Solstice Green Spring 2019

Free

Spring 2019

Restoring the Octagon Barn Center...pg 18 New Diet for a Healthy Planet...pg 30 Can Blue Light Reduce Blood Pressure...pg 34 Tiny Homes to the Rescue in SLO...pg 41

The Central Coast Guide to Green and Healthy Living!

Health & Fitness

Expo MARCH 23 & 24 10AM - 4PM

ALEX MADONNA EXPO CENTER

• Free To Attend • Free Parking • Fitness & Wellness Experts • Health Screenings • Seminars & Workshops • Senior Resources & Info

5K

FUN RUN SATURDAY MARCH 23

Benefitting

inspiredexpos.com

(805) 772-4600

It was not until we saw the picture of the earth, from the moon, that we realized how small and how helpless this planet is – something that we must hold in our arms and care for. ~ Margaret Mead

So...just where are we headed?

Rather than "live and let live," maybe we need a universal morality better adapted to the conditions in which humanity finds itself. One inspiration might be Gandhi's message, "Live more simply, so others can simply live." Now more than ever, it's widely recognized that living simply is not a form of sacrifice. Simple living is a choice that offers us greater personal well-being. So then, how do we put this into practice? Love, compassion, acceptance, diversity, connection, healing, global community, health...or other? With every breath, every word, every purchase, vote, deed, decision...you and I contribute to creating the future, and, all that we love and cherish. A Chinese proverb warns, "If we do not change direction, we are likely to end up exactly where we are headed." Applied to humanity today, this would be disastrous. Which one do you choose? Your choice... which path are you on?’ Margaret Hennessy Founder/Publisher

Diane Parnell, Margaret Hennessy, Madeline Palaszewski, Monte Allen

Stacy Morse

Nathan Doherty

Judes Kingsbury

Kathleen Stout

Nicky Bailey

Jackie Turner

Solstice Green Directory Mission: To provide information on environmental issues and ways to address concerns of residents on the Central Coast. To help educate consumers so that they can make better choices locally by providing visibility of green and healthy products and services. To develop and provide business networking opportunities to encourage relationships that will support a more sustainable community.

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Founder/Publisher Margaret Hennessy

Marketing and Community Relations Madeline Palaszewski

Distribution

Monte Allen and Anthony Calandra

Graphic Designer Jenny Malott

Advertising Sales Madeline Palaszewski Stacy Morse Jackie Turner Nicky Bailey Kathleen Stout

Tech Support and Graphic Design Chris Maloney

Bookkeeping/Copy Editor Diane Parnell

Community Outreach Carolyn Biedinger Judes Kingsbury

Reuse and Recycle Special Contributor Monte Allen

Solstice Publishing, LLC

4251 South Higuera Street, Suite 800 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 473-5064 www.slosolstice.com info@slosolstice.com twitter.com/slosolstice facebook.com/solsticegreendirectory

This publication is printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

Solstice Green Directory provides an advertising service. We cannot warrant or guarantee any of the products or services advertised. All feedback is most welcome and will help us provide a better service for you. Solstice Green Directory reserves the right to accept or reject advertisers.

Contents The Solstice Green Directory Spring 2019

DIRECTORY 4 FEATURES Walk on the Beach 13 Don't Throw Those Plastic Bags Away!

14 Are Your Habits Serving You? 15 Restoring the Octagon Barn 18 Eat Your Spears 20 Things Your Mom Should Have Told You 22 Herbs For Spring Planting 24 Elderberry Syrup: Flu Fighter 28 Sprout Garden in a Jar 29 New Diet for a Healthy Planet 30 Beer Buying Guide 32 Can Blue Light Reduce Blood Pressure? 34 Animal Harmony in the Garden 38 Noisy Restaurants...The New Trend 39 Los Osos Cares Continues Womenade 40 Tiny Homes to the Rescue!

41 New Hope for Senior Dogs 42 Dolphins... Smarter Than You Think 44 Foods That Fight Fatigue Fast 48 Glossary 50

Directory ACCESSORIES & GIFTS Bambu Batu • (805) 316-1233 The House of Bamboo 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo 93401 www.bambubatu.com Organic natural products for your conscious lifestyle Please see display ad on page 34

ASTROLOGY SLO Astrologers Contact at SLOAstrologers@aol.com On-going classes at the Gala Center, Palm St., SLO Please see display ad on page 10

Follow Us On Twitter!

http://twitter.com/slosolstice

BARTER BUSINESS GROUP Cal Coast Trade • Call Gregg (805) 975-5334 A sustainable way to do business!

Save your cash and increase your business! www.calcoasttrade.com Please see display ad on page 7

BUILDING MATERIALS & RESOURCES Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products Please see display ad on page 35

SLO Green Build • (805) 286-0072 Non-profit green building education & support www.slogreenbuild.org

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

BUSINESS TRADING Cal Coast Trade • Call Gregg (805) 975-5334 A sustainable way to do business!

Save your cash and increase your business! www.calcoasttrade.com Please see display ad on page 7

Please see display ad on page 33

BUS SERVICE Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (805) 541-2228 RTA buses get you around the county 7 days a week!

Talk Green. Live Green. Hop Aboard. www.SLORTA.org Please see display ad on page 52

DIRECTORY

CLEANING Coastline Cleaning Company (805) 400-5433 Commercial • General Office • Post Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com 3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo CLOTHING & BAMBOO Bambu Batu • (805) 316-1233 The House of Bamboo 1023 Broad St., San Luis Obispo 93401 www.bambubatu.com Organic natural products for your conscious lifestyle Please see display ad on page 34

CAFÉ SunShine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 31

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT R. Barkley & Associates (800) 211-5677 Professional Business Services Taxes, Bookkeeping, Home Loans, Investment Planning www.rbarkley.com

COLLECTIBLES Pismo Pickers Antiques & Vintage (805) 773-3777 Antiques • Collectibles • Vintage • Eclectic • 20+ Vendors New Arrivals Daily 537 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach

Please see display ad on page 11

CLEAN AIR AGENCIES SLO County Air Pollution Control District (805) 781-5912 Protecting Blue Skies for a Healthy Community www.SLOCleanAir.org • Find us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook Please see display ad on page 27

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

COMPUTER CONSULTING/TRAINING KCBX.net • (805) 781-2580 Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Quickbooks and more.

4100 Vachell Lane San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.kcbx.net COMPUTER REPAIR & SERVICE Go! Computer Services www.go-cc.com (805) 704-0833 More Than a Tech. More Than a Tutor.

On-Site Help for Your Computer!

Repair, Refurbish, Recycle, and More!

Please see display ad on page 9

CUISINE www.CasaFestiva.com “Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine Please see display ad on page 21

DENTAL Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 19

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUES Mia Simmons, Cert. 1, ADV, Level 3 (805) 528-7586 Certified, Advanced, Level 3 EFT Practitioner Meridian tapping technique www.miasimmons.com Please see display ad on page 28

e le. se. r cyc u e r ce. redu 6

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

ENERGY WORK / ENERGY MEDICINE The Healing Works • Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Shaman, Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org Please see display ad on page 21

Mia Simmons, Cert. 1, ADV, Level 3 (805) 528-7586 Certified, Advanced, Level 3 EFT Practitioner Meridian tapping technique www.miasimmons.com Please see display ad on page 28

EVENTS San Luis Obispo Health and Fitness Expo March 23 and 24 • 10am – 4pm A myriad of vendors, workshops and seminars.Superhero 5K run to kick off event. Alex Madonna Expo Center Inspiredexpos.com Party for the Planet: Earth Day and Children’s Day in the Park April 13 • 10am – 3pm Education, conservation, activities, all included with admission to the zoo.

Charles Paddock Zoo - Atascadero 14th Annual Cambria Wildflower Show April 27 and 28 • 12 – 5pm Veteran’s Memorial Building GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SLO County Air Pollution Control District (805) 781-5912 Protecting Blue Skies for a Healthy Community www.SLOCleanAir.org • Find us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook Please see display ad on page 27

Please see display ad on page 35

GREEN-REALTOR C. Green Real Estate Co. (805) 481-7700 171 N. 13th St. Suite A Grover Beach 93433 Fax: (805) 481-9338 Cell: (805) 441-7370 www.cgreenrealestate.com

Plant-Based Culinary Retreats in Cambria (805) 801-2547 Host -Vegan Chef Annie Keohane Lodging Available Please see display ad on page 29

ReGenesis 360 (805) 202-2077 Your Beacon of Hope on the Central Coast!

2 James Way, Suite 212, Pismo Beach www.ReGenesis360.com

DIRECTORY

GREEN FLOORING Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products

Please see display ad on page 17

Please see display ad on page 35

HEALTH / DETOX EMF Inspect (408) 621-9162 Safeguard health and vitality. Identify and reduce exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields. www.EMFInspect.com

The Natural Alternative Nutrition Center (805) 237-8290 Friendly Staff • Nutritional Supplements • Personal Care 1213 Pine St. Paso Robles www.naturalalternativenc.com Please see display ad on page 26

Pacific Dental Excellence (805) 929-6814 Dentistry dedicated to protecting your total health. www.pacificdentalexcellence.com Please see display ad on page 19

Save Your Cash, Increase Business An innovative way to do business sustainably

Call Gregg now (805) 975-5334

www.calcoasttrade.com

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

HEALTH / FITNESS Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa (805) 595-7600 Tropical paradise, tennis, ozone pools, classes incl. yoga, cafe & catering, conf. rooms, special events avilabayclub.com Please see display ad on page 34

ReGenesis 360 (805) 202-2077 Your Beacon of Hope on the Central Coast!

2 James Way, Suite 212, Pismo Beach www.ReGenesis360.com Please see display ad on page 17

working for Smart Energy Solutions...

Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805)543-8717 sierraclub8@gmail.com www.sierraclub.santalucia.org

Coastline Cleaning Company (805) 400-5433 Commercial • General Office • Post Construction • Residential coastlinecleaning@ymail.com 3765 S. Higuera St., #140 San Luis Obispo Please see display ad on page 33

HEALTH FOOD STORES Sunshine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 31

HEALTHY HOMES EMF Inspect (408) 621-9162 Safeguard health and vitality. Identify and reduce exposure to man-made electromagnetic fields. www.EMFInspect.com 8

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

JUICE BAR California Fresh Coffee, Organic Juice Bar, Deli, Bakery, Fresh Seafood and Meat Department 71 E. Foothill Blvd.

San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 250-1425 Hours: 6:00am – 12:00am 555 Five Cities Dr. Pismo Beach, CA (805) 295-7162 Hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm

Please see display ad on inside back cover

Sunshine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 31

LANDSCAPING Elationscapes (805) 400-4999 Ecological landscaping and permaculture design elationscapes.com

Please see display ad on page 31

MOBILE VELCORIN DOSING The Bottle Meister, Inc. Tom Nulman • (805) 541-8411 Wine bottling and Velcorin dosing tom@thebottlemeister.com • thebottlemeister.com

Sierra Club-Santa Lucia Chapter (805) 543-8717 547-B Marsh St • San Luis Obispo santalucia.sierraclub.org Please see display ad on page 8

SLO Green Build (805) 286-0072 Non-profit green bldg education & support www.slogreenbuild.org

DIRECTORY

MASSAGE Carol Dawn’s Reflexology & Massage (805) 546-8660 Aromatherapy, too!

1171 Toro St., Suite B, San Luis Obispo www.caroldawnsreflexology.com

Please see display ad on page 25

NON-PROFIT Central Coast State Parks Association (805) 548-0390 CCSPA supports interpretation, education, and volunteer efforts in local state parks.

1124 Nipomo Street, Suite B, San Luis Obispo centralcoastparks.org Gay and Lesbian Alliance (805) 541-4252 1060 Palm Street, SLO Through education, support, recreation, advocacy, and partnerships,we promote the well-being of our LGBT community. www.GALACC..org Los Osos Cares 805-592701 • 805-592-2701 (805) 592-2701 We partner with other groups to helpcommunity members find resources and services.

Open Tues – Friday, 12 -4pm Sunnyside School 800 Manzanita Dr. Room 18 in Los Osos losososcares.com Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

NUTRITION The Healing Works Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Holistic Nutritionist, Shaman, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org

Please see display ad on page 21

Plant-Based Culinary Retreats in Cambria (805) 801-2547 Host -Vegan Chef Annie Keohane Lodging Available Please see display ad on page 29

The Natural Alternative Nutrition Center (805) 237-8290 Friendly Staff • Nutritional Supplements • Personal Care 1213 Pine St. Paso Robles www.naturalalternativenc.com Please see display ad on page 26

ORGANIC CAFE SunShine Health Foods/Shine Café (805) 772-7873 Whole Food Market & Organic Cafe 415 Morro Bay Blvd., Morro Bay Please see display ad on page 31

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE Kathryn A. Perry, D.O. (805) 548-8490 777 Pismo Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 816 Main Street, Suite D Cambria, CA 93428

Please see display ad on page 26

PARKS & RECREATION Central Coast State Parks Association (805) 548-0390 CCSPA supports interpretation, education, and volunteer efforts in local state parks.

1124 Nipomo Street, Suite B, San Luis Obispo centralcoastparks.org

Learn Astrology...

Meeting Every 1st Wednesday of the Month 6:00-7:30pm GALA Center, located at 1060 Palm St., San Luis Obispo

Newcomers Welcomed! sloastrologers@aol.com

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

REALTOR C. Green Real Estate Co. (805) 481-7700 171 N. 13th St. Suite A Grover Beach 93433 Fax: (805) 481-9338 Cell: (805) 441-7370 www.cgreenrealestate.com

PHYSICIAN Kathryn A. Perry, D.O. (805) 548-8490 777 Pismo Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 816 Main Street, Suite D Cambria, CA 93428

Please see display ad on page 35

DIRECTORY

PERMACULTURE Elationscapes (805) 400-4999 Ecological landscaping and permaculture design elationscapes.com

Please see display ad on page 26

RADIO BROADCASTING AGM California, Inc (805) 781-2750 The Central Coast’s leading radio group: 98.1 KJUG, 93.3 KZOZ, COAST 104.5, The KRUSH 92.5 & 920 AM KVEC Locally owned and operated for over 30 years serving this community with pride.

Please see display ad on back cover

KCBX FM Public Radio (805) 549-8855 Symphonies, jazz, daily news & transforming stories Streaming live on the Internet at www.KCBX.org Please see display ad on page 37

R. Barkley & Associates

Business Back Office Accounting & Taxes IRS & Government Representation Financial Services Home Mortgages

Robert C. Barkley Certified Public Accountant

Bring More Green into Your Life Ph: 800.211.5677 / 805.929.0070 eM: rbarkley@rbarkley.com www.rbarkley.com P.O. Box 1590, Nipomo, CA 93444-1590

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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DIRECTORY

REFLEXOLOGY Carol Dawn’s Reflexology & Massage (805) 546-8660 Aromatherapy, too!

1171 Toro St., Suite B, San Luis Obispo www.caroldawnsreflexology.com Please see display ad on page 31

SHAMANISM The Healing Works Brenda Keeney (805) 478-1223 Holistic Nutritionist, Shaman, Medical Intuitive 405 E. Branch St. #107 Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 www.thehealingworks.org

Please see display ad on page 21

SPA SERVICES Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa (805) 595-7600 ex.0 Use of club included on day of service!

Full service spa including massage, mani & pedi, organic facials, and more!

6699 Bay Laurel Plc, Avila Beach avilabayclub.com Please see display ad on page 34

SUPERMARKET/ORGANIC FOODS California Fresh Coffee, Organic Juice Bar, Deli, Bakery, Fresh Seafood and Meat Department 71 E. Foothill Blvd.

San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 250-1425 Hours: 6:00am – 12:00am 555 Five Cities Dr. Pismo Beach, CA (805) 295-7162 Hours: 6:00am – 11:00pm

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & WINE www.CasaFestiva.com “Exploring the culture of cuisine!”

Sustainability • Fun • Food & Wine Please see display ad on page 21

TILE Matt Clark Tile & Stone (805) 543-7600 181 Tank Farm Rd. Ste. 140, SLO www.mattclarktile.com We carry beautiful environmentally friendly products Please see display ad on page 35

TRANSPORTATION Regional Transit Authority (RTA) (805) 541-2228 RTA buses get you around the county 7 days a week!

Talk Green. Live Green. Hop Aboard. www.SLORTA.org Please see display ad on page 52

WINE BOTTLING The Bottle Meister, Inc. Tom Nulman • (805) 541-8411 Wine bottling and Velcorin dosing tom@thebottlemeister.com • thebottlemeister.com Please see display ad on page 25

Please see display ad on inside back cover

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Walk on the Beach and call me in the morning!

Aside from the beautiful view of the ocean and the great "people watching," there are many known health benefits of walking on the beach. Here's just one. In a survey of over 1000 California beach-goers, researchers found those who experienced the most stress in daily life found the beach the most psychologically restorative. Earlier studies had already proven the ability of natural environments to psychologically restore us, reduce heart rate, improve mood and concentration, and boost our sense of overall well-being and quality of life, but a North Carolina State University study looked specifically at the power of the surf and sand.

“Blue spaces,” such as riversides and seashores, afford visitors the

opportunity to recover from stress and restore the mental faculties needed to meet the demands of everyday life, says a study, published in The Journal of Environmental Psychology. Results were 30% lower during high tide, possibly due to less sand and more crowding.

Beach-goers were also three times less likely to find their visits rejuvenating if they perceived poor air or water quality.

The study’s authors recommended societies maintain parks and access to natural areas as a part of “preventive mental health care.”

The conclusion: Visits to the beach psychologically restore us, enabling us to better handle the stress of everyday life.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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don't throw those

Plastic Bags away!

by Diane Parnell

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

- Anonymous Wondering what to do with all those old plastic grocery bags you have stuffed in a drawer at home? How about upcycling them for a good cause? While in Phoenix recently, I discovered a group of women in a retirement community doing just that: Weaving hundreds of old plastic bags together to create sleeping mats that they donate to local Homeless Shelters. They laughed and chatted as they worked, some cutting bags, others tying them into strips and then rolling them into balls of plarn (plastic yarn). Another group was busy clicking crochet needles as they wove the plastic together, row after colorful row. Each 3’x 6’ mat requires 500-700 bags to complete but these women were well-prepared.

Most of them leave their Northeastern homes to winter in the warm Arizona sun. Each year they bring hundreds of bags they have collected from neighbors and friends, allowing them to create dozens of the much-needed mats. Their enthusiasm was contagious, their passion to do for others inspiring. Charities and volunteer organizations across the nation have joined this cause. Find one near you. You’ll be clearing out clutter at home while bringing comfort to someone less fortunate than yourself. And you’ll be helping to save the planet in the process!

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

are your habits

Serving you?

by Hepsharat Amadi, MD

Although in conventional medical practice, emphasis is placed on the importance of genetics in determining one's health, or whether or not a person has been exposed to germs, actually what is most important in determining health is lifestyle habits. This is fortunate, because this is something that we can control. Our total health outcome is based on all the things that we do (and don't do) most days. Whether we exercise or not, whether we consume caffeine, alcohol, sugar, artificial sweeteners, other food additives, processed foods, gluten or other foods that we may have allergies to, like dairy.

Whether we microwave our food or not. Whether we eat organic or not.

New Year and Spring are excellent times to make conscious decisions about what we want for our future, although a new day can begin any day we choose. Each day is the first day of the rest of our life! We CAN make new choices, based on what we know, what we really want our future health to look like, and what we are willing to do on a consistent basis to attain that. And don't forget—in your program for improving your overall health, monitoring of, and managing, stress levels! Stress is the most common cause of disease, so if you really want to cut your risk of disease, be aware of your stress levels and work proactively to reduce them. Get adequate sleep at regular times. Exercise. Take supplements. Listen to music. Garden. And cultivate your health, which is your greatest wealth.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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growing

GINGER Ginger. It has so many uses and so easy to grow! Why not give it a try. The best idea is to buy ginger from seed catalogs or garden centers. However, if you decide to get it from a grocery store, soak it in water overnight in order to get rid of any pesticides. You will have much better results if you get ginger seeds that are meant to be planted. It takes about 10 months for ginger to fully ripen. It’s a good idea to keep the plant inside during the winter months, as it doesn’t tolerate cold weather very well.

Ginger Growing Guide: 1. Soak the ginger root overnight in warm water to prepare it for planting. 2. Fill pot with very rich but well draining potting soil. 3. Stick ginger root with the eye bud pointing up in the soil and cover it with 1-2 inches of soil. Add a good amount of water. 4.

Place ginger in a spot that stays reasonably warm but does not get too much sunlight. 5. Keep the soil moist. Water it lightly. It is best to use a spray bottle or light watering to maintain soil moisture. 6. Ginger is a slow growing plant. It will take a few weeks or so before you see some sprouts growing out of the soil. 7. Continue to water the plant.

About 3-4 months after planting, you can begin to harvest. Cut the wanted amount off a sprout at the edges and then return to the soil. If you take good care of your ginger it will never stop producing and you can harvest it all the time. For a bigger harvest you can uproot the entire plant and plant some of the rhizomes to start over.

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Resistance Training Is Medicine

by Coach Chris Cucchiara Inactive adults experience a 3% to 8% loss of muscle mass per decade, accompanied by resting metabolic rate reduction and fat accumulation. Ten weeks of resistance training may increase lean weight by 1.4 kg, increase resting metabolic rate by 7%, and reduce fat weight by 1.8 kg. Benefits of resistance training include improved physical performance, movement control, walking speed, functional independence, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem. 1) Resistance training may assist prevention and management of type 2 diabetes by decreasing visceral fat, reducing HbA1c, increasing the density of glucose transporter type 4, and improving insulin sensitivity.

Resistance training may enhance cardiovascular health by reducing resting blood pressure, decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. 2) Resistance training may promote bone development, with studies showing 1% to 3% increase in bone mineral density.

3) Resistance training may be effective for reducing low back pain and easing discomfort associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia and has been shown to reverse specific aging factors in skeletal muscle.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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restoring the

Octagon barn

by Lauren Meers

An iconic landmark unique to SLO County, the Octagon Barn was on the verge of collapse when The Land Conservancy stepped in to save the building and revitalize the site for community benefit. The Octagon Barn is in the National Register of Historic Places and symbolizes our local agricultural and dairy history. Built in 1906, the Octagon Barn is one of two eight-sided barns on the West Coast. The space around the Barn is under construction and transforming into a wonderful gathering place. A multi-purpose structure is being built to enhance the site for concerts, art shows, festivals and fundraisers. The vision for the Octagon Barn is to be a place where our modern day community comes together to honor our roots while also sharing the Barn Center for local events. Thanks to design by project architects at Ten Over Studio, the Octagon Barn Center was awarded the “Green Innovation Merit Award� by the Central Coast Green Building Council in 2017. Sunrun Solar has generously donated solar panels and installation on the Milking Parlor building to power the site. The Barn Center will also serve as the trailhead for the Bob Jones City to Sea path when the bike trail is expanded from Avila Beach. The Barn Center will be a wonderful space to serve everyone! You can help the Barn Center come to life! We currently have a dollar for dollar match challenge in place, with $60,000 to go! Donors who give $1,000 or more will be recognized with a personalized paver in the Barn Center. If you are interested to support the Barn Center project, please contact Development Manager Lauren Meers at laurenm@lcslo.org or (805) 544-9096 ext. 103. More information on the project can be found at lcslo.org/ project/octagon-barn.

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Basil Basics!

This fragrant,slightly sweet member of the mint family should be picked in bunches with whole, smooth leaves that are bright green. If it has roots attached, place the bunch in a glass filled with water and leave at room temperature.

You can also wrap the stems in a damp paper towel and refrigerate in a plastic or mesh bag.This should last up to 4 days. Be sure to rinse well before using since basil tends to be sandy. Cut just before serving to prevent browning and bruising. Here are two delicious ways

to enjoy this versatile herb. Pasta with Roasted Eggplant, Tomatoes and Basil: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Toss cherry tomatoes and diced eggplant with olive oil and roast until tender.

Toss with cooked pasta and torn basil leaves. Top with a tablespoon of ricotta and drizzle with olive. Add sea salt and fresh pepper. Basil Aioli: Mix chopped basil leaves and fresh lemon juice into mayonnaise. It's great with grilled, raw or roasted cut up vegetables. Try it with roasted potato wedges.

Smile

It’s More Than Just a Beautiful Proud to be

Mercury Free & Safe!

The Central Coast’s Best Biological Dentist!

Providing better dentistry, in a less toxic, more individualized, and environmentally friendly way.

Walk Ins and Emergencies Welcome Services We Offer: Dental Cleanings • Tooth Colored Fillings 805-929-6814 Extractions. Bridges • Crowns • Dentures 530 W. Tefft Street Root Canal Therapy and Alternatives • TMJ Splints

Nipomo, CA 93444 Ask About Our Implants, PRF, & Ozone Treatments

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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Eat Your Spears!

by Katy Budge

Nothing heralds the onset of spring like asparagus. The tasty shoots start showing up in markets just as the nip of winter starts to fade. Green is the most popular color of this perennial vegetable, though purple and rarely seen white asparagus are also options. The latter isn’t a variety, by the way, but simply green asparagus grown totally covered; it’s never exposed to the sun, so it never develops chlorophyll. Regardless of color, asparagus is a good low-calorie source of fiber containing high amounts of Vitamins K and A, plus hearty levels of folate, iron, and potassium. Purported health benefits are far-ranging, running the gamut from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure to enhancing skin health, memory, and vitality. There are even some claims that asparagus can cure hangovers! Another benefit of asparagus is that it’s delicious and easy to cook. Chop it into bite-size pieces for a stir fry or frittata. Lightly steam the spears and drizzle with lemon juice or garlic aioli. Roast it up in the oven, or throw it on the grill for some nice char marks and smoky flavor. Swirl some tender whole asparagus in with your favorite pasta, or just eat it raw -- especially if you grow your own or get it super fresh from the farmers market. And finally, yes … there is a somewhat “unappeeling” reaction that occurs after you eat asparagus. Due to a sulphurous compound that gets quickly broken down by your digestive system, most people’s urine will have a strong smell within just minutes of eating the veggie. The harmless compound is also in garlic and onions, botanical relatives of asparagus (and lilies), but for some reason, it’s those tasty little spears that have the most redolent result.

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grilled balsamic

Asparagus Recipe: 1-2 lb fresh asparagus /balsamic vinegar /olive oil /sea salt /fresh ground black pepper to taste. Rinse and snap off the tough ends of the asparagus. Place asparagus spears on a platter and drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil (a couple of tbsp of each or more, depending on the amount of asparagus). Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roll the asparagus around in it until well coated. Heat grill to high heat and grill for a few minutes on each side or until asparagus is done.

Gift Cert. Avail.

Shamanism • Holistic Nutritionist Energy Medicine • Medical Intuitive tel: (805) 478-1223 www.thehealingworks.org

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Things Your These are tips that mom should have told you, but probably didn’t! Don't forget to share these with your kids, so that they can’t say their mom never told them! Here you go: 1) Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster. 2) Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

3) Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking. 4) Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic. 5) Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm.

This keeps the crust crispy. 6) When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving. 7) To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster. 8) Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily. 9) To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. 10) To get something out of a heat register or 22

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Mom Should have told you!

under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings. 11) Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress.

Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and static is gone. 12) Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump the hot water out, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. (Or spray the measuring cup or spoon with Pam before using) 13) Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

14) If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. voila! It unseals easily. 15) Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth.

It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

16) To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with apple cider vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever! 17) Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them.

It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed! 18) Even if you are very diligent about cleaning the lint filter in your dryer it still may be causing you a problem. If you use dryer sheets a waxy build up could be accumulating on the filter causing your dryer to over heat. The solution to this is to clean your filter with with a toothbrush and hot soapy water every 6 months.

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23

Herbs for spring planting

by Ruth Maddox One of the joys of spring is planting herbs for culinary and medicinal uses. After all our rains, herbs will be simple to grow during springtime. Some of the herbs we most enjoy growing for culinary purposes are hearty so you can plant them now for harvest through the seasons. These include oregano, thyme, sage, savory, parsley and cilantro. Herbs that need more heat include basil and tarragon. Make sure to amend your soil with organic matter. Using certified organic soil combined with compost is best. Medicinal herbs are numerous. We love to plant chamomile and catnip which are great for children and adults for sleep and calming nerves.

Feverfew is another easy to grow herb. Tea or tincture from feverfew helps relieve headaches. Echinacea is wonderful for immune building. The most effective herb is nettles, which often pops up unexpectedly in your garden. Nettles have unique medicinal qualities more than any other herb in the garden. They provide allergy and joint relief, hormone balancing, and give so many minerals for the body for everything under the sun. Add it to organic bone broth to give an extra boost. If you are ambitious, you can also make nettle compost tea to create a super fertilizer for all the summer crops you may plant from seed soon like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, cucumbers and more. Hope you will enjoy planting herbs for the spring.

The rewards are numerous and getting your hands in the soil run deep into the spirit.

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eat more

Avocado!

An avocado is in fact a fruit and not a vegetable! It is actually a member of the berry family. Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and betacarotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit. The avocado is a high-fiber food that provides nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) as well as potassium. Avocados also contain oleic acid, a fat that activates the part of your brain that makes you feel full. They help stabilize blood sugar and may lower cholesterol. Use lemon so your avocados won't turn brown. Easy Avocado Tomato Salad: 2 ripe avocados, sliced / 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, quartered / 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice / 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil / 3 tbsp. chopped cilantro / sea salt and pepper to taste/red onion optional.

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3 EASY natural tips for sleeping

Better...

Try these natural remedies to sleep better and feel great! When it comes to sleep, both quality and quantity are important. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep isn’t just an inconvenience, it can cause wide ranging health problems. Try these easy tips: 1) Dim lights about an hour before you are going to bed. Put away your computer or cellphone and wind down. 2) Try a soft pink light bulb in your bedroom. Pink has been shown to have a calming effect and is used on walls where violent prison detainees are sent to calm down. 3) Cool colors are believed to be calming so try pale blue or green sheets. These shades may provide a soothing sensation and allow for more restful sleep.

Kathryn A. Perry, DO Traditional Osteopathy Rational integration of conventional and alternative healthcare approaches.

777 Pismo Street, Suite B San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

816 Main Street, Suite D Cambria, CA 93428

(805) 548-8490 Traditional Osteopathic Practice

Preventative holistic healthcare taking into account the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit.

26

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

a matter of

Choice!

A Community Choice Energy program has been approved by the San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay City Councils, with hopefully more communities to follow.

Community Choice allows communities to become their own energy providers, assuring consumers that the energy they are using is as close to 100% renewable as possible. The idea was first introduced to the area by the Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter, which insisted it be included in the county’s Climate Action Plan for consideration. SLO Clean Energy was formed by exploring the idea with local county and city leadership. Ecologistics assisted by bringing a panel including the author of the California legislation creating community choice, and experts from LEAN Energy US and the San Diego Energy District Foundation to the 2012 Central Coast Bioneers Conference. The concept began gaining traction, resulting in the Cities of SLO and Morro Bay voting to join Monterey Bay Community Power, an existing CCE provider. Residents of SLO and Morro Bay can now tap into this service. It is our understaning that Pismo Beach is also coming on board. Thank you to all of the hard-working folks at SLO Clean Energy for making this happen.

More information at http://carbonfreeslo.org

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Early Alert for Blowing Dust on the Nipomo Mesa All APCD Press Releases Air Quality Index is “Unhealthy” Smoke Impacts Voluntary Don’t Light Tonight Advisories AirAware en Español!

805-781-5912

SLOCleanAir.org

Want to reduce your air quality impacts? Click the Grants button on our webpage to apply for funding to change your wood burning device to a clean burning device. Limited funding countywide with special funding in Nipomo and Paso Robles!

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27

Elderberry Syrup effective against the flu Have you ever thought to yourself, “I think I may be coming down with something, but I’m not quite sure." Time for elderberry! At a press conference held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London, the results of exciting research on the patented elderberry formula were presented and found to be at least 99% effective against the Avian Flu (H5N1) virus in cell cultures. A popular elderberry glycerin tincture preparation is called Sambucol. Even if the preparation is taken too late to act as a preventative, controlled clinical studies demonstrated that Sambucol could reduce the severity and duration of influenza by half.

Hippocrates recommended elderberry as a medicinal herb in his writings.

Elderberries are highly esteemed by herbalists and those in-the-know all over the world. It is considered to be nature’s answer to Tamiflu, a prescription drug that is commonly used to stop the flu. The very best time to start treating a cold or flu virus with elderberry is at the very earliest stage.

EFT consists of fingertip tapping on meridian end-points. Research shows EFT influences positive Neuroplasticity and supports the healing of PTSD, anxiety, stress, fear, phobias and depression, Emotional Freedom Techniques and reduces cortisol levels. EFT balances Mia Simmons the activity of the parasympathetic and Cert-1, ADV, Level 3 • Certified EFT Practitioner sympathetic regions of the brain, making Practice Established 2006 • mia@miasimmons.com 805.528.7586 • www.miasimmons.com EFT a powerful healing tool.

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Sprout garden

Easy, inexpensive, nutritious and ready in just 4 days!

in a

Jar

by Annie Keohane

Materials: 2 quart-sized wide mouth glass mason jars (local hardware store or thrift shop) / 1 lid (comes with the mason jars) / 1 sprouting cap (health food store or www.sproutpeople.com) / Organic sprouting seeds (health food store or sproutpeople.com) / ¼ cup of filtered water for soaking sprouts / 2 small cereal bowls Directions: Place 2 tablespoons of sprouting seeds and ¼ cup filtered water in jar. Twist on sprouting lid. Soak overnight. In the morning, drain the water by turning upside down over the sink, then without taking the cap off, run a small stream of water into the jar until it’s about a quarter full then drain again. Do this 2 more times, then leave upside down in a bowl so any remaining water (shouldn’t be much) drains. Always use tepid water for soaking and rinsing. Keep out of direct sunlight - leave on the kitchen counter with a kitchen towel thrown over them to keep direct sunlight out - having them in view helps to remind you to rinse them. Repeat morning and evening, this time rinsing once each time to moisten the sprouts. After 3 or 4 days they should be ready. Simply replace the sprout cap with the mason jar lid and refrigerate for up to 5 days. And start your next batch in the remaining jar so you have a constant supply.

Plant-Based Culinary Retreats Sprouts are among the most nutritious foods on the planet and broccoli sprouts in beautiful Cambria contain some of the most potent antiDay, Weekend or Week- long available Longer term, in-home stays considered cancer compounds (research: Johns Hopkins broccoli sprouts). Remember Hippocrates’ famous quote: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be Annie Keohane thy food.”

805-801-2547 annie.ouray@gmail.com

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29

New Diet The planet isn’t just getting hotter, it’s also getting way more crowded. If the United Nations’ estimates play out, there’ll soon by roughly 10 billion people who call the planet earth home. That’s a lot of mouths to feed. A new diet plan has some scientists saying it could be a major key factor key in working towards sustainability. The UN expects the global population to reach about 10 billion people by 2050, and the reality is our current food practices cannot support both that and the health of our planet.

Unfortunately, the environment that supports human existence will begin to burst at the seams if we continue with the status quo. As associate professor of mathematics Andrew Hwang notes in The Conversation, in wealthy countries "we live as if our savings account balance were steady income."

The proposed planetary diet is the result of a three-year project commissioned by The Lancet health journal and involving 37 specialists from 16 countries.

The EAT-Lancet scientists say that around 820 million people go hungry every day, with 150 million children experiencing long-term hunger that hampers growth and

Water Fact: If tap water replaced bottled water in the U.S., it would save about $8 billion and help prevent 60 million plastic bottles from being discarded each day.

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

for a healthy

Planet

development and 50 million of those children classed as "acutely hungry."

At the same time, obesity and diabetes rates are on the rise, with more than two billion adults around the world classed as overweight and obese. How we correct these imbalances, and do so in a way that looks after the planet, is a huge undertaking, but the scientists maintain that a healthy, sustainable food system is very much attainable. So what is the diet? It says global average consumption of foods such as red meat and sugar should be cut by 50 per cent, while consumption of nuts, fruits, vegetables and legumes should double.

The team's proposed diet allows for the consumption of no more than 3.45 oz. of red meat a week, 7.1 oz. of chicken and 6.1 oz. of fish. Meanwhile, the diet suggests consuming at least 17.6 oz. of fruits and vegetables, and about 6 oz. of dry beans, lentils, peas and other nuts and legumes each day. While this presents a massive shift for many, it won't appear all that foreign to folks in some parts of the world. Many traditional

diets, such as those in Mexico and India, consist largely of plant-based food and only small amounts of animal products.

Currently, there is a steady stream of innovations in plant-based products and cuisine, making it even easier for people to follow healthy and sustainable diets while continuing to enjoy their food. The move away from unhealthy diets toward a more plant-based subsistence could help prevent approximately 11 million premature deaths per year, according to the scientists. Beyond the specifics, they also call for individuals to give greater consideration to how the food they buy is produced, implore them to consume a range of foods in order to support biodiversity in the food system, and to limit waste by avoiding overeating and making full use of their leftovers.

A bonus: Shifting to a plant-based diet could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, according to the study. And food production accounts for a full 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a separate Harvard study.

Mon.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 Sun 10-4

Carol Dawn RN, CMT.

Nat Cert. Reflexologist 26 yrs in business locally specializing in aromatherapy

(805) 546-8660 Enlivening & rebalancing our community, one foot at a time! www.caroldawnsreflexology.com

Fresh local produce, bulk foods, vegetarian cafĂŠ, natural remedies

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31

Beer buying guide:

What to Look For Organic beer is getting to be big business.

In the past few years, some large national brewers have introduced organic products, joining a growing number of micro breweries offering organic beer. The next time you stock up on eco-friendly ales, here are a few things to look for. Certified Organic: When you buy organic beer, you're supporting a farm system that uses fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which in turn enhances soil fertility, increases species diversity, conserves water and produces fewer greenhouse gases. "Certified Organic" beers are made with at least 95 percent organic ingredients following all the standards set by the USDA, which include standards for the chemicals used to clean breweries. Organic Hops: The USDA's National Organic Program allows non organic hops in organic beer, if the brewer can't get access to sufficient quantities. And because hops are important ingredients that add aroma and bitterness to beer, this has generated some debate about the "organicness" of organic beers that use non organic hops. If you want a 100-percent organic beer, buy from breweries that use organic hops. Distribution: As with any food product, local, organic brews reduce fossil-fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions related to shipping, and they support local businesses. Fortunately, micro breweries with organic products have become popular over the last few decades, since beer may be brewed in small vats even in confined urban spaces.

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Banana Bread without oil, eggs or sugar?

Recipe: 2 cups whole wheat flour /2 cups mashed banana (overripe) /1 tsp baking powder /1/2 tsp baking soda /1/2 tsp sea salt /1/2 tsp cinnamon /1/4 cup finely chopped dates / 2 tbsp flax seed powder + 6 tbsp water /1-2 tbsp sesame seeds.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flax seed powder with water, stir well & let get gooey. Mash the banana. In a large bowl add flour with baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon & mix well. Add chopped dates & stir together. Add mashed banana & flax seed powder mixed with water & stir until well mixed. Stir until it forms a hard dough. Fold this into a greased loaf pan & sprinkle sesame seeds. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until well risen, crusty & golden. A toothpick inserted right in the center should come out clean when the loaf is cooked. Let cool down completely.

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33

Can Blue Light Today's lifestyle can be a bit frantic for many of us. Stress and high blood pressure can be the by-product of this trend of overly busy lives. Drugs are the most common way to treat high blood pressure, however an exciting new study says that exposure to blue light is an effective, non-pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure, which simultaneously reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Researchers discovered that exposure to whole-body blue light significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure of participants by almost 8 mmHg, During this study, which was published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, participants were exposed to 30 minutes of whole-body blue light at approximately 450 nanometers,

a dose comparable to daily sunlight, followed by exposure to a control light on a different day. Visible blue light, as opposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, is not carcinogenic. To assess the impact, participants’ blood pressure, stiffness of arteries, blood vessel dilation, and blood plasma levels of nitric oxide stores were measured, before, during, and up to two hours after irradiation with both lights.

The researchers who conducted the study from the University of Surrey and Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf discovered that exposure to wholebody blue light significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure of participants by almost 8 mmHg, compared to the control light which had no impact. What’s even more remarkable is that the reduction of blood pressure from blue light is similar

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34

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Club use included w/ spa service Relax by one of our pools, Or take a fitness class!

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Reduce

blood pressure?

to what is seen in clinical trials with blood pressure lowering drugs. Besides the blood pressure lowering effects, it was also discovered that exposure to blue light improved other cardiovascular risk markers, including reduction of arterial stiffness and increasing blood vessel relaxation. This further supports the notion that light could aid in preventing cardiovascular disease, which kills over 150,000 people in the UK alone every year. Researchers also found that exposure to blue light increased levels of nitric oxide which is an important signaling molecule that protects the cardiovascular system. It is believed that blue light releases it from the skin into the blood stream where it relaxes the blood vessels, increasing blood flow and decreasing blood pressure. This is not

the first time that blue light has been revealed to have a positive impact on people’s health. Because blue lighting has been linked to improving mood, dozens of Japanese train stations have installed blue lighting as a means of reducing their suicide rates. Over the course of 10 years, the suicide rate at the stations plummeted by 84%. Blue light exposure offers an effective method for precisely controlling blood pressure without the use of drugs. Wearable blue light sources could make continued exposure to light possible and practical.

This would be particularly helpful to those whose blood pressure is not easily controlled by medication, such as older people. Continued blue light exposure could be made possible and practical with wearable light sources.

805-543-7600 mattclarktile.com

Carmen Green Broker

171 N. 13th St. Suite A, Grover Beach, CA 93433

cgreenrealestate.com • 805.481.7700

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35

Chocolate...

A 2016 report published in the British Journal of Nutrition, says chocolate may be especially healthy to indulge in every single day. Researchers from the University of Warwick analyzed data from 1,153 people, aged 18 to 69, enrolled in the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk in Luxembourg study, the first nationwide survey on heart disease risk factors. They found that people who ate 100 grams of chocolate a day, which is the equivalent of about one bar, had lower insulin resistance and improved liver enzymes than participants who did not. In addition, over 80 percent of the

study participants who reported eating an average of 24.8 grams of chocolate a day were younger, more physically active, and more educated than those who said they did not consume the treat every day. Given the growing body of evidence, including our own study, cocoa-based products may represent an additional dietary recommendation to improve cardio-metabolic health, said lead study author. Experts encourage people to consume foods rich in polyphenols, the metabolite that boasts chocolate’s health profile. It’s considered an antioxidant and, by some,

homemade chocolate bar Recipe: 1 cup raw cacao / 1/4 cup 100% pure maple syrup / 1/2 cup organic, coldpressed coconut oil / 1 tsp. vanilla / 1/4 tsp. sea salt / A handful of almonds, chopped into slivers (optional.) Melt the coconut oil (gently) in a saucepan until it’s liquid.

Mix together all the ingredients (aside from the almonds) until well combined. Lay out a cookie sheet with parchment paper on it. Pour mixture onto parchment paper, making a rectangle. Sprinkle the almond slivers on top. Allow it to freeze. Note: this is a dark chocolate bar, it will not resemble the taste of milk chocolate! If you find this too bitter, simply add more maple syrup or raw honey to the mixture.

36

a way to protect against both degenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to chocolate, polyphenols are present in coffee, tea, flaxseeds, cloves, chestnuts, and more. It's important to differentiate between natural cocoa and the more processed forms of chocolate. Dark chocolate has half the sugar and four times the fiber than milk chocolate.

Dark chocolate was used in the research.

 This American  Bioneers  Morning Cup

Life

 TED Radio Hour  Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me!  Fresh Air

90.1 SLO, Santa Maria  89.5 Santa Barbara  91.7 Paso Robles to Salinas 95.1 Lompoc  91.1 Cayucos  90.9 Santa Ynez, Avila Beach, Cambria KCBX Public Radio  4100 Vachell Lane, SLO 93401  (805) 549-8855  kcbx.org

37

Animal Harmony in the garden

by Blaze Elation

When I moved from a house in town with hardly any yard to fourteen acres in the country, I was so excited to finally have animals that I bought my first goat before we had even unpacked. Next came a few more goats, chickens, ducks, a horse, and a pig. My goal was to incorporate the animals into the garden to provide services such as manure and pest removal. I soon found that a free-forall of Old McDonald’s farm animals running about in the garden was not exactly providing the assistance I had hoped for. The pig is a walking tractor with destructive abilities that are quite impressive. The birds scratch at and unearth all my newly planted seeds.

The horse and goats trample, nibble, and roll on everything. It was time to make some changes and now I finally 38

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

have a system that works for everyone and makes my life in the garden easier and more sustainable. The birds are housed in a coop that is in the garden area. When the vegetables are large enough to survive a little pecking and scratching, I let the birds roam the garden eating insect pests and dropping their fertilizer. The horse lives in her separate paddock and supplies several wheel barrows of manure each month. The pig happily devours any garden compost and spoiled vegetables and is allowed in the garden once a year to till the soil in late fall after the goats have come in and eaten all the leftover plant debris.

I found that it’s all about finding ways to utilize the animal’s natural habits to the benefit of the farm…oh, and plan ahead before you buy the animals!

the new trend...

Noisy

Restaurants?

by Margaret DeStefano

Today, restaurants are being designed with a modern design touch that includes exposed surfaces and a clean, slick look that's favored by so many designers. These new beautiful "minimalist" spaces reflect more sound, making it hard to hear your dining companions. Many also include marble counter-tops, brick or bare walls, and chic undressed tables. There's really nothing to absorb the noise. That translates to louder sounds. In addition some even have overhead TVs and the new trend of open kitchens. Add to all that"atmosphere," a room full of information filled diners, who are eager to share what they know, and you've got a place with noise eqivalents of garbage disposals and lawnmowers! Consequently, each person is forced to talk louder than normal. The conclusion: Popular restaurants in many cities have a noise problem. Not very appetizing. Loud sounds may elevate blood pressure. Intensify the noise with the effects of alcohol, and some people might even get nauseous. People can also be inclined to eat faster in noisy environments. There's no city, really, that seems immune from this problem, The solution: Maybe a side of ear plugs!

39

Los Osos Cares

will continue womenade services

by Madeline Palaszewski

Two local non-profit organizations have joined together to serve the communities of Los Osos and Morro Bay. Womenade, a community network that donates items, time and money to meet essential needs in San Luis Obispo County has retired. Its services will now be absorbed

by Los Osos Cares for Los Osos and Morro Bay. Los Osos Cares will partner with other agencies to help community members find resources and services to meet their needs. Referrals come from schools, medical professionals, county health departments and community organizations. Agencies can email referrals to locwomenade@gmail.com. “We are honored to continue offering Womenade services to the communities of Los Osos and Morro Bay,� said Linda Quesenberry, Director of Los Osos Cares. Several Womenade programs will continue to serve local needs: The 40

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Backpack Program provides food for students that would otherwise go hungry over the weekend and The Pirate Closet at Morro Bay High School which provides a free clothing, school supply and basic resource store for teen sized youth will continue serving Los Osos and Morro Bay families. For information on the Backpack Program contact Deborah Whitson lowhits@cgarter.net and for information on the MBHS Pirate Closet, contact Beverly Ford at grandmasyogart@live. com. Los Osos Cares Resource Center is open Tuesday - Friday, 12 - 4pm and is located in Sunnyside Elementary school at 880 Manzanita Drive, Room 18. In house agencies are Transitions Mental Health Assoc., Seneca Family Ties, Department of Social Services, Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access, Eckerd Workforce Development. Call for more info at 805-592-2701.

Tiny Homes to the rescue!

by Jackie Turner

Do we have an affordable housing crisis in this county? You betcha.

The problem is not just for the Homeless population but also for those of us who live and work here. With the median home prices around $650,000, first-time home ownership is almost impossible to achieve and demand is greater than supply. Wages, currently minimum wage to twenty dollars per hour, are not enough to provide enough income to pay for even a modest priced home. So, how about Tiny Homes?! The good news is that the tiny homes on wheels are now legal in San Luis Obispo County. The goal is to create affordable living that can temporarily accommodate people until something else comes along. For those who wish to build on their own properties there are costs and requirements involved: 1. Building a home from scratch would cost between $25,000 and $35,000, plus city application fees, hookup fees and water/sewer connection fees, which could amount to $1,800. Total costs could rise to $80,000. Still high, but more affordable than other living spaces here in SLO town.

2. Homes must be 120 and 400 square feet, they must look like traditional homes in the area, must be on the backside or side yard of a single family home.

3. Homes must be on a trailer registered with the DMV. 4. Homes are expected to be temporary residences. Happily, there is an advocacy organization, Hope Village, which is looking to create thirty tiny homes in a community allotted to homeless people and other people who need the accommodations. Tiny homes would relieve the housing crunch, serve lower income residents and get homeless people off the street. Mobile homes in parks are another example of affordable housing. However, many of them are for residents 55 and older. We hope that this Tiny Home concept will take off in San Luis Obispo County.

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41

Meade Canine

by Anouk Novy Do you ever see those heartwrenching stories of senior or ill dogs being dumped by their owners at shelters? Do you wonder what happens to those scared and gentle souls?

Luckily for us, someone on the central coast is looking out for just those dogs. Meade Canine Rescue in Creston CA is a senior and special needs animal sanctuary that primarily rescues euthanasia listed dogs. Meade takes in the dogs that need help the very most and gives them a second chance at happiness. In addition, the rescue facility was built using green materials and utilizes clean energy. All wash is hung to dry and everything used by the dogs for bedding and day to day animal needs is donated and recycled. The rescue is a unique gift to our community since it does an amazing service of giving older or sick dogs that are often overlooked a second chance at a good life while keeping the environment in mind. Meade provides the costly medical attention some of these

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Rescue...

new hope for senior dogs!

dogs need and of course an abundance of love they deserve. If you are interested in a “recycled� dog, visiting the facility, volunteering, or just donating to help continue this amazing work, please phone 805-239-4004 or email 4dots@att.net or visit the website at www.meadecaninerescue.net.

43

Dolphins...

A study from 2018 suggests that dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, so much so that they may surpass human intelligence in some respects. One of those ways being self-awareness. The study used was a mirror-self recognition (MSR) test which basically consists of presenting a mirror to the test subject and seeing how long it takes them to recognize themselves.

When presented with a mirror, human infants aren’t usually able to recognize themselves until they are around 12 months old. Bottlenose dolphins, on

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the other hand, are able to recognize themselves at just seven months old. In the study, two young bottlenose dolphins were exposed to an underwater mirror and video recordings of their behavioral responses were analyzed over a 3-year period. Both dolphins exhibited MSR, indicated by self-directed behavior at the mirror, at ages earlier than generally reported for children and at ages much earlier than reported for chimpanzees. The early onset of MSR in young dolphins occurs in parallel with their advanced sensorimotor

smarter than you think! development, complex and reciprocal social interactions, and growing social awareness. Both dolphins passed subsequent mark tests at ages comparable with children. Thus, the findings indicate that dolphins exhibit self-awareness at a mirror at a younger age than previously reported for children or other species tested. They are capable of far more than anyone had ever realized. Dolphins are even able to create personalized whistles which can be seen as their equivalent of names for different members of

their pod. They can solve problems as well as communicate with each other with no difficulty whatsoever. Some people actually believe we should treat them as people because of their high intellect. The experiment was done on both male and female dolphins to get a range of results. Dolphins have both been here longer than us, and have much larger brains than us. We can learn a lot from these animals whether we see them as our equals or not. They should be studied and tested further to see what else they are capable of.

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Happy Birthday Earth Day is 49 years old! This annual event is celebrated worldwide to spread awareness about environmental protection. Today it is celebrated by more than 193 countries every year. Earth Day is about appreciating the uniqueness of our Earth and its marvelous biodiversity.

The sustainable suggestions that routinely appear to highlight this day, certainly help build a healthier planet.

But to really do the job, we need to change more than light bulbs. We need to change the way we think. There are plenty of ways we can make every day Earth Day, by improving our own small part of the planet. Here are some things you can do. Appreciate the Earth: Take a morning walk with your children and watch the sunrise. Reflect on the things that you love about the earth. Think about how you as a family can preserve and keep the earth in good health. Write it down. Make an Earth-Day Pledge: Sit down with your family and come up with earth-friendly resolutions you can all keep. Some examples: 1) start recycling and purchasing recycled products. 2) make the change to non-toxic cleaners

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and pesticides. 3) purchase organic produce. 4) bike to school or work.

5) include less meat in your diet and start to become vegetarians. Arrange a Special Earth Day Action in Your Community: Plant a tree or organize an Earth Day clean up. You can supply bags and pick a park, street, or other public area and clean it up. Host a recycling event or organize a drop-off site for toxic materials such as batteries and paint cans. Set up a table in a public place and let people know how you feel about taking care of the earth. Beautify Your School: Parents can prepare garden beds and children can plant flowers.

Have volunteers bring garden tools. Ask for landscaper or gardener to volunteer and help oversee this project. How about planting a tree at the school? Make Your School Greener: Talk to school administrators about using non-toxic cleaners and building products, serving organic milk, food and juice, and using recycled, non-toxic school supplies. Have your school conduct an energy audit.

Ask them to incorporate environmental themes and activities into the school’s

Earth Day...

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” ~ Gaylord Nelson Founder of Earth Day

curriculum. Organize an Eco-field Trip: Plan a trail walk through a park, a visit to a nature center, organic farm, science museum, your local recycling plant, landfill, or water reservoir. Plan an Earth Day Event: Write and perform an Earth Day play or organize an Earth Day Music Concert. How about an Earth Day Art Show? Have an Eco-Fashion show, demonstrating clothes made from hemp and organic cotton. Organize an organic picnic and invite friends for lunch in the park on the grass with only organic foods. Support Pro-Earth Groups: Plan an Earth Day "walk-a-thon" or "cleanup-a-thon." Take financial pledges from people to sponsor you for each mile you walk or each garbage bag you fill. Donate the money to a reputable environmental agency. Shop Green: Use your purchasing power to support environmentally friendly companies and products by doing your shopping on-line, which cuts out pollution from car travel and the waste of paper catalogs. Check out earth-friendly companies offering everything from non-toxic household cleaners, organic and hemp clothing,

natural body care, energy efficient products to recycled paper and more.

Reduce Waste: Clean out your closets and bring things that you no longer need to a thrift shop. Have a swap meet and trade clothes, toys, and books with your friends. Make a list of disposable items that you can do without. Take a grocery store tour and read labels. Purchase products that have little or no packaging, organic produce, and products made of recycled materials. Take Action: Write a letter with your children to the President or your local, state or federal government representatives asking them to focus on a particular environmental issue.

Write to a corporation and congratulate them on their "good" environmental practices or ask them to clean up their act. Set an example for your children on environmental responsibility.

Link your company's web page to those that offer energy-saving and environment friendly tips. Here are just a few: Earth Share at www.earthshare. org; the official Earth Day site at www.earthday.net. Happy Earth Day!

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foods that fight

Fatigue Fast When fatigue sets in, who doesn't reach mindlessly for a quick pick-me-up? Here are six healty energy boosters that will have you feeling less drained throughout the day. 1) Oats: Just a half cup of cooked oats provides a whopping four grams of dietary fiber, which takes a long time to digest and therefore slows the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. The result? High, steady energy and a curbed appetite. 2) Bananas: Easy-to-digest, potassium-rich bananas make a great snack before a big meeting or lunchtime power walk. 3) Bell peppers: Mixing these veggies in an omelet or salad does much more than add a colorful crunch: Bell peppers are a stellar source of vitamin C, which plays a key role in helping the body burn fat for energy. 4) Nuts: Research shows that eating monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, popularly known as "good fats," instead of saturated and trans fats, slows the digestion of food, which keeps your metabolism firing and helps you feel full for longer periods of time. 5) Green tea: Swap your afternoon coffee with a cup of green tea. Caffeine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (the part responsible for our "fight or flight" response to danger) and can quickly boost alertness and performance. Green tea also contains another natural stimulant, theophylline, that has caffeine-like effects. The result? A boost that's similar to what you get from coffee, minus the energy-sapping withdrawal. 6) Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are loaded with important antioxidants, the body's best defense against free radicals.

They contain fewer than 100 calories each, yet provide 28 grams of carbohydrates, and more than 100 percent of your daily requirement of beta-carotene.

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Upcoming Events Cayucos Sea Glass Festival

Annual Citywide Morro Bay Yard Sale

Enjoy the abundance of designs, art, jewelry and other crafts at the annual celebration of all things sea glass, also known as ‘mermaid tears’ to collectors.

Pack your truck, ride your bike, or park and walk around town in this annual ‘yard sale’ extravaganza. Travel around this annual treasure hunt that sends Morro Bay locals into a yearly frenzy to purge and consume at the same time.

Citywide maps available at Chamber of Commerce

March 9th and 10th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

March 12-17th

Opening night ‘An Evening With Katherine Ross’ performs “Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express”. Other films include “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” at the Fremont, and numerous other indie shorts throughout the week. Main Office: 1040 Court St. Tickets @ slofilmfest.org/ticketspasses or Info @ slofilmfest.org 2019 Horse Expo

March 12th 4:00 pm. To 8:30 p.m

An educational and entertaining shopping event geared toward the SLO horse community.

Alex Madonna Expo Center San Luis Obispo Health and Fitness Expo

March 23rd and 24th

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m A myriad of vendors, workshops, and seminars in all things health and fitness. Superhero 5K run to kick off event. Alex Madonna Expo Center Art After Dark: SLO Visit an array of local galleries, discover local artists and the wonders of art.

April 5th to April 7th, 2019

Cayucos Vets Hall Spring Festival

April 13-27th

Celebrate Spring’s ‘Backyard Babies’ and check out the new ‘Bug Zone’.

Charles Paddock Zoo - Atascadero 41st Annual Children’s Day in the Plaza Connects children and families with resources in SLO County

Saturday, April 13 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mission Plaza

A Party for the Planet: Earth Day and Children’s Day in the Park

April 13th, 2019 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Education, conservation, activities, all included with admission to the zoo.

Charles Paddock Zoo - Atascadero 14th Annual Cambria Wildflower Show

April 27th and 28th

Veteran’s Memorial building Email your next community event to kathleen@slosolstice.com

April 5th and 6th, 2019

1108 Garden St. SLO

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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Glossary

descriptions of integrative health/wellness and green/healthy living practices...

Acupuncture is a form of health maintenance, which stimulates the body’s ability to correct and balance itself. Based on the ancient Chinese practice of using "punctures" to cure the body of disease and relieve pain. This process is used to channel the chi life force throughout the body by a network of meridians in a continuous flow.

Disease is considered to be an imbalanced meridian system, and "needles" are inserted at various points along the meridians to stimulate or disperse the life-force flow to correct the imbalance.

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other aromatic compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health. Essential oils differ in chemical composition from other herbal products because the distillation process only recovers the lighter phytomolecules. Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and beliefs.

Ayurveda is an ancient holistic science from India. Said to be more than 5,000 years old, "Ayur" means life and "Ved" means knowledge. Ayurveda is the study of longevity that offers healing, rejuvenation, and selfactualizing therapies utilizing diet, exercise, yoga, herbs, massage, aromas, meditation, 50

Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

mantras and tantras. Ayurveda tradition teaches that health is the balance of elements fire, air, water and earth – and illness is an excess of an element.

Biofeedback involves noninvasive, simple electronic monitoring to observe the body’s functions and provide information useful to the healing processes, especially with stress. Using biofeedback information, guided relaxation techniques allow awareness and methods to control particular body reactions.

Treatments may address anxiety, pain, migraines, insomnia, muscle spasms, asthma and other stress-related disorders.

Chiropractic Care consists of Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) who are spinal specialists and have completed a four-year course of graduate-level study; a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom and laboratory, and clinical training at an accredited chiropractic college, and passed national and state exams.

Chiropractic care specializes in chiropractic adjusting and manipulation, diagnosis, radiology, physical medicine, nutrition and natural therapies with an emphasis on prevention, and drug-free care.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a system of evaluation and treatment which views the client as an integrated totality and uses gentle, noninvasive techniques to the craniosacral system surrounding the brain and the spinal cord.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) consists of fingertip tapping on meridian points. EFT alleviates negative emotions and experiences. Clinical psychologists David Feinstein and Dawson Church, award winning author, The Genie in Your Genes, confirmed through their landmark study tapping on specific meridian points has a positive effect on cortisol levels, the “stress hormone.” Research suggests EFT is effective because it helps to balance the activity of the parasympathetic and sympathetic regions of the brain, making it a powerful healing tool.

Herbalists practice ancient healing procedures by using plants, and their derivatives, as preventative and curative medicine. Whole herbs retain their subtle ingredients needed to balance the body to catalyst the healing process, without harmful side effects of synthetic drugs. Herbs are used for internal and external treatments using teas, ointments, oils, compresses, tinctures, and extracts.

Homeopathy is a holistic therapy developed in Germany over 200 years ago by physician, Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathy is based upon the belief that “like cures like,” and uses small doses of natural remedies created from herbal, mineral and animal substances.

Meditation is the deep relaxation of the body to heal the body, quiet the mind, and provide the client with a sense of inner balance.

Meditation can be a state of focused or mindful attention, which can include the use of sitting posture, imagery, mantras, control of breath, and observation – all to allow thoughts to emerge and pass without becoming engaged with them.

Organically Grown food is processed and grown without using pesticides, such as herbicides and insecticides, preservatives,

colorings or radiation. Certified Organic Food is grown on land where no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides have been used for three years; where there has been an inspection by an independent third party; and the producer has provided documentation such as soil tests, a statement of intent, and an affidavit.

Osteopathy is a form of drug-free noninvasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles and spine. Its aim is to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Permaculture is a system of environmental land-use and sustainable living techniques, utilizing principles from ecology, technology, and the wisdom of indigenous peoples.

Developed in Austria in the 1970’s, permaculture emphasizes ethics: caring for people and the earth, and giving away surplus.

Reiki means universal life-force energy, and is a scientific way to activate and balance the life-force energy (chi, prana, qi) present in all living things. One method used is light handplacement therapy that is used to channel energy to organs and glands.

Reflexology or zone therapy, is the practice of massaging, squeezing, or pushing on parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.

Sound Vibration Therapy is based on the fact that the universe is in a constant state of vibration; therefore, the body’s cells are constantly vibrating. Sound vibration therapy employs the direct application of the voice, music, and other sounds.

Tell them you found them in Solstice! • www.slosolstice.com

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Solstice Green Directory - Spring 2019

Hyper Fresh Hyper Local!

by Kathleen Stout, M.A. California Fresh Market in SLO has designed the store for maximum shopper efficiency, wellness, and savings. Their mission to serve up “hyperfresh and hyperlocal” products has thrilled a new wave of shoppers to their San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach locations. In addition to a sushi bar, deli, and full service butcher shop featuring USDA prime and choice meats as well as fresh, wild caught seafood, the store incorporated an organic juice bar to accommodate customers in need of quick nutrition during their shopping trips. Featuring freshly squeezed organic juices, wheatgrass shots and smoothies,

the bar provides a hearty supplement for the hungry shopper. With a streamlined design the store negates the annoyance of searching aisle after aisle for products, and with a fresh smoothie in hand, grocery shopping becomes something to look forward to. With eight aisles packed with affordable nutritious products, an overflowing produce section and bulk bins, California Fresh has seen a surge in business that is proving the store’s model a success. In addition to these features, the store accepts the AppleApp which makes your shopping experience even more streamlined.

Coffee and Organic Juice Bar, Deli and Bakery Department, and Full Service Butcher Shop plus Fresh Wild Caught Seafood

555 Five Cities Dr • Pismo Beach, CA • (805) 295-7162 771 E. Foothill Blvd • San Luis Obispo, CA • (805) 250-1425