Natural Awakenings Charlotte - August 2023 Issue

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Dr. John Kempter

Dr. Eric Kempter

The Healing Power of Oxygen

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

Effective

Treatment for

Both Insurance & Noninsurance Covered Conditions:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Lyme Disease • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Autism

Fibromyalgia

• Diabetic wounds

• Radiation injury

• Chrohn’s Disease

Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Anti-Aging

Concussion

Stroke

Sports Injury • Long COVID

During your session you can: watch a movie, listen to music, sleep, meditate, or just plain relax

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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. Roxborough High School, September 27, 2022. Rudsdale High School, September 28, 2022. McLain High School for Science and Technology, September 30, 2022. Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, October 24, 2022. Jones High School, November 12, 2022. Benito Juarez High School, December 16, 2022. The Covenant School, March 27, 2023.

11 ASK A MECK COUNTY EXPERT

What To Do About Roadside Litter

16 LIFELONG LEARNING

Benefits of Being the Forever Student

19 NEW FILM ON REVERSING

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Advanced Screening in Charlotte

20 STEPPARENTING SUCCESS

Creating a Vibrant Blended Family

22 DIETARY DILEMMAS

How to Help Schoolkids With Food Restrictions

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26 MARIA RODALE on Letting Nature Heal Itself

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22 conscious eating

26 wise words

28 resource guide

31 gaston county natural guide

31 classifieds

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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AD DESIGN Helene Leininger

EDITORIAL Jane Aylward

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A Mutual Understanding

This month’s Q&A with Maria Rodale, author and activist in the regenerative organic agriculture movement, spoke to me. In the Wise Words article, she talks about the importance of understanding what nature is communicating to us. Last week our family camped for a couple of nights on Cumberland Island. The campground and beach are beautiful—and, we all agreed, the animals are bold. We had racoons, deer and armadillos coming into our campsite while we were there. Even the cardinals landed on the picnic table, looking for food, while we were eating. I figured they were used to getting fed by campers.

One experience was different though. As I was walking on one of the island’s narrow trails, I ran into four feral horses. It’s thought that horses were first brought to Cumberland when the Spanish established missions there in the 1500s, and other groups have introduced more horses since that time. Now they are free-ranging and roam the island. We startled each other, and I quickly walked off the trail into the trees. The lead horse wasn’t afraid—as soon as I got out of the way, it boldly ran by. A foal and another horse followed more tentatively. When I peered out from the trees, there was one skittish horse remaining, hopping around nervously. I went back into the trees and calmly said to the horse that it could pass by, that I’ll stay off the trail until it did. It ran by quickly.

It struck me that we communicated with and understood each other: the horse told me, with its behavior, that it wasn’t comfortable with me; I told the horse, with both my actions and my words, “I’ll stay off the trail until you pass by.” It felt good to try to understand this animal, and even better to think that it understood me. I like being more attuned to what nature is communicating.

I did ask one other camper if animals had come into their campsite, and they had not. So now I’m wondering if there was more to our close encounters. Best not to overthink.

Wishing you a relaxing end to the dog days of summer,

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!

Solar Energy

An Easy Solution to Save Money and Help the Planet

Charlotte is currently experiencing a tremendous growth in the use of solar energy. Homeowners and businesses that have qualified and have had solar panels installed on their roofs are seeing clear cost savings in a world where inflation and interest rates are making nearly every bill go up. And as homeowners know the

benefits of building equity by paying their mortgage each month instead of renting, solar helps build equity, too.

Solar is a solution that helps people take control of their energy bills, hedge them against ever-rising costs and start building equity by owning their solar panels and harnessing free energy from the sun, instead of renting it from a utility company.

Although no form of energy is completely clean, solar energy is an option where the pros—helping the environment, saving money, building equity and adding home value—heavily outweigh the cons—not all homeowners qualify, and the green benefits still have room to grow. Those that do qualify can take advantage of the federal tax credit which saves an additional several thousand dollars on their energy usage.

To see if a homeowner or business qualifies, and obtain a complimentary cost quote, simply text or call 980-494-0393 to reach Jordan Peschek, nurse and local Solar Tech with Encor Solar. See ad, page 25.

Start a Career in Natural Health

Enrollment is now open for fall and winter courses at Trinity School of Natural Health, a premier resource for holistic health education, with graduates from all 50 U.S. states and more than 40 countries. Founded in 1991, the school’s diverse online curriculum provides comprehensive knowledge and skills to help turn a passion for healthy living into a fulfilling career. Graduates often use their education in private practices, group clinics, retail stores, online businesses, public education or writing jobs.

Certifications are available for a wide range of natural health specialties, including health coaching, naturopathy, aromatherapy, homeopathy, holistic fitness, herbalism, iridology, nutritional consulting and ZYTO bioenergetics. Led by instructors with practical expertise, these online courses provide students the flexibility to work when their schedules allow, while offering interactive and structured classroom settings to keep students motivated and on the path toward graduation.

Programs begin every four weeks. For more information or to enroll, call an enrollment specialist at 800-428-0408, option 2, or visit www.TrinitySchool.org. See ad, page 12.

Torchbearer Tachyon Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Torchbearer

Tachyon is celebrating its one-year anniversary in Cornelius, North Carolina, by offering special savings and more from 4 to 7 p.m. on August 13. Attendees of this special event will be able to tour the tachyon chamber; receive member pricing (50 percent off) for tachyon sessions; enter to win raffle prizes (with proceeds benefitting nonprofit The Sacred Sol Collective which puts on Sol Harmony Festival and other local events); meet natural health practitioners and like-minded others.

“ Tachyon Living specialists combined have been studying and working with energy for 50-plus years and in an in-depth basis for the last 12 years with tachyon fields,” says owner Adrienne Craighead. “The tachyon chamber uses a proprietary method which comprises the use and variance of different alloys, elements and crystals to emit the tachyon particles symbiotically in a very high-powered state.”

The process helps clients achieve theta brainwaves when meditating—the deepest and slowest conscious waves that Tibetan monks practice for years to master—to experience a deep and efficient state that positively affects their body, energy, emotions and mental health.

Location: 20200 Zion Ave., Ste. 11. For more information, call 980689-1803 or visit www.TorchBearerTachyon.com. See CRG, page 30.

TheScalar Health Enhancement

Center, a project of Free Spirit Humanitarian Church, co-managed by Sonny and Leslie Carl and based in Kannapolis, North Carolina, is offering free Quantum Magnetic Resonance body scans for anyone that schedules sessions at the facility. The procedure can track health improvements for those that receive energy health treatments.

“You have a black-and-white paper trail of the condition of your body systems and the ability to track the improvements by comparing scans spanning your treatment time,” says Leslie, who was trained on Rife and Scalar equipment back in the 1980s and is also a certified lymphologist and has experience in herbal use, food as medicine, body electric, distance healing and several forms of frequency health. Using her background in frequency and Scalar health, the center is operating an Energy Enhancing System along with additional equipment and health-enhancing frequencies to provide the added benefits of a hybrid system that works more than each system can do independently.

Location: 6175 Pagemont Rd. For more information or to arrange for a session, call 704-490-5483, email SC@ScalarHealthEnhancement.com or visit www.ScalarHealthEnhancement.com. See ad, page 15. Visit www.AwakeningCharlotte.com for 2023 Event Calendar

ASK 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.

How Can I Get the Litter Collected Along My Roadside?

We receive a lot of emails regarding litter. We don’t like litter either, so we definitely want to help make it go away. However, we need you to help be part of the solution too.

First, please understand that in our area most roads are “controlled” by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). NCDOT usually contracts with a company to pick up litter and cut the grass along the roadways. Roads are divided into categories, like local streets, arteries and interstate highways. These categories determine the frequency of cleaning. Litter collection is usually not handled by the county or city, but by the state. Mecklenburg County participates with Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful (KMB) which adopts roadways to remove litter. You can volunteer with KMB to assist–the link to KMB is: https://tinyurl.com/KMBvolunteer

Obviously, the first part of litter prevention begins with NOT LITTERING, and we ask that you be vigilant about not putting things in the back of vehicles that may inadvertently fly out. That discarded coffee cup in the back of a pick-up will likely land on one of our roadways. We call that inadvertent littering; however, deliberate littering also needs to stop. Unfortunately, we do catch deliberate littering and illegal dumping, and we always work to prosecute those culprits. The State DOT also has a Swat-A-Litterbug program where you can report litter violators here: www.tinyurl.com/SwatALitterbug.

Mecklenburg County offers drop-off locations for most disposable items. We ask that when transporting loads to us, please cover and tarp materials so inadvertent littering does not happen. We all want Mecklenburg County to shine and not have litter; please do your part to assist.

Visit our main web site at www.WipeOutWaste.com for more information. And always remember to Recycle Right!

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 seven residential recycling questions at https://tinyurl.com/MeckRecyleRightFAQs.

Primary Health-Care of Charlotte Free Health Care Events Epitomize 35 Years of Community Service

PrimaryHealth-Care of Charlotte, P.A., will conduct free holistic health examinations for college students and workers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 19 at their facility in Charlotte by appointment only. The thorough physicals provided in this annual event will address all body systems with wellness and preventive care principles.

Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, the practice, which has served the uninsured and under insured with continuous lowcost holistic health care for 35 years, also offers free care to those needing to monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and weight from 3 to 6 p.m. on the third Friday of each month.

B etty Marlin, RN, BSN, MSN, CNS, founder, owner and CEO of the practice, is also host of the weekly cable TV show Wellness, Wholeness, Holiness and a weekly radio program on WDRB. Called by God to open the first community nursing center, Marlin states, “We knew from valid research and 48 years of professional nursing practice that there is such a desperate need for physicals, first aid, testing, self-care counseling, health education for disease prevention and abuse intervention in low-income neighborhoods.”

Recently, an unhoused family brought their high schoolage son to her to try to lower his blood pressure without prescription drugs so he could play football. For little cost, Marlin recommended a low-sodium/fat diet, healthy exercise and sleep regimen along with assisting the family in obtaining housing, financial, legal and community support. Two weeks later, the son successfully lowered his blood pressure and was able to play football again and the family is now housed and experiencing improved overall health.

If serious or chronic conditions are discovered, Marlin also refers people to other appropriate medical professionals from a network of providers.

The practice accepts donations to their charitable arm that makes these free events and their ongoing low-cost health care possible.

Location: 508 Beatties Ford Rd. For more information, to make an appointment or to donate, call 704-347-1172. See CRG, page 29.

Colon Cancer Rising Among Young Adults

Colon cancer is on the rise in young adults, according to a report published in the journal Science. Colorectal cancer diagnosed in individuals under the age of 50 is known as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). The most common symptoms include abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. Patients with EOCRC are often diagnosed with more advanced-stage disease and have worse survival rates compared to a later onset of the disease.

EOCRC has risen at a rate of 2 to 4 percent per year since the 1990s and is anticipated to become the leading cause

Maximizing Lutein in Green Smoothies

Research indicates that lutein is essential for eye health, suppresses inflammation and offers cardiovascular health benefits. Because the human body cannot make this powerful antioxidant, it is important to include it in the diet by eating dark, leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale.

A new study in the journal Nutrients has found that coconut milk is the most effective plant-based milk to liberate lutein from spinach in green smoothies. The scientists from Linköping University, in Sweden, tested 14 liquids, and only four increased lutein liberation in spinach smoothies. Compared to blending spinach with water alone, coconut milk without additives was found to improve lutein liberation by 42 percent. Improved lutein liberation was also found with high-fat cow’s milk (36 percent), medium-fat cow’s milk (30 percent) and coconut milk with additives (25 percent). Researchers noted that soy milk with and without additives actually reduced lutein liberation by 40 percent and 61 percent, respectively.

of cancer death in those aged 20 to 49 by the year 2030. One in five colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed today are in people younger than 55, compared to one in 10 cases in 1995, according to the American Cancer Society.

The increased risk is carried through generations due to changes in environmental risk factors that disproportionately affect those born in recent decades compared to those born earlier. Obesity and other conditions related to metabolic syndrome, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and Type 2 diabetes are associated with CRC risk. Dietary factors, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, red and processed meat, and Western diets, have also been implicated, as has the increased use of antibiotics, environmental toxins and higher rates of cesarean sections and other surgical procedures. Other possible reasons include genetics, low screening rates and misdiagnoses. Researchers also call for more research on the microbiome for EOCRC early detection and assessment.

Photo by 13MoonsPublishingServices.com

Flamingo ImagesAdobeStock.com

New Species Found in Deep-Sea Mining Zone

El Niño Is Here

Biologists have discovered more than 5,000 new species of marine life in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), an untouched seabed in the Pacific Ocean spanning nearly 2 million square miles between Hawaii and Mexico. Remarkably, approximately 90 percent of the species are entirely new to science. In a paper published in the journal Current Biology, scientists provided the first list of CCZ species, although most of them have not yet been named or described. The checklist focuses on multicellular ani mals dwelling on the ocean floor.

This research is crucial for assessing the potential consequences of deep-sea mining in the CCZ. The seafloor is rich with cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper and zinc— minerals that are critical for renewable energy technologies. Already, 31 exploration contracts have been awarded to several mining companies. Excavation in the CCZ has not yet begun, and scientists, activists and governments have urged caution until researchers are able to evaluate and better understand the impact that mining would have on this unique marine ecosystem.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño and La Niña are the warm and cool phases of a climate pattern across the tropical Pacific. The patterns shift back and forth every two to seven years and vary in strength, causing changes in ocean temperature that lead to droughts, floods and heat waves in different parts of the world.

El Niño has the strongest influence on U.S. winter weather, but in the summer, it reduces hurricane activity in the Caribbean and Atlantic. The pattern also makes it wetter across the southern third to half of the country, including California, while regions in the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Ohio Valley are dry and warm. Outside the U.S., El Niño brings drier weather to Australia, Indonesia, India, and parts of southern Africa and northern South America, and wetter conditions in Southeast Argentina, parts of Chile and Northeast Africa.

This year’s El Niño formed earlier than usual, increasing the possibility of a strong effect on the weather, which when combined with human-caused warming, could result in record high global temperatures. Experts also say it is possible that record hot Atlantic Ocean water may counteract El Niño’s usual suppression of hurricanes this year.

Power Walking Innovation

A basic law of physics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. Kinetic energy pushes us forward each time we take a step. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average American takes 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day, with many aiming for 10,000 or more. That’s a great deal of energy that gets transferred to the ground unused.

As a design and technology student in London, Laurence Kemball-Cook devised a plan to collect the secondhand energy of footsteps and store it in a usable format. In 2009, a kinetic floor tile that could generate clean electricity was born. Today, Kemball-Cook is CEO of Pavegen, one of many companies looking for ways to advance sustainable energy. Pavegen has installed more than 200 projects in 37 countries.

Pavegen’s sidewalks are made of tile-like triangular platforms. When someone steps on a tile, a flywheel is activated to spin extremely fast, generating power that is sent to and stored in a battery. Although these smart sidewalks do not have the capacity to power entire cities, they can provide energy to office spaces, shopping malls, neighborhoods with streetlamps, sports games and music festivals. While the company works to lower costs and extend their application, Pavegen has been using its energy-producing sidewalks as an educational tool for sustainability awareness.

Artem Pachkovskyi/ShutterStock.com

LIFELONG LEARNING

BENEFITS OF BEING THE FOREVER STUDENT

by Linda Sechrist

It’s never too late to take an evening drawing class at the local high school, learn a language with the help of an app or get one-on-one tutoring from a piano instructor. Adults of any age can find personal and professional benefits when they engage in what is termed “lifelong learning.” It is a great way to spice up retirement, acquire skills for a coveted promotion, master new technology, express creativity or simply keep the mind sharp. Lifelong learners are generally curious, self-motivated and passionate individuals. Their continuing educational pursuits can lead to mental and emotional benefits, including healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Brain Benefits

In a study published in the journal Psychological Science involving 200 seniors, neuroscientists at the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas found that sustained engagement in cognitively demanding, novel activities— such as learning digital photography or quilting—significantly enhanced memory function in older adults. The researchers

were surprised to discover that the control group, which engaged in fun, social activities without learning a new skill, did not perform as well in memory tests.

In a report published in the journal Neurology, Dr. Keith Johnson from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that people engaged in higher levels of intellectual stimulation throughout their lives can delay the onset

of memory problems and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, although it does not represent a cure for the illness.

The mind is a use-it-or-lose-it tool, says Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, D.C. “What better way to use our short-term and long-term memory than to engage in lifelong learning? The older we get, the less likely we are to exercise short-term memory. We program our phones with numbers we call regularly. We store passwords and usernames in our computers and never attempt to memorize credit card numbers,” she explains. “We’re not using our brains enough, leaving us open to being replaced by AI [artificial intelligence]. The brain is a muscle to be exercised regularly or like a car that you must keep tuned up.”

Susteren points to a five-year study of London taxi drivers, which found that the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is crucial for long-term memory and spatial navigation, was larger than average in the brains of these cabbies. What’s more, the neuroscientists at University College London were able to show through magnetic resonance imaging that this gray-matter growth occurred over a four-year period after the drivers had memorized an intricate network of 25,000 streets and thousands of routes to tourist attractions and city hotspots. According to Van Susteren, this study suggests that intensive learning can spur the brain to grow over time.

Making Every Day Count

Ingrid Bianca Byerly, director of the Humanitarian Challenges Focus Program and senior lecturing fellow in the Thompson Writing Program, at Duke University, describes lifelong learners as audacious, curious and fun-loving people that passionately seize the day. In a TED talk entitled “The New Fountain of Youth: Lifelong Learning,” she recounts the invigorating experience of being on the faculty of three Semester at Sea voyages, where she taught undergraduate students and lifelong learners world music and public-speaking advocacy for global humanitarian causes.

“Entering college, you’re asking yourself, ‘What am I going to do for a job and a

Laugesen/AdobeStock.com

paycheck?’ and at retirement, you’re asking, ‘What is my purpose, and what am I going to do with the rest of my life for my personal fulfillment and enrichment?’” Byerly expresses admiration for lifelong learners that pursue life goals, learn to play musical instruments, take art classes, climb mountains or write memoirs, and surmises that the secret to staying young and keeping the mind alive is adult education.

Life-Altering Pursuits

For some lifelong learners, seeking new opportunities and embracing change are compelling motivators. Take Maia Toll, for example. In 2006, she followed a whim to study herbalism with a traditional healer in Ireland. For the elementary school teacher living in Beacon, New York, botanical herbs had only been a hobby up to that point.

“Apprenticing with Eleanor changed everything,” she says of her experience with her Irish-based mentor. “I had the space in my life and money from selling my house. Three months turned into nearly a year, and upon returning home, I continued studying for four more years.”

Toll left her teaching career to become a full-time herbalist and is now the co-owner of a shop called Herbiary, with locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Asheville, North Carolina, where she lives. She has taught herbalism at West Chester University in their School of Public Health, led a study program in the Amazon rainforest and written several books, including her latest, Letting Magic In. As she explains, “Lifelong learning can change your life at any age.”

A Greater Commitment to Learning

For 30 years, Jim Walker was a labor representative for the California School Employees Association. He recalls teaching a labor-law class as an adjunct instructor for Los Angeles TradeTechnical College and estimates that about 80 percent of his students were lifelong learners, which he defines as adults between the ages of 30 and 45 that are interested in the subject matter for personal or professional reasons rather than satisfying a requirement for a college degree.

“It was obvious to me that these lifelong learners were more dedicated students than college students. They were like sponges and wanted to absorb everything. Occasionally during classes, it was the lifelong learners that were on their phones googling the subject and updating my facts,” says Walker, who admits that when he had more free time in retirement, he enrolled in meteorology and astrology courses to satisfy longstanding interests of his own.

Looking for Ongoing Learning

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The Joy of Achieving Milestones

In love with learning and the sense of accomplishment she feels whenever she masters a subject, Doreen DeStefano, of Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, in Fort Myers, Florida, has been earning degrees since 1987. She holds bachelor’s degrees in nursing and exercise physiology, master’s degrees in criminology and public business administration, and doctorates in natural health and nursing practice. “In medicine, there is always something new to learn,” she says. “I think that’s why I chose this field. It’s fun to learn the latest thing.”

Resources

There are numerous opportunities for learning, in person and online.

IN-PERSON CLASSES

n For people that work full time, many cities offer evening classes at high schools, colleges or civic centers on a wide range of subjects.

n Museums and art institutions commonly host demonstrations and in-depth instruction by local artists.

n A neighborhood music store can lead to connections with musicians that tutor burgeoning rock stars.

n For those harboring thespian aspirations, a hometown improv group or regional theater may be holding auditions or offering acting classes.

n Dance studios help people step up their ballroom dance skills.

n Contact a chef or visit a kitchen supply store for cooking lessons.

n A nearby botanical garden or gardening shop may offer how-to classes for growing native or pollinator plants.

n Pick up sewing tips at the fabric store.

n If a class is not offered, create a study group that meets at a cafe or park to learn together.

ONLINE LESSONS

n To become proficient in a new language, check out apps like RosettaStone.com and Duolingo.com

n YouTube.com is an endless source for instructional videos of every variety.

n Visit Ted.com for informative and inspiring TED talks by global experts in their respective fields.

n For students that wish to learn while taking nature walks, a vast world of podcasts awaits.

n For transformational learning, try MindValley.com, UbiquityUniversity.org and Gaia.org.

n Coursera.org offers many streaming courses, documentaries and films.

n Auditing university classes at prestigious, world-class schools is just a click away. Visit these popular sites, many of which offer courses for free: Harvard University (pll.harvard.edu/catalog/ free), Stanford University (Online.Stanford.edu/free-courses), EdX (EdX.org) and The Open University (Open.edu).

Linda Sechrist has been a contributing writer to Natural Awakenings publications for 20 years.

Allergic to Certain Implant Metals?

FIND OUT With Sensiband

If a metal does this to your skin... what will it do implanted inside of your body?

Sensiband is an easy to use and affordable way to test for metal allergies before a surgical implant.

Each test kit comes with hypoallergenic silicone bands and interchangeable disks to test for potential allergic reactions caused by the most commonly used surgical metals.

www.sensiband.com

New Film on Groundbreaking Approach to Reverse Alzheimer’s Disease

ADVANCED SCREENING AT CHARLOTTE’S MINT MUSEUM, UPTOWN AT LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

For those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, no memories are safe—from the recollections of daily responsibilities to our most cherished moments. Memories for Life, Reversing Alzheimer’s, is a new documentary-style film that follows the journeys of six Alzheimer’s patients who are turning to a new, clinically proven method to help reverse the hands of time and retain their memories. The Charlotte debut is at 7 p.m. on September 22 and includes a Q&A with special guests at the Mint Museum Uptown, at the Levine Center for the Arts in the James B. Duke Auditorium.

Narrated by Grammy winner Michael Bublé and directed by Hideyuki Tokigawa, the film will share the stories of these patients who refuse to accept their prognosis and are instead turning to an innovative approach called the ReCODE (Reverse Cognitive Decline) Protocol spearheaded by top neurologist, Dr. Dale Bredesen. Rather than only treating the symptoms of the disease, the results of a vast set of comprehensive functional medicine testing not used in traditional medicine, along with neurological evaluations and additional health history reveal the “root cause(s)” of cognitive decline. Then, a report is generated that outlines the contributors to a patient’s symptoms and the steps required to improve cognitive function.

B estselling author of The End of Alzheimer’s, Dr. Bredesen has faced numerous challenges from the mainstream medical community, even though many patients who follow the protocol exhibit signs of reversing their cognitive decline and two clinical trials prove its efficacy. Memories for Life shows the eye-opening results of this life-changing treatment and questions why something with the potential to reverse such a devastating disease is not being embraced by medical researchers.

For Charlotte resident Robyn Albaum, the film is personal. Serving as primary caregiver to assist her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s for nine years, Albaum was introduced to Dr. Bredesen’s novel approach in 2018. Albaum, a Certified ReCODE Health Coach and Dementia Trainer, is the founder of the Alzheimer’s Alternative, LLC which works with several functional medicine physicians and clients around the country. She partners with her clients and their family as their advocate, along with their Functional MDs to execute the ReCODE protocol based on their personal needs and preferences. This includes a focus on several lifestyle changes with specific interventions in nutrition, sleep, exercise, supplements, stress reduction techniques, brain-training activities, detoxification strategies (i.e., mold, heavy metals, etc.), and more.

By looking inward at the root cause of a person’s cognitive symptoms, Albaum is on a mission to end cognitive decline.

Cost: $20 including one hour of museum gallery viewing prior to the screening. Location: 500 S. Tryon St. For more information or to register for general admission or VIP dinner, visit https://MemoriesforLifeCharlotte.eventbrite.com. Sponsorship packages start at $25. For more information on sponsorships, email Robyn@EndCognitiveDecline.com. To schedule a consultation with Albaum, visit www.EndCognitiveDecline.com. See ad, page 2.

Stepparenting Success

CREATING A VIBRANT BLENDED FAMILY

by Julie Peterson

Blended families are complex and often challenging. A marriage between two people that already have children creates new relationships with individuals that were strangers not long ago. The newlyweds must nurture their own kids while forming new bonds with stepchildren, and the children may need to figure out how to accept a stepparent into their lives, share physical and emotional space with stepsiblings or spend part of their time in their other parent’s home.

It’s a lot to ask. Imagine this through the eyes of a young child or teenager. It might be confusing, frustrating or infuriating. Fortunately, there are methods to knit a blended family into a strong and enduring tapestry.

Beat the Odds

According to Julee Peterson, a Californiabased therapist at Helping Blended Families, 65 percent of families are blended. It is the new norm. And yet, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 23 percent of second marriages end in divorce after five years and 39 percent dissolve after 10 years. Peterson notes, “Many reputable scholars still project the overall divorce rate for all marriages to be between 40 and 50 percent.”

To avoid becoming part of these statistics, it is crucial to manage expectations before creating a blended family. “What roles do you see each other playing? How are you going to handle discipline, experience holidays, safeguard your relationship or deal with divorce drama?” asks Christina McGhee, MSW, author of Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids.

See the Child’s Point of View

McGhee, who prefers to be called “bonus mom” by her two stepchildren, cautions parents not to underestimate the amount

of stress that blended families experience due to different parenting styles, uncooperative coparents and revolving schedules. “But it’s still possible to create an environment where everybody feels connected and accepted,” she asserts.

“Even very young children pick up on body language and stress,” says McGhee. “Kids can do remarkably well having one household that is grounded, balanced and supportive with parental figures that validate their feelings, shield them from conflict, create opportunities for conversation and remain consistent and predictable.”

Set Practical Boundaries

While it’s OK if a stepchild is not comfortable with a stepparent right away, “the child should have an understanding of the importance of the stepparent in their life, and that the stepparent should be treated with respect,” says attorney Victoria Kelly, a partner at Sefton Kelly Family Law, in Naperville, Illinois.

Although a couple may be excited to embark upon a blended-family adventure, their children may feel pressured into instantly liking or accepting a stepparent. “Kids may feel a loyalty conflict or worry about betraying the other parent if they accept the stepparent,” says McGhee, suggesting that stepparents encourage and support one-on-

one time with the other parent. “It’s critical for bonus parents to honor the history that your bonus children have,” she advises. “Part of their lives didn’t include you. Respect that.”

Collaborate With the Coparent

“You have zero control over the decisions that coparents make—what they do, what they say, the rules that they establish,” says McGhee. “But you always have a choice about how you respond and how you engage. Focus on what you can control.”

“It’s important to have an open line of communication with the other parent, but if the other parent is not comfortable speaking with the stepparent, that boundary should be respected," advises Kelly. “All families can benefit from monthly meetings.”

“Often, there are issues that kids are navigating behind the scenes that don’t make it on our parent radar,” McGhee notes, suggesting that parents set up a transition time when children are moving between households, such as a gathering around the dinner table to talk about the things that took place while apart. “Kids need some emotional space to shift gears,” she says. “When they’re with the other parent, keep communication open, so that when the children come back through the door, they don’t get sensory overload.”

Create Memories Together

Will Smith, senior business development manager for Acrow Bridge, in Alabama, raised one biological son and one stepson. He says that each child is different, so every situation needs to be customized to meet their needs. Smith and his wife presented a clear and consistent front when setting long-term values and goals for the kids— expecting the boys to do well in school and go to college—and they leaned in hard to achieve those objectives.

Stepparents can gradually incorporate quality togetherness by celebrating holidays, new rituals or even ordinary activities. “My relationship with my stepson grew through a shared interest in sports,” Smith says. “As a family, we played a lot of board games and had some favorite movies. These things became traditions.”

Julie Peterson is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine.

Ursula Page/AdobeStock.com

Nature’s Germ Killer Copper can stop germs

before you get sick

By Doug Cornell

Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast.

Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.

Colds, flu, and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungus almost instantly, just by touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about germs. Now we do.

The National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Microbiology vouch for the power of copper to kill germs.

Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a germ cell and destroys it in seconds.

The EPA recommends hospitals use copper for touch surfaces such as faucets and doorknobs. This cuts the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saves lives.

The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He

made a smooth copper probe with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril where viruses collect.

When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened.” That was 2012.

Now he’s gone 11 years without a cold. “I used to get 2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my CopperZap right away at any sign I am about to get sick.”

After the initial success, he asked relatives and friends to try it.

Users say:

“It works! I love it!”

“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”

“Is it supposed to work that fast?”

“One of the best presents ever.”

“Sixteen flights, not a sniffle!”

“Cold sores gone!”

“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”

“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”

They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.

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

Soon people found other things they could use it against:

Colds and Flu

Covid

Sinus trouble from germs

Cold sores or fever blisters

Canker sores that get infected

Mold allergies

Congestion or stuffiness

Drippy nose

Hay fever worsened by bacteria

Strep throat

Pink Eye and Styes

Skin infections

Infected sores

Cuts or wounds getting infected

Thrush and Tongue Infections

Warts

Ringworm

The handle is curved and textured to increase contact with fingers and hands in case you touch things sick people may have touched.

Scientists placed millions of viruses on copper. “The viruses started to die literally as soon as they touched it,” said Dr. Bill Keevil.

The EPA says copper works just as well when tarnished. Easy to clean or polish.

Made in America entirely of pure US copper. Comes with Directions. 90-day Money-back Guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each with code NATA36

See www.CopperZap.com or call toll-free 888-411-6114.

Buy once, use forever.

Statements not evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in August

New research: Copper kills bad germs in seconds.

Childhood Food Allergies, Intolerances and Sensitivities

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS FOR ALL AGES

by Veronica Hinke

It’s back-to-school season, and for students with food issues, meal planning is as important as lining up classroom supplies and extracurricular schedules. Paramount in their minds is to avoid ingredients that might cause unappealing reactions or compromise health, while not stressing about the risks or feeling cheated that they cannot eat the same things as their friends.

Diagnosis

Often, food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances are incorrectly used interchangeably when, in fact, the symptoms, treatments and safety recommendations differ. Consult a physician for a proper diagnosis and a nutritionist for dietary guidance.

FOOD ALLERGIES cause an almost immediate, potentially deadly immune response (anaphylaxis) requiring an epinephrine shot. Symptoms include a drop in blood pressure, narrowing of the airways, rashes, nausea and vomiting. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20 percent of students with food allergies will have a reaction at school. Eight ingredients account for 90 percent of food allergies: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

FOOD INTOLERANCES result from an inability to digest certain foods due to an enzyme deficiency or irritable bowel syndrome. The most common forms of intolerance are caused by lactose, histamine and gluten.

FOOD SENSITIVITIES provoke delayed symptoms (sometimes days after eating a problematic ingredient), including diarrhea, rashes, joint pain, digestive problems, fatigue and brain fog. Among children, common triggers are lactose, gluten, grains, legumes, soy, corn and yeast.

Emotional Concerns

According to Karen Raden, an Illinois-based registered dietician and certified clinical nutritionist, the goal is what she calls “food freedom:” the empowerment of students to make informed choices that feel best for them and their bodies.

“Even if a child’s options are limited, it’s important to allow them to make substitutions. The less restricted, the better. It’s not just about the science; there’s a lot of emotion that goes into it, too,” she says.

Dr. Dawn Huebner, a psychologist, author and parent coach in Sacramento, California, says, “There is danger associated with allergies, and anxiety results when you overestimate the danger. In children, this can morph into anxiety about eating with other people or touching things in the classroom. Many parents are intent on making uncomfortable feelings go away, so they end up minimizing feelings, telling their children to simply not worry.”

A better approach, Huebner says, is to acknowledge the child’s reality and empathize with them. “Say to your child in a really direct way, ‘Yes, that’s hard to see your friends eating ice cream or cupcakes that you don’t get to have.’ Even though there are food substitutions, it doesn’t make up for the fact that a student doesn’t get to be a regular kid, eating what everyone else gets to eat.”

Ready-to-Eat Options

Huebner suggests that parents help their children develop skills to overcome temptation, rather than berating or punishing them for occasionally sneaking forbidden foods. At all times, delicious alternatives should be readily available.

Theresa Diulus, a Texas-based nutrition coach, believes in empowering kids by keeping ready-made foods in clearly marked bins that kids can easily access. She stocks the pantry with gluten-free

oatmeal and coconut or cassava flour cake mixes, and stores frozen, gluten-free waffle or pancake batter in batches to save time when a safe and delicious treat is needed.

Food Substitutions

Replacing essential nutrients that might be missing once certain foods are eliminated is another key objective. “If dairy is the problem, for example, we worry about bone health and need to make sure the child is getting calcium from nondairy sources,” Raden explains. “I like to find out what their favorite foods are and modify them. Food issues are more prevalent these days. We’re really lucky now that there are very good substitutes for eggs, dairy and gluten.”

Raden recently adapted a shepherd’s pie recipe by using gluten-free flour and almond milk. For people that cannot tolerate regular eggs, she recommends using a “flax egg” in baked goods, which combines one tablespoon of flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water.

Family Meals Made Easy

When they were little, Caroline Somers’ two daughters developed extensive food intolerances and food allergies with inflammation, gastrointestinal bloating and digestive distress. Tasked with reimagining her family’s diet, the president of Suzanne Somers Companies created new versions of her favorite recipes, which will be featured in her upcoming cookbook, Served: From My Family Table to Yours.

“Many people deal with family members who have food preferences or intolerances to foods, and it can turn the person preparing foods into a short-order cook— no gluten for this one; vegan for that one; this one will eat fish but no dairy. It can make your head spin,” says Somers. Her Vietnamese Spring Rolls recipe addresses this predicament by serving the ingredients family-style and inviting each person at the table to assemble their own spring roll according to their food preferences and restrictions.

Veronica Hinke is a food historian and author of The Last Night on the Titanic: Unsinkable Drinking, Dining and Style

In addition to purifying the body; Ozone IV Therapy can be useful for patients with: infections caused by bacteria and viruses, fungal/yeast conditions, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease, autoimmune disorders and much more.

At Purefico we focus on helping people achieve their goals one step at a time. We don’t just treat the symptoms. Instead, we focus on the root cause of the problem.

in the Charlotte area

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TURKEY BURGER BENTO BOX

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

BURGERS

1 lb ground turkey

¼ tsp onion powder

¼ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp avocado oil

SWEET POTATO “BUNS”

1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced into ⅓-inch slices

2 to 3 Tbsp avocado oil

In a medium bowl, combine ground turkey and spices until mixed well, but don’t over-mix. Wet hands and divide mixture into 8 equal portions, then form into patties. Pat down really flat, as they will plump up when they cook.

Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy cooking pan over medium heat, then add avocado oil and swirl pan to cover the bottom. Add the meat patties and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165º F, approximately 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

For the sweet potato buns, heat a cast iron skillet or a heavy cooking pan over medium heat, then add avocado oil and swirl the pan to cover the bottom. Add the sweet potato slices and cook until golden and tender but not mushy, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

To assemble the bento box, place two burgers in the largest compartment and add fresh veggies and fruits to the smaller compartments.

ASIAN GLAZED CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI

This recipe uses gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for the glaze and rice flour instead of gluten-containing white flour to lightly coat the chicken, helping to keep the meat juicy and tender.

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

1 to 2 chicken breasts (depending on size), cut into 1-inch pieces

¼ cup rice flour

½ tsp salt

2 grinds of fresh pepper

3 Tbsp vegetable oil

1-inch section of ginger root, peeled and chopped

1 scallion, sliced

1 broccoli crown, chopped

ASIAN GLAZE

1 Tbsp gluten-free tamari

1 tsp rice wine vinegar

½ tsp toasted sesame oil

2 tsp honey

In a bowl, combine the rice flour with salt and pepper. Toss the chicken in the mixture and set aside. In a large, nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil on medium high heat and add the ginger and white part of the scallions, quickly stir frying for 1 minute. Add the broccoli and continue cooking until slightly tender. Remove from the pan to a platter.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally until lightly browned on all sides. Meanwhile, stir together the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Once the chicken is cooked, add the glaze to the pan and cook for 1 minute to thicken it. Add the broccoli and remaining green parts of the scallions and combine to heat through. Serve over rice or noodles.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Chicago-based pastry chef and cookbook author Gale Gand.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Theresa Diulus.

photo by Theresa Diulus MPH

Maria Rodale

ON LETTING NATURE HEAL ITSELF

by Sophia Ellis Kreider

Bestselling author, activist and gardener Maria Rodale is a board member of Rodale Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through research, farmer training and education. She is the former CEO of Rodale Inc., the global health and wellness media company that published notable books and magazines, including Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth.

Her own books include Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe, as well as Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious

In her latest work, Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden, Rodale leads readers through her relationship with the plants, animals and insects that inhabit her garden and shares the life lessons these often misunderstood creatures taught her.

Why did you write this book?

It was a combination of sensing that “spirit” wouldn’t allow me not to and the recognition that I could write the book in my own way, with humor and irreverence. It’s been my experience that once we begin following the path that spirit provides for us, things become easy. As someone on the older side of life, I’ve also noticed that when I don’t listen to that guidance, I tend to really mess things up, so even when I don’t understand the path, I have to follow it.

What is the most significant message nature is trying to share with us?

The overarching message, which has been reinforced since I wrote the book, is that nature wants to feel free to do whatever it needs to do to heal things. The more we try to control nature, the more frustrated it gets. The same is true for people; the freer we feel, the happier and more productive we are. All efforts to control, whether it’s controlling human behavior or landscapers trying to control the landscape, are not helpful in any way. If we want to solve the climate crisis or the environmental crisis, we need to allow nature to be free and do its job.

The other message I received from nature relates to humans’ tendency to search for plants, take them, hoard them, eat them and rub them on our skin. In reality, we don’t need to do these things to benefit from plants. We can simply be in harmony with them in order to absorb their healing energy. So again, it’s about freedom, releasing control and trusting our relationship with plants and nature.

What role does courage play in exploring what plants,

insects and animals have to teach us?

Many of us are afraid of having new experiences or have anxiety about things we don’t understand. When this happens, we can choose to stay in the fear or encourage ourselves through it. When we choose courage and curiosity, we often learn a new skill or power. For example, when I was journeying and getting to know mosquitos and ticks, I felt afraid but chose to keep going. While I didn’t come to love the mosquitos and ticks, I developed compassion and respect for them.

To understand what nature is communicating to us, we need to get curious and unlearn what our parents and culture taught us about how our garden should look or how we should interact with it. We can ask ourselves, “What am I afraid of? Where did the fear come from?” and listen for the answer.

What role does personal trauma play in healing our planet?

Trauma is the root of everything—crime, abuse and all the things that make us unhappy and destructive, both towards each other and nature. That’s one of the reasons I was excited to share the parents’ creed in the milkweed chapter. The creed teaches that in order to stop trauma, we must raise kids well from the start. The challenge is that our culture doesn’t provide the information we need to minimize our mistakes or prevent trauma in the first place. Openness to learning about ourselves is key to healing trauma. When we heal our traumas, we are less likely to project trauma onto other living beings, including nature.

If people respond to life with curiosity instead of fear, and love instead of control, we can evolve amazingly fast and have fun doing it. This is the wonderful work we can accomplish together with nature— envisioning and building new systems and ways of being on this beautiful Earth.

Sophia Ellis Kreider is a freelance writer in Lancaster, PA, and a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings. Connect at SophiaEllisKreider@gmail.com.

Tune in to Wendy Nadherny Fachon's August podcast with guest Maria Rodale at NetwalkRI.com/podcasts

photo courtesy of Rodale Institute

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.

ALZHEIMER'S RECODE PROTOCOL

THE ALZHEIMER’S ALTERNATIVE

www.EndCognitiveDecline.com

Robyn@EndCognitiveDecline.com

908-407-1000

Certified ReCODE Health Coach based in Charlotte executing Dr. Dale Bredesen’s protocol nationwide based on groundbreaking 30+ years of research. Studies in 2022 and 2023 have proven success. Schedule call/Zoom today. See ad, page 2.

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 15.

CBD & HEMP

APOTHECA

9 Charlotte Area Stores

www.Apotheca.org

Shop trusted and tested cannabis, kratom and mushroom products in a welcoming environment. Edibles, flower, drinks, powders and other natural goods, and friendly, educated staff. Use AWAKE20 for 20% off one purchase online or instore. See ad, page 7.

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 2.

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, back cover.

KEMPTER 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 4.

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 10.

RATLIFF INTEGRATIVE FAMILY MEDICINE

104-D Waxhaw Professional Park Waxhaw · 704-443-8530

www.DrMelissaRatliff.com

Experience concierge medicine that is more personal and effective. Comprehensive and proactive approach, limited number of patients, unhurried 30-minute consultations for a personal relationship with your physician. Schedule free tour today. See ad, page 7.

One of few integrative practices offering direct primary care. Dr. Ratliff is dedicated to longer appointments and developing patient relationships at affordable monthly membership rates. Contact us to schedule free meetand-greet. See ad, page 6.

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 17.

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 9.

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 10.

WELLCOMEMD

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

30-plus years in public and private settings, Dr. Klein uses a functional medicine approach to develop personalized plans that helps patients get healthy and stay healthy. Schedule free tour today. See ad, page 7.

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.

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CARE

PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE OF CHARLOTTE, P.A.

508 Beatties Ford Rd 704-347-1172

Serving Charlotte area for 35 years with continuous low-cost holistic health care for uninsured and under insured. Physicals, first aid, testing. Certified by NC Board of Medical Examiners and NC Board of Nursing. By appointment only.

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 5.

INTEGRATIVE HEALER

KATIE SUTTON

Intuitive Channel, Guided Meditation Coach

828-246-3335

ZenWithinAcademy.com

Katie synthesizes a unique blend of healing modalities with selfactivation techniques–from sound and vibrational therapy, to intuitive channeling, to guided meditation–in order to deliver healings tailored to each person's needs.

INTEGRATIVE 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 2.

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.

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in August

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 2.

OZONE THERAPY

PUREFICO MEDSPA & THERAPY

19401 Old Jetton Rd, Ste 100 Cornelius · 704-655-2719

www.Purefico.com

Full line of noninvasive wellness/ beauty services including only local provider of cutting edge Eboo Ozone IV Therapy system. Treats autoimmune disorders, infections, viruses, chronic fatigue, Lyme disease and more. Call and mention Natural Awakenings discount. See ad, page 23.

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 23.

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 15.

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 15.

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

EVOKE DIVINITY

Retreats & In-Home Ceremonies

803-554-1831 • FB, IG www.EvokeDivinity.com

Experience deep spiritual awakening with only ceremony of its kind on East Coast. Sacred plant medicine, emotional release breathwork, quantum healing administered by credentialed practitioners. Retreats and In-home. Addiction, PTSD, trauma, depression/anxiety, feeling stuck. See ad, page 31.

HEARTLIGHT SPIRITUAL CENTER

Rev David Hulse, Spiritual Guide

7300 Mallard Creek Rd

704-599-1180

www.HeartLightCharlotte.org

We are a spirit-guided, heartcentered Christ-conscious, loving family providing an empowering, universal, Christcentered message grounded in the teachings of metaphysics. Meditation 10:30am. Sunday service 11am. Email Shine@HeartLightCharlotte.org. See ad, page 10.

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.

VETERINARIAN WHOLE PET VETERINARY HOSPITALS

4 NC Locations: 3 Charlotte; 1 Coast www.WholePetVets.com

Full, comprehensive services-medicine, surgery, dental. Alternatives-acupuncture, chiropractic, herbs, detox, ozone, homeopathic. Exotics. Fear Free certified (alleviate fear, anxiety and stress). Delivering outstanding results in a positive, fun environment. See ad, page 25.

WEIGHT LOSS

CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

Gastonia • 704-271-9757

Matthews/Ballantyne • 704-243-8560 CWLI.net

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

classifieds

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

Deadline is the 9th of the month.

JOBS

IV HYDRATION – new Belmont Wellness Center in Gaston County seeking practitioner. Flexible schedules. Interested parties contact 803-230-3111 or email luke20063@yahoo.com.

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

gaston county natural guide

Connecting Gaston County to leaders in natural health, wellness and green living. To find out how you can be included in the Gaston County Natural Guide, email Ads@AwakeningCharlotte.com.

ORGANIC MARKET & SUPPLEMENTS

ORGANIC MARKETPLACE

1012 S New Hope Rd, Gastonia 704-864-0605

OrganicMarketplaceNC.com

9am -7pm M/F, 9am-6pm Sat. Reliable community partner, local source for education, organic foods, personal care, products, supplements, aromatherapy, organic wine/beer and pet products. See ad, page 13.

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

SPA

HC WELLNESS CENTER & SPA

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

HCWellnessCenterAndSpa.com

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

WEIGHT LOSS

CAROLINAS WEIGHT LOSS INSTITUTE

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

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

Be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in August 2023

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

– Anne Lamott Almost