Natural Awakenings Naples/Fort Myers- August 2025

Experience the Transformative Benefits of Spa Relaxation

Embark on a journey of serenity at our Spa. In the world of Spa of Awakening, every moment is a venture into the depths of your inner peace. Immerse yourself in the luxury and sophistication of our beautiful facility and treatments, where every touch, aroma, and sound is designed for your rejuvenation. Let us guide you into a new realm of relaxation and harmony at Spa of Awakening where every escape becomes truly unforgettable.

Mauro and Melissa are integral parts of a very dynamic partnership at the Spa of Awakening with years of experience. Beyond the conventional spa experience, they envision the Spa of Awakening as a transformative haven where clients embark on enriching journeys.

COLLIER/LEE EDITION

Co-Publishers Sharon Bruckman

Alina Dabrowski

Editors Linda Sechrist

Sandra Yeyati

Randy Kambic

Design & Production

Sales & Marketing

C. Michele Rose

Lisa Avery

Alina Dabrowski

Sharon Bruckman

Accounting Alina Dabrowski

Website Kristy Mayer

CONTACT COLLIER/LEE

Publisher: 239-207-2775

SharonB@SWFLnaturalawakenings.com

Collier County Sales: 239-207-2775

SharonB@SWFLnaturalawakenings.com

Lee County Sales: 239-595-5287

AlinaD@SWFLnaturalawakenings.com

SWFLnaturalawakenings.com

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

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© 2025 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

Natural Awakenings is printed on partially recycled and fully recyclable newsprint with black soy ink.

Advertising & Submissions

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO Kimberly B. Whittle

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CMO Vee Banionis

Sr. VP Operations Brian Stenzler, DC

National Editor Sandra Yeyati

Editor Brooke Goode

Copy Editor Melanie Rankin

Print Production Specialist Kevin Rankin

Design Director Agnes Mazeikaite

Production Flip180

Customer Service Dani Bucad

CONTACT NATIONAL TEAM

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation

350 Main St, Ste 9B, Bedminster, NJ 07921 Ph: 239-206-2000

NaturalAwakenings@KnoWEwell.com

Natural Awakenings is a network of natural lifestyle magazine publishers empowering local communities with knowledge, resources and connections to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet. To advertise in this local Collier and Lee Counties edition, call 239-207-2775 or email SharonB@SWFLnaturalawakenings.com.

Own Your Own Franchise

Make a difference in your community. Become a Natural Awakenings franchise owner. Visit: Corp.NaturalAwakenings.com

Brain Gain

Take the advanced REMS Bone Health Diagnosis and gain exclusive access to a personalized consultation with Functional Bone Health Specialist Dr. Krystyna Shepetiuk. Contact me

The Universe is 98% e nergy!

everything found in, above and under has its own dynamic energy!

Our entire body continually vibrates at a subtle level, moving energy and information through our connective tissues.

The L. i .F. e . s ys T em scans nearly 7,000 energy patterns. By identifying which energy vibrations are out of balance, the system can put them back into harmonic balance, allowing your body to return to a state of rest and healing.

Coming Home to Ourselves

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to feel fulfilled—not just busy, but genuinely nourished. In a world that often equates worth with output, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something deeper. I’m learning to honor life’s quieter rhythms too: the moments of presence, connection and pause. In those spaces, I’ve begun to recognize a more meaningful kind of success—one rooted in alignment, joy and purpose.

This summer, I’ve been experiencing that joy in northern Michigan, where my 9-month-old daughter, Zylah, is surrounded by cousins, trees and the gentle rhythm of lake life. Right now, she and her cousins—Everlee, Gigi and Lennon—are splashing in the shallow waters of Byram Lake just behind her grandparents’ house—Charley’s childhood home and the lake he grew up loving. The girls range from 9 months to 6 years old. Their squeals and giggles floating in through the window have become the soundtrack of our days.

Soon, Zylah will join our big family reunion on my side at Higgins Lake—another Michigan treasure filled with my most cherished childhood memories. It’s where my mom and dad, along with their siblings, grew up; where my cousins and I spent our summers; and now, where the next generation is beginning to make memories of their own. Her Michigan story is just beginning to bloom, and I feel grateful that she’s rooted in such loving soil. Whether she’s dozing off to lullabies or swept up into a cousin’s giggle-filled hug, Zylah is learning that she belongs, that she matters, and that she is safe. Watching her reminds me to slow down and take in what’s right in front of me.

This month’s feature, “The Authentic Lifestyle”, captures something I’m witnessing in real time: the lasting imprint early bonds can leave on the heart. As Sahara Rose Ketabi explains, “There is a version of you that is already whole and complete. She is just waiting for you to remember her.” My hope is that Zylah always stays close to that version of herself.

And for you, dear reader, I wish the same: a summer filled with moments that ground you in love, joy and the kind of belonging that stays with you wherever you go.

With heart,

Alina Dabrowski, Co-Publisher

Got Chronic Disease?

There are hidden causes to your disease. Dr. Torres will help you find them and get rid of them. This will allow your body to finally heal!

Zorayda “Jiji” Torres has 17 years of experience and knows the limitations of conventional internal medicine. Adding functional medicine to your treatment will surely enhance the healing process.

Zorayda “JiJi” Torres, Md, aBiHM Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine Diplomate, American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine

Free Breast Cancer Health Caravan in Cape Coral

Partners for Breast Cancer Care (PFBCC), a nonprofit that funds breast screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for low-income women and men in Southwest Florida, will conduct a free Breast Health Caravan event from 8 a.m. to noon on August 15 at the Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, in Cape Coral. A community health outreach that provides free breast exams and mammogram referrals for uninsured women several times each year, the event is part of PFBCC’s ongoing effort to reach underserved areas where individuals are not receiving regular doctor visits or mammograms.

At the event, made possible via collaboration between volunteer physicians and Lee Health navigators, attendees will receive both a private, free breast exam and education session with a Breast Health Navigator. Clients will then work with PFBCC’s case manager to schedule a mammogram appointment. PFBCC receives all reports and facilitates any follow-up care if needed, completely covered through their program.

To qualify for a funded mammogram, women must be uninsured, have a household income up to and including 400 percent of federal poverty guidelines and be a legal resident of Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry or Collier County. Attendees that have not pre-qualified must bring a photo ID, Social Security Card or ITIN and proof of household income.

Location: 643 Cape Coral Pkwy. E., Unit B, Cape Coral. For more information, criteria for qualifying or to register for the event (not required), call 239-454-8583.

Mulligan Authors

The Heart of Astrology Book

A new house for astrology books, Regulus Publications, led by Richard Fidler and Paula Belluomini, recently released long-time Naples resident Bob Mulligan’s The Heart of Astrology on the Spiritual Path. The book offers a contemplative exploration of how astrology serves as a spiritual map, guiding readers through a journey with enriched narration, insightful reflections and illuminating examples, all meticulously crafted from the author’s 50 years of experience as both an astrology practitioner and a seeker.

With his opening statement, he emphasizes astrology’s power, stating that its insights provide a uniquely profound understanding of both our inner selves and the complexities of the world

around us. The book is divided into three parts: spiritual foundation, conferring with the planets and how karma works. The core of his spiritual cosmology is the interplay, the dual action of manifestation and modulation, that shapes his entire worldview.

Mulligan concludes the book with this: “All the ideas in this book are born directly from my own experience, if you apply the astrological principles examined here, your experience will be different than my own, but we all share common ground …. While we were searching for God, it was really Him searching for us.”

As a practicing astrologer, a community leader whose insightful support for clients and books, talks and classes have shaped the astrological community, Mulligan leaves an enduring mark.

The book is available on Amazon and other book retailers or can be ordered directly by visiting RegulusBooks.com. Visit TheAstrologyCompany.com, email bobmulliga@aol.com. See ad, page 35.

Consider Sleep Hypnotherapy for Attaining Restorative Rest

Rebecca Bavelas of Mind and Sleep Hypnotherapy, that launched in Naples in January, is offering complimentary initial consultations. Provided virtually, her program can help high-achieving professionals and others overcome sleep struggles through evidence-based hypnotherapy and mind-body tools.

As sleep and burnout challenges continue to rise, this personalized approach offers a holistic alternative to medications and rigid sleep programs.

Many professionals face chronic stress, burnout and poor sleep, leading to reduced productivity and overall well-being. Mind and Sleep Hypnotherapy empowers clients to improve their sleep quality naturally, gain mental clarity and reclaim energy without relying on medications. The program combines proven hypnosis techniques with supportive mind-body practices, meeting a growing demand for holistic wellness solutions.

This work is deeply personal for Bavelas who was trained by the Sleep Coach Academy. After battling stubborn insomnia herself and discovering that hypnotherapy was the only approach that truly worked, she felt called to help others reclaim their rest and peace. With 25 years in corporate recruiting, she has witnessed firsthand how high-performing individuals are impacted by burnout and poor sleep—fueling her passion to provide a natural, holistic solution for those who need it most.

For more information or arrange for a free consult, call or text 860724-6993, email MindAndSleepHypnotherapy@gmail.com or visit MindAndSleepHypnotherapy.com. See ad, page 26.

Rebecca Bavelas

Therapy on the Gulf Celebrates 25 Years of Healing

Anthony Hansen, founder of Therapy on the Gulf, is celebrating 25 years of therapeutic experience by offering clients a 25% discount on all treatments.

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Hansen

Hansen holds an extensive range of certifications in therapeutic modalities, including deep tissue massage and myofascial release therapy, which is especially beneficial for post-operative joint replacements, sports injuries, mobility issues, and chronic back and neck pain. Over the course of his career, Hansen has provided relief to more than 30,000 clients of all ages— including dogs and horses.

He is also trained in CranioSacral Therapy, which can support the treatment of headaches and migraines, spinal and pelvic imbalances, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. From 2000 to 2008, Hansen owned and operated Absolute Health Therapeutic Massage before taking on the same roles at Therapy on the Gulf.

As a certified lymphedema therapist, Hansen works with individuals dealing with cancer-related swelling, toxicity, post-cosmetic surgery healing, and other edema-related concerns. In addition, he is a Reiki Master and Qigong practitioner, continuously expanding his healing practice since launching Therapy on the Gulf in 2008.

To meet growing demand, Hansen has recently welcomed massage therapist Grace Parker to the practice. Parker is certified in a wide array of therapeutic techniques and brings added depth to the services offered.

Therapy on the Gulf is located at 824 Anchor Rode Dr. in Naples. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 239-262-8722. See ad, page 27.

Anthony

Healthy-Aging Properties of Caffeinated Coffee

In June, a large-scale study by Tufts University sought to determine the health benefits of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee with and without the addition of sugar and saturated fat. The results published in The Journal of Nutrition suggest that drinking a low-to-moderate amount of caffeinated coffee daily lowers the risk of all-cause mortality; however, the benefit drops when an overabundance of sugar and saturated fat are added.

The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1999 and 2018 involving more than 46,000 American adults. Individuals that consumed one to three cups every day were about 15 percent less likely to die in the next nine to 11 years compared to those that did not drink coffee at all. This benefit was negated for those that added more than half a teaspoon of sugar, one tablespoon of half-and-half, or threeand-a-half tablespoons of whole milk. Drinking decaffeinated coffee was not associated with healthy aging.

limpido from Getty Images Pro/CanvaPro

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“Relief from acute arm and hand pain led me to try the Tree of Light and their equipment’s promised therapeutic effects. Unsuccessful in procuring a Dr.’s appointment, I was skeptical, but desperate for any alleviation from 24 hour discomfort. I signed up for the ARRC Light Chamber and the Lymphatic Massage therapy. I emerged from the sessions totally pain free. It seemed like a miraculous healing. It has been almost a week since that session. I have waited for the pain to return, but it hasn’t.

Predicting Dementia

Determining how fast a brain ages may help predict and prevent dementia, a condition that is projected to impact approximately 42 percent of Americans aged 55 and older, according to the National Institutes of Health. While genetic analysis at the cellular level offers insights into biological age, its application to brain cells is hindered by the blood-brain barrier, which prevents cell collection.

Researchers from the University of Southern California have devised a non-invasive method that integrates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with artificial intelligence (AI) to assess brain aging. Their findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

The AI database was constructed through an exhaustive analysis of thousands of brain scans from individuals with different brain conditions and varying ages. Subsequently, patient brain scans taken at distinct time intervals are compared to the database to identify brain zones that are exhibiting accelerated aging. The method was tested on more than 100 adults with healthy brains and 140 Alzheimer’s patients. The researchers are optimistic that their approach will not only identify early signs of cognitive decline but also facilitate the prediction of disease progression.

Dr.Xiu Qiong Cen A.P., OMD (China)

Goldfish Invaders

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urging the public to refrain from releasing goldfish into local lakes, ponds and streams when they are no longer desired as pets, but instead seek alternative solutions such as returning them to the pet store or contacting a local aquarium or fish rescue organization for assistance.

In the wild, goldfish exhibit invasive characteristics that cause significant harm to local ecosystems. Omnivorous in nature, they thrive in diverse environmental conditions and are capable of rapid growth, exceeding four pounds in weight and a foot in length. At that size, they have no natural predators.

As bottom feeders, goldfish disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems by stirring up sediment, uprooting plants and muddying the water. Their spawning frequency, which occurs several times a season, can lead to rapid population expansion. Goldfish also harbor parasites and diseases against which native fish possess no immunity.

Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.

—Doe

Pint uses IAOMT protocols

JohnSeiler from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Zantamata

Wellness Cars of the Future

As many vehicles advance toward automation, passengers are presented with a range of new possibilities. Without a human driver, the car’s interior can be transformed to cater to the desires of the traveler with entertainment, media and digital connections seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s ecosystem. Routes can be customized to optimize the journey, ranging from the quickest to the offbeat, with the ability to identify interesting and historically significant landmarks, locations, features and objects along the way.

One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals.

—Jean Vanier

In the car of the future, integrated artificial intelligence assists in planning scenic detours and dining experiences. Because the vehicle drives itself, enhanced lie-flat seating that incorporates massage and optimal body positioning ensures passengers arrive at their destination feeling well-rested. High-quality audio and video systems, coupled with atomizers that release the occupants’ favorite aromatherapy scent, provide an opportunity to enhance the overall sense of well-being. Biometric sensors monitor heart rate and stress levels, prompting relaxation or meditative activities. Companies such as Cadillac and BMW are already working to make these concepts a reality.

Aflo

Images from

Getting older does not mean getting weaker .

Spectrum is first in class of a new category of devices called Robotic Musculoskeletal Development System (RMDS). OsteoStrong uses a process known as Osteogenic Loading.

Into a Business Turn Your Passion

Own Your Own Natural Awakenings Magazine!

Make a meaningful impact in your community by becoming the owner of a Natural Awakenings magazine.

Empower others with current, valuable insights and resources to enhance their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

As a franchise owner, you’ll inspire positive change, provide readers with tools for healthier living and connect local businesses with an audience eager for transformation.

Why Own a Natural Awakenings Magazine?

n Create a Healthier Community: Be the go-to resource for wellness and personal growth in your area.

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Join a thriving network of passionate franchise owners reshaping the future of holistic health and wellness.

Call 239-206-2000 for a FREE evaluation of your community’s potential. Learn more or apply today at: Corp.NaturalAwakenings.com

for a free evaluation of your community's potential at 239-206-2000. To apply or learn more, visit Corp.NaturalAwakenings.com.

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A Portal for Conscious Living and Human Potential

by Yvette Lynn

GrokingWholeness.info is a new portal for information and tools that promote individual and collective well-being. The website, which fosters transformation through information, inspiration, and practical skills that advance our inherent human potential, is the brainchild of four friends—Linda Sechrist, Bob Staretz, Douglas Bonar, and Dr. Carol Roberts.

United by a shared commitment to raising human consciousness, these longtime seekers and facilitators of healing and personal growth explain that the idea for the website emerged spontaneously during a conversation about one of the hard problems of science—what is consciousness? When each contributed their unique thread of wisdom and experience, the casual exchange quickly blossomed into a creative impulse: “Let’s build something that matters—something that helps people remember who they truly are.”

Grokking is a word coined in 1962 by author Robert Heinlein, who wrote Stranger in a Strange Land. It means to deeply understand—not just intellectually, but also through intuition or empathy. The word perfectly captures the spirit of the project: to not just know wholeness intellectually, but to feel it, live it, and share it.

The website, which is a dynamic and ever-evolving space, is designed to help individuals go beyond egocentric consciousness, enhance their well-being, and live in harmony with the consciousness of all of nature and the cosmos. “I believe that consciousness exists within the field of the much larger Universal Consciousness and is so much more than ego consciousness. We just don’t recognize that part of ourselves,” says Staretz. A longtime friend of Apollo 14

astronaut Edgar Mitchell, who founded the Institute for Noetic Sciences.

Bonar, a recently retired mental health counselor and owner of A Center of Wellness in St. Petersburg, Florida, adds, “The challenge is to evolve in our body, mind, spirit, and in our collective consciousness. We want to help individuals build a world that we all intuitively know we want to live in.” Bonar will be offering aspects of his workshop series, Roots and Wings: The Way of Wholeness, on GrokingWholeness.info. The model emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals with the living Earth, each other, and the intelligence of the universe.

“At GrokingWholeness.info, we believe in the transformative power of integrating mind, body, and spirit to foster balance within the individual and their surroundings. Changing oneself is a prerequisite to changing one’s surroundings or society, because personal growth creates the foundation for broader impact,” says Dr. Roberts, who practices functional medicine in Sarasota and leads psychedelic ketamine retreats.

“We’re not here to be gurus or gatekeepers. We’re companions on the path who asked, ‘What can we do to have a positive impact that helps people live mindfully and act consciously, so they offer their highest good for the world?’ Our task is to create the spark for waking up to the realization of what we really are—and what we are capable of,” says Sechrist, an editor of Natural Awakenings magazine and a 30-year student of consciousness.

Explore GrokingWholeness.info.

(L to R) Linda Sechrist, Bob Staretz, Dr. Carol Roberts, and Douglas Bonar

Small but Mighty

Growing and Enjoying Microgreens and Sprouts

by Chloe Karydes Krecun

Microgreens and sprouts are small but mighty, delivering considerable benefits for the health conscious. Whether grown at home or purchased fresh from a local grocer or farmers market, these superfoods make for an easy and accessible way to add texture, flavor and nutrients to everyday meals.

Subtle differences distinguish these two remarkable plants. Microgreens are edible, immature seedlings grown in soil or a similar medium and harvested upon the appearance of the first few cotyledon leaves. Sprouts are germinated seeds that are cultivated in water until they grow into an edible plant. Their roots, seeds and leaves are edible.

“Anyone can grow a small tray of microgreens on a windowsill or around a kitchen counter,” says Katie Staudt, owner and head

grower of Meraki Urban Farm, in Chicago. She points out the common misconception that microgreens can only be grown in a liquid solution. While some do-it-yourself kits employ hydroponic techniques, they are not the most efficient growing method and may lead to mold growth.

“You don’t have to have a green thumb if you have the right information,” says Staudt. Because they can be easily propagated in small trays, microgreens are ideal for small, indoor spaces. She suggests using soilless media made of peat, coconut coir or hemp that allow for proper drainage while holding the right amount of moisture. The plants demand little maintenance and are usually harvested when the greens are one to three inches tall, making them a perfect choice for individuals with limited gardening experience.

Staudt recommends beginning with the radish sprout, which can grow and be ready to eat in as little as seven days. Kale, purple kohlrabi, red acre cabbage, bok choi and wasabi mustard sprouts are also easy-to-grow varietals.

Sprouts can be more challenging to grow because they require greater oversight to preserve food safety. It is important to soak the seeds in water and rinse them daily with clean water to maintain a moist environment while also reducing the risk of bacterial growth. According to agricultural experts at Penn State Extension, bacteria in the sprouting seeds “can continue to thrive if proper food handling techniques are not practiced during harvest, processing and preparation.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides good agricultural practices for growing, harvesting, packing and holding sprouts, which include using clean water, wearing disposable sterile gloves when handling the seeds and sprouts, and cooling the sprouts to 32° F immediately after harvesting. The FDA strongly recommends cooking sprouts thoroughly before consuming them to eliminate harmful bacteria. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts altogether.

According to Dominique Kline, farm manager of The Hope Farm, in Alabama, “Radish or broccoli sprouts would probably be the easiest ones to start out with at home, just because those are some of the most reliable and have the fastest turnover.” Alfalfa, mung bean and sunflower sprouts are also relatively easy to grow.

Packed With Power

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, microgreens contain five

Dean Drobot/CanvaPro

times greater levels of vitamins and carotenoids than their mature plant counterparts, including vitamins C, E, K and A, as well as beta carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin and violaxanthin.

“You can eat 50 cups of broccoli or a single cup of broccoli sprouts for similar nutrition and benefit,” explains Emily Ho, nutrition professor and director of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, in an article published by the American Heart Association.

It is important to understand that these plants’ shelf life is short once they are cut. “The closer they are to being alive, the better they are for you,” Kline asserts. For those that prefer to purchase their produce instead of growing it, local farmers markets or select grocery stores also offer fresh microgreens and sprouts that provide the same nutritional benefits and quality. This can be a convenient way to not compromise on freshness or effectiveness.

From Garden to Plate in Seconds

Not only are microgreens and sprouts relatively simple to grow, they are even easier to eat. Incorporating them into meals is quite straightforward. Kline recommends adding them to any hot or cold food as an easy nutrient boost. Sprinkle them on salads, eggs or pizza for added texture, contrast and flavor. Arugula and radish microgreens add a delightful peppery flavor, while mung beans offer a milder, slightly sweet experience, and sunflower sprouts lend a nutty flavor to any dish.

Whether enjoyed fresh from a windowsill at home or sourced from a local market, microgreens and sprouts bring nutrient density along with delicious flavors and textures, making them an attractive green to incorporate into everyday meals

Chloe Karydes Krecun is a sophomore at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Connect at LinkedIn.com/in/chloe-karydes-krecun.

LEMON HUMMUS VEGGIE BOWL WITH SUNFLOWER SPROUTS AND BASIL

YIELD: 2 TO 3 SERVINGS

1 can chickpeas, chilled and drained

¼ cup tahini

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp lemon zest

4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

4 Tbsp water

1 tsp tamari or liquid aminos

¼ tsp sea salt or smoked salt

¾ cup sunflower sprouts or mixed sprouts

6 cherry tomatoes, halved

Handful of fresh basil leaves

Combine chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, water, tamari or liquid aminos and salt in a blender. Pulse blender a few times then blend ingredients until smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add another tablespoon of water. Transfer hummus to a bowl.

Add tomatoes, basil leaves and a thick layer of sprouts on top of the hummus. Drizzle everything with olive oil, an extra splash of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of tamari.

Enjoy with bread, pita, crackers or spooned over a bed of freshly made quinoa, couscous, lentils or a green salad.

Recipe courtesy of Marlaina Donato. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

MICROGREEN SMOOTHIE

YIELD: 1 SERVING

1 cup frozen organic berries

1 cup coconut water

1 frozen banana

1 oz broccoli microgreens

2 Tbsp hemp seeds or chia seeds

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. Recipe courtesy of Katie Staudt.

GenAI/CanvaPro

SPICY-SWEET TOFU AND BEAN SPROUTS

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

1 pkg extra firm tofu

2 cups bean sprouts, rinsed (approx. 16 oz)

1 Tbsp smoked paprika

1 Tbsp ginger, freshly grated

½ tsp ground coriander seed

½ tsp sea salt or smoked salt

¼ tsp smoked chipotle powder

¼ tsp cinnamon powder

3 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp molasses

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

Drain water from tofu then wrap it in paper towels and place it on a plate. Wait 10 minutes before gently pressing the tofu, causing excess water to be absorbed by the paper towels. Unwrap the tofu and cut it evenly into one-inch cubes. Set aside.

Add avocado oil or olive oil to a cast iron or other frying pan, set on medium-high heat until the pan is hot. Tilt the pan back and forth until the oil covers the entire surface. Be careful not to overheat the oil—it smokes if overheated.

Add the paprika, ginger, coriander, salt, chipotle, cinnamon, maple syrup and molasses to the pan. Using a fork, evenly distribute all of the ingredients in the hot oil.

When the spicy mixture bubbles, place the tofu cubes by hand into the pan. Lower the heat to medium. Brown the tofu about 2 minutes and then carefully turn it over to brown for another 2 minutes. Once browned, place the tofu onto a serving plate.

Add bean sprouts to the hot pan, stir with a fork until sprouts are hot. Add toasted sesame oil. Stir again and then remove pan from the stove.

Cover tofu with hot bean sprouts and serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Marlaina Donato. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

The Authentic Lifestyle

Learning To Realign With Our True Selves

by Carrie Jackson

Harmony in our daily routine provides a sustainable and fulfilling rhythm. A life in balance accommodates ambition and rest, effort and ease, honoring our individual energy and purpose. Instead of pursuing future goals and equating success with monetary gain or accomplishments, we can learn to appreciate the present moment and align our choices with personal values. By shifting from a rigid, externally oriented idea of success to a more holistic, harmoniously driven approach, we can experience greater joy, purpose and authenticity.

Connecting to the Web of Life

In 2022, Yoli Maya Yeh, a yoga teacher, shiatsu therapist and educator whose work revolves around Indigenous preservation, healing arts and social justice, embarked on an adventure of global nomadism and worldschooling her now 13-year-old child. Their journeys have taken them to many countries, including Morocco, Italy, Malta and Senegal. Yeh asserts that her lifestyle was not the result of a single decision but rather the culmination of focus, willpower and the strength of those that have walked before her.

“While entrepreneurship flows through my veins, without a clear vision, a sense of purpose and a deep well of confidence, I would not be able to be this assertive and daring in my approach to how I want to fulfill my dreams. I could decide to play small and feel contracted in my body, but that was not the intuitive guidance I have come to trust,” Yeh explains. “My vision is a life where I can be in spaces of belonging, collaborating and problem solving, dreaming and world-building our collective liberated future. In the present moment, I explore my inborn gifts and hone them to be of maximum service.”

She maintains that a path of development cannot be solely cerebral, sharing, “A traveling lifestyle provides me with a high level of changefulness in which I can cultivate growth and adaptation through constant new experiences that challenge me to navigate unknowns. We must bring the transformative process into the body through active restoration tools and meaningful engagement with self.”

Harmony and resistance are felt in the body, and tapping into those signals enables us to deeply connect with our true selves. As Yeh puts it, “Perpetual analysis in the mind disconnects us from the experience of resonance, thus distancing us from actual alignment. A daily centering practice that draws on a collage of breathwork, mantra and meditative techniques allows us to hone our connection to the sensations in the body.”

As a respite from the demands of modern society, Yeh turns to yoga nidra, a yogic sleep meditation originating in South Asia, as well as other Indigenous wisdom traditions. “Living in the modern era presents us with contradictory factors,” she says. “We have more automation and digital support, while at the same time, we are cut off from our ancestral rejuvenation practices such as sacred dreaming, ritual and community celebration.”

Another valuable practice is rematriation, or “returning to the Sacred Mother”, which emphasizes the restoration of Indigenous knowledge and connection. “In this practice, we lay our tired bones down on the earth to rest and revive the ancestral wisdom that lives within. Like so many meditative and trance practices, one explores liminal states of consciousness where the mind expands well beyond the confines of the awake, thinking mind and amplifies creativity and a sense of freedom,” Yeh explains. “To experience fulfillment in life, we need a recipe that combines resonance of expansion and a sense of belonging. Success is the embodied expression of this connection to self and collective at the same time.”

Fulfilling Our Journey

Brianna Wiest is the bestselling author of numerous books, including 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, The Pivot Year and The Mountain Is You. Her personal reflections are

derived from years of self-inquiry and meditation practice, and her writing emphasizes emotional intelligence and self-awareness as keys to meaningful success.

She notes that the conventional standard of success varies depending on an individual’s upbringing, network and environment. “There are ways in which society measures and corroborates a concept of success, and many people feel beholden to this definition. But this can become more defeating than motivating, as the idea of success is often divorced from the essence of what it should actually mean,” she says. “Success is effectiveness, but the question becomes: Effectiveness at what? Fulfillment is when we’re effective at something meaningful. It’s an internal gauge, rather than an external measure. Fulfillment is when we feel deep peace and inner satisfaction, regardless of how others may perceive our endeavors or pursuits.”

Shifting the focus away from the outcome, and more on our journey, is a practice that strengthens within the interplay of momentum and inertia. Wiest states, “The more we acknowledge and feel good about the progress we’re making, the more inclined we feel to make more of it. Often, we use the inverse on ourselves: We try to focus on the ways in which we’re falling behind (or imagine that we are) so as to motivate ourselves to move forward. This usually just compounds the mindset that we are incapable, and it’s not worth the effort. The best way to become more of anything is first to find evidence of the ways in which you already are that thing.”

Wiest recommends striking a balance between ambition and rest by fine-tuning intuition and strengthening the ability to respond effectively. “There’s no right way to divide up your time, and everyone’s needs differ,” she points out. “Rather than waiting until you’re at the point of depletion to think about taking care of yourself, sit honestly with the question of where

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you’d like your bandwidth to expand and how your body and mind signal that it’s time to decompress. In the same way that you have to rest a muscle after exercising it for it to strengthen, repair and grow, the rest of the body works similarly. It’s part of the process, not antithetical to it.”

Reflective practices such as meditation and journaling can enable us to be more mindful and make decisions that align with our values, instead of acting impulsively. Wiest suggests looking at life from the perspective of our 90-year-old self and considering what we would have done differently. “Mindfulness is a way of both stilling the waters of the mind and calming the inner chaos, while at the same time, giving us the chance to pause between having a thought and a feeling and then immediately responding to it,” she says. “It’s that gap of time where we get to consciously decide how we will react that ultimately creates our personal freedom.”

Living Our Soul’s Purpose

Author, podcaster and co-founder of the Dharma Coaching Institute, Sahara Rose Ketabi helps people discover their soul’s purpose. “Your dharma is the big reason why you are here,” she explains. “It’s your sacred mission, your truth and the sacred intersection of your joy and the world’s needs. When you’re aligned with your dharma, life begins to feel like a divine dance—yes, with challenges, but also with deep meaning. It’s not about being the best at something; it’s about being you, fully and unapologetically.”

Ketabi contends that the pursuit of success alone does not yield happiness; it is happiness that brings true success. “Success isn’t just about ticking boxes or climbing ladders. It’s about alignment,”

she clarifies. “We can shift this mindset by tuning into our bodies, emotions and passions, asking, ‘Does this feel expansive? Does this nourish my soul?’ When your success is in service of your dharma, it feels sustainable, fulfilling and soul-led.”

Ketabi incorporates Ayurvedic wisdom into her teachings to help people tune into their own energy. “Ayurveda is the science of life, and your dharma is the reason you’re alive. They’re inherently connected. By understanding your dosha—vata, pitta or kapha—you understand your strengths, challenges and soul gifts,” she explains. “It’s not just about food or herbs; it’s about rhythm. If you’re a fiery pitta trying to force your purpose, you may burn out. A dreamy vata may need structure to bring ideas through. Ayurveda teaches you how to work with your energy, not against it, so your dharma can blossom naturally.”

Living as your most authentic self ultimately has a butterfly effect for making positive changes in the world. “When one person lives in their dharma, it shifts the field for everyone around them. It creates a ripple of remembrance,” says Ketabi. “I believe that your dharma is not just about you, but it’s about the impact you create through being you. It is not selfish to follow your joy; it’s necessary. When you do what you love, you become magnetic. You inspire others to stop settling, to heal and to rise. You become the permission slip they didn’t know they needed. Living your dharma is the highest form of spiritual activism.”

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

Taking an Energy Inventory

by Carrie Jackson

In a world that can be overwhelmingly stimulating, taking a moment to focus on mindfulness helps us reset and refocus. “Your body is your temple, and your intuition is your oracle,” says dharma coach Sahara Rose Ketabi. She recommends meditation, intuitive journaling and embodied movement as catalysts for connecting to our inner guidance and discovering life’s purpose.

• Meditation enhances listening skills, emotional awareness and overall human well-being. Turn off all distractions and notice any thoughts that arise.

• Journaling transforms intangible thoughts into visible reflections. Take five minutes every day to jot down observations, feelings and sensations.

• Embodied movement releases trapped tension, stress and trauma within the body. Start each day with a fluid, sensual and grounding movement session to foster greater joy, creativity, bliss, pleasure and peace.

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Harmonious Living Through Energy Healing

Unlocking a Life of Balance and

by Margarete Hyer

In an era where stress and emotional challenges are pervasive, the pursuit of a harmonious life is more essential than ever. Modern energy healing modalities, such as The Emotion Code, The Body Code, and The Belief Code, offer transformative pathways to achieving a life free from emotional baggage, balanced in health, and filled with harmony and happiness. These techniques provide a gentle, supportive, efficient, and effective means to profound personal growth and well-being.

Modern Energy Healing Modalities

The Emotion Code, developed by Dr. Bradley Nelson, is a pioneering technique that identifies, and releases trapped emotions—negative emotional energies from past experiences. These trapped emotions can disrupt physical and emotional health. By releasing them, individuals can experience relief from emotional distress and physical discomfort, leading to a more balanced life.

Joy

our conscious awareness. These subconscious elements can create energetic imbalances that manifest as emotional distress or physical illness.

Energy healing modalities such as the Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code work by accessing the subconscious mind to identify and clear these imbalances. By doing so, they help restore the body’s natural energy flow, promoting spontaneous healing and overall harmony.

The Body Code builds on this foundation by addressing not only trapped emotions but also other imbalances, such as nutritional deficiencies, structural misalignments, and toxicities. This comprehensive approach helps restore balance and promotes overall health.

The Belief Code focuses on identifying and transforming limiting beliefs that hinder personal growth and happiness. By addressing these subconscious beliefs, individuals can unlock their full potential and embrace a life of joy and fulfillment.

The Science of Energy and the Subconscious Mind

To understand how these modalities work, it is essential to recognize that we are fundamentally beings of energy. According to quantum physics, everything in the universe, including our bodies, is composed of energy. Our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs are also forms of energy that can influence our physical and emotional states.

The subconscious mind plays a crucial role in this process. It stores all our past experiences, emotions, and beliefs, many of which operate below

Embracing True Science and Trusting the Unseen

For individuals with an open mind willing to embrace true science and trust the unseen, the potential for profound life shifts is immense. These energy healing techniques invite exploration beyond the conventional understanding of health and wellness, tapping into the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Life is meant to be lived with ease and grace, yet many of us feel stuck due to trapped energetic imbalances. These imbalances can create barriers to happiness and fulfillment, but by clearing them, we can unlock our true potential and experience life in its fullest expression.

The Power of Clearing Energetic Imbalances

Clearing energetic imbalances brings the body back into harmony, where spontaneous healing can occur. This process is not only about addressing symptoms but also about getting to the root cause of emotional and physical issues. By restoring balance, individuals can experience improved health, increased vitality, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Energy medicine is the medicine of the future—and the present. As more people embrace these modalities, the global impact is undeniable. Lives are changing as individuals experience the freedom of living without the weight of past emotional baggage and the limitations of self-defeating beliefs.

As energy medicine continues to gain recognition, it stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking a life of ease, grace, and spontaneous healing.

Margarete Hyer is the CEO and Founder of Life Arts Education, LLC. A Lifestyle Strategist, she is also a certified Level 3 Energy Healer through Discovery Healing. For more information visit MargareteHyer.com. See ad, page 45.

The Invisible Pharmaceuticals in Our Local Environment

by Linda Sechrist

There is growing concern about the presence of pharmaceuticals in aquatic habitats and drinking water. “Pharmaceuticals enter the water supply through human excretion and when residents flush unused or expired medications down the toilet,” says Deborah Comella, executive director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida.

With support from the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, Operation Medicine Cabinet–Lee County educates citizens on the importance of proper storage and disposal of prescription medications—not only to prevent drug misuse, but also to keep our waterways clean and safe. Many people are unaware that a significant percentage of those abusing prescription opioids obtain them from their own homes or the homes of family and friends.

“We remind residents to avoid flushing medications or pouring them down bathroom or kitchen drains, as these substances eventually end up in our rivers, lakes, and drinking water,” says Comella. “This also poses a serious risk to wildlife and contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”

Local law enforcement agencies have specialized lockboxes for collecting discarded medications. Residents who wish to safely dispose of their medications can contact their nearest law enforcement agency. Additionally, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and local law enforcement host “Take Back Days” twice each year—in April and October—for the safe disposal of unused medications.

Drug-Free Lee coordinates a Deterra Bag distribution event, which provides an in-home medication disposal system. The activated carbon in DeTerra bags binds to the active ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter medications, rendering them inert and safe for disposal in the regular trash. The bags have been lab-tested and proven to deactivate medications—whether in the form of pills, liquids, creams, films, or patches—permanently and

irreversibly. They are also effective at neutralizing dangerous narcotics such as opioids and psychoactive drugs like ketamine.

Pharmaceuticals in Seafood

A three-year study conducted by Florida International University (FIU) and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) found alarming levels of pharmaceutical contaminants in the blood and tissues of bonefish in Florida waters. These included antidepressants, antibiotics, prostate treatments and painkillers—raising concerns about broader contamination in the food chain. Researchers also discovered pharmaceuticals in the bonefish’s prey— crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish—indicating that multiple parts of Florida’s marine ecosystem, and not just the bonefish fishery, are contaminated. This poses a serious threat to both fisheries and human health.

Allini Water Filters

Naples-based Allini Water Filters stresses the importance of home filtration systems, as current EPA standards haven’t regulated any new industrial contaminants in over 20 years. They note that economic and political factors often influence safety standards more than health data.

Allini’s website points out that the frequent discrepancies between the guidelines for industrial contaminants and the enforceable standards suggest that these standards are not solely based on health concerns.

Operation Medicine Cabinet is also active in Collier County, with permanent drop-off sites listed at DrugFreeCollier.org. Since 2014, over 40,000 pounds of medications have been collected.

For more information on Operation Medicine Cabinet, contact Drug-Free Lee at 239-5601929 or Drug-Free Collier at 239-302-6717. To learn more about water filtration, contact Allini Water Filters at 239-451-4393 or visit OrganicWaterSystems.com. See ad, page 15.

Seize the Day!

by Marlaina Donato

Art historian Bernard Berenson once said, “I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.” Although no one has an inexhaustible number of years on the planet, we don’t realize that life is flying by. Most of us seem to be in a hurry all the time, even when we don’t need to be.

Memories of our most cherished moments have become intangible phantoms. Snapshots, stored on smartphones and rarely printed, are lost in a blizzard of social media posts. Although we photograph everything—even what’s on our dinner plate—the full engagement of our senses is perennially postponed to an ambiguous later date when we “have more time”. Somehow, we have become spectators of our own lives, never quite living the moments our technology is preserving.

Consider the supplication of Roman poet Horace: Carpe diem! To seize the day is more than a feel-good motto. It can be a spiritual discipline. Unplugging from the compulsion to have a phone or camera in hand at all times can be a wonderful starting point. Reserving one day each week to turn off our devices and become fully immersed in meals and social activities can help us shed our public personas and get back to who we truly are.

Choosing to speak in person or on the phone instead of texting can remind us that human voices spark deep, human connection, boosting the immune system and uplifting our mood. Face-to-face interactions remind us that we are valued and heard, and that we are capable of providing that crucial validation for others.

As our world spins into the age of artificial intelligence with so many exciting possibilities, we also want to ensure that what makes us human remains intact. Living fully and harmoniously is an invitation to cultivate authenticity, prioritize the present

moment and inspire others by example. Seizing the day may truly be our greatest accomplishment.

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

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Naples OsteoStrong

Innovative Longevity Solutions

by Linda Sechrist

The Naples OsteoStrong studio offers the ultimate in innovative longevity solutions. Their Spectrum System— described as the ultimate biohack—is the first in a new category of devices called a Robotic Musculoskeletal Development System (RMDS).

“It not only strengthens muscles but also simultaneously strengthens bones. This makes it the perfect antidote for preventing or controlling the process of osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle and weak—an extremely important concern for women over 50,” says Mackenzie McMahon, owner of OsteoStrong, located in the Shops at Vanderbilt.

Osteoporosis is especially common among postmenopausal women but also affects men. Bone density peaks by age 30, and by age 40, we

begin to lose up to five percent of our bone density each decade. One in five men over 50 will experience fractures related to osteoporosis.

Innovative Technology

The cutting-edge technology of the Spectrum System—and the protocol used—was designed by biomedical engineer John Jaquish for his mother. In search of a way to ease her severe osteoporosis, Jaquish theorized that her bones could be reconditioned. His method, known as osteogenic loading, stimulates osteogenesis—the formation of new bone tissue—through the application of a specific, safe amount of force. This force triggers the body’s natural response to build new bone tissue, thereby improving bone density, muscular strength, balance, and overall health with demonstrated results.

“Quick 10-minute OsteoStrong sessions once a week help develop strength, improve bone density, posture, balance, and athletic performance, while also reducing joint and back pain. The sessions use high-impact force devices that compress the bone—loading forces through the human skeleton far greater than those experienced during daily activity or traditional exercise,” comments McMahon.

Research and Studies Supporting OsteoStrong

OsteoStrong is grounded in science, with osteogenic loading proven to stimulate the body’s natural bone-building process. One of the most recent and comprehensive studies, Impact of Osteogenic Loading on Bone Density and Strength, outlines the effectiveness of high-impact loading on improving bone health. Other studies also support the efficacy of resistance and impact training.

Numerous additional studies show that controlled resistance and mechanical loading can increase bone density, improve posture, and strengthen muscles—all essential for skeletal health and longevity.

Additional Modalities at OsteoStrong

Each of these modalities complements the core osteogenic loading program, providing clients with a comprehensive approach to bone health, posture, and overall vitality:

Mackenzie McMahon

Red Light Therapy Rooms – Supports skin health, collagen production, and inflammation reduction.

NormaTec Compression Boots – Promotes circulation, reduces swelling, and aids in muscle recovery.

PureWave PEMF Mat Therapy – Boosts cellular repair, improves circulation, and reduces stress.

BioCharger NG – Enhances energy, mental clarity, and recovery through electromagnetic wave stimulation.

Vibration Therapy – Used before and after sessions to prime muscles and aid recovery.

“We reverse the aging process, giving people back their agility and balance so they can continue enjoying their favorite pastimes such as tennis, golf, and pickleball,” says McMahon.

OsteoStrong is located at 2343 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 618, in Naples. For more information, call 239-350-4550. Visit OsteoStrongNaplesFL.com. See ad, page 17.

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Mindful Workouts

Introducing Mental Wellness Modalities at the Gym

by Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN

Mental wellness is no longer considered a separate pillar of health; it is becoming deeply integrated into physical fitness routines across the country. As the discourse surrounding emotional and psychological well-being becomes more open and less stigmatized, there is a shift in how people approach exercise. Not only is fitness focused on building muscle and burning calories, but increasingly it is about fostering resilience, restoring balance and supporting the mind as well as the body.

This integration of mental wellness emphasizes practices such as breathwork, guided meditation, intentional recovery and nervous system regulation as core components of a comprehensive fitness regimen. For health-conscious individuals seeking vitality and longevity, this is a natural evolution of holistic living.

“The physical body reflects what is mindfully and energetically present,” shares Dawn Coleman, a certified personal trainer and life transformation coach based in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. “Honoring the

body’s physical well-being requires that we consider energetic pathways that allow the nurturing of the soul and mind, which, in turn, promotes physical fitness.”

Mind-Body Integration

Today’s approach goes beyond the endorphin rush of a workout. Wellness buffs are looking for fitness environments and tools that help calm the mind, process emotions and foster inner strength. Gyms and studios are responding by incorporating stress-relieving modalities into their offerings. It is not uncommon to find yoga classes ending with a 10-minute guided meditation or strength sessions that begin with focused breathwork. Even high-performance athletes are embracing these new tools, recognizing that mental clarity and nervous system regulation enhance both performance and recovery.

• Breathwork: According to Coleman, conscious breathing exercises help regulate the nervous system and lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. A 2023 meta-analysis published in the journal Nature found that breathwork may be effective for improving stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Techniques like box breathing, diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing can be layered into warm-ups, cool-downs or standalone sessions.

• Meditation and Visualization: Whether it’s a guided meditation before sleep or a visualization practice to prepare for a race, meditation trains the brain for focus, reduces anxiety and enhances emotional resilience. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology affirms that tailored visualization improves athletic performance and establishes the mental toughness needed to achieve both longterm and short-term goals.

• Recovery Rituals: Recuperation is a vital part of training. Therapies involving infrared saunas, float tanks, cryotherapy and contrast baths support muscle repair while simultaneously calming the nervous system and promoting mental relaxation. A 2023 randomized crossover study of 20 basketball players, published in Biology of Sport, reported improvements in muscle recovery and reduced soreness when exercise was followed by an infrared sauna session. A peer-reviewed article in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise reported that exercisers that followed highintensity interval training with a onehour floatation session experienced enhanced recovery from sore muscles and improved performance readiness.

• Tai Chi and Qigong: These mindful movement disciplines emphasize intention, awareness and breath, creating space for physical vitality and mental clarity.

Reimagining the Gym

The design of fitness spaces is evolving toward environments that promote wholeness and healing. Lighting and music are intentionally curated to create inviting atmospheres, while recovery lounges are incorporated for meditation or breathwork practices. This evolution has been particularly meaningful for women experiencing burnout, hormonal fluctuations or chronic stress.

Rather than pushing through fatigue or anxiety, individuals are adopting restorative practices that align with their physical needs. Many gyms, as well as yoga and Pilates studios, are offering supplemental therapies to support mental and physical fitness objectives. Sauna, red light and cold plunge therapies have become more accessible than ever.

Enduring Wellness

Mental wellness integration is more than a trend; it is a redefinition of what it means to be fit, challenging the old “no pain, no gain” model and replacing it with a deeper, more sustainable approach to health.

This shift is being embraced not only because it feels good in the moment, but also because it supports long-term well-being. People are learning to treat their minds with the same care and intention as their muscles. By doing so, they are redefining strength, not as something visible, but as something profoundly felt—steady breathing, calm thoughts, inner peace. In a fast-paced world that often demands more and more, mental wellness integration offers a path toward greater equilibrium, presence and joy throughout the journey.

Jordan Peschek has a background in personal training, yoga instruction and mental health nursing. She publishes the Milwaukee and Twin Cities editions of Natural Awakenings.

Yan Krukau from Pexels/CanvaPro

Good Vibrations

Harnessing the Power of Sound To Promote Healing and Relaxation

by Marlaina Donato

From the haunting drone of an Australian didgeridoo to the steady heartbeat of a frame drum, cultures around the world have used sound to facilitate healing for thousands of years. In modern times, scientific research corroborates what native cultures have intuitively known: Sound-based vibration and resonance affect our body at the cellular level.

“As you consider the efficacy of sound vibration in the body, it is important to understand that our cells, organs, bones, tissue and cerebral spinal fluid are all composed of water. We are more than 70 percent water, and sound travels four times faster in water than in air. The human body is a natural resonator for sound,” says Ellen F. Franklin, Ph.D., co-founder and chief executive officer of the Acutonics Institute of Integrative Medicine, in Llano, New Mexico, who draws from East Asian medicine, Western science, psychology, physics and music theory to provide sound vibration therapies.

The use of Tibetan or crystal singing bowls, percussion instruments, calibrated tuning forks, gongs, cymbals, chimes, flutes and vocalization affects brain waves by inducing parasympathetic relaxation and modulating pain perception. Directly impacting the vagus nerve, strategic sound applications can alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, chronic pain and trauma response, and can be useful for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Improved sleep quality, heightened creativity and inner calm are additional potential benefits.

Cutting-Edge Soundwaves

Histotripsy, a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved technology, employs high-pitched, focused ultrasound energy to break up liver tumors. Similarly, lithotripsy uses ultrasonic shock waves to eliminate kidney stones. Acoustic engineering has also emerged as a promising tool for diagnosis, encompassing brain seizures, heart disease modeling and medication screening.

According to Franklin, co-author of Acutonics From Galaxies to Cells: Planetary Science, Harmony and Medicine, the vagus nerve can be activated via the application of calibrated tuning forks crafted from aerospace-grade metal to key acupuncture points along the body’s meridians (energy pathways). “A number of studies have shown that the vagus nerve is particularly sensitive to sound vibration. DU 20, a key acupoint, addresses stress and trauma, as it can be used to help people wake up the brain and open the mind, and is often used for cognitive disorders and many stress-related symptoms,” she explains, adding that this work is currently being used in clinical settings for patients that do not respond effectively to conventional methods or exhibit drug resistance.

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Trauma, Tranquility and Brain Health

The rhythmic patterns of electrical activity in the brain produce distinct frequencies that are associated with mental states, emotions and cognitive functions. Throughout our waking and sleeping life, the brain shifts through gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta states. When we transition to the alpha state using sound therapies like drumming, binaural beats, singing bowls or gongs, we feel calmer and more joyful. Either by playing or listening, therapeutic hand drumming synchronizes the left and right hemispheres of the brain and may be valuable in augmenting cognitive function, retraining the brain after a stroke or improving the management of conditions such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

“The frame drum can significantly influence brain waves, primarily through a process called rhythmic entrainment. The pulses of the drum, especially when played at specific tempos, can induce the brain to synchronize with these rhythms, leading to shifts in brain wave patterns,” says Michael McCullough, a sound healing practitioner at The Healing Sanctuary, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “Using the perfect fifth, or a 128 Hertz, tuning fork can also boost the body’s production of nitric oxide and balance the autonomic nervous system, releasing antibacterials, antivirals and free radicals on a microscopic level.”

Incorporating therapeutic sound modalities in our healing regimens can broaden the potential for physical and mental well-being. McCullough recommends trying a group sound bath, which is a meditative session where participants lie on a yoga mat or blanket and listen to a diverse range of sounds. He acknowledges that private sessions with a skilled practitioner may also be beneficial because they can be tailored to individual needs and provide a more comprehensive experience.

While Franklin also recommends such sound healing experiences, she cautions, “Frequencies can be used to promote health and well-being, but we always advise people to educate themselves. When working with sound medicine therapeutics, less is more.” Excessive sound therapy—too much or too often—could aggravate the nervous system in some individuals, causing unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, fatigue, disorientation or headaches.

Marlaina Donato is an author, musician and painter. Connect at WildflowersAndWoodSmoke.com.

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Baking Soda: The All-Purpose Dynamo

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a versatile and economical household cleaner and personal care product that offers numerous benefits. Its non-toxic and biodegradable properties make it an environmentally friendly choice.

Cleaning and Freshening

• Kitchen Surfaces: Sprinkle on a damp sponge to clean countertops, sinks and greasy stovetops. Adding a few drops of tea tree, lemongrass, peppermint or orange essential oil will enhance the antibacterial properties.

• Pots and Pans: Use as a gentle abrasive to scrub pots and pans—even stainless steel.

• Drains: Pour half a cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of white vinegar down the drain. Allow it to fizz, then rinse with hot water. This is not a substitute for clearing clogs.

• Laundry Booster: Add half a cup to a load of laundry to soften the water, boost detergent effectiveness and neutralize odors. This natural solution is safe to use with baby items.

• Bathroom Fixtures and Surfaces: Mix an equal amount of baking soda and water or vinegar to form a paste for

scrubbing sinks, tubs, tile and grout. For a deeper clean, combine with Castile soap instead of water or vinegar.

• Toilets: Use as a powdered cleanser, adding a few drops of a germ-fighting essential oil such as lavender, tea tree or lemon.

• Carpets: Mix a cup of baking soda with a few drops of geranium, lavender or ylang ylang essential oil and sprinkle it evenly over the carpet. After half an hour, vacuum thoroughly.

• Natural Deodorizer: Place an open box in the refrigerator to keep it smelling fresh. Sprinkling baking soda in garbage cans, shoes or gym bags can help eliminate unpleasant odors.

• Produce Cleaner: Mix one teaspoon of baking soda per two cups of cold water and soak strawberries or other produce for 12 to15 minutes. Gently rub the fruit or vegetables, then rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry. This method can reduce dirt, bacteria and some pesticide residues.

• Sterling Silver Polisher: Combine two tablespoons of lemon juice or distilled vinegar with two tablespoons of baking

soda. With a soft cloth, gently rub the mixture onto sterling silver items and rinse thoroughly. Allow more tarnished items to soak in the mixture for a few minutes before cleaning.

Personal Care

• Teeth Whitening: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the palm of the hand, dip a damp toothbrush into the solution and brush as usual. This method should only be used sparingly, as baking soda can damage tooth enamel.

• Skin Relief: Add half a cup of baking soda to a bath to soothe skin irritation. This solution is beneficial for eczema, poison ivy and dermatitis.

• Hair Cleansing: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a solution. Massage the mixture onto wet hair and rinse thoroughly. This shampoo alternative helps to reduce excess oil and buildup of styling products, restore pH levels, treat dandruff and lighten hair dye. It can also serve as a dry shampoo by simply combing it through dry hair. Long-term or excessive use is not recommended, as baking soda’s abrasive properties can cause split ends, irritate the scalp and strip hair of natural oils.

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Supporting Women with Divorce Coaching

by Linda Sechrist

Supporting women through the intense emotions and difficult decisions of divorce is Marlene Caraballo’s specialty. The professional Certified Divorce Coach specifically provides coaching that aligns with the American Bar Association’s definition—divorce coaching as a flexible, goal-oriented process designed to support, motivate, and guide people going through divorce to help them make the best possible decisions for their future, based on their particular interests, needs, and concerns.

“I provide support for my clients in areas such as making an informed decision about whether to stay or go, choosing the best process for their situation and budget, creating a divorce plan and co-parenting plan if needed, preparing for mediation or litigation, developing a financial plan for the future, choosing a process, attorney or mediator, minimizing disruption and impact on children, recovering from betrayal or emotional abuse, setting boundaries for their well-being, improving communication skills, and reducing conflict,” says the Naples resident, who also offers individualized coaching package options to support specific interest areas.

Formerly a women’s mindset coach, Caraballo decided to specialize in divorce coaching after being coached through her own divorce. She realized how much she appreciated having someone she compares to a trail guide. Using the metaphor, she explains, “I could have gone hiking alone, followed a map, and maybe figured out the best way through the trail. But it was far less stressful having an experienced guide who’d been on the trail before. I didn’t have to lose sleep worrying about all the details. I was led by someone I trusted and had confidence in. She knew where the rough patches and detours were,” she says.

Caraballo has certification and training in Alternative Dispute Resolution, which helps couples settle issues in a more private, affordable way, giving them more say in the outcome. She explains, “It’s often less stressful and expensive than going to court and can lead the way to a more peaceful relationship after divorce—especially in high-conflict relationships and/ or when kids are involved.”

Caraballo, who sees most clients via Zoom, offers a free introductory 30-minute consult call, a private 90-minute Divorce Clarity Session, and/or a Momentum Package of three one-hour private sessions. “Most commonly, I meet with clients weekly, but these sessions can be used more or less frequently as needed. Becoming informed and strategic, along with learning how to manage emotions and unavoidable conflicts, can save time, money, and energy,” she advises.

For more information, call Marlene Caraballo, DCA, at 239-402-4215 or visit MarleneCaraballo.com. See ad, page 12.

Marlene Caraballo

Healthy Kids

Listening to Kids Without Judgment

Nurturing Habits of a Harmonious Family

by Christina Connors

In an era when children are growing up in digital landscapes unfamiliar to many parents, establishing connections can feel like navigating a maze. But harmonious living is attainable through small, intentional moments that cultivate trust and emotional safety. Rather than solely emphasizing control or screen-time restrictions, deeper bonds can be created by tuning in with curiosity, presence and empathy. Here are some strategies that parents and caregivers can employ to bridge the gap and foster connection.

Validating Emotions

“For decades—perhaps centuries—children have received consistent messaging about emotions: control them, contain them and, whenever possible, conceal them. This approach wasn’t necessarily malicious; it reflected cultural values that prioritized stoicism and social harmony. The ‘good child’ was often the quiet child, the composed child, the one who didn’t ‘make a scene’,” says Lee Sowles, founder and CEO of Kind Mind, a program that teaches adults and children how

to co-regulate, be kind and feel ready to learn. “When we support our kids’ emotions, we teach them that all feelings are valid—even the difficult ones—and then we can empower them with the skills they need to process emotions in healthy ways. This fosters trust, emotional resilience and a more harmonious home environment where everyone feels seen and safe, which is crucial because children thrive when they feel understood and connected.”

Remaining Calm and Present

To communicate effectively and foster positive exchanges with our children, it is critical to keep emotions in check. According to Janet Philbin, a clinical social worker, certified conscious parent and life coach, as well as the author of Show Up for Yourself: A Guide to Inner Awareness and Growth, if a child comes to us upset, crying, whining or demanding, the best response is to remain level-headed and attentive.

“Pausing and tuning in allows us to come into harmony because we are moving from a sympathetic state of fight/flight to a state of calm and presence,” she says. “We are regulated, and our child can come to us with their emotions, feeling safe. We do not react; instead, we become grounded and present, allowing us to meet our child

where they are and tune in to what they need, which is underneath the behavior we’re seeing. This is how harmonious relationships are created, because we have regulated our nervous system, and our child can regulate theirs.”

Keeping a Shared Journal

An effective method to foster mutual trust and respect with a child is with a shared journal in which parents and kids are able to communicate with each other through the written word. “Using the journal creates space to respond from a place of our loving hearts without judgment and putting aside the need to fix,” explains Philbin. “Our children will feel heard and safe, ultimately creating harmony in the relationship.”

Philbin shares how her family makes use of a shared journal, noting, “Our kids write to us about what they are struggling with and leave the journal for us in a safe space. When we find the journal, we take our time to respond to our child. In that response, we can let them know we hear them, that their feelings matter and that their struggle is real. We stay away from solving the problem, and instead just let them know that we are supporting them to work it through. Then we hand the child back the journal, and this process continues.”

Establishing Rituals for Connection

Building a robust connection with a child doesn’t require grand gestures. Instead, it is about creating consistent, small moments that build an emotional rhythm. Here are a few suggestions:

• Make it a habit to take screen-free walks after dinner.

• Regularly journal about a common prompt—such as recounting a memorable or unexpected event—and

then read the journal entries out loud to each other.

• Find opportunities to share common interests and spend quality time together, perhaps by playing the child’s favorite board game or video game.

Living harmoniously, particularly in parenting, is not solely about achieving

balance, but also about cultivating presence. When we approach our children with empathy, curiosity and intention, we do not merely hear them; we genuinely see them. In this act of seeing, connection begins.

Christina Connors is a writer, singer and creator of a YouTube series for children. Learn more at ChristinaConnors.com.

Calendar of Events

NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email NAMcalendar@SWFLnaturalawakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit SWFLnaturalawakenings.com/pages/calendar-listings to submit online.

Saturday, August 2

Appreciation Day: Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center – Aug 2-3. All clients that have been certified with our center get 1/2 off each session. $60/2-hr session. Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center, 1126 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral. For more info: 239-200-7810. See ad, page 47.

Sunday, August 3

Sound Bath by Harmonic Alignment – 4:30pm. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com. See ad, page 37

Friday, August 8

Wisdom of Light Conference – Aug 8-10. Includes 9 experts from across the country presenting a variety of topics for a transformative weekend of enlightenment and learning. Conference admission includes access to Spirit Fest as well. Conference admission fee begins at $150 for a day pass with other options. Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. WisdomOfLightConference.com. See ad, page 27.

Saturday, August 9

Spirit Fest: Metaphysical, Holistic and Crystal Expo – Aug 9-10. 10am-5:30pm. Enjoy 90 booths with vendors, practitioners, intuitive readers, artists and demonstrations. See website for more details and discounted admission. $12/day, $18/weekend, free/age 12 & under. Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. 321-3132543. SpiritFestUSA.com. See ad, page 16. Reiki Share – 1pm. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-6929747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Thursday, August 14

Sacred Movement – 6:30-8pm. Unlock your freedom and heal your soul through energy healing dance. With Elina Kurapey. $20. Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way, Naples. 239-775-3009. UnityNaples.org.

Friday, August 15

Free Breast Health Caravan – 8am-12pm. Hosted by Partners for Breast Cancer Care. Free breast exams and mammogram referrals for uninsured women. Samaritan Health & Wellness Center, 643 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Unit B, Cape Coral. More info & to register: 239-454-8583. PFBCC.org. Energy & Sound Healing Journey –2-3pm. Experience deep relaxation as

the soothing vibrations of Tibetan bowls harmonize your body and mind. Through guided meditation and energy medicine, Kat Udell creates space for deep rest, inner balance, renewal, and emotional and physical healing. $20. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 3, Ft Myers. Register: Kathryn.Udell@gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com. See ad, page 44.

Saturday, August 16

Gong Sound Bath Therapy – Aug 16-17. 1-3pm and 4-6pm. Sound practitioner Tina Bartocci offers this rejuvenating experience which combines the ancient vibrations of gongs with cutting-edge Scalar Wave technology. Includes 2 hrs in the Scalar technology with 1-hr Sound Bath Therapy. $99. Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center, 1126 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral. 239-200-7810.

Saturday, August 23

Tea & Tarot – 4-7pm. 4th Sat. Experience one of 3 amazing, intuitive women that are gifted in the mystical arts of tarot and oracle readings, energy and aura healing, intuitive guidance and so much more. $35/20 mins. Soluna Medical Aesthetics, 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs. 239-317-2940. SolunaMedicalAesthetics.com. See ad, page 13.

Friday, August 29

Past Life Exploration – 7-9pm. With Doreen Conaway, certified QHHT Prac-

titioner. Begin with a preparatory guided meditation, meet a Guardian Angel with a message of clarity for you and receive a gift. $45. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 3, Ft Myers. Register: LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Saturday, August 30

Singing Crystal Bowls – Aug 30-31. 1-3pm and 4-6pm. Join Theresa Beuerle for this rejuvenating experience that combines the sounds of the singing bowls while bathing in our Scalar Wave technology. $99. Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center, 1126 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral. 239-200-7810.

Ongoing Events

Daily

Allstar Dance Studio Ballroom & Latin Private Lessons: Elevate Your Dance Experience – Discover the joy of dance with Allstar Dance Studio’s Group Classes from Social Dance Parties to Meditation Events check out our monthly online calendar. Whether you’re preparing for a wedding, perfecting choreography, showcasing your talent, competing or enhancing your conditioning our expert instructors are here to guide you. 3339 Tamiami Trl N, Naples. Studio: 239-304-9013. Mobile: 239-682-2124. AllstarDanceStudio.com.

Allstar Dance Studio Group Classes and Socials/Events – Featuring more than 20 ballroom and Latin partner dances, through the grace of ballet, the liveliness of urban hip hop, to the expressiveness of Argentine tango, we have the dance for you. 3339 Tamiami Trl N, Naples. Studio: 239-304-9013. Mobile: 239-682-2124. AllstarDanceStudio.com.

Kayak Eco-Tours – Explore the lush waters of Southwest Florida on the gentle quietness of a kayak and see Florida wildlife while respecting it. GAEA Guides offers several different kayak tours that vary in time and location, guided by a Florida Master Naturalist. 239-694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Sunday

Naples Florida Community of Mindfulness Meeting – 6-8pm. Unity of Naples, 2000 Unity Way, Naples. FloridaMindfulness.org/naples.

Monday

Healthy Happy Hour – 2-5pm. Also held Wed & Fri. Specially priced IV nutrient/re-

photo credit: Pixabay

hydration therapy and vitamin injections from the IV nutrient experts. Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, 12734 Kenwood Ln, Ste 56, Ft Myers. 239-425-2900. rtcausesmd.com/iv-therapy.html. See ad, page 21.

Wednesday

Somatic Yoga – 9:30am. With Joanie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Sound Bath Meditation – 10-11am. Join Teresa, a master-level sound healer weekly. Sound healing is a therapeutic practice that uses sound frequencies to promote physical, emotional and spiritual healing. $15. Soluna Medical Aesthetics, 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs. 239-3172940. SolunaMedicalAesthetics.com.

Experience Healing and Balance with Tina Bartocci – 10am-6pm. A certified massage therapist and Reiki Master Teacher. She offers transformative sessions combining reiki, massage, and sound therapy with Biomat (PEMF, Infrared) and BEMER therapy. 30-, 60- and 90-min treatments available. LMT #106645*. Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center, 1126 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral. 239-200-7810.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group – 6-8pm. 1st & 3rd Wed. Meeting based on the Edgar Cayce readings. New members welcome. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Chapel, 11120 Ranchette Rd, Ft Myers. 850-556-7604. JaneSelman@gmail.com. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

Friday

Sound Bath Meditation – 2-3pm. See Wed listing Soluna Medical Aesthetics, 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs. 239-317-2940. SolunaMedicalAesthetics.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-213-2222. FoodAndThought. com. See ad, page 3.

Saturday

Tiger Flower Qigong – 10-11am. Eddie will guide you into gentle movement, and as you move and breathe, you will become more aware, stronger, more balanced, and leave all your stress behind. $20/class, $99/pkg of 6. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 3, Ft Myers. Register: EddieRose007@gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Sixth Sense Saturday – Thru Dec 26. 10am-3pm. 2nd & 4th Sat. Engage with our skilled intuitive readers and uncover

the deep insights offered through Tarot and Oracle readings. $35/20 mins. Soluna Medical Aesthetics, 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs. 239-317-2940. SolunaMedicalAesthetics.com.

Sound Bath Meditation – 11am-12pm. See Wed listing. Soluna Medical Aesthetics, 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs. 239-317-2940. SolunaMedicalAesthetics.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-213-2222. FoodAndThought.com.

early detection saves lives

one simple blood test that can screen over 50 types of cancerbefore symptoms appear.

Now available at Naples Center for Functional Medicine, the Galleri® Test uses cutting-edge technology to detect signals of multiple cancers in their earliest stages when treatment is most effective. With just one blood draw, you can gain insight and peace of mind like never before.

• Detects signals across 50+ types of cancer.

• Can identify where in the body the cancer signal may be coming from.

• Complements existing screening methods.

• Recommended for adults 50+ or those with increased cancer risk.

Dr. Sakr

Community Resource Guide

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

Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE CENTER OF NAPLES

Dr. Xiu Qiong Cen, AP, OMD (China) 5683 Naples Blvd, Naples 34109 P: 239-513-9232 • F: 239-513-9293 Drcenacupuncture@gmail.com

Licensed acupuncture physician with more than 28 years of experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Experienced in pain management, women’s health, insomnia, migraines, digestion issues and much more. See ad, page 14.

LOTUS BLOSSOM CLINIC

Acupuncture – Oriental Medicine

David Martin, AP, DOM Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita 239-277-1399 • LotusBlossomClinic.com

Offering treatment for many health issues: pain, anxiety, stress, PTSD, fertility, heart, strokes, digestive and immune disorders. U.S. veterans: no cost with a V.A. referral.

Ayurveda

CHRISTINA CARLIN, AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

Ayurveda Clinic, Massage & Yoga Therapy 501 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, Ste A107, Naples 34102 • 239-450-6903

Practicing holistic medicine since 1987. Professional Member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, specializing in highly personalized Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle consultations, massage and individual yoga sessions for chronic and acute problems. Pancha Karma, Shirodhara and skin care. Ayurveda and Yoga Study program available. MA0023929, MM0008584, FB0716888. See ad, page 16.

Bodywork

ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE EST. 1991

Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276 AOHMassage.com

Zero Balancing, Process Acupressure, Reiki. Webinar classes all discounted; call for registration. Reflexology, SEVA Stress Release, Insomnia, MT’s get CEs. Free self-massage video at AOHMassage.com

PAULA TERRY, LMT

239-821-3088, by appt. (Collier & Lee)

Trained at the Upledger Institute, Paula utilizes CranioSacral Therapy combined with Heart-Centered Therapy, Somato Emotional Release™, Lymphatic Drainage, love and nurturement to foster the healing your body needs. Doula services. MA35358.

Chiropractor

NETWORK CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Michele Pelletiere

3411 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 302, Bonita Springs • 239-949-1222

N.S.A. Practitioner level III. “Healing waves” release tension throughout the body, increasing wellness and quality of life, promoting new strategies for a healthy spine and nervous system.

Colon Therapy

CLEANSING SPRINGS OF NAPLES, LLC

Eliane Oramas 6712 Lone Oak Blvd, Naples 34109 icancleanyou@proton.me • 239-687-8481

Licensed massage therapist with 18 years of experience, certified colon therapist and certified Manual Lymphatic drainage practitioner. Specializing in providing colon hydro therapy and Manual Lymphatic drainage. MA 53432, MM 45277.

RB INSTITUTE, INC.

C. Robyn Berry, LMT, CRR, CCT, CLDT 12651 McGregor Blvd, Ste 5-502, Ft Myers 239-939-4646 • RobynBerry.com

Since 1993, Gravity enclosed Colonics using UV/oxygen/ ozone sterilized medical grade water. Also more than 33 years Veteran Therapeutic Massage Therapist. Proficient in deep tissue, sports and Relaxing Pure Fiji massage. Reflexology, Crainosacral, Visceral Manipulation, Manual Lymph Drainage and Xp2 System, Heart Centered Therapy, Raindrop Therapy, ear candling, MPS, Halo Photonic BlueViolet Lazer Botanical System, Asyra/Qest4 MSA Biofeedback Meridian Stress Analysis, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER, Power Plate, hyperbaric chamber. MM7376. MA18351.

Compounding Pharmacy

UPTOWN CHEMIST

Pharmacy, Compounding, Wellness

Norman Ruiz-Castaneda, PharmD, Owner/Pharmacist

2700 Immokalee Rd, Ste 24, Naples 239-431-4217 • UptownChemist.com

Norman is a licensed pharmacist with 15+ years of experience, specializing in compounding. He offers a personable approach in consultation, practicing with integrative medicine and fostering a relationship with the prescribing doctor; creating a “hometown” pharmacy for all of our patients.

Dental Health

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE

Yolanda Cintron, DMD

2021 E Commercial Blvd, Ste 208 Ft Lauderdale FL 33308 • 954-945-7355 FortLauderdaleDentistry.com

All phases of dentistry for optimum health, holistic, bio-compatible dentistry. Sedation dentistry. Removing of toxic metals, replacing them with bio-compatible materials. Laser dentistry for painless surgeries and extractions. Zirconia/ceramic implants. Natural bone augmentation/plasma rich growth factor. Oral DNA testing. Add gums to receding gums.

NAPLES FAMILY DENTIST

Paul D. Mabe, DDS 877 111th Ave N, #3, Naples, 34108 239-566-7737 • GotMySmileBack.com

Biological dentistry for total-body wellness. Metal and toxin-free. Biocompatible Zircon Implants and metal-free crowns. BPA-free ceramic fillings. PRF: Platelet Rich Fibrin. Ozone Therapy. Sleep Apnea. See ad on back cover.

ROGER J. PINT, MPH, DMD

9200 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 111 Bonita Springs, 34135 • 239-676-8730 BonitaDentalStudio.com

Dr. Pint can join your health journey and play a role in minimizing toxicity; this includes protection while removing dental materials plus consultation. All X-rays are digital and minimal. See ad, page 15.

Energy Healing & Lifestyle Strategy

LIFE ARTS EDUCATION, LLC

Margarete Hyer MargareteHyer.com 201-725-7346

Emotion Code, Body Code, and Belief Code sessions provide quantum healing for people and pets of all ages.  Custom Lifestyle Strategy supports overall transformation for health, happiness, well-being, and abundance.

Functional Medicine

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Lina Sakr, MD 1265 Creekside Pkwy, Ste 200, Naples 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com

Dr. Sakr is a board-certified internist specializing in metabolic and nutritional medicine, anti-aging medicine and women’s health at Naples Center for Functional Medicine. See ad, page 43.

ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine Office: 239-444-5636 • upstreammd.com

Dr. Torres is a board-certified internist with over 17 years of experience and knows the limitations of conventional internal medicine. She is among the few Certified Practitioner M.D.s, trained by the Institute For Functional Medicine. See ad, page 10.

Health Coaching

MARCY HESS, BS

501 Goodlette Rd N, Ste C208, Naples 239-231-6028

ThePerfect10Strength@gmail.com

Looking and feeling strong and healthy is the first reason for working with a nutrition coach. Let me help you get back on track for life without dieting! See ad, page 29.

Health Products

BARBARA ELLIS

Mind-body Certified Biofeedback Practitioner (BCB) • 239-822-1106 https://us.shaklee.com/en_US/neilellis ID# LA52846

Shaklee™ Trusted Wellness Solutions Blending nature and science. Clean, effective and thoughtfully made products for energy, immunity, and daily well-being, supporting your body and home with real results since 1956.

Healthy Dining

FOOD & THOUGHT

ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ 2132 Tamiami Trl N, Naples 239-213-2222

FOOD & THOUGHT 2

ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ 7941 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples 239-791-3663 • FoodAndThought.com

Open: Mon-Sat, 7am-9pm; and Sun, 8am-4pm. Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 3.

Hypnotherapy/ Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP)

LAURIE CONROD, MNLP, CCHT, MTT, EFTP, MSC Naples, FL • 239-785-2711 Laurie@LCAssetManagement.com LCAssetManagement.com

Free presentations on optimal sports performance using hypnosis and NLP. Eliminate mental blocks, negative self-talk, and improve your performance in all areas of your life. Because "Your mind is your most valuable asset". Go to LCAssetManagement.com.

Med Spa

SOLUNA MEDICAL AESTHETICS

Dr. Andrew P. Kontos, MD 8800 Bernwood Pkwy, Unit 2, Bonita Springs, 34135 • 239-317-2940 solunamedicalaesthetics@gmail.com

Offering cosmetic, aesthetic face and body treatments, brows/waxing and lashes. Addressing all your skincare needs and concerns for anti-aging, acne, wrinkles, scarring, dark spots and more. See ad, page 13.

Medical Intuitive & Energy Healing

JANE FECTEAU INTUITIVE HEALING, INC.

207-370-7701

JaneFecteau.com

Jane offers a divine methodology when you want to explore drug-free alternative healing methods. Specializing in helping people with chronic pain and chronic illness. See ad, page 33.

Classifieds

Help Wanted

Pilates Instructor/Movement Teacher – Wanted for established boutique studio in Fort Myers. Use our equipment or bring your own. Vicki: 239770-8670.

Office For Rent

Luxury Treatment Rooms/Offices –In professional wellness center. $480/ month, all inclusive. Wi-fi available. Perfect for massage, acupuncture, aesthetics or similar. Vicinity of 41 & Pine Ridge. 239-398-5050.

Two Beautiful, Private Rooms In Upscale Office For Counselor/Coach – Close to downtown Naples. Conference room, waiting area, kitchen included. Details: 239-307-4708.

Natural & Organic Market

ADA’S NATURAL MARKET

7070 College Pkwy, Ft Myers 33907

Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 9am-7pm Ph: 239-939-9600 • Fax: 239-288-6210 AdasMarket.com

Natural and organic produce and grocery items. Vitamins and supplements. Organic juice and smoothie bar. New Green Leaf Café. Market-prepared foods. 1,000s of gluten-free items. See ad, page 6.

Nutrition

D-SIGNED NUTRITION, LLC

Dee Harris, RDN, LDN, CDCES, IFM-CP Bonita Bay Executive Center 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Springs • 239-676-5249 D-SignedNutrition.com

Nutrition is our lifeblood. Healing with food starts with a personalized plan to address inflammation, nutrient insufficiencies, toxic burden and imbalances in the body. See ad, page 33.

JUSTINE SANFILIPPO

Nutrition Coach, Reiki Energy Healing, Sound Bowls

HealingWithJustine.com

JustineEnergyHealing@gmail.com 239-834-2123

Transform from the inside out! Justine—nutrition coach, reiki master, sound healer and author—offers more than 20 years’ experience. Book a free call to start your journey.

Pet Energy Healing

JANE FECTEAU INTUITIVE HEALING, INC.

Jane Fecteau

207-370-7701

JaneFecteau.com

Is your pet experiencing stress, discomfort, or health challenges? Jane’s intuitive healing sessions help restore balance and well-being for your furry friend—all from the comfort of home. See ad, page 33.

Psychotherapist

PEACEFUL SUMMIT COUNSELING

Jennifer Vear Hoy, MS 1048 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, #201, Naples, 34102 • 239-450-8090

Specializing in grief/loss, assertiveness training, anxiety, anger management, addictions, depression and relationship problems. See ad, page 23.

Regenerative Medicine

BODY RESTORE OF NAPLES

Steven L Case, MD 4760 Tamiami Trail N, Ste 24, Naples 239-241-2869

Dr. Case is an orthopedic surgeon with 25 years of experience. He provides latest generation Platelet Rich Plasma therapies for Joint pains to delay/avoid major surgeries. See ad, page 10.

Yoga, Fitness & Wellness

CARLA HYDE

239-850-8177

CarlaHyde.com

Certified and insured. Yoga, fitness Instructor, TRX trainer, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Water Exercise, and personal fitness trainer. 30+ years experience. Private and group training available.

Yoga & Massage

MEREDITH MUSICK, LMT, E-RYT 2000 239-269-8846

MeredithMusick.com

Yoga’s ancient/modern healthcare system improves and enhances life at every age. Practicing massage, and teaching yoga, for over 30 years, Meredith uses many tools: Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, Sports and NMT, Lymph massage, alignment-based yoga, and myofascial release, TMJ relief, and facial massage. Take a moment for yourself!

med-Bed Technology

The energy enhancemenT SySTemTm (EESystemTM) generates multiple bio-active life enhancing energy fields, including “scalar waves” which can allow cell regeneration, improve immune function, provide relief from pain, detoxify the body, elevate moods, and assist in balancing right and left hemispheres of the brain to increase energy levels.

• Spinal cord injury • Neurological disorders • End stage renal disease • Cardiology • ACVD • Lipid disease • Diabetes • PTSD

• CPOD • BiPolar • Anxiety • Parkinson disease • Fibromyalgia

• Knees with bone-on-bone arthritis • All forms of arthritis

• Pain • Wound healing • Autism • ADD • ADHD • All forms muscular and skeleton • Traumatic brain injury

• Peripheral artery disease • Stroke • Dementia • Lymphedema

• Neuropathy in hands and feet • Learning disabilities

Now offering red light therapy!

TO LEARN MORE VISIT:

EESystem/Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center of Cape Coral | Cape Coral FL

https://g.co/kgs/vDFB6cL

Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center of Cape Coral

1126 Country Club Blvd., Cape Coral FL 33990

Phone: 239-200-7810

Scalarhealing21@yahoo.com Open 24 hours.

aPPrecIaTIOn Day at Quantum Scalar Wave Wellness Center in Cape Coral. All clients that have been certified with our center get 1/2 off each session.

DATE: Sat Aug 2nd and 3rd COST: $60 for a two hour session

reJuVenaTe wITh TIna BarTOccI

Experience healing and balance with Tina Bartocci, a certified massage therapist and Reiki Master Teacher. She offers transformative sessions combining Reiki, massage, and sound therapy with Biomat (PEMF, Infrared) and BEMER therapy. 30/60 and 90 minute treatments available.

Wednesdays 10am to 6pm

gOng SOunD BaTh TheraPy

Sound practitioner Tina Bartocci offers this rejuvenating experience which combines the ancient vibrations of gongs with cutting-edge Scalar Wave technology. Includes two hours in the Scalar Technology with one-hour Sound Bath Therapy.

Sat Aug 16 | Sun Aug 17 1-3pm and 4-6pm | $99 pp

SIngIng crySTal BOwlS

with Theresa Beuerly. This rejuvenating experience combines the sounds of the singing bowls while bathing in cutting-edge Scalar Wave technology. $99 per person.

Aug 30 and 31st | 1-3pm and 4-6pm 2 hour session | $99 pp

Tina Bartocci

Tina Bartocci

Theresa Beuerly