Natural Awakenings Fort Myers/ Naples December 2020

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Reinvent the

Holidays More Meaning Less Stuff

Mind-Body Workouts THE HEALING POWER OF

SINGING

GIVE THE GIFT OF

FESTIVE EDIBLES WRITING A NEW

WORLD STORY

THAT HEALS US AND THE PLANET

December 2020 | Collier/Lee Edition

CoVID-19

IS A CoNCERN

Strengthen your immune system to keep you healthy!

Look and feel younger with a visit to Tree of Light

ExpEriEncE a full-body photon clEansE Improve circulation, increase nutrient transfer to the cells, detoxify cells of waste and free radicals, and reduce inflammation - the leading cause of most mortal disease.

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health problems, lower mortality risk and better immunity to colds and flu.

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treat injuries, arthritis and neuropathy. Sooth back and neck pain. Light therapy thickens the skin which in turn reduces wrinkles.

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CALL for more information: (239) 692-9367

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December 2020

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December 2020

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prOFIcIeNt IN traDItIONal cHINese MeDIcINe & WesterN MeDIcINe

liu’s aCupuNCtuRe CeNteR

• • • • •

pain Management paralysis restoration Infertility Mental Health Immunity adjustment

• • • • •

auto accident Diabetes & complications Hormone Dysfunction chronic complex Disorders Overweight & addictions

Dr. Zhongwei liu, a.p.

O.M.D. & M.D. in China Authentic Traditional Medicine Prestigious Education in China

OpeN eVeRY DaY 8aM - 11aM

50+ Years Clinic Experience High Quality Chinese Herbs

Naples CliNiC 803 Myrtle terrace • Naples, Fl 34103

239-298-9076 • www.liusacupuncture.com

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

COLLIER / LEE EDITION Publisher Sharon Bruckman Editors Linda Sechrist Martin Miron Randy Kambic Sara Peterson Design & Production C. Michele Rose Lisa Avery Contributing Writers Linda Sechrist Sandra Yeyati Sales & Marketing Christine Miller Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Accounting Amie Delozier Website Kristy Mayer

CONTACT US 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $28 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/Founder COO/Franchise Sales Art Director Layout & Design Financial Manager Asst. Director of Ops Digital Content Director National Advertising Administrative Assistant

Sharon Bruckman Joe Dunne Josh Pope Gabrielle W-Perillo Yolanda Shebert Heather Gibbs Rachael Oppy Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Anne-Marie Ryan

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakenings.com

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FOR THE HOLIDAYS BACHELOR’S Marine Resources Management Alternative & Renewable Energy Alternative Medicine Environmental Policy Land & Energy Hospitality Management Business Administration International Business Construction Management Surveying Management Crisis & Disaster Management Aviation/Aerospace*

MASTER’S Construction Management Public Health Administration* Aviation Science* Entrepreneurship Business Administration*

JAN. 11TH 2021

* Concentrations are available

EVERGLADESUNIVERSITY.EDU

ONLINE • BOCA RATON • MIAMI • ORLANDO • TAMPA • SARASOTA Everglades University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

7 December 2020

letter from publisher

A New Holiday Story

LOVE THIS FIND TRUE

Find your natural match this holiday season!

Join the largest holistic, conscious, spiritual and green networking site online.

Growing up, I was blessed with a great Santa. Somehow, my mother was able to create holiday magic under the tree for eight starry-eyed children every Christmas morning (Dad played his part, too). I know I’m not the only grownup still looking for that childlike holiday sparkle. In normal times there are plenty of ways to feel and sprinkle yuletide joy, but this pandemic season brings new challenges. Our editorial team kept all this in mind in preparing this month’s special holiday issue, filled with plenty of ideas to help you spread some love and ho-ho-ho.

In “Reinvent the Holidays: More Meaning, Less Stuff,” Ronica O’Hara points out that although holiday celebrations will likely be smaller, quieter and less opulent for many families, this unusual year offers parents an opportunity to step back from overspending on trendy stuff for their children and instead focus on gifts with deeper values. You’ll find lots of creative, low-cost and sustainable inspirations on page 46.

Nothing beats a handmade gift, especially if it’s something delightful to eat. Even better is a healthy homemade treat, such as a lentil and brown rice soup mix layered in a Mason jar, vegan energy bites made of oats and nut butters or a homemade Moroccan spice mix. Find recipes and more ideas in “The Gift of Yum” on page 22. Tasty, homecooked treats can pep up the holiday for our pets, too. See page 48.

One thing we are learning in this pandemic is how important it is to support our local businesses. Not only is it nice when local store owners greet us by name, spending money locally generates two to four times more jobs, income and tax collections than money spent online or at big-box chains. Towns with thriving local economies are more resilient and self-reliant, research shows. See “Pay Where We Play” on page 26 and support our advertisers by shopping locally for holiday gifts on page 32.

Editor Linda Sechrist’s feature, “Creating Community: A New Story for the World:, sums up what’s most important during these critical times as we leave 2020 behind and move into 2021. Humanity needs a new story; the old story of how the world works isn’t working for us anymore. This is our wake up call; let your imagination be inspired and uplifted on page 28.

Although the world may seem dark now, we are undergoing a global, spiritual transformation in which we are collectively awakening to our true nature, says spiritual teacher and author Matt Kahn on page 42. Each of us has something unique to contribute through the gift of diversity, and together we can create tangible change for the world that we envision.

May you discover what’s most important to you this holiday season and find new ways to express it.

Wishing you a magic-filled holiday and joyous new year from our Natural Awakenings team,

S I H T E V O L E U R T D N Try for FREE!

NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher 8

Collier/Lee Counties

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 55-plus healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 22 THE GIFT OF YUM

Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

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26 PAY WHERE WE PLAY Boosting the Hometown Economy

28 A NEW STORY FOR THE WORLD

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

32 HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR

UPLIFTING THE SPIRIT

36 PLANNING FOR HEALTHY AND WEIGHTLESS HOLIDAYS

38

38 SING TO HEAL

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

40 MIND-BODY FITNESS How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

42 MATT KAHN

on Transforming the Planet With Love

44 FRESH RITUALS FOR A NEW YEAR ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, contact Christine Miller at 239-272-8155 or email ChristineM@ NaturalAwakenings.com for Collier County or Lisa Doyle at 239-851-4729 or email LisaD@NaturalAwakenings.com for Lee County. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

Email articles, news items and ideas to: NAEditor@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. Or visit: swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com/ Resources.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Submit print and online events at swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com/ pages/calendar-listings. Email NAMCalendar@Natural Awakenings.com with any questions.

REGIONAL MARKETS

Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392.

For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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46 REINVENT THE HOLIDAYS More Meaning, Less Stuff

48 HOLIDAY TREATS

FOR PETS

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

DEPARTMENTS 10 news briefs 16 health briefs 17 eco tip 18 global briefs 19 environmentally speaking 20 community spotlight 21 therapy brief 22 concious eating

26 green living 34 business 38 40 42 44 46 50 53 55

spotlight healing ways fit body wise words inspiration healthy kids calendar resource guide classifieds December 2020

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news briefs

KnoWEwell Platform Offers Free One-Year Memberships in December

K

noWEwell, a collaborative partner with the Natural Awakenings family of publishers, is offering individuals and providers the opportunity to receive a complimentary one-year membership to its global community and marketplace. The KnoWEwell platform is a comprehensive online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources and community.

Through its use, subscribers can find access to vetted, evidencebased resources for health, wellness and sustainability. Individuals, providers and experts can communicate and work together in an interactive, vibrant online community.

“We are an ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to achieve WELLthier Living. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, provide access to evidence-based resources, create meaningful connections and help today’s providers, mission-aligned nonprofits and businesses opportunities prosper. We are transforming the health care we know,” says Kimberly Whittle, founder and CEO.

“Natural Awakenings is honored to give our dedicated readers the opportunity to be among the first members welcomed into the KnoWEwell community. With gratitude for our 26 years of readership and support, through our mission-aligned collaborative partnership with KnoWEwell, for a limited time we are pleased to gift both individuals and providers with free annual memberships,” says Sharon Bruckman, founder and CEO. For more information, visit KnoWEwell.com and see the ad, page 52, which includes the free membership codes during this limited time offer.

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RB Institute Welcomes Theraphi of Florida

T

heraphi of Florida, providing a holistic, noninvasive process that enables restoration of the body’s cellular matrix to optimal health, opened last month in the executive wellness suites of the RB Institute, in Fort Myers, owned by Robyn Berry. The new technology structures energy to provide broad-spectrum charging, rejuvenation and balancing for the body’s cells.

Thirty-minute or longer sessions of highly charged plasma waveforms of energy passing through the body can result in renewal of cells throughout and lead to increased energy, a stronger immune system, faster metabolism, deeper relaxation, improved digestion, greater focus, enhanced detoxification and relief of pain, trauma, stress and anxiety.

“Experiencing the therapeutic benefits of Theraphi offers a unique glimpse into the future of healing and wellness technologies,” says co-owner LaChelle Gilstrap, adding that two plasma tubes with opposing spin polarities, “emulate the super-coherence of a healthy living energy biofield” and that the convergence of the waves creates “an increase of order and vitality, stimulating the natural healing process.”

Location: 13550 Reflections Pkwy. For appointments and more information, call 239-233-6529, email LaChelle@ TheraphiFlorida.com or visit TheraphiFlorida.com. See ad, page 31.

DNA Wellness Testing at MyNaturoWellness

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yNaturoWellness is now offering DNA Wellness testing and appointments to review findings remotely and in their Bonita Springs office. A unique procedure Dr. Michelle Trias that examines DNA and how specific factors affect health and wellness allows the practice to provide a more targeted, individualized approach to each client’s wellness plan.

“Your genes set the foundations for how wellness works in your body,” says Dr. Michelle Trias, naturopathic consultant with the practice. “As a result, anything that affects your body and your wellness for good or ill can only operate under the overarching guidelines set by your personal set of genes. We understand that you are looking for ways to reverse the conditions you are living with instead of just managing, and DNA testing allows for a unique path that leads to wellness based on your genetics.”

Cost for test and follow-up meeting: $275.

Location: 24850 Burnt Pine Dr., Ste. 2.

For appointments and more information, call 239-579-3846, email DrMichelle@ MyNaturoWellness.com or visit MyNaturoWellness.com. See ad, page 19.

New e-Book Focuses on Sleep as a Superpower

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scape Hatch 2 Wellness owner Yvette Sechrist McGlasson’s newly released e-book Make This Your Superpower and Begin Transforming Your Life One Night at a Time examines the long-term health impact of chronic lack of sleep. “With more than 2,500 sleep centers in the U.S. and an overwhelming amount of information available, it’s challenging to find helpful solutions that don’t come in a pill. People want results now.

With my e-book, help is one click away,” says the Naples-based functional medicine certified health coach. She notes that restorative sleep, functional medicine’s first pillar of health, is Yvette Sechrist McGlasson necessary for making responsible decisions.

“I’m proud of my first review by someone who called improving sleep the ultimate life and productivity hack,” she says. “Acknowledging the compelling statistics, practical solutions and persuasive argument for why tending to sleep habits should be of highest priority, he noted that he was eager to integrate some ideas into his nightly routine.”

For more information or order the e-book, call 615-739-7264, email Yvette@EscapeHatch2Wellness.com or visit EscapeHatch2Wellness.com. See ad, page 15.

Special Offer for Biofeedback Sessions

B

oard-certified biofeedback technician Nikki Renee, owner of Wholelistic Sol, in Naples, is providing new clients with a free consultation and the opportunity for to experience what she terms whole-body transformations. Those that book two biofeedback sessions this month receive half off on their third session.

The method can help individuals to better manage their pain, stress and anxiety as part of setting their own path on a wellness journey for emotional and physical transformation. Remote sesNikki Renee sions are also available.

“I specialize in helping every client understand how to take charge of their health and wellness,” says Renee. “We are living in such stressful and head-to-deal-with times. By assisting in reducing your stress, I have a unique skillset to teach you to understand how to embrace life’s challenges and create your own clear picture of a happy, healthy lifestyle.”

Location: 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Ste. 114. For appointments and more information, call 305-699-4834, email NikkiReneepez@gmail.com or visit WholelisticSolWithNikkiRenee.com. See listing, page 53.

Hebe Aesthetics Beauty and Wellness Center estella lopez-mClean aprn, Fnp-C

cAll to scHedUle A Free consUltAtion 239-641-0601 info@hebeaesthetics.com www.hebeaesthetics.com 2355 vAnderbilt beAcH rd. #146 • Naples, Fl 34109

collAgen bUilding skin treAtMents meDiCal GraDe miCroneeDlinG • miCroneeDlinG W/prpFm pDo tHreaDs • meDiCal GraDe CHemiCal peels

Also Providing injectAbles Botox / xeomin / Dysport • Dermal Fillers • prpFm Hair loss treatment (platlet riCH plasma WitH FiBin matrix) • sClerotHerapy (Vein treatment) • B12 anD GlutatHione • metaBolism enHanCers For WeiGHt loss • tri-immune Boost injeCtions • Bio-iDentiCal Hormone replaCement

bUY 2 Microneedling or cHeMicAl Peels And get 1

Free

mention tHis aD at time oF purCHase

December 2020

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news briefs

Caroline Thonon

Beautiful Health Hosts Two Online Sessions

C

aroline Thonon, owner of Naplesbased Beautiful Health, will lead two free, half-hour, online health sessions to address the new norm of learning from home while interacting with friends, family and colleagues. How stress is killing our digestive system, especially during the holidays, will be the topic on December 10, and three proven ways to get rid of belly fat will be presented on January 21, both starting at 4 p.m. followed by Q&A.

Beautiful Health, a Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida-recognized business dedicated to healthy and happier living by offering all-natural and toxic-free products and services, recently celebrated their first anniversary. As the pandemic has forced them to reduce in-store seminars, health talks and workshops, Thonon is working to educate people about food health and habits via more virtual events.

Location: 4947 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 105, in Liberty Plaza. For more information or to preregister (requested), call 239-241-5111, email BeautifulHealth111@gmail.com or visit BeautifulHealth.biz. See ad, page 35.

Acupuncture Center of Naples CUSTOM PRESCRIPTION HERBAL MEDICINE for all your health concerns Dr. Cen has more than 25 years experience in Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Arthritis • Chronic Pain • Injuries • Insomnia • Stress Menopause • Stroke Recovery • Shingles • Anxiety Migraines • Fibromyalgia • Well-being • Bell’s Palsy & More 5683 Naples Boulevard • Naples, FL 34109 Dr.Xiu Qiong Cen A.P., D.O.M Licensed Acupuncture Physician

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239-513-9232

www.AcupunctureCenterOfNaples.com swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

JANUARY

Coming Next Month

Health & Wellness on a Budget Plus: Holistic Hospital Care

Break Through the Blocks that Limit Life’s Journey

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eiki master Rita Davis has created seven “Block Buster” workshops designed to inform and engage participants in the powerful wheels of energy known as chakras that Rita Davis impact our daily life experiences. The first session will explore the root chakra, how it functions and how to balance it from 10 to 11:30 a.m., December 5, at the Brooks Executive Offices, in Bonita Springs.

“It’s a wellness workshop that may help improve life’s experiences,” says Davis. “Having a balanced root chakra can help people feel more centered during this holiday season.” Participants will receive two root chakra gifts. A mask is required to participate. A guided meditation is included in the workshop.

Admission is $50, payable at the door. Location: 9990 Coconut Rd. For more information, call 941-275-2859, email Info@SoulSessions WithRita.com or visit SoulSessionsWithRita.com. To preregister (required), visit bit.ly/smile111. See ad, page 49.

Veteran Fitness Coach Provides Special Offer

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udrey Lacapruccia, a professional personal trainer and fitness coach for more than 20 years, can provide private half-hour or one-hour workout sessions to enhance performance, fitness, nutrition and weight loss for all ages at her home gym in Naples or at the client’s residence or member gym.

To help introduce her services, she is offering a free, one-time 30-minute Audrey Lacapruccia consultation ($55 value).

Lacapruccia received personal training certification after studying for two years under the guidance of Dr. Frederick Hatfield, the first person to squat lift 1,014 pounds, and presented weekend seminars with him across the country for more than a decade. Having trained bodybuilders, powerlifters, golfers, boxers, football players and other athletes, she has also won numerous bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions.

“I set out to help you achieve your fitness goals, although I find that I can far exceed what you think you can do,” says Lacapruccia. “I love the personal training lifestyle and the remarkable results it brings. If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, weight training can’t be beat!”

For appointments andbmore information, call her at 860-990-1382 or email ALacapruccia@gmail.com. See ad, page 49.

News to share?

Send your submissions to: NAeditor@NaturalAwakenings.com December 2020

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20$ 20

news briefs

New Esthetician, Special Offer at Organic Skincare & Bodyworx

yeARs oF heALiNG E TheRApies oFF youR mAssAGe

20!

0 2 h g u Thro

• FRee use oF iNFRAReD sAuNA WiTh TReATmeNT •

Anthony Hansen, lmt Myofascial release

Post-op joint replacement, sports injuries, difficulties with range of motion and flexibility, auto accident neck and back problems.

craNial sacral THeraPy

Coupon must be presented at time of purchase to obtain discount. Location: 13240 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 207. For appointments or more information, call 239-514-4494.

See ad, page 3.

Headaches, migraines, pelvic problems, spinal issues, anxiety and depression.

lyMPHedeMa THeraPy

Virtual Retreat Offered in January

Patients with cancer, lympedema problems, toxicity, edema decompression therapy, and post-cosmetic surgeries.

reiKi MasTer | Qi GoNG PracTiTioNer

mA32787

hands... e th e v o m t s u “The spirit m or there is no therapy.”

Therapy on the Gulf

824 Anchor Rode Dr | Naples FL 34103

239-262-8722

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sthetician Julie Foster joined Organic Skincare & Bodyworx, in Naples, in November. She has worked in beauty and fashion industries for 30plus years and appeared Julie Foster on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan magazines in the U.S. and in Europe. Customers receive 20 percent off on all services, including microdermabrasion, makeup, massages, spray tanning, waxing and LED light therapy, as well as organic products, throughout this month.

“Skin care and product knowledge has always been my passion,” says Foster, who decided to turn her love of skin care into a career several years ago. “Over the years, through my experiences with countless skin and beauty products, treatments, trends and procedures, I’ve personally witnessed the beneficial results of daily skin care maintenance with pure, natural and organic products.”

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eiki masters Pattie Carney and Leena Mazid will lead a virtual retreat, Live Your Life Fully: Release Old Patterns and Live from Your Authentic Self, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., January 23, and 1 to 4:30 p.m., January 24, 2021. The event will include visioning, journaling, an intuitive reading and Holy Fire Reiki experiences release work.

Participants will embark on a deep journey to find clarity with what they want, release obstacles in their way and make conscious choices to manifest their dream self and to live life as fully as possible.

Cost is $225, which includes a week after the retreat of sleep reiki to be provided at bedtime. $50 off for those that register before Jan. 5. For more information or to register, email Carney at Pattie@PCarney.net or Mazid at Rediscover Reiki@gmail.com.

ADVERTORIAL

Health is the Greatest Gift of All! PolarAid users are enthusiastic to share their PolarAid experiences on how this simple, revolutionary wellness tool has changed their lives. From two of our longtime PolarAid users:

“When I tested your PolarAid disc, it tested incredibly well. It transforms the ability of the organism to withstand the radiation. I was shocked, to say the least. I started using the device myself and noticed significant changes. I tested the PolarAid disc on numerous other people and found that it worked on everybody. Needless to say, I started recommending people purchase one or two or the family pack and get the whole family involved.” R.A., DC, ND, Kelowna, B.C. “This is a real gift and wellness tool, especially in this troubled pandemic age. What a masterful tool to balance your energies .... I am grateful! Thank you.” S.S., Tempe, AZ

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Holidays special: Get the PolarAid family pack available at a 20% discount! Our 5+1 offer is now 4+2 for a limited time! $336 $272 For more information, including viewing an informative video on using the product, and to order, visit PolarAidHealth.com or call 450-486-7888.

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December 2020

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Retain Muscle Mass with Vitamin C

health briefs

Eat Cruciferous Veggies for Cleaner Blood Vessels

“Bulking up” evokes images of bodybuilders and possible steroid use, but new research shows that older people that simply eat lots of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables have greater skeletal muscle mass than those that don’t eat these foods.

Researchers from the UK’s University of East Anglia collected data from more than 13,000 people between 42 and 82 years old and reported in The Journal of Nutrition that the highest amounts of vitamin C correlated with the greatest estimated skeletal muscle mass—an important finding, as people older than 50 typically lose half a percent of muscle fat each year, leading to frailty and a lower quality of life. Sixty percent of men in the study and 50 percent of women were not getting enough vitamin C from food or supplements.

“We’re not talking about people needing megadoses.

Eating a citrus fruit such as an orange each day and having a vegetable side to a meal will be sufficient for most people,” says study co-author Richard Hayhoe.

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Pile on the broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. In a study of 684 older Australian women published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found those that ate more than 45 grams of cruciferous vegetables a day—about onequarter cup of steamed broccoli or one-half cup of raw cabbage—were 46 percent less likely to have calcium buildup in the aorta, the main vessel carrying blood from the heart into the body. Fatty calcium deposits in the aorta are a key marker of vascular disease linked to heart attacks and strokes. “One particular constituent found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables is vitamin K, which may be involved in inhibiting the calcification process that occurs in our blood vessels,” says lead author Lauren Blekkenhorst, of Edith Cowan University, in Perth.

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Nap Less for Heart Health

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For normal nighttime sleepers, taking a midday snooze for more than one hour may hurt cardiovascular health, reports a surprising new study from Guangzhou Medical University, in China. After analyzing 20 studies of 313,651 people, researchers found those people that napped longer than 60 minutes after sleeping more than six hours at night had a 30 percent greater risk of death from any cause and a 34 percent higher risk of heart disease. However, for people sleeping less than six hours at night, naps of 30 to 45 minutes “might improve heart health,” says study author Zhe Pan. Napping, long thought to be healthy, is under increasing scrutiny, with some research linking it to high blood pressure, diabetes and poor overall physical health. A 2019 Swiss study, published in Heart, of 3,500 people concluded that napping once or twice a week reduces heart disease risk by 48 percent, but benefits decline with more frequent naps, perhaps because ongoing sleepiness can point to underlying health disorders.

Practice Yoga to Improve Atrial Fibrillation

eco tip

’TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE THE PLANET

priscilla du preez/Unsplash.com

elly fairytale/Pexels.com

Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas

Yoga postures and breathing may significantly reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study— good news for the one in 11 Americans that suffer from its anxietyproducing palpitations, racing pulses, dizziness and shortness of breath. In the study, which was presented to the European Society of Cardiology, 538 patients underwent 12 weeks without yoga and then 16 weeks of attending 30-minute yoga classes every other day. During the yoga period, their fibrillation episodes were halved, dropping on average to eight as compared to 15 in the non-yoga period.

Average blood pressure was 11/6 millimeters of mercury lower after yoga training. The patients also reported improved moods and energy.

“Our study suggests that yoga has wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits for patients with atrial fibrillation, and could be added on top of usual therapies,” says study author Naresh Sen, M.D., of Sunil Memorial Superspecialty Hospital, in Jaipur, India.

When the holiday classic Jingle Bells starts playing in department stores, Americans deck the landfills with extra trash. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), garbage increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day— or about 1 million extra tons each week—including 38,000 miles of ribbon, $11 billion worth of packing material and 15 million discarded Christmas trees.

As this waste decomposes, dangerous greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are emitted, adding to the climate crisis. This season, include Earth on the gift list by reducing holidayrelated waste.

To stop the uptick of mailed catalogs, call stores and request to be removed from mailing lists.

Reusable shopping bags are not just for groceries. Bring them to malls and boutiques to cut down on single-use store bags.

Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are beautiful, but create waste. Consider eco-friendly alternatives like towels, tablecloths, scarves and even socks.

According to NEEF, an estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold in the U.S. every year. That’s enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. Be kind to the planet by switching to e-cards or making personal phone calls.

At the holiday table, use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of paper. They’re festive, elegant and best of all, washable and reusable.

Forgo plastic cutlery, paper plates and single-use plastic cups, too. An extra dishwasher load is better than bags full of trash, plastic being the

worst non-biodegradable culprit.

Social-distancing Americans are expected to flock to the internet for gifts. Consider saving the shipping boxes and packing materials for later use or donating them to a mailing center that would be happy to reuse them.

The most environmentally friendly gifts eliminate wrapping and shipping altogether. Here are some favorite low-waste ideas: n Charitable donations n Cooking, music, craft or other lessons n Passes to museums or amusement parks n Gift cards for restaurants or bookstores n Music downloads or spa treatments Most towns recycle Christmas trees and process them into mulch for use in parks. Contact a local waste management agency for details.

December 2020

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global briefs

Conscientious Director Amazon Climate Label Facilitates Greener Choices

daniel eledut/Unsplash.com

Amazon is labeling approximately 25,000 products with a Climate Pledge Friendly (CPF) designation to meet a commitment to become carbon neutral by 2040. The selection includes grocery, household, fashion, beauty and personal electronics products, as well as from brands such as Seventh Generation and Burt’s Bees Baby. CPF products are clearly labeled in shopping results, have additional sustainability information on their product page and are featured in a dedicated section of the online store.

The Seattle company, which currently delivers 10 billion items a year, has an enormous carbon footprint due to its commitment to speedy deliveries, transportation-related emissions and data centers. A paper in Environmental Science & Technology, published by the American Chemical Society, found that going to a physical store actually has a lower carbon footprint than shopping on Amazon because customers tend to buy fewer items at a time online. When they go to a store, they’re more likely to stock up and reduce the need for more trips.

Skin Relief

California governor Gavin Newsom has signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act into law, which bans 24 ingredients from cosmetics and personal care products sold within the state. The list includes mercury, formaldehyde, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, endocrine-disrupting phthalates and long-chain parabens used as preservatives, among other chemicals. Many have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive and neurological damage, birth defects, organ system toxicity and developmental delays.

National standards lag behind the rest of the world and have not been updated since being created in 1938.

Despite the industry’s immense size, only two pages of the 829-page Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern cosmetics. The new California law will make products safer for everyone, but Black women stand to benefit more because they represent the biggest U.S. market for cosmetics. Environmental watchdog Treehugger notes that Black women account for an estimated 22 percent of the country’s $42-billion per year personal care products market, despite comprising less than 7 percent of the national population.

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Fast Foodie

MilkRun Gives Farmers Direct Sales

MilkRun a Portland, Oregon, MilkRun, company founded by farmer and entrepreneur Julia Niiro, is supporting local farmers on small farms by enabling them to sell produce safely and directly to consumers. The online platform allows farmers to set their own prices, eliminating wholesalers, shippers and truckers. After consumers place orders, farmers deliver the produce to an aggregation hub where MilkRun boxes and ships it.

Niiro explains that while wholesale orders from restaurants have decreased dramatically due to COVID-19, direct purchasing from consumers is offsetting the losses.

By re-scaling, creating new safety practices and adapting to direct consumer demand, farmers are able to turn a profit during the pandemic. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, farmers receive roughly 8 percent of the purchase price from grocery stores, while MilkRun estimates a return of up to 70 percent of the purchase price through its platform.

laura chouette/Unsplash.com

California Passes Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act

environmentally speaking Environmentally Speaking is intended to alert, inform and educate residents of Collier and Lee counties regarding educational events and threats that challenge our unique and delicate Southwest Florida ecosystem.

Right to Clean Water Charter Amendment Victory On November 3, 89 percent of Orange County voters turned their Right to Clean Water Charter Amendment into law. Also known as the Wekiva River and Econlockhatchee River Bill of Rights, Orange County is now the largest jurisdiction in the nation to pass this kind of legislation. The historic, bipartisan mandate from the citizens of Orange County ushers in the systemic change Florida needs.

Granting legally recognized rights to nature as a means of securing people’s right to clean water and a healthy planet is the new vanguard of environmental efforts. According to Thomas Linzey, a national Rights of Nature (RON) figure featured during a recent SWFL RESET Center webinar, it also makes Florida the epicenter of the RON movement in the U.S. Similar efforts on behalf of citizens of Southwest Florida and the Caloosahatchee River Watershed will begin soon. Learn more about RON at youtu.be/XQnr6sxvUj0.

Representatives from LeeRON are available to speak to members of organizations about RON laws in SWFL. Email Karl Deigert at KarlDeigert@gmail.com to arrange a presentation.

The SWFL RESET Center officially received its nonprofit status and opened an office on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, located at 13411 Shire Lane.

The center convenes diverse organizations and individuals within our bioregion to address the root causes of harmful environmen-

tal policies and practices, creating restorative, ecological, social, economic and transformative systemic solutions. Learn more at swflreset.org.

Growing Climate Solutions

The city of Naples and Estero recently joined Marco Island, Everglades City, Charlotte County, Sanibel and Punta Gorda in endorsing the Southwest Florida Regional Resiliency Compact (SWFRC). This initiative is an agreement between its members, SWFL counties and municipal governments to collaboratively identify, prepare for, adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts. Members of SWFRRC are committed to identifying common climate change vulnerability assessment methodologies, strategies for adaptation and mitigation actions that will enhance the resiliency of their communities, learning from each other’s prior efforts and planning documents, leveraging resources; and pursuing public-private partnerships. The compact addresses sea level rise, water quality, harmful algal blooms, erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, heat events, droughts, flooding and intensifying hurricanes. Learn more at GrowingClimateSolutions.org.

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community spotlight

No Wait for Why Weight Be Fit

by Linda Sechrist

B

etween 2009 and 2019, Gary Kalman made several trips to Naples from his home state of New Jersey. The allure of sunshine, natural beauty and the opportunity to exercise outdoors all yearround easily convinced the certified personal trainer and owner of Why Weight Be Fit that he needed to become a permanent Gary Kalman resident. The challenge was deciding exactly what part of town to put down roots.

“After my last trip to Naples, I went home to North New Jersey, where I’d lived all my life, and put my condo up for sale. I lived in a fully populated, high-rise condominium building that was 10 minutes from the Lincoln Tunnel. The area was overcrowded, and escaping traffic congestion at any time of the day was impossible. Winter weather was too frequently stretching into spring and I’d grown weary of two months of nice weather followed by cold and rain. I knew it was time to leave. I’d made business contacts and friendships during my vacations here, and

that made my decision to move and start another personal training business a no-brainer,” says Kalman, who is no stranger to change. In 2005, he left the financial services industry for a career in fitness.

From finance to fitness was a smooth move for Kalman.

“When I was young, I was very athletic and played a lot of sports, which I enjoyed. I loved spending time at the gym, which was my escape. Working in the financial services industry is very stressful, and I worked out my stress at the gym. Additionally, the industry generally leads people in the wrong direction with happy hours, as well as lunches and dinners in restaurants. None of it contributes to a healthy lifestyle. I shifted my business to my partner and headed for training, certification and a business as a small gym owner. I got to be so successful that I didn’t need to do any marketing. After all, every broker in my office definitely needed my fitness training,” he recalls.

Rather than waiting to move south to enjoy retirement, Kalman advises, “I don’t want to retire as long as I can do what I love.

With no reasons for waiting, I was left with why not now, while I have good health, vitality and the enthusiasm to start over again?

Reflecting on my move a little more than a year ago, I am glad I took the leap. Even though the pandemic shifted things for me, I’ve adapted and am enjoying my work and the clients I work with.”

“Exercise helps you maintain optimism. There are so many physiological and mental benefits from exercise, particularly the release of endorphins that trigger a positive feeling in the body.

During sheltering in, many people became depressed from the lack of inactivity and not being around people. My clients discovered that it was fun being with me two or three times a week.

Working together to keep them fit also kept them optimistic,” says Kalman, who works with clients in Naples and Marco Island.

For more information on Why Weight Be Fit, call 201-923-5520 or visit WeightBeFit.com. See ad, page 39.

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Holistic Hospital Care

Plus: Health & Wellness on a Budget

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therapy brief

Ancient Cupping Therapy Now Trending

by Lee Walker

C

upping therapy, which dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures, began enjoying renewed interest when photographers zoomed in on the circular bruises that appeared on Michael Phelps’ upper body during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Trending now, this therapy is described in one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papryus, dating back to 1550 BC.

Mary Lambrecht, LMT, who practices at Body Wellness of Naples, says, “Clients experience immediate fascial release and rehabilitation when cupping is enhanced with therapeutic massage.” Lambrecht is certified by the International Cupping Therapy Association.

According to WebMD.com, cupping therapy uses either silicone or glass cups applied on the skin to activate lymphatic drainage and increase oxygen flow in fascia and muscular tissue. Relaxing the layer of connective tissue between the skin and the muscle, cups can be moved from place to place on the skin for a massage-like effect, or left stationary for several minutes to reduce congestion, toxins and deep tissue stiffness, as well as to improve circulation and range of motion, plus muscle and connective tissue flexibility.

Cupping can be combined with acupuncture or used alone.

The suction, or negative pressure, it provides loosens muscles, encourages blood flow and sedates the nervous system. It can be used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, respiratory conditions and congestion from the common cold.

BodyWellness of Naples, LLC, is located at 1000 9th St. N., Ste. 203, in Naples. For more information, call 239-595-2094 or email MaryVSRT2@aol.com.

December 2020

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jill heyer/Unsplash.com

conscious eating

The Gift of Yum Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

by April Thompson

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ift-givers seeking memorable presents while avoiding holiday shopping stress need look no further than the kitchen. Edible homemade gifts make special, welcome treats, help slow down the shopping frenzy of the season and increase creativity in the kitchen. While 79 percent of recipients return some holiday gifts every year, food and handmade items rank in the top 10 treasured gifts, according to Survey Monkey research.

Mackenzie Burgess, a Fort Collins, Colorado, dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, encourages holiday gift-givers to think beyond the Christmas cookie. One of her go-to holiday gifts, a lentil and brown rice dry soup mix, features colorful dry ingredients layered in a Mason jar and the recipe attached with a pretty ribbon. “This shelf-stable dry soup mix is the perfect, plant-based meal to make on a chilly night, and makes for a unique, affordable and thoughtful gift,” says Burgess, adding that the Mason jars can be repurposed.

For a sweet but healthy treat, Burgess offers freezer-friendly energy bites, which can be made in large quantities in advance and frozen or refrigerated, then popped into jars at gift time. These gluten-free, vegan treats can be made with common pantry items, including a base of oats, nut butter and a sweetener like honey or agave, as well as “fixings” such as shredded coconut, dried cranberries or goji berries, chopped nuts, or chia or flax seeds to boost the flavor and nutrition. Natural food coloring can also be added to foster a more festive look.

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To give a gift a “wow” factor, blogger Shelley Fulton, in Hudson, Ohio, recommends making a themed basket that may include a mix of homemade and purchased items. “You can take your signature spice rub or that homemade soup mix everyone raves about and expand into a gift basket with other products that support the theme, like barbecue tools for the spice rub or a kettle with cute soup bowls and a new ladle for the soup mix,” says Fulton, the creator of Two Healthy Kitchens. For the dog lovers on a holiday list, Fulton suggests making homemade sweet potato dog biscuits, which can be bundled in a dog bed with other canine comforts.

Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Creative Kitchen: Seasonal Plant Based Recipes for Meals, Drinks, Garden and Self Care, suggests handcrafted items like infused vinegars, herb salts, herbal tea blends or spice mixes for foodies on the holiday gift list.

Infused concoctions can be easily made by steeping a light vinegar like champagne or cider with rosemary, thyme or other perennial herbs, along with a spiraled citrus peel, for two weeks before gifting. “Infused vinegars look so lovely and go with so many winter dishes. They also have the advantage of being antiviral and having the shelf life of a few years,” says Hafferty.

Herb-infused olive oils make another gorgeous foodie gift, but Hafferty warns of botulism risk if the herbs are not completely dried beforehand and fully submerged in the oil. “Make this one closer to the time you plan to give it and include instructions to use within a few weeks,” recommends the Somerset, England, author.

Unusual spice mixes are another favorite gift of Hafferty’s, which can encourage home cooks to get creative. “Ras el Hanout is a versatile Moroccan spice blend that elevates dishes to another dimension. You can upcycle an old tin and decorate it with images of Moroccan tiles and add a homemade booklet with recipe ideas,” she says.

For a hostess gift that will be eaten immediately, Fulton loves making fruit kabob bouquets, made festive by using red and green fruits like strawber-

ries and kiwi cut into holiday-themed shapes like stars and bells. “This is a fun one to make with kiddos,” adds the blogger.

If concerned about preparing food items for someone due to COVID-19, Fulton suggests assembling a countertop herb garden or a handmade book of favorite recipes, with a promise to cook together soon.

The spirit that goes into holiday giftmaking matters as much as the end product. Making thoughtful presents for loved ones is a great time to reflect upon our blessings, especially those that have blessed our lives this year.

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Holiday Gift-Giving Recipes Lentil Brown Rice Soup yield: 6 serViNgs

If presenting the soup mix as a gift, layer dry ingredients in a Mason jar and print recipe to attach to the jar.

1 cup green or brown lentils ½ cup uncooked brown rice ½ cup green split peas 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp dried parsley 1 Tbsp garlic powder ½ tsp ground black pepper 2 large vegetable bouillon cubes (1 cube should be equivalent to 1 Tbsp of granulated bouillon) 8 cups water Optional: 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no salt added Optional: Sauté onion in oil in a large stock pot over high heat for 3 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes.

Add dry soup ingredients and 8 cups of water to the same large stock pot (unless starting with this step). Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, covered with a lid. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve with crusty bread and parmesan cheese, if desired.

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

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Christmas Cocoa Crunch Bark yield: 30 PieCes

RecoveR fRom tRying times!

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Toast raw quinoa over medium-high heat until slightly browned and nutty aroma.

In a small bowl, mix together cocoa powder and melted coconut oil. Stir in toasted quinoa, maple syrup and stevia.

Pour mixture onto a plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper.

Sprinkle pistachios, dried cranberries, candied oranges and salt over the melted

photo by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

r Not yoeudicine! ym ordinar

½ cup 100% cocoa powder, unsweetened ½ cup coconut oil, melted 2 Tbsp raw quinoa 2 Tbsp maple syrup ¼ tsp stevia ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup pistachios, roughly chopped 2 Tbsp candied orange, diced in small pieces ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt 2 Tbsp white chocolate, melted (optional) chocolate mixture. Drizzle white chocolate over the top and use a toothpick to create swirl effect if desired.

Freeze for 1 hour. Break into pieces and enjoy. Store leftovers in freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

(239)425-2900 • rtcausesmd.com Ras el Hanout Spice Mix

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1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp coriander seeds 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp fennel seeds 2 tsp cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick, ground 1 tsp smoked paprika or red pepper flakes 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 tsp cayenne (optional for spicier version) 5 star anise ½ tsp ground cloves Seeds from 10 cardamom pods 1 tsp dried rose petals Dry roast the cumin, coriander, peppercorns, fennel and star anise in a cast-iron

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photo by Stephanie Hafferty

This is lovely sprinkled onto roasting vegetables or added to falafel mixes, soups, stews and tagines.

skillet until lightly toasted. This takes a minute or two and smells gorgeous. Cool and mix with the other ingredients, grinding in a pestle and mortar or spice blender until the mixture resembles a fine powder.

Store in a glass-lidded container. This spicy mix is good for up to six months.

Recipe courtesy of Stephanie Hafferty.

Energy Bites yield: 12 large bites or 24 small bites

These energy bites are the perfect snack to grab and go. They’re completely customizable and take 5 minutes or less to make. It’s easy to create festive, colored bites for the holidays.

Simply add one-quarter cup of oats into a bowl with 15-30 drops of food coloring and give it a stir. Then, simply roll your finished balls in the food-colored oats.

Store in the fridge until ready to eat or pack into a jar for a gift. Store any leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.

1 cup rolled oats or quick oats ½ cup add-ins (dried fruit, chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, chopped nuts or a mixture) ½ cup nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sun butter) 1 Tbsp liquid (plant-based milk, dairy milk, water, coconut oil) 2-3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup

photo by Stephanie Hafferty

Add oats, add-ins, nut or seed butter, and liquid to a large bowl. Stir to combine. Mixture should be slightly sticky, but still crumbly.

Add in honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired sweetness. Stir until mixture starts to come together in a sticky ball. If the mixture is still too dry, add in 1-2 more tablespoons of liquid.

Place bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill, then roll mixture into balls using hands.

Rosemary-Infused Vinegar This fragrant, versatile vinegar makes a delightful holiday gift that can be enjoyed for months. Rosemary vinegar is delicious in salad dressings, sprinkled on vegetables (it is especially good on Brussels sprouts, cabbage and other brassicas) or added to sauces and homemade mayonnaise. It is also an excellent natural cleaner.

Fresh sprigs rosemary Light vinegar (organic apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar) Clean bottles Labels Wash the bottles and lids until they sparkle and then dry them thoroughly. Shake the rosemary sprigs to dislodge any dirt or insects if taken from the garden, then rinse and air dry.

photo by Stephanie Hafferty

Cut the rosemary so that it is two inches shorter than the bottle. This is so that all of the herb will be submerged in the vinegar. Place two sprigs of rosemary into each bottle.

Cover with vinegar until the bottle is almost full and replace the lid.

Label creatively; a small sprig of dried rosemary tied to the outside of the bottle is a nice touch.

The vinegar will store for a long time in the refrigerator. When using in the kitchen, the level of vinegar will fall below the sprigs. When this happens, remove the rosemary—the vinegar will still taste of the herb. Use up any vinegar past its best as a bathroom cleaner.

Recipes courtesy of Stephanie Hafferty.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible.

December 2020

25

PAY WHERE WE PLAY

Boosting the Hometown Economy

by Sandra Yeyati

A

message we hear throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, is, “Buy local.” The idea is to purchase from locally owned and operated businesses.

Facing competition from big chains like Walmart or internet companies like Amazon, they need our support. But it’s not just a nice thing to do; consumers that buy local help build robust hometown economies with a long list of impressive benefits.

“About three dozen studies have found that two to four times more money stays in the economy for every dollar spent in a locally owned business rather than a nonlocal one,” says economist Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution, Put Your Money Where Your Life Is and The Local Economy Solution.

“What’s more, the community enjoys a multiplier effect, generating two to four times more job opportunities, two to four times more income and two to four times greater tax collections. If your interest is in reducing poverty and raising social equality, locally owned businesses are your ticket to doing so.”

According to Shuman, cities that rely on just one or two large companies to drive their economies are far less self-reliant and less resilient than towns that support a diversified base of smaller, locally owned businesses. “The more you have control over your economy, the less likely you’re going to be hurt if one big company splits for Mexico,” he explains.

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Cities that have many thriving local businesses enjoy other benefits, too. “We know from political science studies that they have higher rates of voting participation and volunteering,” Shuman says. “Sociology studies show lower crime and greater degrees of social organization and civil society. Health studies reveal that local business communities replace a lot of unhealthy, imported food with healthier, fresher, less-packaged food that lowers rates of diabetes and obesity. Unique local businesses attract tourists.

And because they shorten the lines of distribution and supply, we know they bring down carbon footprint.”

Phoenix business leader Kimber Lanning, who opened a record store in 1987 and an art gallery in 1999, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local commerce. “Doing business with people we know heightens our connection to place, and when we care about place, we’re more likely to vote, volunteer and give charitably.”

In 2003, Lanning founded the nonprofit Local First Arizona (LFA) to help local businesses thrive and eventually eliminate city, state and federal subsidies that multinational companies were receiving. “Big chains move in, claiming they’re going to drive so much sales tax revenue that the city should pay them to be there,” she explains. “Cabela’s [the outfitter chain] got a $68 million subsidy from Glendale to open one retail location. These sweetheart deals extract money out of the community that could have been spent on parks, libraries and fire departments, but instead goes to shareholders living elsewhere.” Responding to political pressure by LFA and others, Arizona passed a law banning these subsidies five years ago—a major victory—leveling the playing field for smaller businesses, according to Lanning.

As the author of 13 destination guidebooks, Florida-based travel journalist Karen T. Bartlett helps people discover the often-hidden flavors and experiences unique to their own region, meeting neighbors and supporting the local economy along the way. “From kayak adventures and foodie tours to community theater productions and galleries featuring local artists, fun and meaningful ways to enjoy the distinctive offerings of home abound,” she says.

“Think local first,” Lanning says. “Spend your money with people you know in your community—from haircuts to oil changes.

Use a local pharmacy. Go to the farmers’ market and move your money to community banks and credit unions.”

“For people to get excited about the purchase of a five-dollar hammer and not pay attention to where they have their mortgage is utterly irrational. Rank [in] order your business expenditures, which starts with your home, then probably goes to your car and then health care, and think about ways of localizing those things, rather than every grocery item,” Shuman advises.

“Usually, you find cheaper, better-quality goods and services, or at the very least, comparable options,” he says, adding that even if a purchase is slightly more expensive or a bit less convenient, favoring the neighborhood vendor is always going to benefit the local economy.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Image Courtesy of Josh Pridgen

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27

A New Story for the World

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

by Linda Sechrist

T

lightscience/AdobeStock.com

he most familiar form of human activity and the most natural way to describe what happens in our lives is through telling stories. Toddlers listen to stories that have contained the same archetypal characters acting out similar plots for millennia. In literature, folktales and myths all over the world, stories serve the purpose of providing life instructions and answering humanity’s fundamental questions about the nature of existence, such as who we are, where we came from, the definition of our purpose and the nature of our reality.

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In the 1980s, author and cultural historian Thomas Berry declared that humanity needed a new story that is less destructive and dysfunctional. Berry filled lecture halls, telling attendees, “We are in trouble now because we don’t have a good story. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, isn’t functioning properly. What once sustained us, shaped our emotional attitude, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge and guided education is no longer serving humanity.” As we are discovering globally through hard experience, the old stories of rugged individualism and conquering and dominating the natural world have run their course with grim results.

In the last four decades, fragments of a new story have been slowly emerging.

Because it isn’t deemed worthy of mainstream media, the public is left in the dark about new, life-instructing stories capable of altering human civilization in positive ways. Were these story fragments woven together in an anthology, chapters on climate, economy, religion, environment, science, politics, medicine, education, conscious evolution and community would constitute a useful account of ideas and concepts capable of bringing about a brighter future for humanity and the planet. These possibilities would surely capture readers’ imaginations.

New Climate Story

In Climate: A New Story, writer and activist Charles Eisenstein suggests that we need a new story that makes possible the

New Science Story

Evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris’ stories about science shine a light on the broader perspective of life and science gained from studying multiple worldviews.

A scholar of ancient sciences, Sahtouris reminds us that the original purpose of science was to find guidance for human affairs by studying nature. During a recent conversation with Ubiquity University founder Jim Garrison in the online Humanity Rising’s Global Solutions Summit, she says, “We have acted in opposition and made ecology subservient to our economy, using ecology as a set of resources for human economics. When we make our economy fit into nature’s economy, which we call ecology, we’ll have ecosophy, the ‘wisdom of the Earth itself ’ that occurs when a man knows how to listen with love.”

Sahtouris teaches corporations about ecosophy’s new view of a conscious universe and a living Earth in which we are co-creators. This, she believes, takes humans out of fatalistic victimhood so that we can become consciously active agents of our destiny. Lifting the fog of our

preiscilla dupreez/Unsplash.com

more beautiful world our hearts know is achievable. The story, which he believes is attainable, calls for people, governments and organizations to embrace a partnership paradigm to protect, restore, regenerate and repair damages to our planet’s natural world, which we call the environment. Using indigenous wisdom, organizations such as the Pachamama Alliance and Bioneers are helping individuals worldwide to recognize that humanity is here to be in service to life. Creating the right conditions for revitalizing life is the opposite of our collective story that views the natural world only as a resource.

Eisenstein’s ideas for regenerative agriculture match those described in environmentalist Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In October, Drawdown Georgia became the first state-centered effort to crowd-solve for climate change, with solutions tailored to Georgia’s unique natural, economic and social resources.

self-image as consumers of stuff gives humans the rights and responsibilities to live out our full co-creative humanity.

A Global Commons Sharing Solutions

Through the daily sharing of stories with keynote speakers and panel discussions, Garrison increases the momentum of the Humanity Rising movement, which includes Ubiquity University students, program participants and more than 400 organizations that come together as a “global commons” to take counsel and share what they are developing for their own networks.

Humanity Rising was launched to try to leverage the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity for human renewal and increase our resilience to future challenges. This new form of real-life competency education delivered in TED Talk-style presentations, moderated dialogues, working groups, blogs, ongoing conversations, group discussions and other interactions provides participants a wide scope of possibilities and activities for working together for global solutions.

Economics Story

If British economist Kate Raworth writes a follow-up to her bestselling book Donut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, she’ll certainly add a case study of her consulting work in Amsterdam, where her donut model is now embraced as the starting point for public policy decisions. Amsterdam is the world’s first city to make a commitment to Raworth’s concepts: “Out with the global attachment to economic growth and laws of supply and demand, and in with … what it means for countries, cities and people to thrive in balance with the planet,” as reported in The Guardian. The simple central premise of Raworth’s alternative to growth economics is that the goal of economic activity should be to meet the core needs of all within the means of the planet.

Interconnectedness

Author Robert Atkinson’s contribution to the new story is his understanding of the underlying unity in all religions and all humanity, expressed throughout his book The December 2020

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Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. “Nature is an embodiment of the divine, and the whole Earth is sacred. Its vast resources are our common heritage entrusted to us,” he says. “Humanity is one family. Having passed through the stage of childhood, humanity is now struggling to leave behind its adolescent ways while taking on new patterns of thought and action in approaching its maturity. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting peace.”

Atkinson believes global harmony is inevitable when we exercise our obligation to independently investigate reality and stop blindly and uncritically following various traditions, movements and opinions. He says, “I consider this as one of the main sources of world conflict.”

Undivided Wholeness

In a world engulfed by fragmentation, the film Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm is a healing balm with the potential to overturn our ideas about the world and ourselves.

“The core work of David Bohm, considered one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century, is our essential interconnectedness and undivided wholeness from which we get a sense of our own interconnectivity,” says producer and director Paul Howard. “This realization makes it logical to start taking better care of ourselves, each other and planet Earth.”

Howard notes, “David was interested in the nature of thought and consciousness. Realizing that he wanted to develop full expression of his interests, he explored wider domains and investigated different worldviews with sages, philosophers and spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama, who called David his ‘science guru’. A lifelong concern with social and political change led him to develop the Bohm Dialogue, a form of communication aiming to break through our collective modes of habitual thought. He also spent time with indigenous people, searching for a new form of language in which to express his ideas in a more process-oriented way.”

Indigenous Wisdom

While the early church developed and grew in numbers by assimilating the wisdom of the world about it, including paganism, it neglected to assimilate the intuitive ways in that indigenous people knew the natural world, how it functioned and how intimately they were integrated with it.

Tribes around the globe have ancient extinction stories that foretold the crises we are collectively experiencing, as well as potential outcomes and possible solutions. In Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset) tells the story of the Mohawk Seventh Generation Prophecy. “The Onkwehonwe, or real people, rise up and demand their wisdom and way of life be respected and that the natural way of the Earth and way of life be fully restored. Teachings on the indigenous way of life are being sought after, and all that remains is that we work together to restore the Earth to a state of balance and good health,” she says.

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Medicine and Community

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Thousands of people are gathering in online intentional communities associated with personal growth, healing and spiritual awakening. Jennifer Phelps, M.D., owner and director of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, practices mind-body medicine and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. A trained facilitator of small groups, she has been teaching trauma and stress healing via Zoom calls during the pandemic.

Initially, Phelps was concerned about how the levels of intimacy, trust and vulnerability necessary for individuals to develop a sense of cohesiveness and bonding could be formed via computer screens. By using the center’s model of self-care, selfawareness and mutual support that has its roots in indigenous culture, she felt her concern dissipate as group members began to bond quickly. “Our guidelines call for no cross-talking and no interrupting. Confidentiality is sacred. I’m a facilitator and a participant, which most models don’t allow,” says Phelps. She speculates that the success of online bonding might be due to participants feeling safer in their homes with a little extra anonymity, noting, “Not being face-to-face seems to allow people to share more freely. These weird times are creating a commonality and a sense of community connection.”

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Conscious Choice

Leah Lamb, a sacred storyteller in Topanga, California, defines her role as a seer far beyond the present moment. In Lamb’s online classes with her storytelling community, she loves sharing quotes by other storytellers such as Rebecca Solnit, “We think we tell stories; but stories often tell us … Too often stories saddle us, and they ride us and whip us onward and tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free is to learn to hear them; to question them, to pause and hear silence, to name them and then become a storyteller of your own story.”

“In our role of storyteller, we can’t be without understanding that we tell stories about how we are in the world as much as stories tell us how to be in world. Identify and notice your stories, then understand how they are running you, so you can consciously choose your place in them,” advises Lamb, who encourages her students to discover the genius of their own calling.

These are only some chapters in the new story that calls for each of us to be aware of the stories we live by, as well as those we tell ourselves and others. It also begs us to ask what is our role in the new story.

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

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Thoughtful Threads, Naples

Holiday Gifts for Uplifting The Spirit

by Linda Sechrist

W

ith the full thrust of the 2020 holiday season looming large, Natural Awakenings is noticing a growing trend toward the selection of more simple and meaningful gifts intended to renew and uplift the spirit. Perhaps even more than in years before, with deeply felt gratitude for our friends and family, we appear to be focusing more of our thoughts inward, counting the smallest of blessings, opening our hearts to perform simple acts of kindness and choosing gifts that serve as meaningful reminders. To make shopping a local experience, we turned to several Naples and Fort Myers retailers that offer spirit-lifting gifts.

Silver Eagle Gallery, Naples

At Silver Eagle Gallery, shoppers will find an extensive gem and mineral gallery, as well as a large and impressive collection of Native American art and Native American jewelry for women and men from the American Southwest. The symbolism in the art of Native Americans represents their beliefs, honors their families and brings beauty to the world.

The timelessness and eyecatching beauty of blue-green turquoise, honed by the fine craftsmanship of Native American jewelers, will impress the shopper considering a selection from among the wide variety of exquisite pendants, bracelets, earrings, belt buckles, necklaces and rings, as well as other items such as dreamcatchers. The authentic Native American version in the Ojibwa (Chippewa) tribe was used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares. The legend is that bad dreams got caught in the dream catcher’s web.

850 Fifth Ave. S., 239-403-3033. SilverEagleGallery.com. See ad, page 31.

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Whether it’s a soft, organic, cotton outfit, robe, pillow or cozy cotton blanket, Thoughtful Threads provides a sophisticated and comfortable array of the highest-quality organic and sustainable products available. The gift of organic cotton in any form bestows luxurious comfort upon the recipient. It’s also an investment in the environment.

A durable and natural fiber that holds up better than any synthetic material, the sleekly soft and smooth feel of cotton is the result of several factors, including the type of cotton, weave style and thread count. After the recipient has had a night of delicious sleep on scrumptiously soft cotton sheets and is curled up in a warm, snuggly cotton bathrobe reading the Sunday paper or a good book with their favorite coffee mug in hand, they’ll silently thank the giver.

2144 Tamiami Tr. N., Naples. 239-213-2222. FoodAndThought. com/Thoughtful-Threads. See ad, page 10.

Path of Being, Fort Myers

Salt scrubs, tools for smudging ceremonies and statuary that represent enlightened beings such as Kwan Yin are just some of the treasures that Path of Being carries. Specifically, during the hectic holiday season when we fall short of completing tasks on a long shopping list, we can use the compassion of Yin, who in Asian countries is known for her benevolence and a heart that reaches out to those in need.

Beautiful gemstone mala beads can complement a meditation practice, helping the meditator to redirect the mind, slow respiration and encourage well-being.

Scented candles infused with crystals add ambiance and energy to any room, while colored, chakra-influenced candle lamps add beauty and focus to any altar.

15248 S. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 300. 239-437-5141. ThePathOfBeing.com.

See ad, page 15.

Mystical Moon, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers

Dedicated to offering the highest in conscious living and spiritual items that aid spiritual and personal growth, Mystical Moon specializes in healing services, classes and items such as pyramid candles, aromatic room sprays, special teas that can help individuals on their spiritual journey and similar items.

The aromatic alchemy of unique pyramid candles infused with essential oils, charms and crystals are also crafted with selenite-infused wax and made with phthalatefree ingredients and a natural hemp wick. They burn for 75-plus hours.

Room sprays made with exotic essential oils such as frankincense, patchouli and rosemary, believed to heighten intuition, are also infused with reiki energy and moonstones. Teas made only with biodynamic ingredients can add a deeply satisfying moment to any “me time” experience.

8951 Bonita Beach Rd., Ste. 255, Bonita Springs. 239-301-0655.

8890 Salrose Ln., Ste. 107, Ft. Myers. 239-939-3339.

TheMysticalMoon.com. See ad, page 44.

Goddess I AM, Naples

A conscious living and metaphysical store that offers spiritual tools to uplift and empower, Goddess I Am has collections of physical, intellectual and spiritual metaphysical tools to enrich the journey of life and uplift the individual seeking a path of enlightenment and self-discovery. From statuary to magical scents and oils, as well pendulums, ritual candles and healing jewelry, there is a wide selection of items to choose from.

The results of a worldwide search for high-quality gemstones to enhance the home, as well as sterling silver jewelry selections, are generously and beautifully displayed, appealing to even the most discriminating taste.

Infused into beauty products, displayed in homes and yoga studios and crafted into candles, jewelry and even water bottles because of their healing energy, a variety of beautiful crystals and gemstones in a kaleidoscope of colors will interest the beginner and advanced meditator or healer.

Lotus Blossom Clinic, Fort Myers

Chocolate lovers will relish David Wolfe’s Sacred Chocolate—the mystical union of raw cacao and medicinal herbs that reduces inflammation and boosts circulation, energy, mood and immunity.

Displayed in a double-door entry wine cooler dedicated to the highest-quality, raw chocolates with no preservatives, the Sacred Chocolate, free of soy, dairy, GMO, gluten and cane sugar, is packaged in beautiful, small, gold tins. Choose from several chocolate recipes such as Immune Mushroom, made with Chinese powdered herbs from 10 medicinal mushrooms; Holy Hemp, with CBDA; and Longevity, with xanthohumol, a phytochemical from hops which extends the life of telomeres.

6710 Winkler Rd. Ste. 2, Fort Myers. 239-277-1399. AcupunctureInFortMyers.com. See ad, page 27.

Salt Therapy Grotto, Naples It’s all about Himalayan pink crystal salt at the Salt Therapy Grotto. A family member or friend that receives a gift certificate for a series of therapeutic sessions of halotherapy, which constitutes inhaling antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of Himalayan salt, might easily be convinced to indulge on a regular basis. Natural, 100 percent safe and drug-free, halotherapy provides long-term relief.

The Salt Therapy Grotto provides halotherapy in addition to other wellness services that contribute to the general improvement of the physical health and well-being. Other enjoyable and beneficial services are the infrared sauna and a red light therapy bed.

Cambridge Square Plaza, 3443 Pine Ridge Rd. Ste. 102 Naples. 239598-0990. SaltTherapyGrotto.com. See ad, back cover.

600 Goodlette Rd., 239-228-6949. GoddessIAm.com. See ad, page 43.

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tion is that the reiki sessions nterested in the laying on include symbols I see in my of hands since childhood, mind’s eye and messages I get Rita Davis, reiki master for clients I work with,” says and owner of Soul Sessions the Lee county resident who with Rita, in Estero, found recently completed a 200-hour that reiki was the perfect yoga teacher training. Davis is modality that could do what Rita Davis now a member of the Yoga Allishe had always yearned to do— ance, a nonprofit organization representing help individuals suffering from the anxiety of trauma. Davis shares the meditative thousands of teachers, schools and continuing education providers worldwide. insights that she experiences from her She offers reiki sessions and onereiki practice with everyone that signs up on-one meditation online and in person. on her website for Daily Whispers from One-hour Reiki Soul Sessions are also the Universe. conducted in person and online. A series Since 2015, Davis, a native Floridof seven Block Buster workshops, based on ian, has been practicing reiki. The Japanese the seven chakras, are offered in person. technique for stress reduction and relaxation is based on the philosophy that when our “Clients continuously told me that life force energy is balwhile they had heard anced and flowing, we about chakras, they are less likely to get sick didn’t understand and and feel stressed, and wanted to learn about them. I developed more likely to feel happy the beginner’s workand be healthy. “I began shops for that purpose studying and practicing reiki at the beginning of and for people to my spiritual transformabegin understandtion. In five years, I’ve ing themselves as witnessed the powermultidimensional ful and often at times beings made up of life-changing effects of mind, body, spirit and a reiki treatment, which energy. I call them continually affirms for Block Busters because me that I chose the right they are intended to modality for me. I use it bust all the myths and on myself to improve my mystery around our health and quality of life,” body’s energy system” advises Davis. says Davis.

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Planning for Healthy and Weightless Holidays

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by Barbara Lewin

ince March, the majority of Southwest Floridians have spent more time at home than ever before. To adapt to our new conditions, a little creativity is useful in reworking or engineering our environment to make it more conducive to our best health and to help us enjoy the holidays and stay healthy with less weight gain.

In normal times between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the average American gains between five and eight pounds. Repeating this pattern several years in a row leads to excessive weight gain. This is why we need a realistic eating and behavioral plan for the holidays. Having a plan and realizing that we might make mistakes gives us a track to get back on if we derail. Some things to consider:

Resisting Temptation

Keep tempting/high risk foods such as processed chips, crackers and cookies, which we eat when we’re not really hungry, out of the house or limit them. Portion out snack foods rather than toting the whole bag.

Healthy Snacks

Keep fruit and cut vegetables available for easy access. Rather than crackers, try zucchini or cucumber slices with guacamole or hummus. Eat frozen cherries for something sweet. Create a personal trail mix recipe using dried fruit, nuts and a low-sugar cereal to put into individual bags and store in the fridge.

High-Fiber Foods

Set a goal to include some fruit, vegetables and/or whole grains with every meal. Eating high-fiber foods creates the sensation of feeling full, making it less likely to overeat. Learn to make some healthy meals or

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consider using a healthy meal service. Never shop when hungry.

Plant-Based Nutrition

What we eat can affect our mood. According to Dan Baker Ph.D., author of What Happy People Know, happiness and health are interdependent. His research indicates that the more vegetables and fruit we consume, the greater our feelings of well-being and happiness. For example, blueberries are associated with a more positive mood. Eating one cup a day can also have cognitive benefits, even for those experiencing agerelated decline. Be sure to choose organic.

Cook Foods in Bulk

Cooking healthy options such as vegetarian chili or a pot of lentil soup makes it easy to create portioned meals that can be stored in the refrigerator and easily reheated.

Hydration

Optimal hydration can actually improve mood. Studies have shown that mild dehydration can cause feelings of hunger and sleepiness. Carry a bottle of water and keep track of fluid intake. Create a variety of herbal teas, club sodas and stevia or monk fruit sweetened products. When making our own, avoid artificial sweeteners.

Stress Levels

Poor eating habits are usually stressrelated. Being aware of what triggers stress, checking in with ourselves and taking mini-breaks as needed. This helps to keep stress from piling up, making it more likely that as the day progresses and stress accumulates, there will be fewer moments of reaching for the wrong foods to self-medicate and get through stressful periods.

Poor eating habits are usually stress-

related. Be aware of stress triggers and check in with yourself on a regular basis.

Take mini-breaks as needed to prevent stress from accumulating. Go for a walk, listen to music, stretch or do some yoga poses to break the stress cycle so that there will be fewer moments of reaching for the wrong foods to self-medicate and get through stressful periods.

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When getting together with others for a meal, take a healthy dish, particularly something personally enjoyable. Others may also appreciate healthy options. At a special dinner or event, eat lightly.

Exercise during the day. Research indicates that individuals that exercise tend to make better food choices. Watch alcohol intake, which plays a role in weight gain by reducing the body’s ability to burn fat. It also leads to poor food choices.

Practice gratitude for nourishing the body with wholesome fresh food.

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Focus on the meal, eat slowly and chew well.

It takes at least 20 minutes for the stomach to send the message to the brain that we’ve had enough to eat. The hara hachi bu habit among Okinawans is eating until they are 80 percent full. Among the longest living people, they don’t eat until they are full, but until they are no longer hungry.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting limits the length of time and perhaps number of times that we eat during the day. Try fasting for 14 hours or gradually work up to this.

We can set ourselves up for success. It’s not all or nothing. Our health and wellbeing are about the accumulation of choices we make throughout a lifetime. Having an occasional splurge is usually not a problem, as long as we get back on track. It’s what we do most of the time that makes the biggest impact on our health and weight.

Barbara Lewin, RDN, is a functional nutritionist, registered dietitian, and sports nutritionist. For more information call 239300-0072 or visit Sports-Nutritionist.com.

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SING TO HEAL

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

by Marlaina Donato

A

ccording to growing research, singing along to a favorite musical or joining a local choir can be good for our health. From college students to patients with Parkinson’s disease, everyone can benefit, regardless of talent. Singing naturally fosters endorphins, amps up immunity levels and lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

A study by the UK University of East Anglia published in 2017 in The BMJ’s Medical Humanities shows that group singing—along with the positivity of social interaction— supports and improves mental health in people with depression and anxiety. Singing for the Brain, a program created by The Alzheimer’s Society, has been shown to improve memory, mood and the ability to socialize for people with dementia.

“I feel singing can be significant to mental well-being and healing from an injury or cancer, while in recovery from substance abuse, or to help cope with trauma. Additional benefits may include pain management,” says Tamera Anderson-Hanna, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Wellness, Therapy & Yoga, in Miami.

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“When we sing, we dive straight into a conscious bodily experience that brings us into immediate connection with our bodies. Singing, especially repetitive singing where we can start to regulate a breath cycle and elongate it, gets us deeply oxygenated,” says Daisy Press, a professional singer and vocal teacher in New York City.

There’s no right or wrong way to reap the benefits of music. A few years into her professional career, Press took a group lesson with a North Indian raga teacher and experienced a deep inner shift. “I was allowed to enjoy the feeling of singing that one note and my mind turned off. I felt the intonation itself in my body—in waves, shapes and colors.

Intonation itself became a real living energy that felt essentially good, restorative and healing.”

Lea Longo, a Montreal-based meditation mindfulness coach and musician, concurs. “Singing has been my way to relax, not only my mind, but my body, as well. It uses the breath, a vital tool for health. It’s my go-to place to feel better.

I just sing when I need a boost, and it works for me.”

Resonance, Mantra and Humming “The voice can be considered a healing tool for the fact that it is directly related to resonance in the body,” explains Longo. “We can think of our voice as a tuning fork to ‘tune’ ourselves and use it as a way to heal internally through the vibrations and sounds we produce.”

Using sound is a subtle energy therapy that can help heal emotional or physical distress, he says.

Mantra, the recitation of specific words or traditionally sacred chants, is not a religion, but simply a method to quell mental chatter. “Mantras are vibrational tools that can be practiced by any faith or spiritual practice.”

In her work, Anderson-Hanna makes the mantra personal. “I often teach individuals how to create their own mantra

essica delp/Unsplash.com

Breathing into Self-Expression

healing ways

and how to challenge their thinking using positive affirmations. The mantra I teach is most often a personal reflection of ‘I am’ statements they can aspire to, versus negative or defeating thoughts.”

Humming, another way to open the voice for healing, is the least intimidating for many people, but packs a powerful punch. “Out of all the many healing sounds I’ve worked with, I find that humming is the most effective because it is so inclusive—everyone can hum. Physiologically, humming reduces heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. Many different beneficial hormones and chemicals are released, including endorphins, oxytocin, melatonin and nitric oxide,” says Jonathan Goldman, co-author of

The Humming Effect and director of the Sound Healers Association, in Boulder, Colorado. “The importance of nitric oxide is coming more into light since it is a vasodilator and has anti-viral qualities.”

In addition, humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity.

Whether we sing children to sleep at night or learn to sing jazz, using our voices can be good medicine. Goldman reminds us, “There are so many different ways that sound can positively shift and change us.”

Marlaina Donato is a recording artist and author. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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From Lea Longo, Mantra Tips: “If you have never used or chanted a mantra before, I would recommend starting with the universal mantra Aum or Om. It is simple and easy to pronounce. Start with five minutes a day for 30 days and increase the time as you feel fit. As you get more comfortable with the sound of your voice, you will develop a practice and habit. The shower is a great place to start to overcome self-consciousness.”

o e in th

Be in a place of silence for at least a minute or more after you have created the hum and be aware of what you experience. Note: Because the hum has so many powerful effects, people often become lightheaded (and very relaxed) when they practice conscious humming.”

ing

Hum a tone on one note that is comfortable. Do this at least five times so that you can become aware of how the hum is resonating in your head or body, and then hum for five minutes, if possible.

FrEE

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Choose a purpose or intention. Do you want to assist with a headache? Do you want to reduce your stress? Do you want to send this sound to a specific part of your body?

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“Find a place where you will not be disturbed. Begin by taking some nice deep breaths in and out.

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fit body

Mind-Body Fitness How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

by Marlaina Donato

W

hen mindfulness approaches are applied to fitness training—which can be as simple as breathing consciously and tuning into subtle body sensations— the results can be fewer injuries, improved immunity, a lowered stress response, a brighter mood and a deeper commitment to staying fit. Being in the present moment can also spark enjoyment.

Research shows that mindfulness training can also significantly raise self-esteem, and women that cultivate meditative self-compassion experience a boost in acceptance of and satisfaction with their bodies.

“In nature, the bigger the eye of the storm, the more powerful the winds, suggesting that our workout potential and enjoyment is dependent not on how hard we push, but how calm and self-aware we can be,” says John Douillard, DC, author of Body, Mind, and Sport and the founder of LifeSpa, in Boulder, Colorado. “Slowing down and being aware of the body allows the mind to attend to muscles, which can increase blood supply, lymph drainage and replace a potentially damaging fight-or-flight response during a workout with a rejuvenating parasympathetic response.”

Tapping into Contentment

Mindful fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, in Washington Depot, Connecticut, offers clients a full-body experience with a fusion of movement forms and weight training. “We 40

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think mindfulness is some sort of yoga thing, but everything can become mindful. Jumping jacks and biceps curls can be mindful. It’s not the movement, but the awareness behind the movement. Mindfulness is about being present.”

Adding in balance training, tai chi and Pilates, and swapping a bit less time on the treadmill for a few moments of meditation or visualizing positive results can go a long way, say fitness experts.

Debbie Rosas, founder and co-creator of Nia—a body-mind conditioning program anchored in martial arts and modern dance—underscores the importance of listening to cues. “Notice any areas that feel tight, blocked, rigid and bound. This wisdom through felt sense and awareness will immediately alert you to stop, adjust and slow down.”

The Portland-based co-author of The Nia Technique points to the fun factor. “I believe that when you stop exercising and start moving, anything you do can bring you enjoyment. Do things that leave you feeling successful and motivated to do them again.”

Breath as a Compass

Practicing conscious breathing fortifies the positive impact of exercise and can prevent injuries like hernias that can arise when the breath is held during heavy lifting. “One of the most powerful tools for mindfulness during a workout is following your breath. Mindfulness is the key, but it’s hard to be mindful when you’re breathing 26,000 times a day into the upper chest, activating a fight-or-flight response,” says Douillard.

Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth during exercise bolsters mindfulness, and as Douillard has demonstrated in studies, causes brain waves to shift from stressed beta waves to a meditative alpha state. “It takes longer to fully inhale and exhale during nose breathing, which creates a baseline of calm,” she says. “Don’t rush. Be aware of the body breathing and feel each muscle contracting and relaxing with each rep and stretch.”

Chicago-based fitness expert Stephanie Mansour, host of the PBS weekly

Step it Up with Steph show, concurs.

“Sync your breath with your movement.

Mindfully transition from exercise to exercise.” Mansour also suggests working out next to a mirror to improve alignment and avoiding the distraction that can come with having a workout buddy. “Another trick to improve form is to put on headphones and zone out by listening to white noise so that you have no distraction,” she says.

Exercising with deep body-presence is something we do for ourselves. “If you’re really paying attention, you can steer yourself towards invigoration and away from irritation. The body is always providing feedback, but we’re often too ‘out of body’ to notice. Giving full attention to your body is a big gift of self-love,” says Barrett.

“Breathe. Move. Be free,” adds Mansour.

“This is your dedicated ‘me’ time and you can use it to feel good about yourself.”

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Helpful Tip Nasal breathing from John Douillard: Establish a comfortable, slow, nasal breathing rhythm in the beginning of your workout and try to maintain that throughout your practice. Give it time.

It will take about three weeks of nose breathing practice to begin to run at the same pace or lift the same weight as you did before as a fight-or-flight mouth breather.

To begin: Breathe deeply in and out through the nose with each rep on the weight machine and lengthen your nasal breathing during cardio [workouts].

As soon as your nasal breath rhythm begins to speed up or you have to open your mouth to breathe, slow down and reestablish a comfortable rhythm of nasal breathing again. Once the mindful calm has been reset, begin to increase your intensity, letting the nose breathing set the pace.

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uthor of bestsellers Whatever Arises, Love That and The Universe Always Has a Plan, as well as The Healing Mantra Card Deck, Matt Kahn is a spiritual teacher and empathic healer with a global audience, guiding seekers through in-person events and popular YouTube videos.

What are mantras and how do we use them?

They’re a declaration of our deepest wisdom, highest ideals and most authentic aspirations that we sound into existence as a way of asking the universe for help to embody our next highest level of consciousness. It’s an intention of the person I’m going to become and a request of healing energy from the universe, saying, “Please help me become more of what I declare through my words.” A mantra uses the sound of our voice as vibrational medicine to bring what’s within us out into the open for the purpose of not only transforming our personal circumstances, but improving the quality of the world.

When you say a mantra, it’s embedded in your subconscious mind, which is like a new piece of clothing in your closet. A bunch of other clothes may push it to the background, but the moment you need to wear that article of clothing, it’s going to stick out of the closet and get your attention.

What mantra is resonating for 2021?

No matter what, love always makes it right in the end. If you know that everything is made right by an infinitely wise, loving source, it relaxes you into being open to the journey and allowing yourself to be as aligned as possible to whatever life brings.

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What lessons can we learn from turbulent times?

A big lesson is that desire is not a requirement for happiness. The things that most people desire for comfort or stability have been displaced, whether we’re talking about COVID-19 or the wildfires, for example. But happiness is how content and whole we are with ourselves; the constant needing of things pulls us out of happiness.

Perhaps we can discover that just being who we were born to be is what we’ve always desired.

No matter how dark the world seems or how insurmountable the odds appear, this is part of a grand transformation of the planet. We love ourselves to remain safe throughout each step along the way, and we offer kindness, compassion and forgiveness to anyone around us, knowing that anyone acting out of character is just acting from a level of unprocessed pain.

We love ourselves as a way of uplifting the planet, and we bless others as a way of helping to further the evolution of humanity.

As we learn to be inner light workers and

healers, we learn to find complete alignment with spirit no matter how the world ebbs and flows.

What’s the difference between our personal spiritual journeys and what you call ascension?

Ascension is when a certain percentage of the world starts to awaken in consciousness. It’s not just a few awake beings scattered across the globe in a fast-driven, goal-oriented society. It’s a world waking up to its true nature on a collective level.

On an individual journey, we’re healing our wounds, seeing through limiting beliefs, forgiving those who mistreated us and daring to treat ourselves better so that we can become active participants in the community of evolving beings we are creating.

Giving brings us together. Each of us has something unique to contribute through the gift of diversity; together, we accomplish more than we ever could individually.

The individual spiritual path helps clear distractions and awaken your most infinite power, and then you bring that together in community for this potluck of generosity we each get to experience and share.

What is your advice for political protestors in today’s America?

Gandhi would say, “Be about what you’re for, not what you’re against.” When we protest, we’re saying that something isn’t fair and relying on publicly elected officials to do something about it. I think the gathering together of beings can transform from what isn’t fair to what all of our talents and efforts can do together to create solutions.

How can we solve this on a communal level? What can we do to peacefully and consciously use all the power within us to create positive, tangible change so we can start living in the world that we envision?

It’s an invitation to quantum-leap out of the identification of problems and into the cultivation of solutions.

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inspiration

and donate them to a local charity where they may be useful to someone else.

Fresh Rituals for a New Year

ksenia makagonova/Unsplash.com

Formally invite prosperity. Many cultures around the world celebrate New Year’s Day with rituals that are meant to ward off bad luck and attract good fortune. Some of them espouse throwing money over the threshold the first time someone enters their home after the new year has begun. Here’s a modern twist: Gather the family together and bless a few coins or paper bills, either through prayer or as a statement of hope and anticipation. Then, donate the money to charity as a way to spiritually pay it forward.

T

he end of one year and the beginning of another marks a hopeful transition that many of us choose to celebrate with fireworks and glitzy parties. Here are several New Year’s rituals to help us connect more deeply to our loved ones, to ourselves and to a richer sense of purpose as we embrace the promise of 2021.

Reevaluate the past year. While many people focus only on what lies ahead on New Year’s Day, consider taking a therapeutic and spiritual look at the past 12 months, evaluating personal accomplishments and deviations from goals and aspirations. Take note of lessons learned and challenges faced, as well as the top 10 highlights of the year.

Declutter. In Italy, people throw things out of their windows on New Year’s Eve; getting rid of items that are no longer of service is just as important as welcoming the new. In that spirit, this is a good time to gather clothing, books and other items collecting dust

Spend New Year’s Eve in meditation.

Quiet meditation or prayer is a great way to usher in a sense of peace and harmony.

Make sure the session begins before midnight and extends into the new year. This can be done at home alone, with friends or at a local meet-up group, yoga center or spiritual organization.

Place special emphasis on the first 12 days. For many people, the first 12 days of a new year represent each of the 12 months to come. To set a positive course for 2021, spend each of those days exhibiting aspirations for the coming year, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen to manifest an interest in being more charitable, or reading a book about immigrants to become more culturally sensitive.

Adapted from an Arcadia Publishing contribution.

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sation with children about buying less stuff and avoiding waste,” she adds. “They may have their own ideas about how to reduce waste and relish the challenge of thinking about what they really want.”

healthy kids

REINVENT THE HOLIDAYS

Getting Creative For Evan Porter, of Milton, Georgia, a parenting writer at DadFixesEverything.com, “Less clutter and fewer gifts are something we’ve been working toward anyway.” This year, he and his wife plan to drastically pare down their kids’ gifts, possibly using this formula: “Something to read, something to wear, something you want and something you need.” Instead of presents under a tree, Dawna Campbell, of Bigfork, Montana, founder of ThetaHeartHealing.com, will give her kids an unplugged (and coronavirus-compliant) nature retreat where they can investigate the natural environment, work with animals and journal about how to make the world a better place.

More Meaning, Less Stuff

dglimages/AdobeStock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

L

ike many parents, Alicia Hough, a corporate wellness expert in New York, used to go overboard plying her kids with gifts at Christmas. “I was always busy with work, which is why I thought that buying my children the latest or most trending toy in the market will make up for the time I’ve lost,” she recalls. “As kids, they indeed get excited with material gifts, but that joy is just temporary, and that’s what I realized throughout this pandemic. In the end, it’s the relationship with people you value that matters, and not these material things or celebrations.”

Hough, who considers the pandemic a turning point, is not alone. In this turbulent year, holiday celebrations will likely be smaller, quieter and less opulent for many families. Yet the crisis has also set the stage for families “to create a holiday that is more in keeping with their values, finding deeper connection and meaning with less rushing around and spending less money,” says Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids.

Besides passing up traveling and parties for cozy pajama times, many families are seriously rethinking their gift-giving habits. Although presents are a beloved part of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations, many families have come to wonder how the shopping and spending has gotten so out of hand. According to Investopedia, in 2019, the average American spent $942 on holiday gifts, a figure that has steadily mounted in the last decade to total $1 trillion. An estimated $16 billion worth of those gifts are unappreciated and tossed aside, reports Moneyish.

This pandemic season offers “a chance to reset expectations if festive gift-giving has become excessive in recent years,” says Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy. “Perhaps most important is to have a conver-

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Gentle Self-Care for Parents It’s been a long, hard year for many parents, and working to make the holidays special for the children may add another layer of stress and anxiety.

That’s why it’s key to acknowledge any sadness one is experiencing.

“Feelings of melancholy are a reality for many people over the holidays, and this year it is likely to affect more of us than usual, given how so many of us have lost someone or something this year,” says Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy. “It is vital to acknowledge these feelings and accommodate them, whilst also making space for joy. This comes down to talking about it, letting people know what you need or asking what they need and being prepared for the emotions to rise to the surface in the middle of things.” She suggests “putting some slack in your schedule, taking extra care of your health, reaching out for support and giving yourself permission to do things differently this year.”

For parents that want to embrace creativity, low costs and sustainability this holiday season, Kempton suggests the following gift-giving ideas:

n Celebrate environmental stewardship by planting and growing a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush.

n Give children items that they can use or eat that are handmade by the parents.

Even gift wrapping can become a fun and eco-smart family game by challenging everyone to creatively repurpose everything from old maps and fabrics to magazines and paper bags, perhaps decorated with artwork and nature finds. If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However they are wrapped, gifts demonstrate in these unprecedented times that deep joy comes not from acquiring new stuff, but from caring for and giving to each other—especially our children. “In the end, the most precious gift parents can give their children this holiday is their attention, infused with a little bit of festive magic,” says Kempton.

n Invoke a sense of nostalgia that prompts family storytelling, such as a jigsaw that summons memories of putting together a puzzle with a grandfather 50 years ago.

Ronica O’Hara, a Denver-based health writer, can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

n Build anticipation with a treasure hunt or by opening presents over a period of time. n Incorporate a sense of wonderment with a wooden magic set or a storybook written by either or both parents that stars the child. n Surprise the children by transforming a room in the house into a winter wonderland or turning the garden shed into Santa’s grotto. n Offer a parent’s time, skills and attention in the form of promissory notes or a small token that indicates a future shared experience, such as a jar of homemade marshmallows tied with a label promising a family camping trip.

Instilling the Giving Spirit in Kids

C jonathan borba/AdobeStock.com

hildren love getting gifts, but they also love the feeling of giving them, and the holidays are an optimal time to encourage this natural human impulse. Giving helps build their empathy and compassion muscles, which in turn makes for happier, more fulfilled lives, studies show.

Bridging the hug gap. With grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends less likely to be sitting around the table this year, having kids open those presents when the loved ones are on the other side of the Zoom or FaceTime screen can help ease the pain of the time apart.

Or children can put together a love package for them that includes drawings and notes to be opened on the other end of a livestream virtual gathering.

Care for the community. “So many families have been devastated by COVID-19 and fires this year. And many of us have become aware of the cost of institutional racism to families of color,” says psychologist Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. “Why not discuss and decide on a family gift to make the world a better place? You could decide how much you would normally have spent on presents and give some portion of that away to help people who are struggling or support a cause that is important to you.”

Simple steps like giving neighbors homemade cookies or candies tied with ribbons can also do much to lift holiday spirits. With her kids, Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy, makes up a batch of mince pie to share. “We might be wearing masks, along with Santa hats, and leaving the holiday treats on doorsteps instead of going in our neighbors’ homes this year, but we can still share holiday cheer,” she says. Alexandra Fung, CEO of the parent networking site UpParent.com, says her family in Chicago will provide gift boxes for families in need through their church or a local nonprofit and may work together to make blankets for traumatized and ill children using patterns supplied by the nonprofit Project Linus.

We are the world. Another approach is to give children a small sum to donate, perhaps $10 or $20, and encourage them to find a cause they care about in town or by researching online—from putting money in a Salvation Army Christmas kettle to saving rainforest animals. Or encourage them to find a humanitarian or environmental project to focus on over the holidays. At UpParent.com, kids can find 11 ways to help others around the world without leaving the house, like turning old jeans into shoes to help Ugandan children fight parasites or helping to track animals in the wild. The National Environmental Education Foundation at NeefUSA.org lists dozens of at-home projects for kids, such as doing a home-energy audit, creating a compost pile and helping to identify wildlife caught on camera for a digital database.

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natural pet

Beware of These Troublemakers

HOLIDAY TREATS FOR PETS

n Caffeinated products. Gary Richter, a holistic veterinarian in Oakland, California, and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, suggests keeping caffeinated drinks and food away from pets.

Caffeine contains stimulants called methylxanthines, and pets are much more sensitive to the effects of these substances than humans are. Ingesting even a small amount can make dogs vulnerable to caffeine poisoning, which can cause hyperactivity, panting, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures and collapse. Seek immediate veterinary care for treatment if these symptoms develop in a dog.

leah kelleyPexels.com

by Tonya Wilhelm

C

ooking for our pets is a great way to ensure they are eating wholesome, nutritional foods. It’s also a fun way to customize a pet treat recipe to meet specific dietary needs. These three festive holiday treats will have a dog woofing for more and a cat purring for seconds. Choose organic, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Pumpkins and apples are always at the top of the culinary list for holiday treats. Not only are these two foods safe for pets, they offer health benefits. Both are packed with fiber, which helps dogs feel fuller. It’s also good for digestive and colon health and can yield firmer stool. For the kitty friends, that fiber also helps move hairballs along. In addition, apples contain phytonutrients and flavonoids like quercetin, which are helpful in treating allergies.

The chia seeds in this pet pie not only help firm up the pie, but are packed with nutrients that naturally boost energy. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of antioxidants. They also contain minerals, fiber, calcium, protein and vitamins A, B, D and E. Cinnamon and ginger are wonderful spices to use in pet holiday treats. Both of these warming spices improve digestion and soothe the stomach lining. Select Ceylon cinnamon, not cassia cinnamon, because the latter contains higher amounts of coumarin, which can harm the liver and increase the risk of cancer. Ginger may act as a blood thinner, so don’t use it if a dog is going to have surgery or is pregnant. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if a dog has heart issues or diabetes, talk to a vet. When in doubt, leave it out.

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n Artificial sweeteners. San Diego veterinarian Madison Rose says artificial sweeteners such as xylitol can cause a massive insulin release, leading to acute and profound hypoglycemia, or low-blood sugar, and hypokalemia, or low potassium levels. Marked by lethargy, ataxia, collapse, twitching or seizures, ingestion requires immediate veterinary care. n Raw, yeasty bread dough. This will expand when ingested, potentially causing a deadly twisting of the stomach. n Raisins and grapes. Common in holiday recipes, in large quantities, these can cause kidney failure in dogs. n Nutmeg. A toxin for pets. n Cooked bones. Not only are these choking hazards, they can pose a serious threat to the digestive tract.

smitty/Unsplash.com

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

Pumpkin Apple Pie yield: dePeNds oN siZe oF molds

1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 2 apples 5 eggs 1 cup goat’s milk 2 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp ginger Remove and discard the apple core and seeds. Place all ingredients in a mixer and blend. Then set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to begin to expand.

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IfIC IEnT A SCRoACH App XERCISE To E sonal - per ing Trains Best.. at it’

Preheat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into preferred baking dishes, either for a large pie or small, bite-sized muffins.

Bake approximately 15 minutes for small muffins or 40-60 minutes for a full-sized pie.

Allow the pie to fully cool and set up before slicing and serving. Serve as a special treat to pets. Portion the remaining pie into serving sizes and freeze for later.

Eggnog for Pets Raw eggs can be a healthy addition to any fresh pet diet, assuming the animal doesn’t have an egg allergy. Cow’s milk isn’t the healthiest option for dogs and cats because they don’t tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk is a healthier option because it contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, allowing better absorption of the nutrients.

4 eggs 2 cups goat’s milk 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon Blend all the ingredients. Either place a few tablespoons in the pet’s dish as a special treat or drizzle over the food.

Alternatively, place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better. Take the remaining eggnog, pour into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out the treats and store them in a glass container in the freezer.

Try serving one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

Turkey Meatballs Making treats for cats can be tricky. The best bet is to head to the meat department. Even the most finicky of kitties will gobble up this healthy treat.

1 lb ground turkey 2 eggs ½ Tbsp dried peppermint Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well-blended. Form into tablespoon balls using your hand or scooper and place on a lined or ceramic cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes until meatballs are set (they will be extra eggy). Carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve as a special treat. Place treats in a glass container and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving.

Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach. For more information, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

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calendar of events The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11

Wisdom Wednesdays – 6-7pm. Healing meditation followed by a talk on a variety of spiritual and metaphysical topics. An evening of learning and participation for our clientele. With Beth BrownRinella and Marvin Dragonclaw. $15, Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers.

Services include: mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Block Buster Workshop Part I: A Journey Through the Root Chakra – 10-11:30am. With reiki master Rita. During this 1.5-hour workshop, participants will learn how the root chakra functions, what it impacts, as well as signs of imbalance.

Participants will also learn how to balance their own root chakra. A guided meditation is included in the workshop. $50. Brooks Executive Offices, 9990 Coconut Rd, Bonita Springs. Register: SoulSessionsWithRita.com. See news brief, page 13.

Holiday Party – 3-7:30pm. Join in the great outdoors, for a safe and friendly gathering in the open air, right outside the clinic. Friends, food and gifts from the clinic abound! Music and song. Prizes and holiday shopping, plus sample recipes from Dr. David and Vickie Gelardi’s new book: It’s Not Just A Cookbook. Lotus Blossom Clinic, Ft Myers.

LotusBlossomClinic.com.

SWFL Community Drum Circle – 6-8pm. Meets once a month (check Facebook for updates). Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hulahooping and self-expression. Family friendly. BYO chair. Handicap access. Free. Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 Gifts I Bring the World – 6:30-7:30pm in person or Zoom on Dec 10. Each of us have gifts we bring into the world. Often, we do not recognize these gifts, thereby missing pieces of our true self. On an inner quest, accessing our inner place of knowing, deep imagery we seek and reclaim a sense of self with all our gifts. Emerge with a renewed sense

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in work and life. Relate the field of ethical behavior with several well-known and popular teachers’ timeless guidelines relevant today. Stimulate your thought process about your application of ethics in your personal and professional life. 2 CEs for NCBTMB FL MTs. $25. aohMassage.com/project/ aohm-ethics-with-the-masters.

of beauty and depth of spirit. $20. Lotus Blossom Clinic, Ft Myers. Register: Phee Licis: 978-7293500. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Dear Stress, Give Me A Break – 6-7pm. Stress is natural and it’s healthy, but when chronic, our bodies and minds are headed for a breakdown. Don’t you think it’s time that you shift back into balance and stop your head running your life? Join Yvette for tips to help you shift. Free Zoom workshop.

Info/register: Yvette@EscapeHatch2wellness. com. EscapeHatch2wellness.com. See news brief on page 11.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 Stress, Compromised Digestion and Holidays – 4pm. In this session, participants will learn simple tips on how to reduce stomach issues due to stress through eating habits and simple techniques that can reduce related health issues. Participants will learn what they can easily change in the way they eat and how it will dramatically improve digestion. Discussion will include the “perfect” diet which is 50% what you eat and 50% how you eat, which are lifechanging habits. Register: BeautifulHealth111@ gmail.com via Zoom or live on social media. See news brief, page 12.

Ethical Wisdom Webinar – 7-9pm. A unique approach to discovering values and implementing them

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

Universe Within Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6-7pm. 2nd Fri. Enjoy a planetary star show while feeling the healing frequencies of crystal singing bowls in the air-conditioned comfort of Our Yoga Place. Bring your own mat, pillow and blanket to be super comfortable. Hosted by Firefly Within Foundation. Free. Must register to maintain physical distancing guidelines. Donations accepted. Our Yoga Place, 8002 Mediterranean Dr, Estero. 3602730. OurYogaPlace.com.

Reflexology – 7-9pm. Release stress from the whole body through the feet and hands. The ancient art and practice of reflexology uses specific points on the feet and hands to enhance the natural healing abilities of the body’s corresponding organs and glands.

Learn simple, effective techniques for keeping the body in balance. Great for couples, bodyworkers, caregivers and those who want to treat themselves.

2 CE’s. $50. Register: aohMassage.com/project/ art-holistic-massage-aohm-foundation-3.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. Join for channeled energy, activations and messages. These activations can be shortcuts to ease and grace, healing and prosperity. $22, Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Holiday Fun: An Afternoon to Paint Your Chakras – 1-4pm. A relaxing afternoon with Maggie Kyle Petraits. Learn watercolor paint and pencil tips while coloring the seven chakras and create a frameable work of art to give or keep.

Supplies included. Bring a friend to enjoy an afternoon with music, meditation and color. $45.

Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Ave, Ft Myers. HEPA filters will keep the air clean. Physical

fat will be discussed, plus how to slim down the waistline. Participants will learn the truth about the “sugar roller coaster” and why belly fat is so stubborn – how it works and what can be done about it.

Register: BeautifulHealth111@gmail.com via Zoom or live on social media. See news brief, page 12.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 Live Your Life Fully: Release Old Patterns and Reveal Your Authentic Self – 10am-5pm, Sat; 1-5pm, Sun. Join reiki masters Pattie Carney and Leena Mazid for a powerful journey into what you really want for yourself and move into it making conscious choices to manifest your dream self!

The virtual retreat includes an intuitive reading and a week of sleep reiki. $225 ($50 off by 1/5/21).

Register: Pattie@pcarney.net or 774-209-9393. See news brief, page 14.

distancing. Masks encouraged. RSVP: 277-1399 or MaggieKylep@me.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 New Moon Circle – 6-8pm. Sacred new moon gathering to support, listen, love, laugh and heal with others. We may dance, cry, howl, drum, meditate and more. Bring something small and healthy to share. $30 Suggested love offering. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers. Services include: mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949.

GoddessIAM.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Dear Stress, Give Me A Break – 6-7pm. Stress is natural and it’s healthy, but when chronic, our bodies and minds are headed for a breakdown. Don’t you think it’s time that you shift back into balance and stop your head running your life? Join Yvette for tips to help you shift. Free Zoom workshop. Info/ register: Yvette@EscapeHatch2wellness.com. EscapeHatch2wellness.com. See news brief, page 11.

Animal Healing Circle – 6:30-8pm. Zoom event with Pattie Carney, animal communicator. Are your animal friends experiencing health issues, physical or mental/emotional, getting ready to transition, aging gracefully, or young and vibrant? We’ll send healing energy to all of them and to those animals caged and in the wild. $20. Register: Pattie@pcarney.net or 774-209-9393.

plan ahead THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 Proven Ways to Rid Belly Fat – 4pm. In this session, participants will walk away knowing why stubborn belly fat is so hard to get rid of and what to do about it. Three proven tips that will aid in reducing belly

ongoing

daily Recorded Phone Readings – 10am. Phone sessions to connect with a seasoned, professional, spiritual advisor to help navigate through personal challenges. $40-$95. The Mystical Moon, 8890 Salrose Ln, Ste 107, Ft Myers. TheMysticalMoon.com.

sunday Drum and Dance Circle – 6:30-9pm. Drummers, dancers, jugglers, everyone welcome. BYO chair and instrument or come just to enjoy. Social distancing and face masks encouraged. Check for updates on Facebook page: Fort Myers Drum Circle.

Free. Downtown Library, Ft Myers. Facebook.com/ groups/fortmyersdrumcircle.

tuesday

thursday The Path of Being Gifts & Books – Thru Apr. 8am-1pm. Find lovely items such as crystals, candles, bath bombs, bath salts and gift ideas.

Santini Plaza, 7205 Estero Blvd. 239-437-5141 or ThePathOfBeing.com.

Virtual Mixed Level Flow – 6:30-7:30pm. With Jackie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Preregistration required: 692-9747.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

Crystal Bowls Meditation – 6:45-7:45pm. In person with Jenny Hong. Participants will comfortably lie down or sit while the frequencies reverberate throughout the body, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. Physical distancing and face masks required. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. 277-1399.

Preregister: JennyLotusBlossom@gmail.com.

LotusBlossomClinic.com/events.

friday The Path of Being Gifts & Books – Thru Apr. 8am1pm. Find lovely items such as crystals, candles, bath bombs, bath salts and gift ideas. Beach Baptist Church, 130 Connecticut St, Ft Myers Bch. 239-4375141 or ThePathOfBeing.com.

Virtual Yoga with Love and Mat – 9-10:15am.

With Kandy Love via Zoom. Props: mat, two blocks, two or three blankets, yoga belt (or strap), chair, wall nearby. Free/donation. Info/register: YoginiKandy62@gmail.com.

Nature's beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude. ~Louie Schwartzberg

Tai Chi – 11am-noon. With Hector. In studio only. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Preregistration required: 692-9747.

LoveYogaCenter.com.

Heal Relationship Triggers with EFT – Thru Dec 15. 1-2:30pm. In-person social distancing group sessions with Jenny Li Ciccone. Learn to deal with adulthood relationship triggers thqt are conditioned in childhood and have impacted your overall wellness and blocked your daily life/work efficiency. $100/4 sessions or $30/walk-in. Register: 851-5415, Jenny.Ciccone@joyfuljourneycoaching.net. Info: 277-1399. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Virtual Reiki Share with Chat Rooms – 6:30-8pm.

1st Tues. Join for monthly reiki share online using distance reiki. Begins with a Holy Fire meditation and then chat rooms for the private sessions. Free.

Register by email to receive the Zoom link: Pattie@ pcarney.net.

wednesday Virtual Chi Yoga – 4-5pm. With Sue. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. Preregistration required: 692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

December 2020

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IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR PARTNER HAS LAUNCHED ®

TRANSFORMING YOUR HEALTH CARE TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH & WELL-BEING Natural Awakenings is honored to give our dedicated readers the opportunity to be among the first members welcomed into the KnoWEwell community. With gratitude for our 26 years of readership and support, through our mission-aligned collaborative partnership with KnoWEwell, we are pleased to gift both individuals and providers with:

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Collier/Lee Counties

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

community resource guide

STUART WRIGHT, ND

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

ACUPUNCTURE

BIOFEEDBACK

ACUPUNCTURE CENTER OF NAPLES

WHOLELISTIC SOL WITH NIKKI RENEE

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 28 years experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Experienced in pain management, women’s health, insomnia, migraines, digestion issues and much more. See ad, page 12.

LOTUS BLOSSOM CLINIC

Acupuncture – Oriental Medicine David Martin, AP, DOM Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita 239-277-1399 • LotusBlossomClinic.com Offering acupuncture treatment to U.S. Veterans at no out-ofpocket cost. Requires referral thru a V.A. doctor. Dr. David Martin, AP, treats pain, other chronic conditions and PTSD using acupuncture, e-stim, cold laser, acupressure and Chinese medical massage.

See ad, page 27.

PHYLLIS C. WEBER, AP

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine 6249 Presidential Ct, Ste E, Ft Myers 33919 239-841-6611 • GulfCoastAcupuncture.com Specializing in pain, chronic disorders, overall wellness, allergy treatments (NAET) and kinesiology.

Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to heal all on its own! AP771.

975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, Ste 114, Naples 34110 • 305-699-4834

Board-certified biofeedback technician specializing in raising your total body’s vibration, Neuro Emotional Transformations, stress, PTSD and chronic disorders. Begin your personalized wellness journey today.

BODYWORK ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE Est. 1991 Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276 AOHMassage.com

Remote sessions by donation during COVID-19 call or Zoom.

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.

THERAPY ON THE GULF

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 6.

Anthony F. Hansen, LMT, MFR, CST, ML,D/CDP 824 Anchor Rode Dr, Naples 34103 239-262-8722 Tony is celebrating his 20th year as a therapist. He practices myofascial release, cranial sacral therapy and is a certified lymphedema therapist.

Free infra-red sauna. MA32797 MM21480. Receive $20 off by mentioning the ad on page 14.

Certified Advanced Rolfer Advanced Cranial Therapist Advanced Visceral Therapist Certified Movement Educator Naturopathic Wellness Consulting

By Appointment: 239-272-6443 Over 30 years excelling in quick pain relief. Specializing in back pain, structural integration & alignment, all joint-pain-related issues, mobility improvement, sports injuries, non-chiropractic spinal release. MA36890.

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 RB INSTITUTE, INC.

C. Robyn Berry, LMT, CRR, CCT, CLDT 13550 Reflections Pkwy, 5-502 & 5-503, Ft Myers • 239-939-4646 • RobynBerry.com Since 1994, gravity-enclosed UV/ Oxygen/Ozone sterilized medicalgrade water colonics, therapeutic, relaxing, chair, sports, prenatal massage, Craniosacral/SER, Heart Centered therapy, manual lymph drainage & XP2 System, visceral manipulation, HALO Photonic Blue-Violet Laser Botanical System, Asyra/Quest4 MSA Bio Meridian Stress Analysis, ear candling, Lakota YLEO Raindrop Therapy, Tuning Fork/Crystal/Bowls Therapy, reflexology, MPS, cupping, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER sessions, Power Plate, Hyperbaric Chamber, PER 2000 PEMF and notary. MM7376. See ad, page 31.

CUPPING BODYWELLNESS OF NAPLES, LLC Mary Lambrecht, LMT, FB, CCT 1000 9th St N, #203, Naples 34102 BodyWellnessOfNaples.com 239-595-2094 • MaryVSRT2@aol.com

Cupping aids lymphatic activation, toxin release, reduced muscle pain and scar tissue, increased oxygen flow in fascia and muscular tissue. Experience immediate fascial release and rehabilitation when enhanced with therapeutic massage. Private wellness center also offers specialized skin care and red light (medical-grade LED low-level laser) full-body therapy bed. Serving Naples since 2004. MA#40467, MM#23474, FB#9754375. Nationally Certified NCBTMB #398123-00, CCT (Certified Cupping Therapist, International Cupping Therapy Association).

December 2020

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ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

DENTAL HEALTH 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 43.

DENTISTRY LASER DENTISTRY

Mark Corke, DDS 1550 Matthew Dr, Ft Myers 33907 239-936-5442 • FortMyersLaserDentist.com

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 12.

FOOD & THOUGHT ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ

2132 Tamiami Trl N, Naples 239-213-2222 • FoodAndThought.com Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm.

Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 10.

HOLISTIC CENTER

ENERGY HEALING

AHA! A HOLISTIC APPROACH CENTER

nfsh-TheHealingTrustTrainingusa.org HugsForHappiness.com 239-692-9120 • KSmith727@comcast.net Certified instructor & practitioner, NFSH-The Healing Trust & ThetaHealing. Past Life Regression Counselor, Shaman Mesa Carrier, CranioSacral therapy, Esoteric Healing, Seraphim Blueprint, spiritual counselor.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Carol L. Roberts, MD 800 Goodlette Rd, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • HughesCenterNaples.com Carol L. Roberts, M.D. has practiced functional/integrative/holistic medicine for 25 years. She provides patients with testing to uncover causes of chronic illness, guidance in resolving health issues and education to assist the patient in her own healing. She is Medical Director at the Naples Center for Functional Medicine, formerly the Hughes Center. See ad, page 55.

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.

1000s of gluten-free items. See ad, page 35.

HEALTHY DINING

Dr. Corke enjoys working with holistic patients and practitioners on the journey to wellness. His practice “gets it” and is worth the trip to Fort Myers to experience his many services. From dental lasers to ozone he has many tools and a sympathetic ear. See ad, page 37.

REV. KAREN CORATELLI-SMITH

NATURAL & ORGANIC MARKET ADA’S NATURAL MARKET

15971 McGregor, Ft Myers • 239-433-5995 AHolisticApproachCenter.com

Offering many natural healing options in a single location: acupuncture, clinical psychotherapy (RRT, hypnotherapy, couples therapy), energy work, therapeutic massage, Transformational Breath®, full-spectrum infrared sauna, classes (yoga, tai chi, stretch ’n strength), workshops, retail therapy and more.

EYES WIDE OPEN

NATURAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS ANATTA

447 Broadway, Ste 204 New York City, NY 10013 347-762-1268 • AnattaMarket.com Anatta is a global online marketplace for natural, organic and raw products from farmers worldwide.

The newly-formed company’s products include a variety of essential oils and waters, and its unique business model eliminates overhead costs by connecting customers directly with farmers.

NUTRITION D-SIGNED NUTRITION, LLC

Dee Harris, RDN, LDN, CDE Bonita Bay Executive Center 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Sprgs 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 41.

239-948-9444 • SilviaCasabianca.com Neuroscience-based, holistic counseling (via televideo) to help you regulate emotions, cope with change, stress, depression or anxiety.

Empathic parenting guidance. Sliding scale. Online CEUs for health professionals. Call for further information.

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 45.

YOGA MEREDITH MUSICK, LMT, E-RYT 2000 239-269-8846 MeredithMusick.com

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~The Dalai Lama

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Collier/Lee Counties

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

Master Yoga Teacher and massage therapist with 28 years experience, serving Naples since 1999.

Sun-damaged skin repair clinician, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, sports and neuromuscular therapy, cranio facial and TMJ relief, heal injuries. Improve posture: alignmentbased yoga and posture classes.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $35 for up to the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. Must be pre-paid. Email listing, include billing contact info, by 10th of month prior to publication to: NAClassifieds@ NaturalAwakenings.com.

FOR RENT HEALTHCARE ROOMS FOR RENT – Multidisciplinary clinic with 24-hour access to the waiting room, break room, storage, washer, dryer; no additional fees. $850/room, $750/two or more.

239-398-9863.

LUXURY TREATMENT ROOMS available in professional Pilates and therapeutic wellness center. Perfect for massage, nutrition, electrolysis or similar. Located close to Pelican Bay and Park Shore, just off Tamiami Tr North and Pine Ridge, in North Naples. From $410/mo. Call Jim at 239398-5578.

FOR SALE ST. LUCIA ISLAND LUXURY VILLA – 5 bed, 5 bath. Near beach. View: YouTube Tamarind House, St. Lucia. For more info, Diane: 758-520-3597 (cell) or OrganicAcresII@gmail.com.

SERVICES INSURED WITH YOGA MAMA –Tara Mina, independent insurance agent, protecting Florida families, offering health/wellness benefits, survivor benefits and income protection. Call 239-989-5229 or email TaraMindful108@gmail.com.

SOUNDS OF CELEBRATIONS & HEALING – By JamesSteven Farnsworth. The Fiddle Flowers Fiddle Gram. Gift of 12 beautiful roses in a vase and gift card, plus a lovely mini concert of violin/ fiddle music. Special intro price: $55 local delivery.

Additional services: Artistic Violin Performance: weddings and all special events. The Healing Violin: Transformative Sound therapy for the elderly and those affected by physical and mental disabilities. Graceful-Passages: Funerals and End of Life Celebrations. Call/text: 510-292-7786, JsfViolin@ gmail.com. TheHealingViolin.com.

Promote your special service, class or event in our print and online calendar. Easy to use!

Affordable options. Visit swfl.naturalawakenings. com/pages/calendarlistings.

CHANGE can do you good Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family

For more info, visit: NaturalAwakenings.com December 2020

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