 24, 2014. Umpqua Community College, October 1, 2015. Independence High School, February 12, 2016. UCLA Los Angeles, June 1, 2016. Townville Elementary School, September 28, 2016. Scullen Middle School, January 27, 2017. North Park Elementary School, April 10, 2017. North Lake College, May 4, 2017. Rancho Tehama Elementary School, November 14, 2017. Aztec High School, December 7, 2017. Marshall County High School, January 23, 2018. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, February 14, 2018. Central Michigan University, March 2, 2018. Great Mills High School, March 20, 2018. Santa Fe High School, May 18, 2018. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, April 30, 2019. STEM School Highlands Ranch, May 7, 2019. Saugus High School, November 14, 2019. Pleasantville High School, November 15, 2019. Searles Elementary School, November 23, 2019. Sarah J. Anderson Elementary, November 26, 2019. Bellaire High School, January 14, 2020. Texas A&M University, February 3, 2020. Oxford High School, November 30, 2021. Bridgewater College, February 1, 2022. Robb Elementary School, May 24, 2022.

PUBLISHER Shannon McKenzie

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Patrick Floresca

AD DESIGN Helene Leininger

EDITORIAL

Jane Aylward

Allison Gorman

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Martin Miron

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Planting a Seed

Our April “Earth Day” issue is one of my favorites every year, as sustainable living has always been part of my life. I remember my grandmother recycling everything she possibly could, and not because it was easy. Rather, I don’t think she could bring herself to throw anything away if it could be salvaged or reused somehow. As a result, she didn’t generate much trash at all. Mom would laugh when Grandma gave us gifts of homemade quilts (which she did quite often in her retirement), because she made them from the family’s old clothing. I remember my mom and aunts reminiscing about the outfits they identified in each new quilt, recalling how old they were when they wore them and for what occasion.

My daughter recently triggered these memories when she asked me for a mango at the grocery store—not just because she loves mangoes, but also because she had just seen a YouTube video on how to grow a mango plant from the seed. After eating the fruit, she followed the video instructions and has been watering the seed faithfully, and now we wait. This reminded me of how my mom was perpetually trying to root an avocado seed my entire childhood. She never once succeeded, but the baton was passed, and for years I also tried to root an avocado seed . . . never succeeding. I haven’t attempted it for years now, but the other day, I decided to again try to root a couple avocado seeds. Daughter and mom both wait.

I enjoyed this memory chain of events, and it’s a good reminder that even the smallest efforts toward connecting with nature and sustainable living make a difference. Wishing you a joyous April. If you’re looking for things to do, you’ll find a number of family-friendly Earth Day events starting on page 18.

Shannon Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area.

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area.

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area. Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area.

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

Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Natural Awakenings appreciates the generosity of its distributors throughout the area. Pick up magazines monthly at:

Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Please consider supporting these major distributors by shopping there and picking up the magazine each month from one of the racks. Thank you!

Embodied WayShower Retreat in August

Katie Sutton and Josh Vogt, the husbandand-wife musical duo from Charlotte and co-founders of the Zen Within Academy, will host an Embodied WayShower retreat from August 17 to 20 at the Bend of Ivy Lodge, in Marshall, North Carolina. Activities will include many channeled teachings and workshops, sound and vibrational energy healing ceremonies, yoga and conscious movement practices, meditation, breathwork and other somatic practices and journaling exercises to help attendees cultivate a deeper connection with their bodies and their wisdom, find their own Zen within and live with greater presence, purpose and passion.

The academy is an online and in-person community supporting awakening souls through retreats, one-on-one sessions, workshops and online classes.

“Embodiment is about reclaiming our birthright to live in a harmonious, connected state with ourselves and the world around us,” they say. “When we embody our true selves, we tap into a deep well of wisdom and intuition that guides us towards a fulfilling, authentic life. An embodied wayshower is someone who guides others onto their path simply by being themselves.”

“ The Embodied WayShower is designed to help you break free from limiting beliefs, cultivate greater self-awareness and develop a more harmonious relationship with yourself and the world around you.”

For more information or to register, visit www.ZenWithinAcademy.com/embodied-wayshower-retreat. See CRG, page 37.

Mama Bessie’s Place Hosts Customer Appreciation Event on Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, Lesola Morgan, owner of Mama Bessie’s Place, in Charlotte, will present their first Customer Appreciation Day in three years from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 22. From 11 a.m. to noon, all merchandise will be offered at a 20 percent discount; afterwards, an entire-store discount of 10 percent will be provided along with an additional discount at the register for $100-plus selected specimen crystals.

Also, customers may enter a raffle to win a 14-inch statue of Mother Gaia, which includes representations of the evolution of life in the seas and on land as well as the sacred trees of the Celtic tree calendar on her body (a $150 value). A brochure that comes with each sculpture says that its creator artist Oberon Zell hopes, “that this piece will inspire us to consider what role we’d like to play in securing Gaia’s future.” Customers need not be present to win and all will receive a free gemstone or crystal gift with a purchase. Further, Mama Bessie’s Place has new hours of operation beginning this month— Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.

Location: 3010 Monroe Rd., Ste. 104. For more information, call 704-632-9911, email MamaBessiesPlace@yahoo.com or follow them on Facebook. See ad, page 9.

HOURS

Spiritual, Religious, Metaphysical, New Age Supplies, Gifts & Books, Candles, Incense, Smudge Sticks & Accessories, Gemstones & Crystals, Tarot & Oracle Cards, Pendulums, Herbs, Gemstone Jewelry, Talismans, Egyptian, Hindu, Catholic Statuary

3010 Monroe Road • Suite 104 Charlotte 704-632-9911

Is The

In

Home Making Your Family Sick?

Learn About Cereset at Davidson Farmers Market

Cereset Davidson, one of the advocate sponsors of the Davidson Farmers Market this year, will staff a tent with company representatives from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the events for visitors to ask questions. People will also be eligible to receive a discount card valued at $300 for a $99 one-hour introductory appointment.

Cereset was founded on the principle that the brain can correct itself when it can “see” that it is stuck or unbalanced. Not a medical device to heal, treat, diagnose or cure, it non-invasively supports the brain to relax to achieve optimal regulation, better manage stress, improve sleep and mood, and increase energy, focus and an overall sense of well-being. Patented Brain Echo technology allows the brain to recognize via sound whether it’s stuck in fight, flight or freeze and self-correct when necessary.

The dates Cereset will be at the Davidson Farmers Market this year are April 15, May 13 and 27, June 10, July 8, August 5, September 9, October 7, and November 4 and 18.

Farmers market location: 120 S. Main St. Cereset Davidson location: 709 Northeast Dr., Ste. 19. For more information on Cereset, visit www.Cereset.com. To connect with the Davidson location, call 704-533-2035 or email Julie@Davidson.Cereset.com. See ad, page 5.

Root Source Offers Six Retreats

In honor of the Earth and connecting and grounding to its energy, Root Source Health and Wellness will conduct its first two retreats of the year on Earth Day weekend, April 22 and then the following day. Four more editions of the retreats—all of them from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on their 15-acre farm in Siler City, North Carolina—will take place June 3 and 10 and July 15 and 22.

Amidst picturesque rolling hills with grazing cows, attendees will participate in group reiki, vibrational Tibetan singing bowls, gentle yoga and group sharing sessions, and enjoy a light lunch.

“Let us guide you to awaken your root chakra as we give you tools and techniques to incorporate into your daily routine,” says Tracy Palmatier, Dietitian, Sound Practitioner, Kayta Tarus Usui Level 2 Reiki Practitioner and Personal Trainer.

“Root chakra is the foundation of aligning all other chakras for balancing your spiritual growth. There has been a shift of consciousness since 2020. People are aligning with their purpose, passion and plan. We guide those looking for assistance along in this journey of spiritual awakening for the greater good of all.”

Cost: $444/per person per event; group discounts are available. For more information or to register (upon which time address will be provided), email RootSourceHealth@gmail.com or visit www.RootSourceWellness.com.

Master Your Life Energy Through Qigong

Next Month: TOP WOMEN IN WELLNESS

3Nergy

Wellness (formerly Empower Life Center), in Pineville, is offering a new opportunity to learn and get certified in qigong. Camilo Sanchez, L. Ac, MAOM, a 20th generation Qigong and Tai Chi instructor, will lead the classes in Taoist Qigong from 6:30-8:30 pm on Thursdays from April 20 through July13. Taoist Qigong is a practical system to learn how to manage and master your life energy to improve health, enhance vitality, prevent disease, balance the mind and emotions, promote mind-body wellness, and cultivate our true nature.

Don't miss

Women’s Wellness Series

interviews and lifestyle tips for reducing stress.

Scan the QR code to JOIN US LIVE ONL INE as these top women in wellness share their expert insights for reducing stress and achieving WELLthier Living!

This May, join Natural Awakenings and KnoWEwell for a women’s wellness event entitled Overcoming Stress: How to Balance It All. Each Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT/ 8 p.m. EDT, top integrative and functional medicine experts in women’s health will present cutting-edge insights into the many ways that stress can impact hormones, thyroid function, fertility and libido, and also provide tangible recommendations to improve skin care, aging, sleep and mindset. The speakers are:

n Anna Cabeca, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, author of The Hormone Fix

n Trevor Cates, naturopathic doctor, author of Clean Skin From Within

n Anne Marie Fine, naturopathic doctor, author of Cracking the Beauty Code

Qigong can also support self-healing, open energy channels, increase energy and vitality, counteract stress, balance the mind and emotions and boost the immune system.

“ Today, people are looking for natural ways to empower their own health and well-being,” says Sanchez, a 20th generation lineage instructor under 19th generation Master Zhang Xue Xin of Beijing. “Our goal is to transmit a practical and efficient system of the Taoist energy arts while upholding the authentic teachings of tai chi and qigong.”

3Nergy Wellness refers to the synergy and integration of the three life energies—body, vital energy and spirit—and the integration of physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions.

Location: 14136 Lancaster Hwy. For more information or to register, call 704-5428088, email info@3nergywellness.com or visit www.3nergywellness.com. See CRG, page 36.

n Carrie Jones, functional medicine physician specializing in hormone and thyroid health

n Jaquel Patterson, naturopathic physician, success coach, author of Women and Lyme

n Carol A. Penn, board-certified physician, mindset coach, author of Meditation in a Time of Madness

n Arti Chandra, integrative and functional medicine physician, specializing in gut health

n Jaclyn Smeaton, naturopathic doctor specializing in hormone health and reproductive medicine

n Kela Smith, holistic-integrative fertility and hormone doctor

n Jyl Steinbeck, personal trainer and lifestyle expert

The $59 event fee includes all Tuesday evening sessions. To learn more and register, visit www.Tinyurl.com/WWSCLT or scan the QR Code. See ad, back cover.

Trevor Cates, ND Stress Impact on Skin

Jaclyn Chasse, ND Stress and Fertility

Carol Penn, DO Aging Gracefully

Carrie Jones, MD, FAAP Stress and your Thyroid

Jaquel Patterson, ND, IFMCP Sleep, Cortisol and its Relation to Stress

Anna Cabeca DO, OBGYN,FACOG Stress and Libido

Arti Chandra, MD, MPH Healing Your Gut

Anne Marie Fine, ND Cracking the Beauty Code

Kela Smith, PhD DNM Stress & Fertility

Jyl Steinbeck

Women’s Health & Homeopathy

The most environmentally friendly product is the one you didn’t buy.

~Joshua Becker

Attend Sustain Charlotte Awards Dinner

2023 Sustain Charlotte Awards, a night of dinner, inspiring stories and celebration of the achievements of local leaders and the issues that shape the sustainability of our region, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 27 at The Ruth by Beau Monde, in Charlotte. This unique event brings together sustainability leaders from various disciplines and sectors to celebrate the inspiring people and organizations that are leading the way toward greater local sustainability.

The event will also attract many of our region’s community leaders, elected officials and media as we celebrate 11 years of impressive sustainability leadership in the Queen City.

Sustain Charlotte is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization helping to advance local sustainability through smart growth. Their dedicated staff and volunteers work collaboratively with residents, neighborhood organizations, government agencies, nonprofits and businesses to solve the most important challenges to the long-term social, economic and environmental health of our community.

Tickets are $125, which goes to support the mission and work of Sustain Charlotte. Location: 2122 Thrift Rd., Unit C. For more information or to register, visit www.SustainCharlotte.org/events. See CRG, page 38.

Unity of Charlotte Has Relocated Unity

of Charlotte is relocating from the Arrowood Road location to a shared space with Wesley United Methodist Church. The New Thought church will move to 3715 Rea Road in Charlotte and hold its first service at noon on Sunday, April 2.

“We’re very excited about our relocation,” says Unity’s Co-Minister Rev. Jim Ernstsen. “Our new location offers us much more space to expand classes and fellowship time.”

At the former Arrowood Road location, space was shared with the Sikh Educational Foundation of the Carolinas.

“In our space at Wesley UMC,” says Unity Co-Minister Rev. Lisa Herklotz, “we’ll have ample spaces for food and community along with the appropriate places for our Youth and Family Ministry.”

Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path. Unity of Charlotte was founded in 1969 and has enjoyed several church homes in the 54 years that have followed.

For more information, call their new phone number of 980-237-6625 or visit www.UnityOfCharlotte.org. See CRG, page 38.

Haas Wellness Celebrates 35 Years with Special Offer

TheHaas Wellness Center (HWC), in Charlotte, is celebrating its 35th anniversary of helping people attain their greatest health potential by offering a more affordable way for new patients to experience their services. During April, new patients can save 35 percent off the regular $430 cost for exams and pre-paid wellness packages.

New patient exams include, with some potential restrictions, a kinesiology exam, structural evaluation, checking on vitals, nutritional scan, allergy sensitivity assessment, heavy metal screening, protein digestion status, advanced urine analysis, AcuGraph scan and an hour-long report on all of the findings.

Their mission is to help patients achieve their maximum wellness by providing holistic and alternative healthcare solutions beyond the scope of traditional health plans, focusing on wellness care and treating chronic and difficult cases using a wide range of alternative plus some traditional treatments.

Owner and lead practitioner Kenneth Haas, DC, CCSP, has helped 15,000-plus patients reach their highest health potential. Darryl Roberts, the newest member to the HWC team, is a naturopathic doctor, Certified Natural Health Professional, Certified Flower Essence Practitioner and a plant-based chef.

Location: 3315 Springbank Lane, Ste. 102. For more information or to arrange for a free consultation or the special new patient exam (using promo code Happy35), call 704-837-2420. Also visit www.HaasWellnessCenters.com or email Reception@HaasWellnessCenters.com. See ads, page 4 and 25.

event spotlight

Feel Good Fest Returns for Third Year

The third annual Feel Good Fest will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. on April 29 at Green Life Family Farms in Concord, North Carolina. The familyfriendly festival is designed to heighten our senses with funky music, impressive art, brilliant fire performances, acrobatic aerial performances, donation-based yoga, a geodesic dome full of live butterflies, a community drum circle, mouthwatering food trucks, delicious kombucha, 50-plus local vendors, bubble art, obstacle courses, and more “ This is a must-see NC festival that only happens once a year,” says Austin Shook, event founder and producer, and event coproducer Justin Ervin. “There is something for everyone from interactive games and experiences, to live music, inspiring art and

plenty of ways to make new friends and warm-hearted memories.”

Funds raised at the event will benefit local nonprofit Habitual Roots, of which Ervin is founder and executive director, that focuses on making mental and emotional wellness programming fun, accessible and judgment-free.

Shook has a passion for sharing the power and medicine of sound with as many people as possible. A sound healer that uses ancient instruments to create meditational spaces for people looking for inner peace and deep relaxation, he has also strived to create spaces for other artists to share their gifts as well.

Er vin supports others by developing programming that helps his community consciously build positive habits of self-care using mindfulness and emotional intelligence. With seven-plus years of previous experience in managing projects within the financial, startup and service industries, he has hosted more than 500 events since the launch of Habitual Roots.

Tickets to Feel Good Fest start at $27 and children 12 and under are admitted free. Location: 281 Odell School Rd. For more information, visit www.PeaceOfAlignment.com/feel-good-festival.

De-Stress With Sauerkraut

A new study published in Molecular Psychiatry has shown that eating more fermented foods and fiber daily for just four weeks significantly lowered perceived stress levels. Forty-five participants with relatively low-fiber diets were split into two groups.

One group met with a dietitian that recommended a psychobiotic diet, which included six to eight daily servings of fruits and vegetables high in prebiotic fibers, such as onions, leeks, cabbage, apples, bananas and oats; five to eight daily servings of grains; three to four servings of legumes per week; and two to three daily servings of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha. The control group received only general dietary advice based on the healthy eating food pyramid.

The group following the psychobiotic diet reported feeling less stressed compared with those in the control group. Moreover, significant changes in the level of certain key chemicals produced by gut microbes were found in these participants. Some of these chemicals have been linked to improved mental health, which could explain why the participants reported feeling less stressed. The quality of sleep improved in both groups, but those on the psychobiotic diet reported greater sleep improvements.

Screening Children for Anxiety

After a systematic review of 39 studies to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents aged 8 to 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a group of disease prevention and medical experts assembled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, now recommends that primary care physicians perform such screenings, even if there are no signs or symptoms of anxiety.

A common mental health condition in the U.S., anxiety disorder involves excessive fear or worry that manifests as emotional and physical symptoms. In children and adolescents, it is associated with impaired functioning, educational underachievement and an increased likelihood of a future anxiety disorder or depression. The 2018-2019 National Survey of Children’s Health found that 7.8 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 had a current anxiety disorder.

USPSTF recommended using screening questionnaires to identify children at risk, noting that studies show that children with anxiety benefit from treatments that may include cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy. They also concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess children 7 years old or younger.

Exercise for the Brain

Researchers in the UK compared the effect that different types of daily movement had on overall cognition, memory and executive function. Their study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, reported that replacing sitting, sleeping or gentle movement with less than 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity (brisk walking, bicycling, running up and down stairs, aerobic dancing, jogging, running or swimming) can protect the brain and improve working memory and executive processes like planning and organization. The intensity of the exercise matters, and study participants that engaged in light physical activity, rather than more vigorous activity, saw declines in cognitive performance. However, light activity is still more beneficial than sitting, the scientists found.

The data for these findings was taken from the 1970 British Cohort Study, an ongoing survey that tracks the health of a group of UK-born adults. The group of nearly 4,500 participants consented, at age 46, to wear an activity tracker and complete verbal memory and executive functioning tests, and they were followed from 2016 to 2018.

Quackery Harms

Social media outlets like Tik-Tok may be a fun way to learn a new dance step, but the unregulated, unverified nature of the platform’s medical advice may land viewers in the hospital or worse.

The difference can be summed up as deciding who we want to trust—a trained and licensed professional in their field that has invested significant time and effort in their studies—or an internet website with little oversight.

Colon hydrotherapy has been around for a long time, but people discovering it for the first time on social media, where it is currently trending, may not understand what it is or how it works. We have years of waste buildup that has hardened and stuck to the colon wall, especially those dealing with constipation, gas and/or irritable bowel syndrome. It is highly recommended that a new client has three sessions in close succession. On the first, they may not see any noticeable release, but this doesn’t mean it’s not working. Second session goals are to loosen the dried debris and release gas buildup. Waste release is usually seen by the third session.

To maximize its benefits, colon hydrotherapy works best when the client prepares at least 24 hours in advance by drinking half their body weight in ounces of water every day (150 pounds equals 75 ounces of water) and avoid gassy foods 24 hours in advance of the first session.

Constipation is often caused by the lack of fluid in the colon resulting from either not drinking enough water or not eating enough fruits and vegetables daily.

The Healing Power of Oxygen

for Both

Colon hydrotherapy instructor Donna Brown is the owner of HC Wellness Center and Spa, located at 1308 E. Garrison Blvd., in Gastonia. For appointments, visit www.HCWellnessCenterandSpa.com or call 704-823-1577.

CELEBRATE MOTHER EARTH!

Gas Stove Pollution Goes Unnoticed

A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds that gas stoves frequently leak dangerous pollutants into the kitchen. A team from PSE Health Energy collected samples from 159 gas stoves across California and sent them to a laboratory for analysis. The researchers found 12 pollutants in total, and four of these gases—benzene, toluene, hexane and m- or p-xylene—were present in 98 percent of the samples. Most of the stoves leaked at least a little, even when they were turned off.

The natural gas used in stoves is comprised mostly of methane and other hydrocarbons and gases. Before it is delivered into homes and business, most of the non-methane gases are removed and a strong-scented chemical is added to alert people to possible leaks. The leaks studied by the California researchers were not substantial enough for people to notice this rotten-egg smell, but they could still expose users to harmful and potentially cancer-causing pollutants. Those with gas stoves are encouraged to turn on their exhaust fans whenever they are in use.

Rebuilding Coral Reefs With Sound

Rapid ocean warming and other effects caused by climate change have stressed and degraded corals around the globe, and scientists have been studying ways to rebuild, manage and conserve these vital ecosystems. A new Australian study published in Journal of Applied Ecology tested whether playing certain sounds underwater at reef restoration sites could boost the recruitment of oysters and enhance their habitat-building activities. Australia’s flat oyster is a key reef-building organism targeted for restoration efforts.

Previous studies had shown that the sound of healthy reefs differs from that of damaged reefs. Using inexpensive marine speakers, the researchers reproduced the sound of a healthy reef at four sites across two of the largest oyster reef restorations in Australia and compared the results to areas that did not receive this soundscape enrichment. The sonically enhanced areas resulted in the presence of more and larger oysters that formed more three-dimensional habitats atop the reef restorations. The scientists propose that the use of marine soundscapes during early stages of new reef restoration projects could reduce the cost of habitat recovery.

A SK A MECK COUNTY EXPERT

Mecklenburg County Solid Waste experts receive hundreds of residential waste disposal and recycling questions weekly. To educate and empower Natural Awakenings readers, their experts provide updates and answer some of the most frequently asked questions in a bi-monthly column.

Don’t Ignite – Recycle Batteries Right!

We love rechargeable batteries. They power smart phones, laptops, power drills and just about everything in modern society. But rechargeable batteries have a “dark side” when they reach the end of their useful lives as they tend to spark and catch fire if disposed of with regular waste.

When a rechargeable battery has reached the end of its useful life, please bring that battery to one of Mecklenburg County’s Full- Service Centers for safe disposal. Mecklenburg County utilizes Call2Recycle, which is an organization that safely processes end-of-cycle batteries. Mecklenburg County Solid Waste has experienced several fires in the processing systems from errantly discarded rechargeable batteries.

If the battery is not rechargeable, and is just a regular alkaline battery, it is safe to dispose of with regular trash. However, if the battery has been charged, it needs to follow a special disposal path. If you need help determining what kind of battery you have, just drop it by one of the FullService Centers (17131 Lancaster Hwy, 8007 Pence Rd. and 140 Valleydale Rd. in Charlotte; 12300 N. Statesville Rd. in Huntersville) to sort it out for you.

If you have program questions about recycling, waste diversion or anything else related to waste, please visit www.WipeOutWaste.com. To submit a waste disposal and recycling question, email SolidWaste@MeckNC.gov. Jeff Smithberger, Director of Solid Waste, answers the top 7 residential recycling questions at https://tinyurl.com/MeckRecyleRightFAQs.

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EARTH DAY 2023 INVESTING IN OUR PLANET

by Sandra Yeyati

This year’s Earth Day theme—Invest in Our Planet—reminds us that it is not enough to merely celebrate our ancestral home for one day. We are called upon to dedicate our time, money and talents year-round to ensure a sustaining and just world for generations to come. The motto also calls attention to the economic realities and opportunities of the climate crisis. It is no wonder that EarthDay.org, the global organizer of this annual event, decided to keep the same theme as last year, thus underscoring a continuing need to bring global economies together in harmony with the environment.

“In 2023, we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous and equitable future. We

must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to invest in our planet,” advises EarthDay.org President Kathleen Rogers.

Surmounting the climate crisis is within reach if we all take action. The time is right for innovators to bring planet-saving ideas to market, and for consumers to stop supporting brands that are socially and environmentally irresponsible—instead, spending money with businesses that take the Earth’s future seriously.

In the voting booth, citizens have the power to elect leaders that will help build a green economy through regulations, incentives and partnerships with the private sector. We can press our congressional representatives to support clean energy jobs and move away from the doomed fossil fuel economy.

There are many ways to make a difference in our daily lives, too. We can eat sustainable foods, pick up trash while on a run, participate in beach cleanups, reduce our use of plastic, write our representative, switch to solar power, take reusable bags to the grocery store, drive an electric vehicle, compost, go pesticide-free, plant a pollinator garden, support local farmers, eat less meat, purchase secondhand clothing, use environmentally friendly cleaning products, turn off lights when not in use, take shorter showers and so much more. Learn about all of the ways to make a difference at EarthDay.org.

This year, join one of the empowering events here in Charlotte and meet planet-loving people that are ready to push up their sleeves, vote with their pocketbooks and dedicate their time to a healthy, equitable and prosperous future on Earth.

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Matthews Earth Day with Kids in Nature 10am-1pm. Earth-wise focused exhibitors. Activities including bird house building, nature walks, scavenger hunt, catch and release fishing, nature crafts and hands-on nature exhibits. Limited rain barrel giveaway. Free. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews. www.HAWKncwf.org.

Charlotte Earth Day 2023 – 10am-3pm. An interactive, science based, theatrically presented family learning celebration oriented for students 5-15yrs. Explore the ecosystems of the Earth as if it were a Spaceship. Free. First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St, Charlotte. www.CharlotteEarthDay.com.

Earth Jam 2023 – 4-7pm. Enjoy free "green" activities including crafts, demonstrations, wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, live bands and more. Free. Robbins Park, 17738 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius. www.Cornelius.org/282/Earth-Jam.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

Earth Day Celebration at Myers Park Library – 5-6pm. For school-age and preteens. Make a miniature garden in a mason jar. Materials provided. Free. Registration required. 1361 Queens Rd, Charlotte. www.cmlibrary.org, click on events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Ballantyne Earth Day Shredding & Recycling Drive – 8am-12pm. Donate electronics and securely shred documents in celebration of Earth Day. Free. Parking lot adjacent to Brixham Park, 15801 Brixham Hill Ave, Charlotte. www.GoBallantyne.com.

Earth Day Celebration at ASCG (April 21-23 ) – Come try Anne Springs Close Greenway’s most popular recreational programs such as kayaking, archery, horseback riding, hiking and more during our favorite weekend of the year. Admission and most activities free. $5 parking nonmembers. 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill. www.bit.ly/ASCGearthday2023.

Flutter by Earth Day – 3-5pm. Familyfriendly fun and educational day. Arts & crafts, activities, plus learn more about local environmental and sustainable practices. Free. JW McGee, Jr Park, 219 Corbin Ave E, Concord. www.concordnc.gov.

Ballantyne Earth Day Movie Night –5-9pm. Enjoy a family-friendly movie night in Ballantyne’s Backyard. $10. 11611 N Community House Rd. www.GoBallantyne.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Root Chakra Earth Day Retreat (also April 23) – 9am-3pm. In honor of the Earth and connecting/grounding with Earth’s energy. Enjoy group reiki, vibrational Tibetan singing bowls, gentle yoga, group share, and a light lunch on 15-acre farm in Randolph County. $444 per person, group discounts available. Registration required. Siler City address provided upon registration. www.RootSourceWellness.com.

Great American Cleanup Event at Windsor Park Elementary – 9am-12pm. Each year, Keep Charlotte Beautiful’s board and volunteers’ partner with a park or school to conduct a major beautification project. Join us in helping to green the Queen City. Free. Registration required. Windsor Park Elementary, 3910 Sudbury Rd, Charlotte. www.signupgenius.com/ go/70a0d45a8ae28a1f49-great#/.

Backyard Streambank Conservation Earth Day Event– 9:30am-12:30pm. Hands-on workshop to learn the basics of streambank repair and impacts of stream erosion with expert instructors. Free. Registration required. Agriculture Center, 3230 Presson Rd, Monroe. www.unioncountync.gov.

Sustain Charlotte Earth Day Greenway Walk & Stream Clean – 10am. Sustain Charlotte hosts a greenway walk and stream clean along the Campbell Creek Greenway in East Charlotte. Equipment is provided. Free. Registration required. Campbell Creek Greenway — meet at Hindu Center of Charlotte, 7400 City View Dr, Charlotte.

www.SustainCharlotte.org/earth_day_stream_clean.

Earth Day - Invasive Plant Removal –10am-12pm. Charlotte Wildlife Stewards is teaming up with NC Native Plant Society and Wild Ones Charlotte to remove English ivy, privet, kudzu, and other invasive plants. Free. Registration required. Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary Greenway, 2656 Laburnum Ave, Charlotte. Carpooling encouraged. www.bit.ly/3ly2rgO.

Earth Day in Davidson – 10am-1pm. Join us for a fun day of sustainable activities, environmentally-themed booths, learning passport for kids, food, eco-friendly prizes, music and more. Free. Davidson Town Green, 119 S Main St, Davidson. www.townofdavidson.org/693/Town-Events.

Flower Power at The Schiele – 10am-4pm. Celebrate Earth Day at The Schiele! Get gardening tips, visit live farm animals, enjoy hands-on crafts, and hike the Nature Trail. Groovy dress encouraged. $8 per person. The Schiele Museum Farm, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. www.SchieleMuseum.org.

Earth Day at Organic Marketplace –10am-4pm. Join our celebration and enjoy store discounts, raffles, vendor samples, gift baskets, giveaways and more. Free. 1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia. www.OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.

Earth Day at The Gateway Trail – 11am3pm. Butterfly release, petting zoo, upcycle artisans, enchanted forest and dinosaur experience and debut of new playground. Free. Kings Mountain Gateway Trail, 807 S Battleground Ave, Kings Mountain. 704730-2101, www.kingsmountainevents.com.

Customer Appreciation Day 2023 at Mama Bessie’s Place – 11am-5pm. We give gratitude to our loyal customers on Earth Day. Doorbuster 11am-12noon 20%, 10% off storewide all day! Additional discounts on selected specimen crystals. Free gift with purchase. Free. 3010 Monroe Rd, Ste 104, Charlotte. Visit us on Facebook, email mamabessiesplace@yahoo.com or call 704-632-9911.

Earth Day Fashion Show – 1:30pm. Models will show their up cycled, recycled, repurposed, sustainable, eco-friendly clothing. Starts at $30. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville. www.charlotteseen.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

Make Everyday Earth Day! – 10am-2pm. Stop by the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market and get up close to a beehive with all bees safely inside the cage, learn about the benefits of vermiculture with a live worm display, enjoy games and kids activities, plus shop for locally produced goods and produce. Free. 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte. Visit us on FaceBook or call 704-357-1269.

THURSDAY, APRIL 27

2023 Sustain Charlotte Awards– 6-9pm. Join us for a night of dinner, inspiring stories and awards highlighting the achievements of local sustainability leaders and the issues that shape the sustainability of our region. $125 per person. The Ruth by Beau Monde, 2122 Thrift Rd, Unit C, Charlotte. www.SustainCharlotte.org/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

Shred/Earth Day Event 2023 – 8am-12pm. Bring up to 3 banker boxes of documents to shred. Goodwill Dell Reconnect also accepting desktops, laptops, accessories, monitors, printers, cameras, mobile phones, etc. Free. Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E Long Ave, Gastonia.

www.CityofGastonia.com/the-events. Garibaldi Festival 2023 – 12-10pm. Join us for a celebration of Arbor Day, view newly planted Angel Oak Tree, vendors and more. Free. Stowe Park, 24 S Main St, Belmont. www.cityofbelmont.org/communityevents/.

GREEN PROFILES

Conscientious businesses and organizations striving to protect the environment and help us reduce our collective carbon footprint.

The Patio Farmer’s Plant Club

The Patio Farmer is a womanowned business that tailors services to help YOU grow food at home (and reduce your carbon footprint), no matter how much (or little) space you have. Erin (owner/ farmer) has years of experience growing food in all spaces and LOVES teaching individuals and community groups. Consider joining The Patio Farmer's monthly subscription service this spring and summer to learn how to grow cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, ginger, basil, and passionflower. Two membership levels are available. Supplies included!

Location: Serving Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, and surrounding counties. For more information, email ThePatioFarmer@gmail.com or visit www.ThePatioFarmer.com/plantclub.

Organic Marketplace

Over the last 30 years, Organic Marketplace has sought to be at the forefront of business practices that lessen our collective carbon footprint. Raised beds in the rear of the store for fresh organic produce for Sprouts Cafe as well as to beautify the environment. Our landscape has always been chemical-free with an emphasis on pollinator friendly plants. Packaging waste is addressed with our bulk foods, herbs, and culinary spices department. Plastic bags were discontinued nine years ago to combat plastic pollution in our Oceans.

Location: 1012 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia. For more information, call 704-864-0605 or visit www.OrganicMarketplaceNC.com.

Mecklenburg County Compost & Mulch

Completing the Circular Economy with Yard Waste Spring is compost and mulch season! Did you know your curbside yard waste (leaves, grass, and brush) is upcycled into high quality gardening products? Recycling yard waste saves landfill space, remains local and is affordable. Mecklenburg County has high quality compost available in conveniently packaged 1.25 cubic foot bags or sold in bulk, like a full pick-up truck. Reduce your carbon footprint with upcycled yard products available at the Compost Central and Foxhole FullService Centers. Check out www.MeckMulchMadness.com for more details.

Locations for pick-up: 140 Valleydale Rd., Charlotte; 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte. For more information, visit www.MeckMulchMadness.com.

Sustain Charlotte

Sustain Charlotte's mission is to inspire choices that lead to a healthy, equitable, and vibrant community for generations to come. We advocate for local solutions that reduce our impact on the climate, advance racial equity, and support residents’ health and wellness. We promote smart growth by collaborating with local neighborhoods, government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses to solve challenges to the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of our community. We invite you to become a member today.

Location: 1100 S. Mint St., Charlotte. For more information, visit www.SustainCharlotte.org.

Claudia Josephine Design

A 2022 Charlotte Sustainability Awards nominee for Inspiring Small Business, Claudia Josephine Design’s “ecoluxe” focus enables informed choices when building, remodeling, and decorating. Our sustainable approach encourages the reuse and upcycle of select existing elements and proposes eco-friendly, quality furnishings and décor that provide clients with enduring, timeless finishes. Sustainable, eco-friendly design can be stylish and home-healthy. To embark on a full-scale, luxury design experience, visit our website to view our portfolio and select services. Call us today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.

Location: Serving Charlotte and surrounding areas. For more information, call 860-796-3415, email Claudia@ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com or visit www.ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History

You may know that The Schiele has a state-of-the-art planetarium and exhibits featuring wildlife, American Indian artifacts, gems and minerals, dinosaur fossils, and more… But did you also know that the museum has a nature trail and a working farm with live animals and local crops? When you visit The Schiele, indoors or out, you support a mission to promote understanding of the natural world through research, programs, and the collections we hold in trust for the public.

Location: 1500 E. Garrison Blvd, Gastonia. For more information, visit www.SchieleMuseum.org or call 704-866-6900.

ekologicall

A Zero Waste and Refill Shop based in Charlotte. Our mission is to empower our community to a healthier, simpler, and more sustainable lifestyle by changing our consumption habits. Owner, Valerie, offers a curated selection of non-toxic and eco-friendly alternatives for your home and your body. Get your refills of shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap and more delivered right to your doorstep or at one of our events. Small Changes make Big Impacts! Contact us today and reduce waste.

Location: Order online for shipment within the U.S., refill deliveries to Charlotte and parts of Union County. Also at South End Market, Lokal in Camp North End and Painted Tree Boutiques in Matthews. For more information, email Contact@Ekologicall.com or visit www.ekologicall.com.

Sedona Waterproofing Solutions

Dedicated to helping families achieve healthier and energy-efficient homes. Offering moisture control and prevention, mold remediation, crawlspace repair and encapsulation which results in an annual energy savings ranging from 15-30%, and ultimately cleaner, healthier air in your home. We seek to address the root-cause of your moisture issues and use best practices to resolve. Call today for a free inspection that includes a complete analysis with accompanying photos and several proposal/quotations to address issues to accommodate varying budgets.

Location: Supporting Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Iredell, Union, Gaston and York Counties. For more information, call 704-960-7906 or visit www.SedonaWaterproofing.com.

A NEW DAWN ON THE FARM FRONT STEPPING AWAY FROM INDUSTRIALIZED AGRICULTURE

by Sandra Yeyati

We all have to eat, and the food industry is big business, with wide-ranging implications across many arenas. Because agriculture is controlled by a handful of multinational corporations, the priority to maximize profits often conflicts with what is best for human and planetary health. In many ways, our food production and consumption practices are broken or on the brink of failure. They are inhumane, socially unjust, environmentally unsound and unsustainable.

Viable, achievable solutions to these immense challenges exist, and the emerging consensus is that regenerative organic agriculture is the key to preserving human health and helping solve the climate crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered weaknesses in the system, such as supply chain vulnerabilities, and altered human behavior as more people started cooking at home and exploring healthier lifestyle choices. The time is right to make positive changes to the way we grow, distribute and consume food.

The Problems With Our Current Industrial Farming Model

For decades, doctors, scientists, farmers and nonprofits at the forefront of the environmental movement have been sounding the alarm about the inherent weaknesses in the national food chain and the harmful effects of industrial agriculture. In his book Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities and Our Planet—One Bite at a Time, Dr. Mark Hyman notes, “Food is the nexus of most of our world’s health, economic, environmental, climate, social and even political crises. While this may seem like an exaggeration, it is not.”

In the late 1800s, American farming began to transition from small, diverse operations that produced a variety of crops and livestock to feed a family or community to an industrialized system dominated by multinational corporations that focused on maximizing yields of just a few crops, primarily corn, soy and wheat. Today,

these crops overwhelmingly end up as animal feed, biofuels and cheap, processed food ingredients—a staple of the standard American diet since the 1950s.

Industrial agriculture is now the dominant food production system in this country, characterized by large-scale monoculture, heavy use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and meat produced in confined animal feeding operations (CAFO). Most modest family farms have been forced to either get into business with a big company (contract farming) or go out of business. The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that 90 percent of the 9 billion chickens raised each year in the U.S. are grown under contract, and 57 percent of hogs are owned and slaughtered by just four companies. According to Rodale Institute, only 8 percent of farms produce more than four crops, while specialty crops like fruits, vegetables and nuts are grown on just 3 percent of cropland.

With industrial dominance comes numerous devastating consequences.

Image courtesy of RodaInstitute.org

Human Health Costs

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, industrially produced food is bad for us on several fronts. Heavy pesticide use is poisoning our food, fertilizer is polluting our drinking water, junk food made of corn and soybeans is degrading our health and the overuse of antibiotics in CAFOs is accelerating the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Bioethicist Peter Singer advises, “Factory farms are breeding grounds for new viruses. We’ve had swine flu and avian flu coming out of factory farms. It’s quite possible that the next pandemic will originate there.”

Zach Bush, a triple board-certified physician and producer of the documentary Farmer’s Footprint, says, “Over the last 25 years, we have seen the most profound explosion of chronic disease in human history. Research from around the globe now suggests that environmental factors are contributing to a combination of genetic, neurologic, autoimmune and metabolic injuries that underpin the collapse of health in our children and adults.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that chronic and mental health conditions account for 90 percent of the nation’s $4.1 trillion in annual health care expenditures. Obesity affects 20 percent of children and 42 percent of adults. More than 850,000 Americans die of heart disease or stroke annually, and 37 million have diabetes. Each year, more than 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer, while 600,000 succumb to the disease.

“Most of those diseases are caused by our industrial diet, which means they are avoidable if we transform the food we grow, the food we produce and the food we eat. Eleven million people die every year from a bad diet,” Hyman asserts.

Solutions Using Regenerative Organic Farming

Led by the Regenerative Organic Alliance, which includes organizations and brands like Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia, the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard helps consumers make informed choices about their food purchases. Its three pillars—soil health, animal welfare and social fairness—are

designed to ameliorate the problems associated with conventional agriculture.

Soil Health Equals Planetary and Human Health

Chemical-heavy farming practices employed by conventional agriculture deplete topsoil, draining it of all its organic matter—the very microbiome needed to nourish the plants we grow and ultimately nourish us. In 2014, Maria-Helena Semedo, of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said that if current farming practices continue, we have only 60 years of harvest left. The clock is ticking.

Farming techniques proposed by the ROC are designed to continually rebuild soil. They are proven by years of science done at Rodale Institute and practical results achieved by regenerative organic farmers already growing food this way. “On the farm that we operate here at the Institute, we know that Native Americans were farming this land 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. We’d like to be farming this land 8,000 to 10,000 years from now. We probably won’t be using tractors or diesel fuel, but we will be using the soil,” says Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Moyer.

Under ROC standards that include a variety of rotating crops, cover crops, no tillage, no synthetic inputs of any kind, no genetically modified seeds and staggered grazing by animals, farms become biodiverse ecosystems with organically rich soil that absorbs water, doesn’t erode over time and produces safe, nutritious food. As J.I. Rodale said, “Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.”

Healthy soil draws carbon from the atmosphere deep into the ground, and that is a boost for our fight against climate change. “Regenerative organic farming has a very positive impact on climate, because we’re sequestering more carbon than we are emitting,” Moyer explains. “Under its current production model, agriculture is part of the problem. If it’s part of the problem, then it can and should be part of the solution. That’s the whole premise behind the [ROC] standard itself—treating agriculture as one of the primary tools that we’re going to use as a society to improve our relationship with the planet.”

Animal Welfare Is the Right Thing to Do

Under the ROC model, animals must be raised in a humane way that frees them from discomfort, fear, distress, hunger, pain, injury and disease, while also being able to express normal behavior. To achieve these aims, they need to be taken out of CAFOs and reintegrated into farmland, so that they are pasture-raised and grass-fed, creating meat that is more nutritious and less diseased without chemical interventions.

“We’re integrating animals onto the cropland, with livestock, chickens, sheep and hogs. Imagine what the Great Plains of the United States was 500 years ago. You had bison, elk, deer, rabbits, wolves and myriad different birds, because the birds always followed the migrating animals. We’re trying to mimic that to a small degree on our ranch,” says North Dakota farmer Gabe Brown, who started transitioning into regenerative organic practices in the mid-1990s and wrote an influential book on the subject, Dirt to Soil: One Family’s Journey into Regenerative Agriculture.

Social Fairness and Farming Resilience

Taking care of the farmers and workers that plant, raise, harvest and transport our food is not just the right thing to do, it also creates a system that is more stable and resilient, says Graham Christensen, a Nebraska farmer and president of GC Resolve. “There are serious issues with how the big agricultural companies are treating workers. We saw horrible situations with COVID in the meatpacking plants and how the workers were being treated. This is just one of the many reasons that this over-centralized, monopolized system is affecting people in bad ways,” he says. “Regenerative organic farming requires more hands-on work, which creates jobs. Structural changes in the food production system to decentralize agriculture in favor of regional markets comprised of smaller farms would allow for more equity and better management of the ecosystem.”

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings magazine.

JEFF MOYER

ON FARMING FOR HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH

by Sandra Yeyati

Jeff Moyer is CEO of Rodale Institute, which champions regenerative organic agriculture through scientific research, farmersupport programs and consumer education. On Earth Day, he plans to retire after dedicating 47 years to the influential nonprofit. Moyer revolutionized organic agriculture when he developed and popularized the roller crimper, a device that simplifies no-till crop management and reduces or eliminates the need for herbicides to control weeds. Under his leadership and as a member of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, Rodale Institute helped develop a Regenerative Organic Certified standard that expands USDA Certified Organic requirements to include soil health, animal welfare and social fairness pillars.

Why is conventional agriculture problematic?

Because it boils down the measurement of farming success to one word: yield. By focusing just on yield and sacrificing long-term resource stability to get it, we’re chewing up topsoil at a national rate of five-and-a-half tons per acre of farmland per year for shortterm economic benefit. You can only do that so long before you run out of topsoil. It doesn’t make sense long-term.

What farming practices does Rodale Institute promote?

We’re suggesting a different production model, based on science, that incorporates other metrics of success: soil health and longterm planetary and human health. As a side bar, let’s say you’re a smoker and you stop smoking—your lungs will regenerate. The same is true with soil. If we change production practices, the soil will regenerate.

Under our Regenerative Organic Certified standard, we want well-thought-out crop rotations to get more biodiversity into the system, cover crops and reduced tillage to get more earthworms, and a reintegration of livestock into farms. I’m not going to argue whether people should be eating animals, but if you are going to have animals in the system, they should be raised on farms with grass, not feed lots with grain.

Why is soil health such a priority?

Healthy soil is more biologically active and has a positive impact on climate because it doesn’t just sequester more carbon, it

sequesters it at greater depths. We want carbon to last in the soil for a very long period of time. We don’t want it to be short-cycled in and out of the system, and we want to sequester it at greater depths where we can control it and maintain it for hundreds of years. Ideally, we’ll get it deeper and deeper in the soil over time.

Can regenerative organic agriculture affordably feed the world?

Affordability is a strange term. Can we produce all the food we need at a reasonable cost? Absolutely. The problem with the conventional model is that we don’t pay the true cost of food production at the point of purchase. As an example, when we have to dredge the Mississippi River because of all the soil that’s washing into it from agricultural lands, you don’t pay that bill at the supermarket or restaurant. You pay it as a hidden cost, buried in our tax structure.

In an organic system, you’re paying the true cost of the production of that food at the point of purchase, which makes more sense. And if you add the cost of human health—diabetes, heart disease—all the things that our current food production and food consumption model embodies, then the system we have now is outrageously expensive, and regenerative organic food is cheaper than conventional food.

Can regenerative organic agriculture produce the amount of food needed worldwide?

Yes. In most parts of the world, we use agricultural lands to produce all kinds of commodity products that aren’t food. Forty

Image courtesy of RodaInstitute.org

percent of the corn we produce in the U.S. goes to ethanol production and another 40 percent goes to livestock feed. The ink in your pen was made with soybean oil. If we decided to produce the most amount of food on an acre or hectare of land, we can produce way more food than we need.

What we’re saying is that conventional agriculture cannot feed the world long-term. In the short-term, we’re producing a lot of cheap food, but our current production model is doomed to failure over time because we’re going to run out of healthy soil to farm.

Are you hopeful about the future of agriculture?

Very hopeful. The USDA says that most organic farms are more profitable and expanding at a more rapid rate than their conventional counterparts, and that’s because we have a growing population of support in the marketplace. People are beginning to pay attention to how their food is produced, asking the right questions and recognizing that they have a

“When our bodies are out of balance they give us loud signals in the form of symptoms. In my practice we do not focus on symptoms. We focus on the root cause so the symptom no longer exists.If you listen to your body when it whispers, you will never have to feel it scream!”

Darryl Roberts N.D. Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor

vote with their food purchasing dollars. We’re seeing the concept of regenerative organic enter into the daily conversation, just like we did a few years ago with organic. People didn’t know what organic meant at first. Recent USDA statistics suggest that roughly 80 percent of the nation’s population has eaten something organic in the last 30 days, so people are seeking out organic, and we’re going to follow the same course with regenerative organic.

Sandra Yeyati is national editor of Natural Awakenings magazine.

MUSCULAR MAINTENANCE 101

HOW TO REPAIR MUSCLES AFTER EXERCISE

by David J. Sautter, NASM CPT, FNS, PES, ACE SCS

In any fitness regimen, rest and muscle recovery are just as important as strength training or cardio workouts. Allowing our body to heal micro-tears and inflammation after strenuous exercise readies muscles for subsequent training sessions. By strategically planning a muscle recovery regimen, we optimize performance and reduce injury risk.

Key factors that affect recovery time include workout intensity and duration, stress, sleep and nutrition. Workouts that are longer in duration or higher in intensity require a greater amount of recovery time. High stress levels can increase cortisol and adrenaline, and consistently excessive levels of these fight-or-flight hormones have been shown to impact the body’s ability to repair. If we are chronically deprived of proper sleep (at least seven hours every night) our muscles will suffer. And a poor diet is akin to using broken tools to fix something. Following a healthy, well-balanced and protein-focused eating plan can significantly improve muscle recovery time.

Here are a few scientifically proven approaches that promote tissue repair. A solid, muscle-recovery plan should include one or more of these techniques.

Earthing

Earthing is the practice of connecting with the Earth’s surface energy by going barefoot outside. Also known as grounding or barefoot healing, recent studies suggest that this practice can promote muscle recovery. One study that divided 32 healthy young men into either a grounded or sham-grounded group found that the grounded participants had significantly greater concentrations of neutrophils and platelets, which are

essential for pro-inflammatory and antiinflammatory responses.

In another study, researchers wanted to observe the impacts of grounding on immunity, focusing specifically on delayed onset muscle soreness. Results suggested that being grounded considerably lessened pain levels and altered circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, as well as various chemicals related to inflammation.

“The feeling of being grounded will calm your mind and center your body,” says Anthony Roumell, a personal trainer, gym owner, gymnast and long-time proponent of earthing. But there’s more to grounding than a clear head. He explains, “Our entire cellular system charges with free electrons when we connect to the earth. Studies suggest that these free electrons act as antioxidants in the organism, neutralizing the inflammation response.”

Jonathan Jordan, a certified personal

trainer, nutrition coach and grounding practitioner, advises, “Simply getting off computers or devices and going outside has immediate benefits. Just taking a break, being outside in nature with sun and fresh air lowers the fight-or-flight response. My clients who take the time and practice this for just a few minutes during the day all see great benefit to their health and in their workout programs.”

Hydration

Another way to improve muscle recovery is by hydrating properly. Staying adequately hydrated before, during and after a workout helps the body flush out toxins, reduce inflammation and promote muscle repair. Hydration is more than just drinking water. We also need electrolytes such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium, which can be found in natural sources like coconut water, fruits and vegetables. Electrolytes can also be found in sports drinks, but make sure to choose brands that do not contain sugar, preservatives or food coloring.

Diet

Having a balanced meal before and after a workout is important for muscle recovery. Eating the right foods can provide the essential nutrients needed to repair muscles. Healthy examples include protein like poultry, wild-caught fish, eggs and grassfed protein powder; carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, quinoa, oats and dark leafy greens; and fats like avocados, nuts, seeds and medium-chain triglycerides, known in the market as MCT oil.

Massage

Massage increases the oxygen-rich blood flow in muscles and may decrease lactic acid buildup—a condition that causes soreness and puts a damper on proper exercise. Consider getting periodic massages from a well-trained professional. A good massage can encourage muscles to heal faster. Self-massage using a foam roller, trigger point balls or our own hands can also be helpful. To promote better blood flow, compression clothing designed to

apply pressure to certain parts of the body may also be helpful.

Contrast Therapy

Contrast therapies involve alternating between hot and cold, such as taking a hot shower followed by a cold one. A related muscle-recovery technique is whole-body cryotherapy, which involves exposure to extremely cold temperatures for a very short amount of time, usually one or two minutes.

“Learning how to embrace the discomfort within the cold and heat has had a profound change on my life,” Roumell says. “Contrast therapies will reconnect you to the power of your mind, your breath and your belief in your body’s magnificence. After all, when you are finished sitting in a 34-degree tub for two to 10 minutes, what could possibly be much harder in your day?”

David J. Sautter is a professional fitness writer for KnoWEwell and Natural Awakenings

SUSTAINABLE EATING TIPS TO SHRINK YOUR FOODPRINT

by Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD

Knowing which foods have the least environmental impact is not always easy. Organic blueberries are considered Earth-protective because no pesticides were used to grow them, but if they were shipped from California to a Florida grocery store, the transportation represents a steep carbon footprint. And if we waited too long to eat those blueberries and had to throw them away, all of the resources spent on producing those fruits were wasted.

To get a fuller picture of our food-related environmental impacts, we need to take into consideration the many variables associated with the production, transportation and consumption of food, and that’s where the “foodprint” comes in—a barometer of ecofriendliness. There are many ways to calculate a foodprint; EarthDay.org/foodprints-calculators lists a few automated calculators and food quizzes that can help. Here are noteworthy examples:

n EatLowCarbon.org compares the carbon emissions associated with different meals—ranging from bean soup (lowest CO2 emissions) to a Philly cheesesteak (highest).

n FoodPrint.org offers a questionnaire about a person’s food choices and follows up with tips to reduce their foodprint.

n FoodEmissions.com calculates the foodprint of specific foods like dairy or seafood by asking about the origination and destination of the food to determine transportation emissions, and by asking the consumer to self-report their percentage of waste to calculate the loss of natural resources.

How to Reduce Our Foodprint

BUY RESPONSIBLY PRODUCED FOOD

When shopping for groceries, consider buying from food producers that support environmental stewardship, sustainability and regenerative farming practices in their production systems. A list of third-party certifications that can help identify responsibly manufactured foodstuffs can be found at Foodprint.org/eating-sustainably/foodlabel-guide

BUY LOCAL AND IN SEASON

Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition, encourages her clients to eat local, seasonal produce. “[It] spares the environment, as it doesn’t need to be flown across the country, reducing fuel costs,” she explains, adding that local produce is generally more nutritious and cost effective.

STORE FOOD CORRECTLY

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 30 to 40 percent of the available food supply is wasted. While there are many reasons for food loss at all stages of production and delivery, consumers can have a major impact in reducing how much food is wasted.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides advice for properly storing foods in the refrigerator: leafy veggies go in the high-humidity drawer, while most fruits should be placed in the low-humidity bin. Some fruits like apples and avocados release ethylene gas and can cause nearby produce to spoil, so they should be stored separately. Wash berries just before eating them to prevent mold. Store potatoes, onion and garlic in a cool, dry, dark and well-ventilated place. Freeze bread, meat or leftovers that won’t be eaten before they spoil.

CONSUME SUSTAINABLE FOODS

According to Registered Dietitian Lauren Panoff, one way that consumers can benefit the environment is by transitioning to a more plant-predominant lifestyle. “Plant foods utilize far fewer natural resources than industrial animal agriculture, which is also one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases and drivers of Amazon deforestation,” Panoff explains.

Patricia Kolesa, MS, RDN, founder of the Dietitian Dish, notes, “Plant-based proteins tend to be more affordable and can be stored longer than your animal proteins, helping reduce food waste.”

Nutritics, a food information company, offers a list of the highest-ranking foods when it comes to sustainability, considering inputs like water usage, carbon emissions or capture, land usage and nitrogen storage capabilities. Their list includes mussels, beans, lentils, peas and other legumes, mushrooms, seaweed, cereals and grains, and organic fruits and vegetables.

RESPONSIBLY DISPOSE OF OR SHARE UNEATEN FOOD

Perfectly fresh food that the family has decided not to eat can be donated to people in need. Visit FoodPantries.org to find a nearby soup kitchen or food bank. Compost scraps and spoiled items to divert them from landfills. For composting instructions by the USDA, visit Tinyurl.com/USDAcompost

Ana Reisdorf is a registered dietitian and freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience in the fields of nutrition and dietetics.

UNWRAPPED EGG ROLL NOODLES

YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded

1 cup green cabbage, finely shredded

1 cup purple cabbage, finely shredded

½ cup carrot, finely shredded

¼ onion, sliced

½ cup peanut butter

3 Tbsp coconut aminos

2 Tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp garlic

Salt to taste

Konjac noodles (optional)

Sesame seeds

In a skillet, heat one tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the sliced onions and cook until softened. Add shredded chicken, cabbage, carrot, coconut aminos, remaining sesame oil, garlic and salt to taste. Once the cabbage has wilted and cooked, add the peanut butter. Mix in noodles.

SUSHI BITES

YIELD: 10 SERVINGS

1½ cups cooked sushi rice, cooled

3 sheets nori paper

SALMON OR MUSSELS

1 lb boneless, skinless wild-caught sockeye salmon, cubed (can substitute with mussels)

2 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup

½ tsp garlic powder

2 Tbsp coconut amino teriyaki sauce

Salt to taste

SPICY MAYO

¼ cup avocado mayo

2 tsp sriracha sauce

1 tsp coconut aminos

TOPPINGS

½ avocado, diced small

2 tsp black sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside to cool. Mix spicy mayo ingredients and set aside.

Serve hot, sprinkled with sesame seeds. For a vegan or vegetarian alternative, omit the chicken.

Mix salmon ingredients and set aside. Cut each nori sheet into four equal squares. Line a muffin pan with unbleached muffin liners. To each nori square, add about 1 tablespoon of rice and top with the salmon mixture. Transfer the filled squares to the muffin pan. Bake 15 to 17 minutes for salmon or 7 to 10 minutes for mussels. Allow the sushi bites to cool slightly and top with avocado, sesame seeds and a drizzle of spicy mayo.

Used with permission of Madiha M. Saeed, M.D.

Used with permission of Madiha M. Saeed, M.D.

Image courtesy of Madiha

M. Saeed, M.D.

Image courtesy of Madiha

M. Saeed, M.D.

Thyroid medication: why less really is more

by Dr. Raquel Espinol

Introduction

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by releasing hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). When the thyroid underperforms, it causes everything in your body to work less efficiently. This is known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism affects more than 30 million American adults and is five to eight times more common in females.1 By conservative estimates, one in eight women will develop hypothyroidism.1

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This makes up 75-85% of hypothyroid cases. Oftentimes, people with Hashimoto’s struggle to find a medication or treatment plan that works for them and continue to suffer through symptoms like:

• Fatigue

• Feeling cold

• Losing hair

• Gaining weight

• Depression

While there are many treatment options for hypothyroidism, not all are created equal. Selecting the most appropriate one is vital to managing this disease.

What can interfere with hypothyroid therapy?

Some commonly used prescription drugs that can interfere with thyroid medication absorption and efficacy:

• Antacids

• Lithium

• Amiodarone

• Antibiotics

• Antidepressants

• Dopamine agonists

• Colestipol

• Cholestyramine

• Estrogen, testosterone

Thyroid hormones: T3 and T4

The two hormones to remember are T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). T4 circulates throughout your bloodstream and is stored in your tissues until needed. Once your body finds a need, it converts T4 into T3. Establishing the exact levels of T4 and T3, and determining if the conversion process is working normally, are critical to designing the best treatment approach.

While most healthcare providers understand the critical nature of T4 to T3 conversion, many fail to recognize the factors that affect this process. These include:

• Nutritional deficiencies/excesses

• Autoimmune diseases

• Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, acid reflux, or irritable bowel syndrome

• Use of interfering medications like proton pump inhibitors (Nexium® and Prevacid®, for example) or H2 blockers (Tagamet®, for example), which inhibit the dissolution and absorption of thyroid hormone tablets

• The body’s own obstacles to converting T4 to T3

Some people continue to suffer from hypothyroid symptoms despite being on medication for years. But with some effort, patients can work with their doctor to find an approach that works for them.

Some commonly used nutraceuticals that can interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicines:

• Iron

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Chromium picolinate

Some foods that can interfere with absorption of medication:

• Soy products

• High-fiber/high-bran foods

• Calcium-enriched foods/beverages

Digestive complications or diseases such as celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis, and irritable bowel syndrome can also complicate thyroid hormone therapy.

Make sure to discuss with your doctor all of your medical conditions, medications (both prescription and nonprescription), and nutritional supplements before starting or switching thyroid hormone therapy.

Dr. Raquel Espinol graduated with honors and received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Sonoran University of Health Sciences (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine). She struggled with her own thyroid condition, which was not successfully managed until she discovered naturopathic medicine and worked with a naturopathic doctor to control her condition. This firsthand success inspired her to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine specializing in thyroid diseases.

Dr. Espinol works with men and women addressing thyroid conditions, hormone imbalances, and weight loss. She is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Montana.

Common choices for treating hypothyroidism

The most common treatments for hypothyroidism include T4 monotherapy with levothyroxine, natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) aka “glandular thyroid,” and a regimen of T4 and T3 medications taken together. Figuring out the best option for you may take some time. See the accompanying chart for pros/cons of commonly used hypothyroidism therapies.

T4 monotherapy

Pros:

• Current standard of care for hypothyroidism

• Proven safe and effective

• Available at all pharmacies

• Usually low cost

Cons:

• GI conditions, medications, sensitivities to excipients/ inactive ingredients in tablet formulations can interfere with absorption and tolerability

Natural desiccated thyroid (NDT)

Pros:

• Contains both key thyroid hormones: T4 and T3

• An option for people who need supplemental T3

Cons:

• Derived from thyroid glands of pigs – an issue for vegans

• NDT therapies are tablets that contain excipients or “fillers”

• The T4:T3 ratio contained in NDT tablets is 5:1 – different than the normal human ratio of these hormones

• Can lead to cardiac problems like rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and feelings of anxiety

• It comes from pigs and may contain porcine antigens, which may be problematic for some people

• Not all pharmacies carry NDT products. Not all insurance carriers pay for them

Combined T4 and T3 medication therapy

Pros:

• Consistent potency

• Can be an option for those in need of supplemental T3

• Available at most pharmacies

Cons:

• Two separate medicines that need to be taken daily. T4 is taken once a day; T3 may be recommended in multiple daily doses

• Some insurance plans may require two medication copays

• T3 can be risky for some patients with cardiovascular conditions. Some patients can experience heart palpitations and other side effects

Malabsorption and drug underperformance

Most thyroid hormone therapies come in tablet form. These contain inactive ingredients such as wheat starch (gluten), talc, lactose, sugars, and dyes that help hold the tablet together, but also can impede the absorption of their active ingredient, which results in suboptimal or inconsistent levels of thyroid hormones. When this happens, many patients often believe they need to change medication rather than address the factors that contribute to their therapy’s poor performance. They turn to their physician for new therapies in the hope that these can provide long hopedfor relief from their symptoms.2

Nutritional support

Nutrition can play a role in managing hypothyroidism. However, few patients can treat hypothyroidism with nutritional supplements alone. Some examples of helpful nutritional supplements include inositol, nigella, B vitamins, and selenium. However, excess amounts of certain nutritional supplements can also lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Always tell your physician about all drugs and supplements that you are currently taking as well as your soy, fiber, and non-animal product intake.

Thyroid treatment: sometimes less is more

Less is often more when it comes to hypothyroid treatment. Tirosint®-SOL (levothyroxine sodium) oral solution is a unique liquid hypothyroid medication made with only three ingredients. It contains no fillers or other ingredients that can irritate your stomach or lead to poor drug absorption. Because it’s a liquid, it doesn’t need to dissolve in your stomach like a tablet or capsule before your body starts to absorb it. It’s not made with any ingredients sourced from animals, and it’s easy to swallow and comes in precise monodose ampules that can be conveniently stored for travel. You can pour it into a glass of water and drink it, or you can squeeze the contents of the ampule directly into your mouth.

Since Tirosint-SOL consists of just water, glycerol, and levothyroxine, it’s a very simple yet effective solution for treating hypothyroidism. This is important to me. Additionally, I want to ensure my patients have consistent access to the thyroid medication that works best for them. That being said, Tirosint-SOL has a generous coupon program and low-cost mail-order option to help patients without insurance or with high insurance copays/ deductibles. These can be found on the product’s website.

So, which treatment is right for you?

Share your answers to the following with your physicians so they can work with you to pick the right option for you:

• Have you been treated for hypothyroidism and are dissatisfied with the results?

• Do you want a simpler approach?

• Do you need a drug that is free of excipients like gluten, dyes, lactose, and preservatives?

• Do you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or another GI condition?

• Problems swallowing?

Please see Important Safety Information on the following page or toward the back of this issue, and Full Prescribing Information at TirosintSOL.com.

References: 1. American Thyroid Association Website. https://www.thyroid.org/mediamain/press-room/. Accessed December 8, 2022. 2. McMillan M, et al. Results of the CONTROL Surveillance Project. Drugs in R&D. 2015;16(1):53-68. PM-01-22-0089

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: NOT FOR THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY OR FOR WEIGHT LOSS

• Thyroid hormones, including TIROSINT-SOL, either alone or with other therapeutic agents, should not be used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss.

• In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction.

• Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to glycerol

• Uncorrected adrenal insufficiency

Warnings and Precautions

• Cardiac adverse reactions in the elderly and in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease: Initiate TIROSINT-SOL at less than the full replacement dose because of the increased risk of cardiac adverse reactions, including atrial fibrillation

• Myxedema coma: Do not use oral thyroid hormone drug products to treat myxedema coma

• Acute adrenal crisis in patients with concomitant adrenal insufficiency: Treat with replacement glucocorticoids prior to initiation of TIROSINT-SOL treatment

• Prevention of hyperthyroidism or incomplete treatment of hypothyroidism: Proper dose titration and careful monitoring is critical to prevent the persistence of hypothyroidism or the development of hyperthyroidism

• Worsening of diabetic control: Therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus may worsen glycemic control and result in increased antidiabetic agent or insulin requirements. Carefully monitor glycemic control after starting, changing, or discontinuing thyroid hormone therapy

• Decreased bone mineral density associated with thyroid hormone over-replacement: Over-replacement can increase bone reabsorption and decrease bone mineral density. Give the lowest effective dose

Limitations of Use

• Not indicated for suppression of benign thyroid nodules and nontoxic diffuse goiter in iodine-sufficient patients

• Not indicated for treatment of transient hypothyroidism during the recovery phase of subacute thyroiditis

Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions associated with TIROSINT-SOL are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage including: arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, dyspnea, muscle spasm, headache, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, tremors, muscle weakness, increased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, and skin rash

For Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, visit www.TirosintSOL.com

community resource guide

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

ACUPUNCTURE

3NERGY WELLNESS

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

www.3nergyWellness.com

35 years’ experience in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, integrative health, bioenergy therapies. Expertise correcting root cause of chronic pain, digestive disorders, stress, women’s health and chronic issues. Offering authentic Tai Chi, Qigong and Taoist Yoga classes.

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.

BODYWORK

BRITISH MASSAGE

2210 Coronation Blvd, Ste C 704-572-1310

www.BritishMassage.com

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 27.

BRAIN BALANCING

CERESET DAVIDSON

709 Northeast Dr, Ste 19 Davidson • 704-533-2035

www.Cereset.com

Next generation brain wellness. Helping relax your brain to manage restful sleep, increased energy and focus, positive mood and better stress management. The brain resets by “hearing” and “seeing” its reflection. Schedule appointment today. See ad, page 5.

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 offer both traditional and alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance.

COMPOUNDING PHARMACY

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY

3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612

www.StanleyRX.com

NC’s most experienced and trusted compounding pharmacy. Women’s and men’s hormone health, sexual and functional/ integrative medicine. Expert pharmacists work with healthcare providers statewide to customize medication therapy to the patient. Call to find a provider today. See ad, page 5.

CONCIERGE MEDICINE

WELLCOMEMD

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

DENTISTRY

GENTRY DENTAL

5950 Fairview Rd, Ste 16

704-554-1007

www.GentryDentalCharlotte.com

Providing the highest quality biological/holistic dental care with compassion and understanding. Modern, spa-like office, state-ofthe-art equipment and individualized care and attention. In-office dental savings plan. Call today to schedule appointment. See ad, page 35.

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 2.

DIRECT PRIMARY CARE

BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville 514 N NC -16 Bus, Denver 704-775-6029 • www.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 5.

ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING

MOLD REMEDIATION, HOME WATER CONTROL

Sedona Waterproofing Solutions

704-960-7906

www.SedonaWaterproofing.com

Address moisture issues in your home resulting in healthier indoor air and increased energy efficiency. Basements, crawlspace, drainage and foundation issues. Call today for a free inspection and quotation. $250 discount with code NACLT. See ad, page 10.

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 17.

No one comes from the earth like grass. We come like trees. We all have roots.

~Maya Angelou

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 13.

SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN

Claudia Josephine Design

860-796-3415

www.ClaudiaJosephineDesign.com

Proving that sustainable, ecofriendly design can still be stylish, Claudia creates classic, functional, and beautiful interiors. Certified Green Accredited Professional. Specializing in new residential construction and full-service interior design.

FOOTCARE

A HUNTERS’ ADVENTURE

Marian Sanders, CNA, MA 360-908-8536

Healing4MerryHearts@gmail.com

www.Healing4MerryHearts.org

Providing in-home foot soak, massage, and nail clipping with all natural products for elderly, disabled and homebound. Raising spirits, providing comfort, and giving peace of mind. Schedule today, receive 20% new client discount.

FUNCTIONAL

MEDICINE

BENTON INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & THE SKIN CENTER

16415 Northcross Dr, Ste B, Huntersville

514 N NC -16 Bus, Denver

704-775-6029 • www.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 5.

GARDENING

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.

HOMEOPATHY

CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith

6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-459-8633

CarolinasNaturalHealth.com

Charlotte’s only doctor 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 6.

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 15.

INTEGRATIVE HEALER

KATIE SUTTON

Intuitive Channel, Guided Meditation Coach

828-246-3335

ZenWithinAcademy.com

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

STANLEY SPECIALTY PHARMACY 3120 Latrobe Dr, Ste 200 704-370-6612

www.StanleyRX.com

NC’s most experienced and trusted compounding pharmacy specializing in integrative and root-cause medicine for men and women. Expert pharmacist team works with healthcare providers and patients to prepare custom medications. Call to schedule consult today. See ad, page 5.

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.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

CAROLINAS NATURAL HEALTH CENTER

Dr Michael Smith 6404 Bannington Rd, Ste A 704-459-8633

CarolinasNaturalHealth.com

Diabetes, Depression, Digestive Disorders, Aller gies, Autoimmune disease, Anxiety, ADHD. Charlotte’s only doctor 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 6.

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, page 11. Find

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.

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 29.

SCALAR

ENERGY

SCALAR FREQUENCY HEALING

704-920-0963

CS@ScalarFrequencyHealing.com

www.ScalarFrequencyHealing.com

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. See ad, page 2.

SCALAR HEALTH ENHANCEMENT CENTER

704-920-0963

Members@ScalarHealthEnhancement.com

www.ScalarHealthEnhancement.com

When you enter the Scalar Health Enhancement Center, you enter a healing zone where the 5th Dimension isn't just a theory, it is a functioning reality! Call for appointment today. See ad, page 2.

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.

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 9.

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

3715 Rea Rd

Sundays at noon

www.UnityofCharlotte.org

We offer a vibrant, inclusive Sunday Celebration at noon, led by co-ministers Revs Lisa and Jim. Inspiring messages and upbeat music support your spiritual growth, well-being, and abundant living. Space shared with Wesley United Methodist Church.

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.

TACHYON

TORCHBEARER TACHYON

20200 Zion Ave, Ste 11

Cornelius • 980-689-1803

www.TorchBearerTachyon.com

“Connect to Source” through a 45-minute meditation experience with tachyons. Experience spiritual alignment, clarity, and downloads that improve your mental and physical health. Read our reviews and book your experience today.

WEIGHT LOSS

CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Gastonia • 704-271-9757

Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560

CWLI.net

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

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

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.

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 7.

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

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.

Next Month: TOP WOMEN IN WELLNESS

Trevor Cates, ND Stress Impact on Skin

Jaclyn Chasse, ND Stress and Fertility

Carol Penn, DO Aging Gracefully

Carrie Jones, MD, FAAP Stress and your Thyroid

Jaquel Patterson, ND, IFMCP Sleep, Cortisol and its Relation to Stress

Anna Cabeca DO, OBGYN,FACOG Stress and Libido

Arti Chandra, MD, MPH Healing Your Gut

Anne Marie Fine, ND Cracking the Beauty Code

Kela Smith, PhD DNM Stress & Fertility

Jyl Steinbeck Women’s Health & Homeopathy