Natural Awakenings Magazine, Broward County, FL February, 2021

E R F

E

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

KEEP OUTSIDE GERMS AT THE DOOR

SHOES OFF!

BECOMING HEART-MINDED TOOLS FOR

INNER PEACE

HEARTFELT EATING BEST FOODS FOR A HEART-HEALTHY DIET

February 2021 | Broward County, FL | NaBroward.com

Full Mouth Reconstruction in a Positive Environment! ~ Patient Testimonial Massiel’s Interview with Deborah, Dr. Yolie’s patient

Massiel: Thank you, Deborah, for joining me! I am excited to speak with you on your experience with Dr. Cintron. I have to say, though, every time you come to the office to get your cleanings, your personality lights up the room! We really love that and appreciate it; it makes our day.

that I see, and I am told that as well, so I really could not be more pleased. She is excellent.

Massiel: I must give you credit too, because while Dr. Cintron did give you that beautiful smile, it’s up to you to take care of it and make sure you do not miss your cleanings. I think when the pandemic broke out, you may have missed one or two cleanings, but when we saw you again there was not a negative change at all! Your teeth remained clean as well as your gums.

Deborah: Oh, how nice of you to say; thank you!

Massiel: So, let us go back to before you found us and had your case done.

Deborah: Yes, I am pretty strict with it; I keep coming back and I take care of it.

Deborah: Well, I was alerted to Dr. Cintron by my daughterin-law who was concerned and conscious about her health. She researched and found the doctor and saw that she was a holistic dentist; she had some major work done here and I picked her up that day because she had been sedated for the work. From there, when I was thinking about what dentist to go to, I liked the feeling, and my daughter-in-law liked her experience, so I made an appointment here. I got my records from my previous dentist and I have been a patient of Dr. Cintron ever since.

M a s s i e l : Yo u k n o w D r.

Cintron is a health coach as well and she is constantly reiterating the importance of oral health and the impact it has on our immune system and the fact that every disease starts Dr. Yolanda Cintron in the mouth. So, she rejoices when patients like you take their oral health seriously and consider their cleanings as one of the top priorities when it comes to their overall health.

Massiel: I am so happy she referred you to us and that she had a great experience. That is our priority—the patient and their experience. Think about it: you are supposed to go to the dentist often in the year and you want to be comfortable and happy to go there. It just makes sense to have a positive environment and positive energy. I am incredibly happy you feel that way!

Deborah: Thank you! I am so happy to be her patient.

In 2021, let’s make our health a priority. Your health is your wealth. Take action; call us today. Use code #NAFEB21 for $50 off new patient consultation exam and X-rays. For more information or to book an appointment, call 954938-4599 and/or visit GoNaturalDentistry.com. We will take care of your needs and get you healthy again—pain-free!

Deborah: She [Dr. Cintron] is very caring and incredibly talented. I have gotten so many compliments on my teeth.

I hesitated and I thought to myself, should I, at my age, get this work done? But today I am so happy I decided to have the work done because I am happier smiling and I know it looks beautiful. I think it looks better than some people’s mouths

Shared with Love, Dr. Yolie Dr.Yolie.com Info@DrCintron.com

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Advertorial ~ International Center for Dental Excellence 2021 E. Commercial Blvd., Ste 208, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33308 GoNaturalDentistry.com DrYolie.com Info@DrCintron.com Office, 954-938-4599 Cell, 561-289-8721

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Contents 11 CONSIDER MELATONIN TO LOWER COVID-19 RISK

12 EAT CHILI PEPPERS TO LIVE LONGER

15 SHOES OFF!

Keep Germs Outside

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16 LIVE A HEART-

20

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Integrative Cardiologists on Preventing Heart Disease

20 HEARTFELT EATING Best Foods for a HeartHealthy Diet

22 TOOLS FOR INNER

PEACE

Exploring Mindfulness and Meditation

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24 ROMANTIC

RELATIONSHIP TOOLKIT

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What’s in YOUR Romance Toolkit?

25 ARE YOU SOULMATES OR CELLMATES? Relationships during the Pandemic

DEPARTMENTS 10 news briefs 11 health briefs 13 global briefs 15 eco tip 20 conscious eating 22 healing ways

25 ask the therapist 26 calendar 27 classifieds 29 natural awakenings directory

Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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What a

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February 2021

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letter from the publisher

F

ebruary is a month we focus on the Heart.

Heart is one of those words that can take on a plethora of meanings; its use is diverse and universal. There are hundreds of phrases that include the word heart; it’s central to our lives in so many ways. Take heart, have a heart, heartminded, heartfelt, heart-centered, heartful—the list goes on and on.

As an organ, it seems as if it’s life itself, beating rhythmically, delivering oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood throughout our expansive vascular system. This month’s feature article, which begins on page 16, focuses on the heart and how over 80 percent of all heart disease can be prevented and even reversed.

As a leading publication on health and wellness, our mission is to educate the public regarding personal and planetary wellness.

That includes the maintenance of health aka prevention of illness. We explore integrative, holistic approaches in staying well and reversing disease. Heart disease is mostly preventable.

Through the education of doctors, serving the public, we can benefit by an honest discussion around preventative diet and exercise measures, saving many lives annually.

We have responded to the local community with reference to expanding on our reach within the digital, online world and now have updated our local Natural Awakenings website [NaBroward.com]. The first thing you may notice is the new look, and more importantly the new functionality. In appreciation for our advertisers

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who have stayed with us through the pandemic, we have uploaded an Online Business Directory listing for each. They now have a “hub” for their contact information, accessible by computer and mobile devices. With their business listing, they have the ability to add additional information, publish events, special offers, and with any content from what’s in print, we can place that information “connecting” to the business that submitted the story or news brief.

We also have the ability to share articles and news briefs with our neighboring publication, Palm Beach County, FL. In addition, this information can be cross-linked to social media platforms such as Facebook. The result of this transition will make it much easier for our readers to find and connect with advertising partners, utilizing their products and services.

Have you a virtual event or location-based event you want to promote online or in print?

Visit our website and see how easy it is. Start by creating your Online Business Listing. There are easy instructions under “Directory” in the top menu bar. We see this as a wonderful way to have us connect with each other in a meaningful way.

What benefits one benefits all of us.

This month’s article “Tools for Inner Peace” is a helpful read in exploring mindfulness and meditation to lower blood pressure and boost memory. These practices need not be associated with any particular religion or dogma but rather used as a helpful tool, incorporating breathwork in reducing stress, depression and tension. Read our article on page 22 for more information on these ancient methods for today’s world.

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What would February be without a conversation around relationships and romance?

Just in time for Valentine’s Day and all things heart, “Your Romance Toolkit” (page 24) makes suggestions for selecting just the right type of gift to boost your romance and your romantic partner.

Each month we will be publishing additional wellness articles and health information online. Be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter for easy access to this additional content.

Our Conscious Eating department’s article this month focuses on foods that comprise a Heart-Healthy Diet. See our delicious and easyto-prepare recipes that start on page 20. A foodcentered wellness program around the hearth, the kitchen—the heartbeat of our home—surely benefits from daily, healthy choices to improve how we feel and look. Enjoy spicing up your meals and snacks for yourself, your family, your friend or neighbor! Bon appétit.

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” ~ Mother Teresa

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HotWorks.org 2nd Annual

Palm Beach Fine Art Show

™

February 27 & 28, 2021 Palm Beach Outlets, West Palm Beach

www.hotworks.org Facebook.com/HotWorksArtShows Instagram @HotWorksArtShows Jill Whitney-Birk, Mixed Media

Professionally Juried Fine Art & Fine Craft ShowJames Wilbat, Glass At Palm Beach Outlets, West Palm Beach All Art is Original, Personally Handmade & for Sale by the Artist Present at the Show Sat, Feb 27 & Sun, Feb 28 ~ 10am-5pm Daily ~ Free Admission and Free Parking Students! Call for Entries ~ Budding Artist Competition – Grades 6-12 or ages 9-19 ~ more info www.hotworks.org

See Art, Love Art, Buy Art!™

news briefs

NamaStay Sobruary Challenge

CBD American Shaman Bringing Wellness to Community & Beyond

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C

BD American Shaman is dedicated to bringing wellness to the world through cannabinoid products derived from premium industrial hemp. They live out their values through fair business practices, philanthropy and the highest quality hemp oil available anywhere.

The environment around us affects us for better or worse and vice-versa; cannabidiol (CBD) helps us to maintain a natural balance within—a homeostasis—by interacting with the human endocannabinoid system in a positive manner, returning it to a state of equilibrium, to help us find support in many areas, including mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

One of just 39 U.S. hemp authorized companies, all CBD American Shaman products are third-party lab tested with lab results readily available to ensure full transparency. They carry a comprehensive line of full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD products as well as zero THC products for both humans and pets.

For free CBD samples and to speak with a certified CBD consultant, visit the newly remodeled CBD American Shaman of Coral Springs.

Location: Turtle Crossing Shopping Center, 5772 Wiles Rd. (at N. State Rd. 7), Coral Springs. For more information, call 954-9056360. See ad page 12.

amaStay Sober is holding their 4th annual Sobruary (Sober February) Challenge. Whether someone is already in recovery, sober-curious or just looking to swap a misused habit for something healthy like meditation or yoga, NamaStay has resources that can help.

NamaStay Sober is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015

by Nico Longo after the loss of a friend to opioid addiction. Based in Massachusetts with community chapters in other states, the mission is to aid those in recovery by reconnecting the body and mind through affordable yoga, fitness, meditation and wellnessfocused community events.

“It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am for @ namastaysober. In its infancy, NamaStay provided solace in a time when I was grieving the loss of a dear friend to addiction. Over time, it developed into a place where I felt safe to share about my own struggles with an eating disorder,” Longo explains. “Eventually, it led me to discover a community of like-minded individuals that support one another through healthier outlets such as yoga and meditation so that we all may live a life of more freedom, selfexpression and peace. The essence of this year’s Sobruary Challenge is just that—supporting each other in discovering what we put in the space that sobriety creates.”

For more information, email info@NamaStaySober.com and/ or visit NamaStaySober.com.

Life can be a rocky road. The challenge is not to let it grind you into dust, but to polish you into a brilliant gem. ~John Milton Fogg

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Take Propolis and Vitamins A, E and D for Respiratory Tract Infections

health briefs

cottonbro/Pexels.com

Melatonin, a hormonal sleep aid that can be purchased for a few dollars at local pharmacies, appears to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 by 30 percent, report researchers from the Cleveland Clinic.

Among African Americans, a group disproportionately impacted by the virus, the risk was reduced by 52 percent. For the study, published in PLOS Biology, researchers used artificial intelligence to compare the host genes and proteins of the novel coronavirus to those of 64 other diseases across a range of categories. They found 34 drugs for possible repurposing, then combed through 27,000 patient records to find which drugs had in fact lowered the risk of contracting the virus. “We’re excited about these results and to study that connection more, but large-scale observational studies and randomized controlled trials are essential to confirm what we’ve found here,” says lead researcher Feixiong Cheng.

kosolovskyy/Adobestock.com

Consider Melatonin to Lower COVID-19 Risk

Two new studies offer hope for dealing with the winter’s respiratory woes. Propolis, the resin-like substance made by bees from plants to build their hives, has been used for centuries to heal wounds and treat colds. In a new study, researchers from Italy’s University of Naples Federico II gave either a propolis extract oral spray or a placebo three times a day to 122 people with mild upper respiratory tract infections. After three days, 83 percent of the patients in the propolis group enjoyed remission of all symptoms such as sore throat, hoarseness and throat swelling and redness, compared to 28 percent of the placebo group.

The propolis reduced the duration of infection from five days to three days, two days less than the placebo.

A second study in Britain of 6,115 adults found that those with adequate intakes of vitamins A and E from diet and supplements had fewer respiratory complaints.

People taking vitamin D as supplements, but not from their diet, also fared better at fending off such symptoms as breathlessness, bronchial trouble, viral pneumonia and throat infection.

gresei/Adobestock.com

Use Glass Baby Bottles to Avoid Microplastic Particles Polypropylene baby bottles­—which comprise 82 percent of the global baby bottle market— release an “extraordinary” number of microplastic particles, reports a new study by Trinity College Dublin. In a study published in Nature Food, which covered 48 regions worldwide, researchers found that flexible plastic baby bottles release as many as 16.2 million particles per liter. “A study last year by the World Health Organization estimated adults would consume between 300 and 600 microplastics a day—our average values were on the order of a million or millions,” study co-author John Boland told The Guardian. He called for more studies to understand the implications, saying the researchers were “absolutely gobsmacked” by the numbers. The microplastics are released when heated liquid is used to sterilize the bottles and to dissolve powdered formula and when the bottle is shaken to dissolve the powder. The higher the water temperature, the greater the release of particles. Polypropylene bottles have a “5” on the recycling symbol on the bottom.

February 2021

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health briefs

krishnan/Unsplash.com

Eat Chili Peppers to Live Longer

Regular consumption of chili peppers can reduce the risk of

dying from cardiovascular disease by 26 percent and from cancer by 23 percent, suggests a review of 4,729 studies involving 570,000 people. Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic reported to the annual scientific session of the American Heart Association that frequent chili eaters also had a lower risk of dying from any cause

by 25 percent compared to those that rarely or never ate the fruit. Because it was difficult to measure the type and amount of chili pepper eaten by the Americans, Italians, Chinese and Iranians in the study, no quantities were specified.

Previous studies have found that chili pepper has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and blood glucose-regulating effects due to capsaicin, its active ingredient.

In updated guidelines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that dental amalgam fillings may cause health problems for some high-risk groups because of mercury vapor leaks.

Among those advised to avoid amalgams, which contain mercury, silver, copper and tin, are pregnant women; women that plan to become pregnant or are nursing; children, especially those under the age of 6; and those with kidney problems or preexisting neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Over time, amalgams can release small amounts of mercury vapor, depending on how extensively people grind their teeth or chew gum and how old the filling is, studies show.

It’s a more cautious tone for the FDA, which along with the American Dental Association, has long maintained that amalgams are safe, a finding disputed by health advocates. Mindful of health and aesthetics, patients are increasingly opting for tooth-colored resin composites. Nearly half of all U.S. dentists no longer use mercury, and its use is being legally phased out in more than a dozen countries.

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kevin bation/Unsplash.com

Government Updates Risks of Amalgam Fillings

Big Blow

Climate Change Makes Hurricane Destruction Worse

nasa/Unsplash.com

A study from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University published in Nature predicts that hurricanes will remain stronger and persist longer after making landfall, causing greater and more widespread destruction, because of ocean waters heated by climate change. In the 1960s, hurricanes lost 75 percent of their energy in the first day after making landfall, but more recent hurricanes lost only about 50 percent of their energy in that same time.

Hurricanes feed off heat energy from the sea and rapidly lose strength once they reach land. Pinaki Chakraborty, a senior author of the study, and its lead author, Ph.D. student Lin Li, analyzed data on storms that made landfall after forming in the North Atlantic between 1967 and 2018. They found that how slowly the storms weakened closely matched changes in sea surface temperatures during the same period. From computer simulations of hurricanes, they discovered that hotter temperatures allowed the hurricanes to hold on to more moisture, which they could continue to use as a source of heat energy once they reached land.

Tiny Invaders

Plastic Particles Ingested in Food and Water victoria strukovskay/Unsplash.com

Researchers at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, estimate people that drink bottled water ingest an additional 90,000 microplastic particles annually compared to 4,000 microplastics for those that drink only tap water. Food is contaminated with plastic as well, which we also ingest. The researchers took data from 26 studies that measured plastic in salt, beer, sugar, fish, shellfish, water and urban air, and combined it with U.S. dietary guidelines to calcu-

late how many particles people likely consumed annually.

The results are 50,000 particles per year for adults and 40,000 for children. When inhalation is included, the estimate rises to between 74,000 and 121,000 particles per year for adults. Even these figures are likely underestimated, because the foods in the studies make up only 15 percent of the typical American caloric intake.

The particles’ effect on the human body is not yet understood. Another study revealed that some plastic is expelled from the body in feces. But there is also evidence that it gets absorbed, and that the tiniest particles can enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system, which could affect immune response and aid transmission of toxic chemicals.

Outdoor Fun

Childhood Immunity Enhanced

by Natural Environment At the University of Helsinki, in Finland, a new project recorded in the journal Science Advances found that switching a child’s playground from gravel to natural forest floor could foster a better immune system within a month by exposing them to a greater variety of skin and gut bacteria. The researchers studied 75 children between 3 and 5 years of age at 10 daycare centers in two Finnish cities to see how a change in their playing environment altered their skin and gut microbiota, as well as immune markers in their blood.

Four centers turned their gravel playgrounds into fields of forest floor, soil and grasses, while three already had that setting. Three others kept their existing gravel playground. One month after the changes were made, scientists collected samples of skin, blood and feces from the children. In just a few weeks, microbiota of the children at the renovated daycare centers quickly shifted to become more like the microbiomes of children that attended centers that already had more natural play surfaces. The children at the renovated daycare centers developed a higher ratio of the antiinflammatory proteins to pro-inflammatory proteins in their blood, indicating that their immune systems were in better shape. visionpic/Pexels.com

global briefs

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way. ~Martin Luther King Jr. February 2021

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Europe Tightens Methane Emission Monitoring, But U.S. Does Not markus distelrath/Pexels.com

The United Nations reported that atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gas methane reached a record high, and 62 oil and gas companies acting as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) have adopted a new framework to report methane emissions. None of the participating oil and gas companies in the OGMP are in the United States.

The initiative, managed by the U.N. Environment Programme, asks companies to report methane emissions from both core operations and joint ventures. The OGMP represents about 30 percent of global oil and gas production and seeks to deliver a 45 percent reduction in the oil and gas industry’s methane emissions by 2025.

Approximately 60 percent of methane emitted into the atmosphere comes from manmade sources such as fossil fuels, landfills, biomass burning and agriculture.

For the first time, companies are committing to regularly measure their methane emissions using strict, sciencebased standards, as opposed to engineering estimates, which have historically understated emissions. This newly adopted method involves field measurements and ongoing monitoring with drones and satellites.

Hard Knocks

life of pix/Pexels.com

Low-Carbon Cement Offsets Climate Change

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The manufacture of cement creates up to 8 percent of the total global carbon dioxide generated by humans, according to the Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

Four billion tons of cement are produced every year, but that figure is expected to rise to 5 billion tons in the next 30 years. The

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Stress Responses

Disaster Fatigue Influences Decisions Extreme levels of stress from wildfires, hurricanes, floods and the pandemic can induce “disaster fatigue”, a form of emotional exhaustion that may reshape how people make choices. Tara Powell, a behavioral health expert at the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign, states that there isn’t a single strategy for combating disaster fatigue, but current studies could help researchers and emergency planners customize interventions to aid specific communities and individuals, helping them prepare for impending disasters and recovery afterward. The condition can have major implications for emergency planners trying to encourage people to get out of harm’s way.

Jennifer Collins, a severe weather scientist at the University of South Florida, and her collaborators received more than 7,000 responses to a survey sent to Florida residents before the last hurricane season began. Nearly 75 percent of respondents perceived the hypothetical risk of evacuating to a shelter and potentially exposing themselves to COVID-19 as more dangerous than sheltering in place. But after September’s Hurricane Laura, Collins saw shifting perceptions in 300 responses—some that said they had sheltered in place during the storm admitted they would not do so again the next time. darwin brandis/Adobesstock.com

America Last

emissions result from the fossil fuels used to create heat for cement formation, as well as the chemical process in a kiln that transforms limestone into clinker, which is then ground and combined with other materials to make cement. In 2018, the Global Cement and Concrete Association, which represents about 30 percent of worldwide production, issued the industry’s first sustainability guidelines, a set of key measurements such as emissions and water usage intended to track performance improvements and make them transparent.

A variety of approaches are being explored and implemented to lower these worrisome carbon emissions.

For example, CarbonCure, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, stores carbon dioxide captured from other industrial processes in concrete through mineralization, rather than releasing it into the atmosphere as a byproduct. Solidia, in Piscataway, New Jersey, uses a chemical process licensed from Rutgers University that has cut 30 percent of the carbon dioxide usually released in making cement.

It uses more clay and less limestone and heat than typical processes.

eco tip

Shoes Off!

Keep Germs Outside It may take some getting used to, and some friends may think it odd, but banning shoes in the house is a good idea. Research has shown that when we’re out and about, our shoes come into direct contact with a variety of microbes, including viruses and bacteria. If we walk around our homes in these same shoes without disinfecting them first, we can track in some of those germs and spread them throughout our living spaces.

Pollen and mold can also come into the house on shoes. Upping the gross factor, think about picking up fecal matter left by pets on lawns, driveways and sidewalks, as well as the human kind from public restroom floors.

Keeping the indoor sanctuary as clean as possible should be job number one, especially if one or more people in the house are allergy sufferers, immunocompromised individuals or small children that play on the floor and regularly stick things into their mouths.

Organisms survive longer in carpets, which are harder to clean and disinfect than hard floors, but the easiest solution is to leave shoes by the front door. Setting up a seat and shoe storage area at the entrance makes the transition much easier.

Designate one or two pairs as

indoor shoes—they could be slippers or comfy loafers that never go outdoors. Socks or good-oldfashioned bare feet are also options.

Some people swear by antimicrobial doormats, wiping their feet two or more times on the treated mat before crossing the threshold.

Periodically cleaning shoes is a good idea, too. The first step is to check the shoe manufacturer’s instructions.

Some shoes, like canvas sneakers, can be placed in the washing machine and air dried. Most rubber or leather soles can be scrubbed with soapy water using an old toothbrush or a washcloth. Avoid detergents or cleaners with bleach unless the shoes are white. Thoroughly rinse off the soap to avoid making the shoes slippery.

Asking guests to remove their shoes before entering the abode may feel awkward. Be kind and gentle when making the request, explaining that it will help preserve the family’s health. And if they seem uncomfortable, be flexible. When hosting a gathering, it may be wise to give invitees advance warning of the no-shoe preference so that they can bring slippers or socks. A proactive host might even have fresh socks or house shoes available for guests.

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Live a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Integrative Cardiologists on Preventing Heart Disease

b elight/Adobestock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

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ardiology has made mind-boggling advances in efficiently repairing everything from clogged arteries to floppy mitral valves and even replacing the entire failing heart itself. Yet the stubborn fact remains that almost half of all Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease, killing one in four of us, and those numbers are rising.

Research shows that simple lifestyle changes can prevent 80 percent of these deaths, but many cardiologists typically reach for a prescription pad rather than explore diet, exercise and other prevention options with their patients.

“Medicine can be life-saving, but optimal heart health can’t come from medicine alone,” says cardiologist Stephen Devries, co-author of Integrative Cardiology. “There is a common belief among many physicians that patients generally don’t want to make lifestyle changes—an assumption that is often dead wrong and refuted by surveys of patients that show that the majority are looking to do exactly that.”

Los Angeles restauranteur and musician Gianni Neiviller, 54, is such a case. When he found holistic cardiologist Cynthia Thaik three years ago, he had already endured four major surgeries for gut illnesses; was suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression; and was heavily abusing alcohol and marijuana. Thaik ordered tests that uncovered sleep apnea, and she encouraged him to turn to an all-organic diet, take vitamin and mineral supplements, exercise and practice mindfulness and meditation.

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“At first it was all fairly hard, but as I started losing the pounds, my mind became more clear, and little by little, it all started getting a bit easier,” Neiviller says. He lost 86 pounds within a year, got sober and ceased taking blood pressure medication and using a sleep apnea machine. He now walks six miles a day; practices a hybrid regimen of qigong, yoga and meditation; and is switching to a holistic health career.

“When people try to push my buttons, they rarely succeed these days,” he smiles.

Rebounding into vibrant health is what integrative cardiologists like Devries and Thaik strive for. Also known as preventive or holistic cardiologists, they focus on guiding patients to change long-held, harmful, physical and emotional practices.

Although they are comparatively few in number—probably no more than 100 nationally—these doctors are vocal and influential, imparting valuable advice about preventing and reversing heart disease through daily lifestyle choices.

Heart-Happy Eating

Substantial research affirms that one major line of defense against heart disease is what we put into our mouths every day, yet only 8 percent of cardiologists consider themselves capable to give nutritional advice, a survey showed. To counter that, Devries co-founded the Gaples Institute, a Naperville, Illinois, nonprofit that offers free nutritional training online to the public and nutritional accreditation for medical clinicians. Devries, who trained at Dr. Andrew Weil’s Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, lectures internationally and recently authored What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Cholesterol.

“People have a lot more power over their heart health than they realize,” he says.

According to Devries, the name of a diet is not as important as the anti-inflammatory foods it should contain, such as “a wide variety of vegetables and fruit, plenty of beans, whole grains in place of refined, minimizing or eliminating meat (especially processed meat like bacon and sausage), minimizing added sugar (especially from sugar-sweetened beverages) and using small amounts of the most healthful oils, like extra-virgin olive oil.” And the evidence is increasing, he says, of “minimizing or eliminating animal products and getting most or all of your protein from high-quality plant sources like beans, tofu, whole grains and nuts. Fish is one exception for which there is good evidence.”

He’s backed up by a November 2020 study of 220,000 adults published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

It concludes that those with diets high in red and processed meat, refined grains and sugary beverages had a 46 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 28 percent higher risk of stroke compared to those consuming anti-inflammatory diets rich in green and yellow vegetables, whole grains, coffee and tea.

Devries suggests that gradual,

incremental changes to the diet may be easier than abrupt and dramatic choices.

For example, he might recommend switching from sugary soda to flavored seltzer first, then trying lemon water and black tea with milk before opting for plain, green tea. Sipping a cup of green tea at least every other day reduces the risk of heart attacks and dying of heart disease by one-fifth, Chinese researchers report in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Powerful Supplements

As a young cardiologist frustrated by the revolving-door nature of his patients, Stephen Sinatra came upon an obscure 1982 study of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) that he realized could have saved the life of a favorite patient. This catalyzed his intensive studies into nutrition and bioenergetics that produced 17 books, including the bestselling Reverse Heart Disease Now and The Sinatra Solution. He helped formulate the new field of metabolic cardiology that proposes preventing and treating cardiovascular disease with nutraceuticals to improve energy production in heart cells.

In addition to suggesting a high-potency, multi-nutrient, fish oil, magnesium and vitamin C for prevention, he recommends four key nutrients that produce and use adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s basic cellular fuel: YCoQ10 is synthesized in the body, but declines with age and statin use.

It protects from the free radical damage linked to inflammation. Dosage: 90 to 250 milligrams (mg) daily for prevention, 180 to 360 mg for hypertension and 300 to 600 mg for heart failure.

YL-carnitine ferries fatty acids to be oxidized to make ATP and moves toxic metabolites out of heart cells. Dosage: 1,000 to 1,500 mg in divided doses to prevent deficiency and up to 3,000 mg for heart disease.

YMagnesium, required in all reactions involving ATP, is depleted by some gastrointestinal medications and diuretics.

Dosage: at least 400 mg.

YD-ribose is a naturally occurring sugar derivative of ATP that hastens energy regeneration. Dosage: five to seven grams (gm) daily as a preventive, seven to

10 gm daily for heart failure.

In other nutrient news, adults that took glucosamine/chondroitin every day for a year or longer had a 65 percent reduction in cardiovascular-related deaths, reports West Virginia University researchers that analyzed 16 years of data from 16,686 adults.

Smart Testing

Preventive cardiologist Joel Kahn, the author of Your Whole Heart Solution and The Plant-Based Solution, says that lab tests typically prescribed by cardiologists and other doctors are inadequate.

“Standard lab tests have not changed in 30 to 40 years, but science has,” he says. “For example, inflammation is now understood to be a fundamental process for most chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. A simple lab test, hs-CRP, is available to measure inflammation. Very few doctors add this to their panel. When it is high, it leads to a search for why there is inflammation and diet, lifestyle and other measures to resolve it.”

After 25 years as a cardiologist treating heart-attack emergencies, Kahn, who is vegan, went back to college to study preventive cardiology and set up the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, in Bingham Farms, Michigan, which focuses on dietary counseling and preventive screenings. His list of “must have” tests includes: YAdvanced cholesterol panel for a breakdown of LDL-cholesterol particle number and size, which is highly predictive of cardiovascular problems.

YLipoprotein(a) cholesterol to detect a risk-elevating genetic form of cholesterol that’s present in about 20 percent of those tested.

YHigh-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to identify inflammation of blood vessels.

YHemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) to obtain the three-month measure of sugar in hemoglobin, a marker of both diabetes and heart disease.

YVitamin D to identify deficiencies linked to a higher risk of hypertension, heart failure, angina and heart attacks.

Move It or Lose It

The American Heart Association February 2021

17

recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (brisk walking, water aerobics, gardening, tennis, dancing) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (running, jumping, swimming laps), as well as muscle-strengthening activity (weights) at least two days a week.

More Heart-Healthy Strategies take long soaks. Middle-aged Japanese adults that took a daily bath in warm or hot water had a 28 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 26 percent lower risk of stroke than people that didn’t bathe in the tub more than twice a week, concludes a study in the journal Heart. outdo each other. People that competed with each other to walk more steps ended up walking about 100 miles more in nine months than people that simply walked on their own, reports the JAMA Internal Medicine. consider cannabidiol. This non-psychoactive form of cannabis has been shown in small lab studies to lower inflammation and ease arrhythmia. “CBD can help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve anxiety and depression, reduce inflammation, improve glucose regulation, diminish pain and thereby lower our adrenergic (fight-or-flight) tone,” says holistic cardiologist Cynthia Thaik. brush a lot. In a 10-year Korean study, people that brushed their teeth three or more times a day had a 10 percent lower risk of atrial fibrillation and a 12 percent lower risk of heart failure. sidestep pollution. Stay away from traffic and industrial areas when exercising. Even a few hours of exposure to the ultrafine particles generated by emissions may potentially trigger a nonfatal heart attack, reports research in Environmental Health Perspectives.

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Only 20 percent of adults exercise for the full 150 minutes per week, which may be why physical inactivity is a major factor in an estimated one-third of heart disease deaths. “I like to frame it as ‘being active’, because exercise sounds onerous,” Devries says. “Even a small amount of activity goes a long way—walking at a gentle pace 30 minutes a day confers very significant benefits. Up to a point, more can be better, but only for some people, and only to a point.”

Even moving a few minutes daily can add up. Doing 12-minute bursts of vigorous exercise favorably impacts 80 percent of the metabolites that govern such functions as oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular reactivity, reports a new study in Circulation. Just one hour a week of strength training significantly lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease death, another study found. And simply holding thigh and calf stretches for 45 seconds for a total of five minutes daily improved arterial blood flow, reports a study in the Journal of Physiology.

The Emotional Heart

As a child in Myanmar, Thaik witnessed hands-on healing at a clinic she visited with her physician mother, but holistic care only entered her life after 20 years of practice as a frustrated cardiologist, when she was laid low by severe anemia that required transfusions and surgery.

Today, the Harvard-trained cardiologist is the author of Your Vibrant Heart and founder of the Holistic Heart Healing Center, in Los Angeles, which integrates the medical model with lifestyle strategies and approaches like homeopathy and acupuncture.

“I very much believe that we are both physical beings and energetic or spiritual beings. Our physical makeup is closely intertwined with our mental and emotional makeup,” Thaik says. She counsels patients to practice the following: YMindfulness. “A mentor of mine, (life coach) Mary Morrisey, taught me to avoid the three Cs—complaining, comparing or criticizing. If you attempt to do this for even an hour, you will find that it is actually a hard task. Practicing this allows us to be acutely mindful of our thoughts.”

YGratitude. “I wake up every morning and before my feet hit the floor, I make this statement five times and fill in five different answers: ‘I am so happy and grateful now that ...’”

YReleasing. “I believe the most important ingredient to health and healing is the ability to release—to forgive self and others, to let go and abandon all of our negative thoughts, our self-limiting beliefs, our notions of right and wrong, our feelings of injustice and being wronged.”

She advises, “When we can abandon all these beliefs and allow ourselves to float or drift unimpeded—imagine yourself on a tube in a lazy river—that is when healing within our bodies begins, when our parameters of stress and the hormones and neurotransmitters associated with stress start to down-regulate, and we can literally feel a wave of relaxation passing through our bodies. This will lower our heart rate, blood pressure, adrenaline and cortisol levels, thereby mitigating our risk of a heart attack or stroke.”

Ronica O’Hara, a natural health writer, can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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conscious eating

Heartfelt Eating Best Foods for a Heart-Healthy Diet

by April Thompson

m.studio/Adobestock.com

H

ypertension affects nearly half of all Americans, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke, the leading cause of death. We can help mitigate that risk and have a healthy “change of heart” by revamping our diets.

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While food fads are constantly changing, the basics of a heart-healthy diet have not, says Cheryl Strachan, a registered dietitian in Calgary, Canada, and founder of SweetSpotNutrition.ca.

Strachan notes the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has been used to help lower blood pressure and with other heart disease risk factors since its development in the 1990s. The DASH diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and low-fat dairy foods.

While it includes lean meat, fish and poultry, it limits sugary foods and fatty meats.

The Mediterranean diet, says Strachan, is another proven regimen for heart health, citing a five-year Spanish study in The New England Journal of Medicine that found the incidence of cardiovascular events was 30 percent lower among participants on this diet, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, compared to those assigned a reduced-fat diet.

A Mediterranean diet doesn’t necessarily mean eating dishes specific to that region. “It’s the type of foods that matters: a largely plant-based diet focused on whole grains such as the bulgur in tabouli, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil and some animal products like fish, poultry and dairy,” says Strachan.

Michael Greger, a Seattle physician and author of the bestseller How Not to Die, disagrees that meat-based proteins have a place in a heart-healthy diet. “Only one way of eating has ever been proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients: a diet centered around whole-plant foods,” says Greger, adding that the most critical risk factor is elevated LDL cholesterol. “To drastically reduce LDL cholesterol levels, we need to drastically reduce our intake of trans fat, which comes from processed foods and naturally from meat and dairy; saturated fat, found mainly in animal products and junk foods; and playing a lesser role, dietary cholesterol, found exclusively in animal-derived foods, especially eggs.”

Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian and owner of Entirely Nourished, a nutrition counseling practice in New York City, likes to meet clients where they are rather than trying to force a drastic switch they can’t maintain. “Often,

Nutrients for Heart Health

Potassium is a key mineral for heart health, as it can help the body remove excess sodium, lower blood pressure and improve blood flow and blood vessel health. Yet research shows less than 2 percent of Americans get enough. Beans, sweet potatoes, lentils, beets and avocados are among many potassium-rich foods with multiple heart benefits.

There is a growing awareness of the importance of inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, particularly in fish like wild salmon, arctic char and sardines.

Routhenstein also advocates omega-9 fatty acids such as in tahini and avocado.

Omega-9s have been shown to help increase HDL “good” cholesterol and decrease LDL “bad” cholesterol while protecting blood vessel health.

Heart attacks often seem to occur suddenly simply because the damage happens gradually and quietly, warns Routhenstein. “Heart disease is progressive, so over time a poor lifestyle and diet can damage blood vessels and accelerate hardening of the arteries that lead to heart attacks,” she warns. “Some damage may not be entirely reversible, but it’s never too late to optimize heart functioning.”

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Servings for the Heart Quinoa, Edamame and Carrot Salad with Ginger-Sesame Dressing Edamame are whole, young, green soybeans that are mildly grassy in flavor. They have about five times the folate—a highly important cardiovascular nutrient—of mature soybeans. Edamame’s flavors pair well with fluffy quinoa, crunchy cabbage and carrot slaw, and combine seamlessly with the spicy, toasty notes of the ginger-sesame dressing.

Yield: 2 servings ½ cup quinoa 1 cup water 1 cup edamame, fully cooked and chilled 2 Tbsp ginger-sesame dressing 1 cup shredded carrots 2 cups shredded cabbage

courtesy of laura flippen

people get very broad advice, like ‘Adopt a plant-based diet,’ but when it comes to the heart, you have to find a way of eating you can commit to long term. I start by asking what foods bring them joy, as well as their food dislikes, history and culture.”

For Routhenstein, an optimal diet for the heart includes a healthy balance of good fats, lean protein and the complex carbs that are important sources of fiber. “Research has shown that every additional 10 grams of fiber per day can decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by as much as 25 percent,” by helping the body remove excess cholesterol, says the dietitian and author of The Truly Easy Heart-Healthy Cookbook: Fuss-Free, Flavorful, Low-Sodium Meals. While fatty foods are sometimes scapegoated for poor health, unsaturated fats are “really good for blood vessel health,” she adds.

In a small pot, bring the quinoa and water to a boil. Lower the heat to low, cover and simmer for 8 minutes.

Add the edamame to the pot and cook for an additional four minutes, until the water in the quinoa pot has been absorbed and the edamame is tender.

In a medium-size bowl, combine the quinoa and edamame with the dressing, shredded carrots and shredded cabbage and serve.

Tip: There are three ways to make this easier: batch-cook the quinoa; thaw, cook and shell the edamame and keep overnight in the refrigerator; and buy prepackaged slaw. Just assemble.

Ginger-Sesame Dressing Typical sesame dressing is high in sodium from the soy sauce; even the low-sodium varieties are high in salt. This dressing is well-balanced, low in sodium and adds flair to just about any dish. Toasted sesame oil is aromatically pleasing and adds immediate flavor that is balanced by tangy rice vinegar, zesty ginger and crunchy sesame seeds.

2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil 2 tsp rice vinegar

2 tsp fresh grated ginger 2 tsp unsalted sesame seeds

In a small bowl, mix the sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger and sesame seeds until well combined. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.

Flavor tip: For added heat, add ½ teaspoon of hot sauce and 1 teaspoon of lime juice to balance it out.

February 2021

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healing ways

For healing arts practitioner Evelyn Hall, in Santa Cruz, California, mindfulness is a lifestyle choice. “When my mind runs off into the future, it can create not only anxiety because I fear the unknown, but also worry about all the ‘what ifs’.

When I find myself lost in the past, it can bring me sadness and regret. I have learned from mindfulness that these are just mental habits.”

Cara Bradley, a mental fitness coach in Philadelphia and author of On the Verge: Wake Up, Show Up and Shine, says, “To be mindful is to show up to experience the moment as it is, with all your senses—when we eat, when we walk, whatever we are doing.”

darius bashar/Unsplash.com

Diving Deeper

Tools for Inner Peace

Exploring Mindfulness and Meditation

by Marlaina Donato

T

he practices of mindfulness and meditation, although closely related, offer individual, science-backed benefits for both body and psyche. Mindfulness has been shown to amp up immunity and increase gray matter in the brain, and 2018 research published in Experimental Biology shows that just an introductory hour of meditation using breathwork and awareness of thoughts significantly reduced anxiety.

The study indicates that when applied regularly, mindfulness minimizes arterial pressure and cardiovascular health risks associated with long-term nervous system stress.

Immersion in the Moment

Mindfulness—cultivating present-moment awareness by noticing body sensations, thoughts and details in our environment—not only makes life more enjoyable, but enables us to acknowledge life experiences and emotions without aversion and judgement. Mindfulness techniques are now being used in psychotherapy for insomnia, eating disorders and addictions. Physiological benefits are also significant. Harvard Health Publishing, referencing the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, highlights mindfulness for cardiovascular and gastrointestinal conditions, as well as clinical depression.

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While mindfulness can be the simple act of noticing the geometric design of a flower or the variety of tastes on a dinner plate, meditation brings awareness to the deepest levels of consciousness through a variety of focused techniques, including breathwork, chanting, visualization or gazing at a candle flame.

Contrary to common assumption, meditation need not be associated with religious structure. Neuroscientist Tony Nader, who heads the global Transcendental Meditation (TM) organization in 100 countries, underscores, “When you say meditation, there are numerous kinds of meditation with different origins. It can’t be assumed that just because meditation involves the mind that it involves dogma, or that meditation is religious because it has its roots from the Eastern traditions.

Over time, some traditions integrated aspects of these ancient techniques into their own religions, yet not all meditations are religious.”

Meditation can bring us into the eye of the storm. “The ocean is a great analogy for understanding different approaches to meditation. Just as the ocean can be turbulent on the surface with innumerable waves and quiet at its depth, so, too, the mind is active on the surface with innumerable thoughts, but it is also naturally, profoundly quiet, deep within.”

TM, taught in personal, one-toone instruction by a certified instructor,

is one of the most thoroughly studied approaches and does not involve breathwork or repetition of chants. “There are 600 scientific research studies about the effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation technique to develop the full brain—actually, the full potential of the human nervous system,” says Nader.

Today, meditation has moved into the mainstream, with more than 2,500 digital apps offering quick, convenient access to every type and tradition. With names like Calm and Headspace, they were downloaded by more than 52 million first-time users in 2019—and that was before the anxiety-inducing pandemic. Most can be easily customized: InsightTimer, for example, offers 45,000 free meditations that can be sorted by need, duration or style.

By practicing meditation, mindfulness is also cultivated.

“You can think of it as a workout for your mind, a way of becoming familiar with our mind and training our mind,” says Bradley.

Meditation can simply help to lower blood pressure or boost memory, yet it can bring mindfulness to a more spiritual level. “In a meditative state, I can feel how everything around me is alive and communicating with their own tongue and song,” says Hall. “I feel peace, no longer lost in wishing, praying or pleading that things be different. I am free from the burden of having to do something.”

Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author and composer of visionary music. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Meditative Approaches to Try Cara Bradley: There are times in life, during a busy workday or after watching the news, when you can feel that your mind has gotten very small and fixed. One of my favorite, super-simple practices is called Tibetan sky-gazing.

Go outside or look out your window and look up into the sky. Use your inhale to help you expand your breath, but also your mind; allow your mind and your eyes to widen to the peripheral, and as you exhale, you just let go of any fear, worry or control. Inhale—expand up and out; exhale, let something go—tension, struggle, expectation.

Evelyn Hall: Close your eyes, take a couple of nice belly breaths and relax. Send waves of relaxation through your entire body, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. As you do this, just listen to the sounds around you, both near and far. Then notice what you smell, both near and far. How does the air feel on your skin? Expand all your senses to experience what is present in this moment.

Once you are deeply relaxed, just rest within the present environment, doing nothing. Unplug, reset. Try three to five minutes to reboot. Tip: It’s helpful to remember a time when you were totally relaxed—in nature or on vacation. The mind and body love to work together; think it and the body will respond.

Turn your attention for a while away from the worries and anxieties.

Remind yourself of all your many blessings. ~Ralph Marston

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February 2021

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Romantic Relationship Toolkit

by Diana Daffner

What’s in YOUR Romance Toolkit?

T

he dictionary defines romance as “a quality of mystery, excitement, and remoteness from everyday life.” This is the quality that Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate, as couples hope to focus and ignite the fire of their attraction and there are many resources for those committed to intimacy. So what “tools” will you be using this year?

Do you know your partner’s preferred “love language?” Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, has helped millions bring themselves into harmony with their partners. Knowing that your own preferred love language may not be the same as your partner’s, you can honor and delight them by using theirs.

Do they yearn for “words of affirmation?” Be sure to pick a meaningful Valentine’s Day card or, better yet, write your own. Is an “act of service” the best gift you can give them? How about a coupon book with offers of what you might do for them around the house or on their pet project. If their language is “physical touch”, that coupon book might include

some deliciously different offerings! And if their preferred love language is indeed “gifts”, you would be wise indeed to remember that this month!

Has a counselor, coach, therapist or other mentor helped you develop your communication abilities? Do you know the importance of using “I” language, taking responsibility for how YOU think and feel in emotional situations? Do you know that a relationship is enhanced when you issue more compliments than complaints?

(Recommended ratio is five positive comments to one negative, even including that slippery slope of “constructive criticism”.)

Do you know how it feels to be really HEARD, and to truly LISTEN to your partner?

Perhaps you’ve studied Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication and have a sense of how to communicate OFNR by clearly sharing what you Observe, how you Feel, what you Need and

what you want to Request from your partner. Do you practice what you’ve learned?

Maybe you’ve explored Tantra or sexual practices. Tantra is an ancient spiritual teaching that encourages the mindful embrace of all life. Maybe you’ve experimented with the joy of sacred loving and shared ecstatic intimacy with your partner. Or maybe you and your partner have read about or reviewed different ideas of sexual turn-ons and pleasure.

The most important question is: are you remembering to USE whatever tools are in your toolkit? How do you hold each other accountable for their use? Do you strive to be conscientious and conscious about applying what you’ve learned?

Dust off your own tools; don’t let them get rusty. Take inventory of what’s in YOUR toolkit, and use them wisely and often.

Valentine’s Day comes only once a year.

Romance is a life-long endeavor.

Diana and Richard Daffner authored Tantric Sex for Busy Couples: How to Deepen Your Passion in Just Ten Minutes a Day. The Daffners have led workshops for over 20 years to help couples discover meaningful joy. They now offer their entire workshop on video. For more info, see IntimacyRetreats.com, email Diana@ IntimacyRetreats.com or call/text 941-3496804. See ad page 25.

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You, yourself, as much as anyone in the entire Universe, deserve your love and affection. ~Buddha NaBroward.com

ask the therapist

Are You Soulmates or Cellmates?

Karen Kaye, LMHC

Q:

Dear Karen Kaye, I am worried about my relationship during the pandemic. How do couples go from starting out as soulmates and end up as cellmates?

Thanks, Arianna

A:

Dear Arianna, Both cellmates and soulmates give the same underlying message to each other: “Why can’t you love me like you used to in the beginning?” While they want to recreate that “loving moment in time” that once was, they literally push each other away through neediness, demands and expectations unmet.

In the early sessions of couple’s counseling, it isn’t easy to decipher who will choose to be cellmates and who will choose to be soulmates. Most couples begin similarly—alienated and argumentative. Where the two types of couples differ is that soulmates eventually recognize the futility of the patterns to which they have been committed while cellmates still receive a “payoff” in the constant battle and are usually more interested in being “right” or winning the fight rather than resolving issues.

In the actual sessions, it’s like following a tennis match or point-counterpoint. The two parties rarely listen to one another. Instead, they hear only the sound of their own voice or concentrate on what they are about to say in retort. The two “one-up” each other with no end in sight. I call this the “blame game” and, believe me, no one wins!

All they are doing is allowing unconscious patterns from childhood to resurface and acting out whatever is on the “tape” (inside their minds).

This is where cellmates and soulmates take a different road. Cellmates continue this useless, unconscious cycle over and over, somehow still getting that “payoff” or they wouldn’t continue to participate. Soulmates, on the other hand, eventually become conscious of the pattern and are willing to stop the cycle, which takes honesty and ownership of their part. They are willing to accept all of the ups and downs of their relationship without having to run. Finally, soulmates know that the very nature of

their relationship is to learn about themselves and each other when they have a “breakdown” and use the results as a learning lesson.

Sincerely, Karen L. Kaye, LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor Karen L. Kaye is currently accepting new clients; sessions take place via telehealth to ensure safety. If you are interested in scheduling a session, call 954-384-1217 or email KarenKayeCares@ bellsouth.net. See ad page 29.

And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make. ~Sir Paul McCartney

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IntimacyRetreats.com February 2021

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calendar of events

W

e at Natural Awakenings know that supporting the health of our population is of the upmost importance. We encourage everyone to be conscious of the social distancing mandate and to support our community by following the health guidelines set forth by our health professionals, and, of course, using common sense.

We have received multiple reports from our providers of wellness and health services about how seriously they take following and maintaining the strictest guidelines as it relates to their office environments in creating the most safe and clean space they can for those that need to come in and use their services. For any doctor

Local ongoing calendar items for the community may be submitted online at NaBroward.com/calendar-event. We do not accept phone calls for these items. appointment, class, or service provider you want to visit, attend, or participate, we suggest you call ahead to address any questions you may have and then to confirm your appointment.

To help stimulate and encourage the continuation of connecting our readers and providers of services, we now include information for us to connect via the internet through our various electronic devices.

accepting applications for our Spring class which starts May 4, 2021. Contact us at admissions@atom.edu or call 954-763-9840. Financial Aid & VA Benefits.

FEBRUARY 27 AND 28

Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine — Earn a Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine in 36 months & be on the path to become a Licensed Acupuncture Physician. We are now

HotWorks.org ~ Palm Beach Art Show — takes place at Palm Beach Outlets in West Palm Beach, FL. The art show is held outdoors with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

From 10am-5pm. For sale: paintings, clay, glass, sculpture, fiber, wood, jewelry and more. Great food from local area restaurants and music. Budding Artist Competition is integrated within the art show. Natural Awakenings is a proud sponsor of this event.

monday

wednesday

Chiropractic — Every 1st Monday, 5–6pm.

Free, attendees will receive a discount off their first visit. New Life Upper Cervical Chiropractic, 820 S. State Road 7, Plantation, 33317. Phone: 954.389.8297.

Free Tai Chi Classes — 5–6pm (except Holidays). Relax your mind and body at ATOM’s Wellness Center! Tai Chi is a low-impact, slowmotion exercise that can treat & prevent many health problems. Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine (ATOM), 100 E. Broward Blvd., Ste 100, Ft. Lauderdale. 954.763.9840 ext. 219.

FEBRUARY 2021

ongoing events

sunday Sacred Journey Interfaith Seminary — 9am– 5pm. Classes for Interfaith Ministry Ordination.

A Healing Space, 840 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ste 102, Oakland Park. Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco 917.579.3750.

Catholic Mass (non-Roman Catholic) — 10:30am, (+ Sat 5pm) The Parish of Sts. Francis & Clare, staffed by Franciscan friars. 2300 NW 9th Ave (Powerline Rd), Wilton Manors, 33311, 954.731.8173.

IANDS South Florida - International Association for Near Death Studies — 1st Sunday monthly, 4:30–6:30pm Meeting - Pavilion’s Gym (behind Main Hospital) Discussions include Spiritually Transformative Experiences.

All interested in the studies are welcomed.

University Hospital, 7201 N. University Dr, Tamarac. Questions Reverend Gail Fein, 305.798.8974.

Interfaith Sacred Celebrations of Spirit — Weekly on Sunday evenings 6:30–7:30pm at Darshan Center for Spiritual Evolution at a Healing Space, 840 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ste 102, Oakland Park. Rev. Dr. Grace Telesco 917.579.3750.

Free Yoga In The Park —Holiday Park, Ft. Laud. 33304 Mon. Nights 6 p.m.-7 p.m., call Mardi: 786-227-2173 Men and Women’s Support Group: Conscious Awareness — 8–10pm. $25 per session. Designed for men and women to learn from each other regarding relationships, self-worth and the rewrite of negative patterns. Contact: Karen Kaye, LMHC, 954.384.1217 (landline).

tuesday Schedule something for your health.

thursday Free Tai Chi Classes — 5–6pm. Relax your mind and body at ATOM’s Wellness Center!

Tai Chi is a low-impact, slow-motion exercise that can treat & prevent many health problems.

Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine (ATOM), 100 E. Broward Blvd., Ste 100, Ft. Lauderdale.

954.763.9840 ext. 219.

Free Teletalk on Ancestral Clearing/Emotional Release — 7pm, last Thursday of month.

Learn how to release blocks and limiting beliefs and change energetic thought patterns, to move ahead to live with freedom, fulfillment and happiness! Call Ilka for details: 754.222.6971.

Life can be a rocky road. The challenge is not to let it grind you into dust, but to polish you into a brilliant gem. ~John Milton Fogg 26

Broward County, Florida edition

NaBroward.com

friday Monthly Gallery Night, Meet the Artists, Show & Sale — 6–11pm, (second Friday ea. mo). A great gathering of varied talents. Host/ Artist: Michael D. Colanero. Uncommon Gallery, 2709 E Commercial Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, 954.336.4305.

saturday Reiki Healing Circle — 9–10am, Free. Usui Reiki Circle. All are welcome. Love & Light Spiritual Emporium, 1419 E Commercial Blvd. Ste B, Oakland Park, FL, 33334, 954.261.3878.

Paddle With A Purpose, Waterway and Shoreline Cleanup — 9–11am, help remove trash and make new friends (third Saturday each month).

Kayaks and canoes available on a first come, first serve basis; bringing your own is encouraged. Location varies. Info, Robert Figueroa, 917.652.1050.

LAST YEAR’S ISSUE

Free Reiki Circle — 10–11am. Divine Love Institute & Gift Shop, 2832 Stirling Rd, #H, Hollywood FL 33020. Conveniently located just west of I–95 on Stirling Rd, 954.920.0050.

The Sistrunk Farmers Market — 10am–2pm.

Locally, organically grown fruits & vegetables, old fashioned family fun, Artisan Market Vendors. Market hours EBT & SNAP accepted at the Market. Corner of Sistrunk Blvd & NW 10th Ave, Ft Lauderdale.

Rock Kirtan: Sacred Devotional Singing — bi-weekly 7–8:30pm, $10. Darshan Center for Spiritual Evolution, 840 E Oakland Park Blvd, Ste 102, Oakland Park. Call Rev. G. 917.579.3750.

Daily — 9:30pm Join Sheri Kaplan for a Nightly Virtual Sound Healing Meditation on Zoom Live Stream. bit.ly/livestreamsoundbath. Call 646.876.9923 EST- bit.ly/localzoom -Meeting ID: 846 189 611-Virtual Tip Jar.

classifieds To order a listing, email Info@NaBroward.com or order online: NaBroward.com/classified.

Due date is the 10th of the month.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE – With Natural Awakenings Magazine, get real results, distributing monthly to over 25 cities throughout Broward County. Call our office today 954-630-1610.

Coming in June!

PROMOTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

CLICK HERE OR CALL 954-630-1610 TODAY

2021 NATURAL

LIVING DIRECTORY

February 2021

27

S P E C I A L

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natural awakenings directory

N

ow, more than ever the importance of taking care of our health, both individually and communitywide, working together we are stronger.

W

hy we may want to take a closer look at the Community Resource Guide, becoming known as the Natural Awakenings Directory to be more in concert with our rapidly developing online presence through our new, interactive, highly functional website NaBroward.com.

In print, on the followingpages, there are several resources that seem to be “grayed out.” What does that really mean for us?

As we have been in continued communication with our advertisers who have either had their businesses closed down due to mandates, or other reasons at this time during the pandemic, many of these businesses were looking for ways to share that they are offering additional ways to connect, such as, an individual appointment, Video-Conferencing, Facebook, Zoom, email, website, etc. Collectively the idea of graying out their street address was created, and thus some of our resources listed, have a portion of their information in gray ink CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN

instead of black, denoting that their business location is currently in transition to being once again fully operational.

Some of the businesses that are listed here that are “GRAYED OUT” may be in the process of fully reopening. As the CDC guidelines are reviewed and put in place for the safety of us all, some companies may be “partially open.” As that can mean different things to different companies, we suggest you contact the individual companies to get the latest information.

The views of our digital version of the magazine NaBroward.com/issues/ continues to grow. Included within these GRAY Directory listings, additional links, besides the standard website, may be included, such as Instagram or LinkedIn. They are “active” within our digital issues, as our clients share the importance of having these links active. According to Google, “Links help our crawlers find your site and can give your site greater visibility in our search results.... Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote by page A for page B.” You may want to connect with our advertisers, and thanks to the collaborative process, the integrative health and wellness industry is growing. Be healthy; stay well.

820 S State Rd. 7, Plantation FL 33317 954-389-8297 TopDocFL.com Upper Cervical Chiropractic, light force extremity adjusting, whole-food nutrition, Applied Kinesiology, The Emotion C o d e , E n e rg y m e d i c i n e , Mysofascial release.

KAREN KAYE, HOLISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPIST, LMHC

1500 Weston Rd. Weston FL 33326 954-384-1217 KarenKayeTherapist.com Therapists.PsychologyToday.com/ rms/name/Karen_L_Kaye_MS,LMHC_ Weston_Florida_35986 Take the journey inward. I counsel individuals, couples and families. Holistic approach with 40 years experience. I write the monthly “Ask the Therapist” column for Natural Awakenings.

Virtual appointments available.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY PERFECTING TOUCH

Kathy Bates Wilton Executive Suites 2312 Wilton Drive Fort Lauderdale FL 33305 954-647-9010 PerfectingTouch1@ymail.com Cranial sacral therapy - CST- a light touch approach releasing tension and restrictions, reducing pain and dysfunction.

Therapeutic massage also available. Feel good within yourself. MA70919.

TOTAL BALANCE 4 U COLON THERAPY A COLON CARE CENTER

NEW LIFE UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC

COUNSELING/THERAPY

Michele Miglino, LMT/CCT 837 SE 9th St. Deerfield Beach FL 33441 954-421-0703 954-695-6595, cell AColonCareCenter.com

Colon hydrotherapy is one of the best things you can do for your health and wellness, and to keep your body functioning at peak efficiency.

TJ Robinson 2800 E. Commercial Blvd, Suite 211 Ft. Lauderdale FL 33308 954-234-3299 Feel good again! Restore your vitality and vibrant health!

Release stress and “stuck” areas in your body that cause chronic pain. Your safety is priority – COVID compliant. MA24266, MM30072

MM18325, MA0007506.

You always gain by giving love. ~Reese Witherspoon

February 2021

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MARCH

Coming Next Month

Plant Medicine for Mental Health

natural awakenings directory DAY RETREATS THERMAE STILLNESS RETREAT 604 S. Federal Hwy. Fort Lauderdale FL 33301 954-604-7930 ThermaeRetreat@gmail.com ThermaeRetreat.com FB: @thermaeretreat IG: thermae.ftlauderdale Thermae Retreat

An organic serene daily retreat to prevent or heal. Infrared saunas, massage, skincare, body scrubs and masques, holistic healing, energy therapy. Yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy.

Plus: Indoor Kitchen Garden

DENTAL HEALTH BRENT J. BRACCO, DDS – COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY

2467 E Commercial Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale FL 33308 954-771-5300 DrBrentBracco.com

Do you wait till it hurts to see the dentist? Enhance your smile at our new tranquil, state-of-theart office. We have been providing wholistic family dental care since 1985. Most insurance accepted. Mon – Thurs, 7:30am – 5pm.

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE Yolanda Cintron, DMD 2021 E Commercial Blvd., Ste. 208 Fort Lauderdale FL 33308 954-938-4599 GoNaturalDentistry.com

All phases of dentistry for optimum health, holistic, biocompatible dentistry.

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

• Sedation dentistry • Removing of toxic metals • Replacing them with bio-compatible materials • Laser dentistry for painless surgeries & extractions • Zirconia/ceramic implants • Natural bone augmentation / Plasma Rich Growth Factor • Oral DNA Testing • Add gums to receding gums.

See ad page 2.

Broward County, Florida edition

Dr. Yani, DMD 212 SE 12th St (Davie Blvd) Fort Lauderdale FL 33316 954-525-6010 info@Yanidmd.com Yanidmd.com

We follow strict amalgam removal protocols incorporating nutritional supplements for safe mercury detoxification ~ IAOMT member.

To promote better healing, our hygiene care incorporates ozone and essential oils for gum treatments. Only mercury-free biocompatible crowns and dental materials used. Free holistic toothpaste recipe. See ad page 10.

DIVINE ENERGY HEALER ADVANCED RAPID HEALING

Nina Presman 33 Southeast 4th Street, Suite 102 Boca Raton, Florida, 33432 561-654-0177 AgelessServices@gmail.com AdvancedRapidHealing.com My gift is to be guided by Divine Love to permanently eliminate any emotional, physical and mental pain or issues replacing them with health, prosperity, happiness, joy, love, and Enlightenment to reach your highest potential.

INTEGRATIVE HYPNOSIS FORT LAUDERDALE HYPNOSIS AND COACHING

Catherine Edelson MA, CH 2550 N Federal Hwy. Fort Lauderdale FL 33305 954-745-0735 InFocus@CatherinEdelson.com FB business: Fort Lauderdale Hypnosis

Hypnotists believe everything is hypnosis. We offer powerful, ecological and practical solutions to each client. Benefits are obvious as you allow it to happen!

Whatever you are, be a good one. ~William Thackery

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DR. YANI HOLISTIC AND HEALING DENTISTRY

NaBroward.com

natural awakenings directory MUSCLE THERAPY HUNTER METHOD

Stephanie Hunter, Owner & Developer 185 E. Indiantown Rd., Ste. 118 Jupiter, FL 33477 561-747-8700 DoYouHunter.com Many people with pain feel frustrated and hopeless, masking symptoms, instead of getting the real relief they deserve. We offer a proven approach that changes muscle memory. Significant, lasting relief from issues like Vertigo, Sciatica, Frozen Shoulder and more. • Self-Treatment Courses • DIY Therapy for Dogs. MA15772, MM24536

ONLINE VOCATIONAL TRAINING FIELDS OF NATURE

Maritza Corona 954-213-8014 Hello@FieldsOfNature.shop FieldsOfNature.institute Quality and affordable online Vocational Training Courses.

Learn to prepare Natural Skincare Products. Study from the comfort of your home through our study platform guided by Tutor.

MARCH PSYCHOTHERAPY

A HEALING SPACE

Kris Drumm, LCSW, ACHT 954-549-0263 AHealingSpaceWiltonManors.com Uncover and transform limiting and damaging belief systems with individual and group therapies, including heartcentered hypnotherapy and inner child healing.

Free one half-hour consultation offered.

SALON HAIR HOLISTIC ECO-FRIENDLY STUDIO

Coming Next Month

Regenerative Organic Farming Plus: Indoor Kitchen Garden

Ibana Villasenor 141 NW 20th St., Ste. B7 Boca Raton FL 33431 561-372-5354 HairHolistic@gmail.com HairHolistic.com

Hair services & products with a truly holistic approach like scalp-hair detox, and jet rejuvenation. Hair coloring with Henna or eco-friendly dyes, and formaldehyde-free keratine.

One-to-one tutoring available.

PRONUNCIATION COACH PERFECT YOUR AMERICAN ACCENT

Professor Alice Wujciak / woo-jack / 954-963-7661 PerfectYourAmericanAccent.com Upgrade your accent and speak English confidently.

“Quick fixes to language issues.”

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for someone else. ~Benjamin Franklin

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

954-630-1610 February 2021

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