Natural Awakenings April 2021

E R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

SIMPLE WAYS TO

DETOX

YOUR BODY MAKE YOUR HOME A NURTURING HAVEN The Benefits of Planting Trees NATURE TO THE RESCUE Kids Come Alive Outdoors

April 2021

Alachua/Citrus/Marion/Sumter Co & The Villages FL

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April 2021

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

letter from publisher

elcome to our April issue, where we showcase the 51st anniversary of the Earth Day movement and NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA sustainable living. Since 1970, Earth Day has been Publisher Sheila Mahan celebrated to show support for environmental protection. Orga Editor Martin Miron nizations in more than 190 countries have joined the movement, Events Dana Malans raising awareness about pollution and how it affects our health, Design & Production Martin Friedman Chelsea Rose as well as all life on the planet, and promoting policy changes that Distribution Steve Weisse move us toward a healthier and sustainable environment. Sales & Marketing Angela Durrell How are you celebrating Earth Day? There are a lot of activities kids and parents can do at home from planting a tree, collecting bottles and CONTACT US plastics for recycling, watching documentaries, crafting, planting a garden or taking Ph: 352-366-0088 a walk around the neighborhood to pick up trash. Parents can tell their kids that GoNaturalAwakenings.com Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com even cleaning their room is good for the environment! Angela@GoNaturalAwakenings.com If you’re looking for a virSUBSCRIPTIONS tual event, check out the third an12-month print subscriptions available for $32. Call or mail in form found in each issue. nual Earth Day Virtual Challenge Digital subscriptions are free of Gainesville. The goal is to see visit our website to sign up. how many times people can run the distance around the equator—24,901 NATIONAL TEAM miles—throughout the month of CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman April. Are you up for the challenge? COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne Register at TheVirtualChallenge.com. National Art Director Gabrielle Our feature article, “The Human Wyant-Perillo Costs of Climate Change,” by Sandra Yeyati, focuses on why a warming planet has Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert serious consequences for our health, along with presenting opportunities for global Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs change. Our Healthy Kids department highlights the physical, emotional and mental Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy benefits of kids spending more time in nature. Enjoy some tasty recipes that spring National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan clean your body naturally. We live in a beautiful region of Florida, surrounded by nature, with opportunities Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 to enjoy, appreciate and do our part to protect it. Have a great Earth Day and be sure to Naples, FL 34103 check out the events calendar in this issue and online. Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

© 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

I wish you all a healthy and safe April.

Sheila

Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

Natural Awakenings of North Central Florida is a faithful steward of global resources. We are delighted to be a part of an environmentally conscious community and therefore manufacture this magazine utilizing the environmentally-friendly cold-set web printer process which emits virtually immeasurable VOC's into the environment. The product is 100% recycleable.

North Central FL Edition

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 55+ 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.

Contents 14 HEALTHY HOME

How to Detoxify a Living Space

16 BREATHE EASY

Natural Remedies for Allergy Woes

18 ECO-ATHLETES

Working Out with the Planet in Mind

20 CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet

23 SHERYL DEVORE

on Appreciating Nature and Wildlife

24 NATURE TO THE RESCUE Kids Come Alive Outdoors

26 SPRING CLEANING THE BODY

Simple Ways to Detox Naturally

30 FEATHERED FRIENDS

The Pros and Cons of Keeping Birds as Pets

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 352-366-0088 or email Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month. 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.

31 CREATE A

NURTURING NEST

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 kudos 9 community

spotlight 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 13 earth day events 14 green living 15 eco tip 16 healing ways

18 fit body 23 wise words 24 healthy kids 26 conscious

eating 30 natural pet 32 calendar 35 classifieds 36 resource guide April 2021

news briefs

Free Earth Day Tour at Sumter Sand Mine

Florida Museum of Natural History Plant Sale

s part of April’s Earth Day celebration, the Florida Museum will present an online plant sale featuring more than 100 species of difficult-to-find and pollinator-friendly plants. Accent, host, native and nectar plants are available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Butterfly Rainforest and museum events. With safety as a top priority, preorder and curbside service is available. Just browse the available plants below and then submit the order form found online between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from April 2 through 5. Patrons will receive a link to reserve a pickup time on April 9 and 10 using SignUpGenius. Then they may use the museum’s front parking area to make payment with contactless options. Volunteers will load the plants into the vehicle. A limited number of plants will also be available for purchase inside the museum gift shop in person. Location:3215 Hull Rd., Gainesville For more information, call 352273-2057, email rfessenden@flmnh.ufl.edu or visit FloridaMuseum. ufl.edu/event/online-plant-sale/2021-04-02.

he CEMEX Center Hill Mine and Sumter County School District will present an opportunityfor all ages to enjoy sweet treats and meet animal ambassadors from the Florida International Teaching Zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 14. There will be tours of the mine site, sand sculpting, energy saving strategies and a popular kids fossil dig. Since 1994, CEMEX has been in partnership with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), a nonprofit group of corporations, conservation organizations and individuals dedicated to restoring and enhancing habitat. CEMEX maintains six classrooms in Florida that are certified through WHC distinguished Wildlife At Work and Corporate Lands for Learning programs. The curriculum and learning activities at the classrooms are designed to provide students with hands-on problem solving opportunities that build scientific thinking and process skills. Students observe, make hypotheses and predictions, design experiments, set up data collection stations, gather and record data, and then analyze it all to draw logical conclusions. Admission is free. Location: 530 W. Kings Hwy, (CR 48), Center Hill. For more information, call Chris Burk at 352-689-4400 or email burkc@sumter.k12.fl.us.

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North Central FL Edition

Still Time Left to Attend the County Fair

he family-friendly Citrus County Fair will be held this year through April 4. The volunteer Citrus County Fair Association will showcase the talent of the the county’s youth and provide scholarship opportunities as well as agricultural, educational and cultural pursuits. Exhibits include of agriculture, horticulture, livestock, 4-H, Future Farmes of America, fine arts, extension homemakers, local churches and civic groups, plus business people exhibiting their wares. Handcrafted items, popcorn, ice cream, sandwiches, pizza and complete meals are available for purchase. In addition to the exhibits there is a midway with rides, sideshows and games. Entertainment is furnished by local and professional entertainers from others counties or states. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 10, and free for children 3 and under. Location: 3600 S. Florida Ave., Inverness. For more information, call 352-726-2993 or visit CitrusCountyFair.com.

Kids Get Creative at Cade

he Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention will present an opportunity to focus on challenges that boost kids’ creativity and imagination from 2 to 5 p.m., April 14. Museum educators will help children engage in a broad range of hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEAM) experiments and activities. In the Creativity Lab and Fab Lab, they will explore and improve skills in 3-D design, coding, robotics and more. Teachers will also be available to help children in kindergarten through grade five with homework. The mission of the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping early inventors, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Admission is $20 for member, $30 for nonmembers. Location: 811 S. Main St., Gainesville. For more information, call 352-371-8001 or visit CadeMuseum.org.

Exposure to Love to Action: Mobilizing Advocates for our Earth

s part of Earth Day celebrations, the Florida Museum of Natural History presents Audrey Peterman, a leader in the movement to engage more Americans of color in the enjoyment, care and protection of our green Audrey Peterman spaces, to address the often mischaracterized history of preserving outdoor spaces in the U.S. from 7 to 8:30 p.m., April 22 online. Audience Q&A will be moderated by Lillian Dinkins, a Conservation Leadership program fellow with Conservation Florida. Peterman has received the Environmental Hero award, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Outstanding Citizen Advocate award and the Lifetime Achievement award from Outdoor Afro. Thanks to her efforts as part of the Next100 Coalition, President Obama issued a presidential memorandum in 2017 promoting diversity and inclusion in our national parks, forests and other public lands and waters. Admission is free. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook and Zoom. For more information, call 352-273-1936 or email Sadie Mills at smills@floridamuseum.ufl.edu.

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt

he Scuba Monkey Dive Center will hold their ninth annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 4 p.m., April 3, at Devil’s Den, in Williston. The event is open to all water divers. A barbeque will follow the dive. Rental gear is available on a first-come, first-served basis. BYO dive light. The Scuba Monkey Staff will hide 250 to 300 eggs in the den to find. Each egg represents a different prize, ranging from keychains and stickers to BCDs, regulators, computers and more—there will even be some golden eggs. $40 registration includes entry, dinner and egg hunt. Location: 13585 NW 101st Dr., Ste, 700, Alachua. To sign up, call 386-5186323. For more information, visit ScubaMonkeyDiveCenter.com.

Pioneer Days Festival in High Springs

he Annual Pioneer Days Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 24, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 25, in the historic downtown district of High Springs, with the central attractions located in or near James Paul Park. The festival features vendors selling handmade crafts, clothing, furniture and other goods; artists selling their creations; and merchandisers selling unique, often locally produced, items and festival food. There will be old-timey and folk music performed by local and national artists throughout the day for both days at the gazebo located in the sinkhole. A Kids Korral features fun activities such as the rage archery, disc golf, bounce houses and more. The popular historical reenactments pit good guys against bad guys, and the cowboys spend time in-between performances talking to the children and counseling on gun safety. At Heritage Village, skilled artisans demonstrate skills and crafts from the pioneer period of our history. The Railroad Museum and a wealth of artifacts from the pioneer period can be found inside the historic elementary school building and community center. Admission is free. For more information, visit HighSprings.com.

News to share? Submit information to Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Submittal deadline is the 10th of the month. April 2021

KUDOS

At the Ocala Veg Fest, held March 7 at the Ocala Downtown Market, located at 310 Southeast Third Street, a variety of food vendors prepared delicious plant-based foods to satisfy every taste. Attendees discovered local sources for eco-friendly and cruelty-free products that use no animal testing while guest speakers promoted compassion for animals, advocated for a healthier planet and the benefits of a plant-based diet. Expert doctors, researchers and activists discussed topics such as health, diet, animal welfare and the environment. Mike Young and all the community sponsors made the event possible. For more information the next veg fest, visit OcalaVegFest.org.

North Central FL Edition

community spotlight

Keeping Gainesville a Natural Bright Spot

he city of Gainesville 395 acres of environmentally Wild Spaces and sensitive lands, renovation of Public Places proSmokey Bear Park, construcgram (WSPP) operates as the tion of Possum Creek Park, project management office renovation of the Thomas Cenfor the Parks, Recreation and ter, construction of the Fred Cultural Affairs Department. Cone Park Track and more. Alachua County voters ap The WSPP is funded by a proved the WSPP referendum one-half percent sales tax colBetsy D. Waite for a second time in 2016. lected in Alachua County to Director Betsy D. Waite holds a Bachelor acquire and improve environmentally sensiof Science degree from West Point in Civil tive lands and to create, improve and maintain Engineering and a master’s degree in business parks and recreational facilities. Their budget administration with a focus on project manis expected to reach $60 million by 2025. agement from Florida Institute of Technology. Construction is currently underway Also a professional registered engineer, she is at Unity Park, at 1700 NE 31st Avenue. close to obtaining certified park and recreImprovements to the park include two new ation professional certification. basketball courts, a community garden, Notable accomplishments include playground equipment, sidewalk games, heating and cooling the Dwight H. Hunter a pavilion, grills and a walking loop with Pool, renovation of the historic Depot Buildfitness stations. ing, construction of the Gainesville/Alachua Construction on the Clarence R. Kelly Senior Recreation Center, acquisition of Community Center and Park project at

H. Spurgeon Cherry Splash Pad

Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park

1701 NE 8th Avenue should break ground in mid-April. Community engagement was used in the planning and design phases to better understand the unique needs and wishes of the neighborhood. The public can find updates and other notifications on the website. Waite says, “Periodically, there are openings on some of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs citizen advisory boards. Participation on these boards is also a great way to get involved.” Listings are available at Tinyurl. com/JobsGainesville. The WSPP team is comprised of skilled professionals that share a passion for Gainesville and its parks. The program has kept more than 75 percent of expenditures local and more than 60 percent with small businesses in fiscal year 2020. “Antiquated processes, procedures and technology platforms are a challenge with city government, but the biggest obstacle lately has been contractor availability,” explains Waite. “The city of Gainesville has been fortunate to maintain a strong economy throughout the pandemic, but the strong economy has made it difficult to schedule work and get contractor participation on our smaller projects.” She notes, “Access to parks and the outdoors is crucial for the mental health of our communities. Here in the city of Gainesville, we are fortunate to have so many great spaces to safely enjoy a breath of fresh air, some exercise and the pleasure of observing various wildlife in their natural habitat. I am filled with gratitude for our community and its bright future, may we find inspiration in the generosity of our neighbors, acts of kindness and the beauty of the great outdoors.” WSPP headquarters is located at 306 NE 6th Ave., in Gainesville. For more information, call 352-393-8187 or visit WildSpacesPublicPlacesGNV.org.

Reserve Park April 2021

Hypertension is a global disease that particularly affects people in low-income communities, but a new study by the UK University of Nottingham suggests that beetroot juice may be a practical solution for people with high blood pressure that have little access to diagnostic help or money for medication. Researchers divided 47 people between 50 and 70 years of age in Tanzania into three groups. For 60 days, one group drank nitrate-rich beetroot juice and folic acid; another was given nitrate-rich beetroot juice and a placebo; and the third drank nitrate-depleted beetroot juice. The researchers found that systolic blood pressure dropped by 10.8 millimeters (mm) Hg (mercury) in the nitrate-rich plus folic acid group and 6.1 mm Hg in the nitrate-rich and placebo group. Studies have shown that the high level of nitrates in beets is converted by the digestive system into nitric oxide, which relaxes and widens blood vessels.

Consider Curcumin and Nano-Curcumin for Heart Health Iranian researchers tested 90 patients undergoing elective heart angioplasty, giving one group 500 milligrams (mg) curcumin, the second group 80 mg nanocurcumin, and the third a placebo. After eight weeks, both types of curcumin significantly improved cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels. They also boosted antioxidant levels, superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and reduced C-reactive protein levels, indicating less inflammation. The nano-curcumin, however, produced even better results in five of those indexes, leading the authors to conclude that the effects of curcumin on the nano formula may be more conducive for cardiac patients due to its high bioavailability. Nano-curcumin is made through a process that encapsulates the herb, allowing it to be metabolized better.

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Drink Beet Juice to Lower Blood Pressure

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health briefs

New research from Rush Medical College, in Chicago, shows that regularly cheating on a healthy diet undermines its cognitive benefits. For 19 years, researchers followed 5,001 adults over age 65 that were asked to eat the Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on daily servings of fruit, vegetables, legumes, olive oil, fish, potatoes and unrefined cereals, plus moderate wine consumption. Every three years, their cognitive abilities were tested and their diets reviewed, including how often they ate a Western diet of fried foods, sweets, refined grains, red meat and processed meats. After almost two decades, those that adhered most faithfully to the Mediterranean diet were cognitively 5.8 years younger than those that followed it the least.

North Central FL Edition

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Keep Off Junk Foods for Cognitive Wellness

Make Lifestyle Changes to Ease Reflux The heartburn symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) affect about one-third of Americans, many turning to medications. Based on evidence from 116,000 women in a long-running Nurses’ Health Study, Harvard University researchers have found that GERD symptoms can be reduced by up to 37 percent by adopting five lifestyle strategies: 30 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise per day; not smoking; maintaining a normal weight; limiting acidic beverages like coffee and tea to two cups per day; and following a “prudent diet” with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lowfat dairy, fish and poultry. The more faithfully the guidelines were followed, the lower the risk of symptoms. Benefits were also realized for women using treatments like proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor antagonists. According to senior author Andrew T. Chan, M.D., MPH, this study was among the first to link physical activity to the control of GERD. He notes, “Being physically active may help with the clearance of stomach acid which causes heartburn symptoms.”

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B12 and Prenatal Supplements Gain Official Nod In updated 2020-2025 dietary guidelines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have endorsed the specific use of certain supplements, noting that underconsumption of some nutrients among Americans is linked to health concerns. The guidelines advise that infants being fed breast milk exclusively or partially should be given a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day beginning soon after birth and perhaps continuing for more than a year. Women that are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should take a daily prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement. Pregnant or lactating women that follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are advised to talk to their healthcare provider about supplementation to ensure that they get adequate amounts of iron, vitamin B12, choline, zinc, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The guidelines also state that some older adults may require vitamin B12 supplements, noting concerns over the amount of the vitamin absorbed from food.

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April 2021

global briefs

Group Hug

Nations Band Together to Preserve One-Third of the Planet

World Watchers

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Deforestation, which contributes to warming the planet, is a key factor behind the 40 percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since the beginning of the industrial age. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in 2018 was 407.4 parts per million, higher than it’s been in almost 1 million years. Avoiding deforestation is much better than conducting reforestation efforts after the fact, and should be a key global climate change mitigation strategy, says Jennifer Alix-Garcia, a researcher at Oregon State University. The Global Land Analysis and Discovery System (GLAD), founded in 2016 by the University of Maryland’s Department of Geographical Sciences, is based on high-resolution satellite imaging from the NASA Landsat Science program. Subscribers can access data via a free interactive web application, Global Forest Watch. So far, forest loss has declined 18 percent in African nations where GLAD provided alerts when detecting deforestation activities. Previously, government agencies and other groups had to use reports from volunteers or forest rangers.

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Deforestation Alert System Mitigates Climate Change

While human activity has transformed 75 percent of the Earth’s surface and 66 percent of ocean ecosystems, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services determined in a 2019 assessment that approximately 1 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, some in mere decades. In response to the crisis, more than 50 countries representing 30 percent of the world’s land-based biodiversity, 25 percent of its land-based carbon sinks, 28 percent of important areas of marine biodiversity and more than 30 percent of ocean carbon sinks have united as the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC 30x30), avowing to preserve 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. The group announced its goal at the One Planet Summit for Biodiversity in January, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, along with the World Bank and the United Nations. “We call on all nations to join us,” Macron said in the video launching of the plan. Biologist E.O. Wilson has called for the “conservation moonshot” of protecting half of the land and the sea. Goals include preventing biodiversity loss, solving the climate crisis and preventing pandemics.

Honest Ingredients

Global sales of organic products totaled $90 billion in 2017 according to the 2018 edition of the study The World of Organic Agriculture, published by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and Organics International. In the U.S., the figure is $50 billion, or 5 percent of all grocery store sales. Demand for organic products is increasing, more farmers cultivate organically, more land is certified organic and 178 countries report organic farming activities. The challenge is to safeguard organic standards from large corporations that buy up organic brands and try to weaken U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements. This has led to an erosion of both organic standards and consumer trust in the organic labeling of products such as eggs, milk and grains. To restore public trust, the Organic Consumers Association is committed to exposing the fraudulent players in the organic industry while fighting for stronger organic protections. At one time, states could develop their own rules for organic food production and processing. But in 1990, Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act, which created the National Organic Program and the National Organic Standards Board. Foods labeled USDA Organic are the gold standard for health and sustainability. 12

North Central FL Edition

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Protecting the Organic Marketplace

Wilderness Woes

earth day events

National Wildlife Refuges are Overwhelmed and Understaffed

Celebrate Earth Day 2021 Virtually The COVID-19 pandemic may be with us for some time, but there are still many ways to participate in the 51st anniversary of the global environmental movement. The Biden administration will host world leaders at an Earth Day 2021 global climate summit on April 22. Many important environmental events have occurred on Earth Day since 1970, including the 2016 signing of the Paris Agreement, as Earth Day continues to be a momentous and unifying day each year. Be a part of this historic climate summit by taking action to restore the Earth.

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President Theodore Roosevelt designated Florida’s Pelican Island as the first unit of what would become the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903 to shield brown pelicans from hunters. Now, the world’s largest set of 568 refuges, encompassing 95 million acres dedicated to preserving wildlife, is under pressure from increasing numbers of visitors, maintenance needs and chronic underfunding. The system has lost more than 700 staff positions since 2011, despite growing by 15 refuges. Managers of the system under the authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) report that staff morale is low. Local conservation nonprofits have stepped in with fundraising and volunteers, but the lack of resources throughout the refuge system is limiting its capacity to provide healthy habitat for birds and other wildlife. Essential infrastructure is crumbling and staff can’t provide the community outreach and visitor services they want to offer. The FWS oversees 25,000 structures and 14,000 roads, bridges and dams. Many of them have fallen into disrepair due to a lack of funding. Advocates claim that a remedy will require $900 million per year, while the system’s 2020 budget was only $502.4 million.

For more information, visit the Earth Day Network at EarthDay.org. These local Earth Day events will take place nearby or in a digital format. Taking a pledge to go pesticide-free, committing to reducing meat from our diet or organizing an online community climate discussion are other ways to honor the cause safely from home.

Freedom of Information

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

A two-year, open-access project organized by more than 20 organizations, including Wellcome, in London, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Seattle, and Dutch NOW—some of the world’s largest research funders—began requiring in January that scholarly papers published from the work they fund be made immediately available for public reading at no charge. The initiative, Plan S, may usher in the end of journal subscriptions and allow anyone to read scientific literature. Plan S has already prompted several titles, including Nature, to offer open-access publishing for the first time.

image courtesy of PlanS.org

Access Expanded for Scientific Papers

Exposure to Love to Action: Mobilizing Advocates for our Earth – 7-8:30pm. Free. Online event. Award winning conservationist, Audrey Peterman will speak on how physical distancing has brought people closer to our Earth and what that means for the future of our planet. Followed by a Q & A. Online.352-846-2000. FloridaMuseum.Ufl.Edu. SATURDAY, APRIL 24 Earthfest Celebrate Arbor Day – 9am-2pm. Free. Celebrate Arbor Day with tree repelling, youth fishing derby, feeding live butterflies, rock climbing with food and entertainment provided by food trucks and live music. There will be tree giveaways and a variety of vendors that promote conservation and sustainability. Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala. 352-629-2489. OcalaFl.org. April 2021

green living

Healthy Home

How to Detoxify a Living Space by Yvette Hammett

s the world moves into its second year of a viral pandemic, many of us are still spending most of our time at home—working, exercising, hanging out with family and as with any other year, cooking and cleaning. There’s no better time to take stock of these surroundings and purge them of any toxins—gases, inhalants or fumes—that may be contributing to a harmful environment. Start with the air. Research shows that indoor air is two to five times more toxic than the air outside, due to inadequate ventilation. This condition, coupled with fumes from synthetic fibers, makeup, paints, cleansers or even a baby’s plastic toys, can contribute to health issues and a less environmentally beneficial abode. A straightforward solution—in addition to getting rid of the pollution-causing objects—is to open the windows and use fans to recirculate the air. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can safely remove many contaminants, but don’t spritz a commercial air freshener: A University of Washington study found that eight widely used air fresheners released an average of 18 chemicals into the air, some of them hazardous, including the likely human carcinogen acetaldehyde.

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Purge plastics. Perfluorinated compounds PFAS and PFOS, known as “forever chemicals”, are found in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, some cosmetics, and products that resist grease, water and oil. They have been found to cause a wide range of health problems from kidney and testicular cancers to endocrine disruptions. Consider doing a clean sweep of the house to determine which of these can be replaced, paying special attention to plastics. “If you really limit plastics to a few things, you are fine,” says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., a neuroscience and toxicology expert at North Carolina State University.

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Reconsider kitchenware. Eliminate all nonstick cookware, Patisaul advises. “Use ceramic and other materials that do not have perfluorinated chemicals.” Debbie Steinbock, a nutrition counselor at Mindful Family Medical, in Boulder, Colorado, suggests replacing plastic storage containers, which can leach chemicals when heated. “Use a cast iron skillet and use glass jars and mason jars for food storage.” Chuck out toxic cleaners. Many commercial kitchen, bathroom and other cleaning products are loaded with chemicals linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption

Get the lead out. Andrew Rooney, deputy director at the National Toxicology Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sees lead, which causes brain damage and other serious defects, as a major risk present in water supplies and the paint of older homes. “The thing I want to emphasize is there is no safe level of lead exposure, so eliminating exposure sources is the best protection for your health,” he says. Drinking water contamination comes from the distribution lines and plumbing fixtures, with lead leaching out from repairs or adjustments. “Having your household water tested by a certified lab is the best option to determine if you have water issues,” he says. Consult state and local health agencies for guidance on lead paint or lead in the water lines and how to remove it. Also consider a water filter: ConsumerReports.com has a comprehensive rating of models from pitchers to under-sink setups. Take it a step further. The new EWG downloadable Healthy Living app makes it easy to use a smartphone to check out 120,000 products for toxic ingredients, including cosmetics and foods. “It has a barcode scanner to scan your favorite lipstick or shampoo, and it will pop up an ingredient list and give it a score,” says Patisaul. The database includes ingredients not found on packaging and scores products on a zero to 10 scale. “It pretty much has to be water to get a zero,” she says. Yvette Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, Florida. She can be contacted at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

eco tip

The Benefits of Planting Trees More Foliage Means Lower Temperatures

Planting more trees can slow down climate change. Science magazine reports, “The restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation.” The Arbor Day celebrations this month make it an apt time for taking actions that benefit both urban areas and open spaces. More than 166,000 square miles of forest habitat—approximately the size of California—in the tropics and subtropics have been decimated in the last 13 years, and about 2.7 million square miles of forest worldwide remain threatened, according to a recent study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Some major ways to take action include: Avoid buying products linked to deforestation. Pressure lawmakers to make supply chains sustainable while balancing the need for regulation with the concerns of farmers and businesses. Urge policymakers to enact zero-deforestation policies and bolster the rights and control of forests for local communities and indigenous people, says the WWF. Donate spare change. By joining Plant Your Change for All (PlantYourChange. com), all debit or credit card purchases are automatically rounded up to the nearest dollar and the balance applied toward planting trees. Working together with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) (ArborDay.org) and Eden Reforestation Projects, the initiative has already planted more than 3 million trees, offsetting 5 million miles of vehicle carbon emissions. Become a member of the ADF and receive 10 free trees, along with tree nursery discounts; help to qualify a community to receive the Tree City USA designation; or get involved with National Arbor Day, generally celebrated on the last Friday in April, but observed on different days in some states. The organization’s website includes ideas for conducting virtual celebrations if local chapters are not holding public events due to the pandemic. Also consider participating in other ADF programs such as the Alliance for Community Trees and NeighborWoods Month. Support the planting of city trees. According to a recent study from the U.S. Forest Service reported in Treehugger.com, the nation’s urban canopies, currently home to approximately 5.5 billion trees, provide roughly $18 billion in annual benefits via the removal of pollution from the air, carbon sequestration, reduced emissions and improved energy efficiency in buildings.

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and neurotoxicity. They can be particularly toxic for children: A recent Canadian study found that repeated use of a disinfectant reduced beneficial gut bacteria in toddlers, probably contributing to obesity. A good place to start in cleaning out the cleaners is at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website ewg.org; its Healthy Living Home Guide evaluates the health risks of 2,500 cleaning products. It also advises a simple strategy of using vinegar and water or baking soda.

April 2021

healing ways

Breathe Easy Natural Remedies for Allergy Woes

by Ronica O’Hara

s the one in five Americans suffering from allergic rhinitis can miserably testify, the fragrant breezes of spring aren’t much fun when they bring on sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and a runny nose. The fifth-most common chronic disease in the country, allergic rhinitis—also known as hay fever—is aggravated in spring by rising pollen levels, but can occur year-round from exposure to mold, household dust mites, pet dander and vehicular air pollution.

Common remedies like over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants bring their own share of afflictions, including drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision and dizziness. “By undertaking natural therapy for allergies, however, one can avoid and mitigate the unpleasant symptoms of allergies with no need for medication,” says Carrie Lam, M.D., an integrative and functional medicine doctor in Tustin, California. “Instead of loading up on drugs, you can take care of yourself in a more natural way and avoid nasty side effects.” Here are some non-pharmaceutical approaches. Probiotics: In a 173-person, double-blind study, a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterum bifidum G9-1 and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2 lowered hay fever symptoms and improved participants’ quality of life during allergy season, report University of Florida researchers in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (Read labels to locate these strains in yogurts, kefirs and supplements.)

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Sublingual Immunotherapy: To desensitize the body, small amounts of specific allergens in the form of tablets or liquid drops are placed under the tongue, making it a gentler and safer process than allergy shots. Numerous studies have shown it to be safe and efficient in the treatment of respiratory tract allergies, reports JoAnn Yanez, ND, executive director of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC). After getting a diagnosis and a first dose from a health practitioner, the tablets or drops can be taken at home.

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Quercetin: Found naturally in apples, berries, red grapes, red onions, red wine and black tea, this antioxidant inhibits the release of histamine and hampers the IgE antibodies formed during allergic reactions. As a 400-milligram (mg) supplement, it takes about a month to kick in. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): When freeze-dried as an extract or used as a tea, this prickly roadside weed is a nontoxic

natural antihistamine. In one study, 58 percent of participants found that 300 mg per day relieved their symptoms. Omega-3s: Anti-inflammatory fatty acids found in such foods as tuna, salmon, walnuts and flaxseed oil can help reduce symptoms, research suggests. In a Japanese study, eating fish lowered respiratory symptoms for women, while fast food and sugary drinks worsened respiratory stress. Nasal Rinse: Using a neti pot with saline solution to rinse allergens out of nasal passages provides quick relief for stuffy, runny, irritated noses. In one study, people using them reported a 64 percent improvement in chronic sinus symptoms and a better quality of life. An ancient Ayurveda technique popularized by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz, the pots cost about $20 in pharmacies. Nasal sprays, although easier to use initially, aren’t as effective, studies show. Unpasteurized Honey: “Local honey contains tiny amounts of pollen from nearby flowers, which can make you less sensitive when you’re exposed to them outdoors,” says chiropractor and nutritionist Josh Axe, Nashville-based author of Ancient Remedies. A Malaysian study of 40 hay fever sufferers found that high doses of local honey, taken along with an antihistamine, reduced sneezing and nasal decongestion more effectively than the antihistamine alone. Acupuncture: Based on established research, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation recommends acupuncture for hay fever patients that want to avoid pharmaceuticals. Homeopathy: To stimulate the body’s natural healing process, homeopathy uses highly diluted doses of herbs and other substances. Although it’s best to work with a homeopath, two helpful remedies commonly found in health food stores are Allium cepa 30C, for watery eyes, sneezing and a runny or irritated nose; and Kali bichromicum 30C, for persistent sinus congestion with thick nasal discharge. Anti-Allergen Cleaning: Simple steps recommended by AANMC to lower airborne allergens include using a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the vacuum cleaner; replacing AC filters frequently; changing out of clothes and showering when coming in from the outdoors to rinse off pollen; leaving shoes outside; changing the air filter in the car; and avoiding toxic inhalants with synthetic ingredients like perfumes, body sprays, scented candles, room sprays, air fresheners and dryer sheets.

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Ronica O’Hara, a natural health writer, can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com. April 2021

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Eco-Athletes

Working Out with the Planet in Mind by Marlaina Donato

sonally gratifying, it also makes you keenly aware of just how far the world is from taking action sufficient to keep climate change in check. We all need to do more,” says Bruce Rayner, founder and chief green officer at Athletes for a Fit Planet, in Portland, Maine, who was enlightened to the problems firsthand at a half-ironman distance race. “When I got to the finish line, I was given my obligatory plastic water bottle. I looked around for a recycling bin, and all I saw was an overflowing trash bin.” Founded in 2008, Rayner’s organization partners with pro-environment races like the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, recently named the most sustainable 10-miles-or-less race in the country.

rom human-powered gyms that generate electricity to Earth-friendly activewear, professional and recreational athletes alike are increasingly working out with the planet in mind. Taking a recycled yoga mat to class, nixing the plastic water bottle and going “plogging”—picking up litter while out for a run—are just a few examples of eco-fitness in motion. “We believe that movement and nature go hand-in-hand, yet the world of sports isn’t as green as it should be, with plastic bottles at events, junk food in canteens and monotonous movement in the gym,” says Saraï Pannekoek, co-founder of the Sustainable Athlete Foundation, which strives to create a sustainable sports environment through coaching, workshops and campaigns.

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Fueling Up, Protecting Natural Resources

Working Out Green Links between personal fitness and environmental toxicity are critical. Sixty percent of clothing is manufactured with fossil fuel-derived plastics, and activewear rates highest for eco-toxic fibers. Choosing workout clothes made from sustainable bamboo and cotton can soften the impact. With name brands like Adidas offering sustainable footwear, staying fit doesn’t need to increase the toll on the environment. Pannekoek, who hosts the Sustainable Athlete Podcast with co-founder Paul Venner in Amsterdam, emphasizes personal responsibility. “We believe that there isn’t a quick fix. It’s all about habits and conscious behavior, while still being able to peak perform.” Supplementing the usual gym routine with self-powered workouts and outdoor activities like gardening, sustainable charity races and hiking are sound choices that can help to buffer climate change. “Being eco-centric enriches life and enhances health, but while it’s per18

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A pillar of the eco-fitness movement is eating clean and going plant-based for the health of people and planet. “Diet is a big part of being eco-fit. The best action you can take is to support local farms, specifically organic farms,” emphasizes Rayner. To minimize global greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, eating more nutrition-packed produce, whole grains, legumes and nuts instead of animal products supports sustainability. For Adam Layzell, sports therapist, nutritionist and author of How to Train Your Vegan: The Comprehensive Guide to Plant-Based Fitness, going vegan is a win-win situation. “A vegan diet encourages fat loss, improves endurance and recovery and has plenty of all the necessary components such as protein to build strength and muscle.” Layzell underscores that the vegan diet preserves animals and their ecosystems, prevents deforestation and destruction of wild land and lowers the impact on climate change and global warming.

Athlete Engagement For Lewis Blaustein, managing editor of GreenSportsBlog.com, climate change action and sports are an ideal marriage. He recently launched EcoAthletes.org to encourage sports figures to speak up about global warming. “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world.’ EcoAthletes aims to show that athletes are the agents of that change and that they, by mobilizing millions if not billions of fans, can do so on climate.” Blaustein sees a surge of climate-concerned athletes leading radical changes. “There will be many different looks—from athletes endorsing green products à la solar power, electric vehicles, etc., to athletes speaking out for environmental/climate justice in a similar fashion to WNBA and NBA players on Black Lives Matter.” Pannekoek concurs, “All small steps taken still go a great distance. Elite athletes are role models. If they would support more conscious brands to influence the youth, we believe that they can make such a difference.”

75th ANNIVERSARY!

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

WHAT WE CAN DO Bruce Rayner: n After pandemic restrictions lift, when signing up for a race, pick one that’s local and carpool with friends.

n Washing polyester clothing means microplastics are in the wastewater, which means they make their way into the environment. Consider getting a filter for your washing machine that catches microplastics.

n Tell race directors that you appreciate their efforts to be more sustainable.

Adam Layzell: n Reuse clothes to lower the carbon footprint and plastic production. Go to the charity shop, borrow, repair and buy second-hand.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A YOGI

n Choose reusable water bottles.

The book that has c hanged the lives of millions

n Exercise in nature, a great way to appreciate what we need to be protecting.

n Litter pick when exercising in nature. Have a small backpack and clean up as you run.

Saraï Pannekoek: n Consume intentionally and more mindfully. Think and act long-term instead of going for quick fixes.

Quality Paperback, only $12.50 Also available in eBook and audio editions

of doing simple repetition over and over again.

n Replace sugary snacks with quick,

energizing exercises throughout the day. (We call this “movement snacks”.)

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n Change your movements instead

w w w .

y o g a n a n d a . o r g April 2021

CLIMATE CHANGE AND OUR HEALTH cottonbro/Pexels.com

The Human Costs of a Warming Planet by Sandra Yeyati

lobal warming is not just threatening polar bears far away in the Arctic, and its effects are not somewhere in the distant future. With every new wildfire, hurricane and flash flood, people are understanding that the warming of the planet poses dire consequences for human health right here, right now. It’s personal, and while some sectors of the population are unfairly and disproportionately impacted, we are all in harm’s way.

This is no time to panic, say climate and public health advocates, but rather a moment for preparation, adaptation and mobilization. Prospects are hopeful as we tackle new realities together and evolve our conversations about climate change so we can build resilient, thriving communities. The good news is that many of the individual and policy changes we need to make are exciting opportunities for positive transformation and justice.

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Health Threats in Our Midst

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The warming of the planet is becoming more noticeable. “That historic two weeks anywhere in the United States where it’s the heat wave of high summer is now six weeks to two months,” says Jay Lemery, M.D., professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and co-author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. “There are parts of the Middle East now where you can’t be outside and meaningfully cool your body during certain parts of the day.” “With warming, we’re seeing drought, wildfires, hurricanes, extreme precipitation, flooding and sea level rise, all of which have health consequences,” says Surili Patel, director of the Center for Climate, Health and Equity at the American Public Health Association. “With rising temperature and heat waves, we’re seeing heat stroke, dehydration, diarrheal disease, cardiovascular distress and respiratory illnesses. Extreme weather like wildfires, hurricanes and flooding cause direct injuries, as well as vector-borne illnesses (Lyme

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disease carried by ticks or dengue fever and malaria by mosquitoes), mold and harmful algal blooms that happen when it’s really hot, but also show up in places that otherwise wouldn’t have because of the combination of heat and flooding.” Lemery notes that incidences of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases are moving higher in altitude and latitude, affecting historically naive populations that have not had levels of disease immunity, the infrastructure or cultural habits to protect them. “These are huge killers worldwide, and we’re seeing more and more of that,” he says. “When you have a warmer winter, spring starts earlier, trees bloom early and pollen season starts early too, and longer exposure to pollen increases your risk of having an asthma attack,” says Professor Amir Sapkota at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, adding that the Northeast is heavily impacted by this phenomenon. “Here in Colorado, in the summer heat, we have these huge swaths of wildfire smoke hanging over Denver, and people come in to the emergency department. Their inhalers aren’t working anymore, and they’re having chest pain and shortness of breath when they’re on oxygen at baseline,” says Lemery. “These are people normally able to walk across a parking lot with their walker and their oxygen, but now they can’t. We see this all summer long, and we admit them for asthma exacerbation, shortness of breath and COPD (i.e., emphysema), but what we don’t write down is that the air quality is the worst it’s been all year, or that it’s the hottest day of the year.” “Air pollution contributes to climate change, but it also gets into your lungs and irritates them, exacerbating chronic respiratory illnesses, and can even lead to a heart attack,” says Jennifer Roberts, director of the Path of Positive Communities program at EcoAmerica, noting that the biggest culprits are carbon emissions from coal-burning power plants, diesel fuels and ground-level ozone, which is created when pollution reacts to heat and sunlight. “With sea level rise, things are flooding more often and we get septic tanks overflowing, sending fecal matter into our drinking water supplies and expos

April 2021

ing us to diarrheal diseases. We also see offices and industrial sites getting flooded and, whether it’s paint, fertilizers or other toxins, those get into our water and it’s very unhealthy,” Roberts says.

The Most Vulnerable Among Us Certain segments of the population are more at risk. “Lower socioeconomic groups are suffering more from extreme heat events. The urban heat island effect, which unfortunately correlates very well with poorer neighborhoods, means that they’ll have heat waves seven to 10 degrees hotter in their neighborhoods than surrounding places with more green space,” Lemery says. “You see the public health infrastructure less robust to be able to attend to communities of color—like you saw with COVID. There are also physiologic vulnerabilities. Climate change affects the very young, the very old and the very sick much more because of their preexisting vulnerabilities, and then we have geographic vulnerabilities—people who live on the coast without sea walls or in flood plains. As sea level rise proliferates, and that data is really straightforward, they’re going to be going under increased storm surge stress and flat-out flooding.”

hazards with “credible messaging repeated over and over again with clarity and no hedging: Wear a mask. Stay indoors during high-heat events. Don’t let children play outdoors when the air quality index is at a dangerous level.” There are many ways to mitigate threats. As experts point out, we know what to do, and it’s just a matter of putting our attention and resources on their implementation. “One of the biggest ways is let’s remove the sources of harmful spewing pollution—move away from coal, oil and gas—and invest in clean sources of energy, which will also create jobs in these new industries,” says Patel. Another big step would be to promote mass transit and active transportation— walking and biking—over individual, gasguzzling vehicles. Patel advocates for local investments in bike lanes and sidewalks that encourage the switch. Both Lemery and Roberts express excitement about clean-running electric cars as potential game-changers in transportation. Planting trees and vegetable gardens are easy, community-building solutions. “Trees are very beneficial to everything from shade to water filtration to producing oxy-

gen and taking up carbon,” says Roberts, who adds that much can be done to restore and protect streams, ponds and lakes from the ill effects of pollution and development. “You get volunteers to clean up the gunk and increase regulations for developers to keep stuff out of the waterways.”

Eco-Anxiety and Making Positive Change

The experts agree that it’s important to frame climate change as a public health issue because it brings a sense of urgency to act. “If it isn’t a crisis, if it isn’t something we’re seeing every day on the front page, then you forget about it. And when you forget about it, the funding doesn’t come,” says Patel, whose work focuses on underprivileged communities that need special attention and funding. Sapkota advocates for the development of early warning systems so that local health departments can anticipate and adapt to impending extreme weather events, directing resources to the most impacted and vulnerable communities. In some cases, moving people out of flood plains and vulnerable coastal areas through eminent domain might be needed. Lemery believes that doctors are in a prime position to counsel their patients on preventive measures against climate 22

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Achievable Public Health Solutions

Jessica Schiff, a second-year master of science student at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health, struggles with eco-anxiety—the depression, anxiety or dread associated with climate change. She says, “It impacts the decisions I make for my life and the future, just trying to think about overall impacts. Where is my food coming from? Do I want to have kids or adopt? Should I live in the suburbs or the city because of transportation and fossil fuel consumption? This all adds a layer of unease or uncertainty about the future. Sometimes I look at Greta [Thunberg] and how far she’s taken things, and feel guilty about not taking things to such an extreme. Is it hypocritical for me to care about climate change but still eat meat occasionally or take a plane to explore the world?” Schiff deals with eco-anxiety by taking action. “We’re not going to reverse climate change at this point, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take steps to slow it down or reduce emissions. There are many small things we can each do, like biking or walking instead of taking a car or bus and reducing our use of plastic. It’s a process. You can’t do it overnight, but if you make a lot of small changes, and if everybody makes small changes, that has a bigger effect.” Roberts acknowledges the power of small, individual actions, but stresses that we should not let the big polluters off the hook. “We need to continue to press for policy changes, holding polluters accountable, passing regulations based on protecting human health and climate, requiring cleaner cars and buildings, and more. That’s the only way we will get to the scale of change needed to truly bring global warming to a halt.” Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

wise words

Sheryl DeVore on

Appreciating Nature and Wildlife by Randy Kambic

s we spend more time outside for pandemic safety to exercise and reduce stress, Sheryl DeVore suggests maximizing these experiences by being more aware of the wonders we see and the need to preserve them. The award-winning author of five books on science, health and nature also writes for the Birds & Blooms national magazine, the Chicago Tribune and Natural Awakenings Chicago. With degrees in writing and education from Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University, respectively, plus extensive studies in biology and botany, she assists the Illinois Audubon Society, including writing for and editing a 2019 book on the state’s endangered species.

Is climate change impacting wildlife and nature? Recent worldwide studies are showing how climate changes affect bird migration times, bloom times of plants and mammal behavior. All of this is interconnected and can harm the environment and the flora and the fauna that live within it. For example, we’re finding that the relationship between healthy oak woods and migratory birds like warblers is being affected by climate change. Warblers time their migrations to pass through regions when oaks are just starting to leaf out. Insects are attracted to the buds and the early leaves, and warblers

are attracted to the insects. Once the leaves emerge, chemicals in the oaks deter the insects and there isn’t any food for the warblers. Climate change can cause the oaks to leaf out early, so if warblers arrive on their normal schedule, they’ll find less food and therefore have less energy to make it to their nesting grounds. Plants and animals are trying to adapt in different ways, and this can be a huge issue if climate change continues.

Are there any new trends you’ve noticed in people growing vegetables at home? Especially during the pandemic, people that have limited space are learning that they can grow their own food at home—growing vegetables and herbs in containers, both indoors and outdoors. Online classes can be helpful in teaching them to grow vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, spinach and peppers, which are great sources for antioxidants and vitamins. This trend coincides with the movement to eat healthier.

Have you seen any changes in how people observe nature during the pandemic? When I go to forest preserves, parks and nature centers, even in my neighborhood, I have noticed more people, including families with their children, outdoors. Parents can inspire their children anywhere to learn

to appreciate nature. Ask a child what kind of tree is in the yard. Maybe they can take a photo or draw a picture of it to create a memory and inspire them to want to learn more. Ask them, “What’s that bug on that plant?” or, “What is the bird that’s singing?” There’s so much for them to enjoy.

What can we do to try to protect and preserve the environment? Sometimes people think they can’t make a difference as individuals. Small things can make a difference—have a ripple effect. People volunteer to return native habitats to their past, remove non-native species, plant new ones. Volunteers are planting and restoring prairies, woodlands. In your own backyard, you can plant native species or create a butterfly garden or capture rainwater in a rain barrel to water your plants, which will conserve resources. There are so many things you can do with the family.

Why should we care about endangered species? Endangered species serve as canaries in a coal mine. When their numbers decline, that can be a signal that something is going wrong with the environment. When DDT was widely used in the U.S., the bald eagle and other species began to decline. The DDT thinned their egg shells so they weren’t able to raise their young. They showed us that DDT pollutes and harms the environment, and in turn, humans. By discovering that, by saving eagles, we helped save ourselves. By protecting endangered species, we truly are saving ourselves. We don’t know what unknown species are out there that might be useful in helping to treat diseases. Anyone who sees an endangered species knows how satisfying an experience this is, and to me, it also translates to a healthier mind and body. For more information, visit SherylDeVore.wordpress.com. Randy Kambic, in Estero, Florida, is a freelance editor and writer. April 2021

healthy kids

Nature to the Rescue Kids Come Alive Outdoors

image courtesy of Meraiko

by Ronica O’Hara

s Angela Hanscom of Barrington, New Hampshire, watched her preschool daughters at play, she realized that a surprising number of their friends had problems with balance, coordination and muscle weakness, conditions she was attuned to as a pediatric occupational therapist. Teachers told her that compared to past years, young children were falling out of chairs and bumping into each other and walls more often—all evidence of poor proprioceptive skills, the “sixth sense” ability to feel and position the body in space. Hanscom also realized that almost none of the children played outdoors, which “fascinated and scared” her. Nationwide, even before the lockdowns and online schooling 24

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brought on by the pandemic, the average child spent seven hours per day looking at screens and only seven minutes per day playing freely outdoors. Recent studies show that today’s children have poorer hand grip strength, slower running speeds and lower cardiovascular fitness levels than previous generations. Meanwhile, a growing body of research finds that spending time in nature makes kids happier, healthier and more functional. Hanscom’s solution was to establish TimberNook, camps in which children from 18 months to 14 years of age are encouraged to explore natural settings in imaginative, largely unstructured, minimally supervised play. Now in its eighth year, 38 TimberNook-affiliated camps are located in the U.S., Canada, the UK and Australia. Hanscom’s book, Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children, has garnered more than 300 fivestar reviews on Amazon.com. “Children thrive physically, mentally and emotionally when they are given frequent outdoor play experiences, especially with other children. When children do not get enough of these opportunities, it comes at a great cost to their development,” she says. Journalist Richard Louv, author of the seminal Last Child in the Woods, agrees. “The scientists who study the human senses no longer talk about five senses, they list conservatively nine or 10, and some believe that humans have as many as 30 senses,” he says. “Yet today, children and adults who work and learn in a dominating digital environment expend enormous energy blocking out many of the human senses—including ones we don’t even know we have—to focus narrowly on the screen in front of the eyes. That’s the very definition of being less alive. What parent wants his or her child to be less alive? Who among us wants to be less alive?” That dawning realization is motivating parents and teachers to find ways to get their children actively involved with nature in ways that open their senses while also moving their bodies. This often means hitting the local trails and nature preserves, sometimes with binoculars, bug jars, bird and plant guides and a

scavenger list in hand. “‘Hiking’ can be a bit of a drag to young children, but ‘exploring’ (while still hiking) helps open their minds to the beauty and wonder of the outdoors,” says Tanya Gray of Woodstock, Georgia, a homeschooling blogger at TwoPineAdventure.com. To improve kids’ hearing, Lilach Saperstein, an Israeli audiologist who hosts the podcast All About Audiology, asks children to close their eyes and describe only what they hear. “The wind, the rustle of leaves, a running water stream, crickets, birds, their own breathing, the swish of their sleeve or pant—this is a great way to introduce mindfulness, as well.” To awaken sight, sound and smell, Boston plein air artist Diana Stelin hands kids paper and art supplies out in nature. “Allowing kids to sit with sounds around them and with smells of various seasons makes them truly feel part of our grand universe. It also allows their minds to quiet down and reset, making them pay more attention to detail, to their inner landscapes and to people around them.”

To engage the sense of taste, Malorie Thompson, editor of TheVeganInsider.com, takes her children foraging for edible plants on treasure hunts on a trail or around their Northern California neighborhood. She says, “Bonus activity: use the foraged food to make a meal afterward!” Most of all, nature should be both physical and fun. “Point excitedly at the full moon, shout at it and say hello. Pick up leaves and chestnuts and rocks and create beautiful art together. Stop to smell the twigs and flowers and roll on the grass—who can make it faster down the hill? Make sandcastles and animals. Tie colorful ribbons on tree branches. Look for the shapes of animals in the clouds,” says Milana Perepyolkina, of Salt Lake City, who wrote about forest bathing in Gypsy Energy Secrets. “The only way to get your children to be excited about nature is for you to be excited about nature first,” she notes. Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Family Time in the Woods Richard Louv, a prominent nature writer and a co-founder of The Children & Nature Network (C&NN), offers 500 ways for families and communities to connect to the natural world in his book Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life. Here are more wise words. Be a hummingbird parent. One parent says, “In the range from helicopter to neglect—I probably fall a bit more toward helicopter. In fact, I call myself a hummingbird parent. I tend to stay physically distant to let them explore and problem-solve, but zoom in at moments when safety is an issue (which isn’t very often).” Notice that she isn’t hovering over her kids with nature flash cards. She stands back and makes space for independent nature play—albeit not as free as she experienced as a child; this play is important, nonetheless. Create or join a family nature club. Nature clubs for families are beginning to catch on across the country; some have membership lists of 400-plus families. The idea is that multiple families meet to go for a hike, garden together or even do stream reclamation. We hear from family nature club leaders that when families get together, the kids tend to play more creatively—with other kids or independently—than during singlefamily outings. C&NN’s Nature Clubs for Families offers a free downloadable guide on how to start your own. Get the safety information you need. Become familiar with good resources for safety tips in the outdoors, including those with information on how to guard against ticks. Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s cdc.gov. AudubonPortland.org offers tips on living with a variety of urban wildlife.

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conscious eating

Spring Cleaning the Body Simple Ways to Detox Naturally by April Thompson

s we shake off the sluggishness of winter, many of us feel an urge to “spring clean” our bodies with a detox or cleanse. Yet health experts say such programs should help jumpstart new healthy habits and not necessarily be seen as a short-term fix. “The air we breathe, the water we drink, the cosmetics we use, the materials we build with and most notably, the food that we eat, are loaded with chemicals that are toxic to our metabolism,” says Alejandro Junger, a Los Angeles cardiologist, author and founder of CleanProgram.com. “The systems in the body designed to clear toxicity are overwhelmed, and this leads to the imbalances and damage that is at the root of most diseases today.” Detoxification functions are performed by many different organs and tissues, including intestinal flora, the immune system, the nervous system and the liver, so its imbalances can manifest in diverse ways, according to Junger. “Symptoms of detox imbalance include sleep and mood disorders, anxiety, rashes, lack of energy and libido, autoimmune disorders, inflammation and cancer.” While some health professionals say that detoxes are unnecessary because the body is capable of cleansing itself, others make a compelling case for the need to help it along, given our heightened exposure to manmade toxic elements. Information of varying repute swirls around the internet, offering approaches ranging from juice cleanses to total fasts.

Simple dietary strategies can help sweep out toxins, explains Robin Foroutan, an integrative dietitian and nutritionist in New York City. She points to cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale, which promote cytochromes P450, a family of enzymes critical in helping toxins clear the body. She also recommends foods high in fiber that can bind to toxins and bile, and transport them out of the body through the stool. Berries, green tea and turmeric are also helpful for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; even water facilitates the excretion process, supports the lymphatic system and replenishes fluids lost through sweat. Using a water filter and eating organic foods when possible also reduces incoming toxins, she says. Healthy smoothies are a great way to get water, fiber and easily digestible nutrients into our body at the same time, according 26

North Central FL Edition

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Everyday Toxin Cleaners

Fasting (occasionally for a prolonged period, such as three days without food) and intermittent fasting (abstaining from food for a shorter period, such as 16 hours per day on a regular basis) are great tools for deeper detoxification, says Junger. “Digestion takes energy and resources from the detox functions, so eating less, eating less often and allowing time for digestion to stop so that detox can intensify is crucial.” For a comprehensive detox, experts recommend working with a health practitioner to assess toxic burdens and develop a personalized plan. Russell Jaffe, a physician in Ashburn, Virginia, crafts a detox program based on four self-assessments, including digestive transit time, urine pH, hydration levels and vitamin C levels. Jaffe claims our bodies are burdened by excess acid, rendering them less resilient to stress and resulting in fatigue, illness and infection risks. “When we enjoy a diet rich in greens, fruits, vegetables, minerals and antioxidants, our cells become more alkaline and more resistant to everyday stress,” he states. Experts emphasize that a short-term program must be part of a longer-lasting lifestyle and diet shift. “It is not enough to do periodic detoxes if you go back to old habits. I offer these programs as a jumpstart in hopes that participants feel so much better that they never want to go back to what they were doing and eating before,” says Junger. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Sweet Mango Smoothie Sweet fruit paired with spinach for an extra dose of fiber, vitamins and super-green-detoxifying antioxidants won’t change the taste of this beloved fruit smoothie. 1 cup fresh or frozen mango 1 to 3 cups spinach ¼ cup packed mint ½ cup coconut water ½ cup coconut milk 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 serving dairy-free protein powder Handful of ice

photo by kaitlyn noble

Deep Detox

Detox Delights

Skin and chop mango. Wash spinach. Remove mint leaves from their stems and rinse them with water. Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth (30-60 seconds). Pour and serve immediately. Sprinkle chia seeds on top if desired. Recipe by Kaitlyn Noble of the Clean Program.

Vegetable Yum Soup Soups help provide the body with nutrient- and fiber-rich vegetables in an easy-to-digest format, while soup broths help supply water for detoxification and a sense of satiety. Yield: 4 to 6 Servings 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 garlic clove, minced 2 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1 stalk lemongrass, minced ½ tsp crushed red pepper ¾ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped 5 to 6 cups vegetable stock 1 (14-oz) can coconut milk 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 3 Tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped Heat the oil in a large pot and sauté garlic, ginger, lemongrass and crushed red pepper. Stir in the mushrooms, sweet potatoes and bell pepper, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, bring to boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the coconut milk and soy sauce, and stir. Serve sprinkled with cilantro or parsley (optional).

photo by kaitlyn noble

to Junger. “When using a good, clean, protein powder in addition to fruits and leafy greens, healthy fats such as nuts, and coconut or cashew milk, a smoothie can provide us the nutrients needed to support our energy for hours,” he says. Adding herbs like mint or holy basil (tulsi) and spices like turmeric and cinnamon elevate both flavor and healing. Liquids such as celery juice provide highly concentrated nutrients and hydration, but lack the fiber of a blended drink. Both juices and smoothies give overtaxed digestive systems a needed break.

Source: Russell Jaffe, The Joy in Living: The Alkaline Way. April 2021

this month’s guide to farmers’ markets

Alachua County

Alachua County Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon. 5920 NW 13th Street, Gainesville 352-371-8236 441Market.com

Place an online order for pick-up or home delivery. 4317 NE U.S. Highway 301, Hawthorne 352-468-3816 FrogSongOffice@gmail.com FrogSongOrganics.com

Gainesville Market at Heartwood Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 619 S. Main St, Gainesville 352-448-4849 GNVMarket.com

Grove Street Farmers’ Market

Mondays, 4 to 7 p.m. Located at Cypress & Grove Brewery 1001 NW 4th St, Gainesville GroveStreetFarmersMarket@gmail.com GroveStreetFarmersMarket.com

Haile Farmers’ Market

Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon. 5213 SW 91 Terrace, Gainesville 352-639-0446 HaileFarmersMarket.com

High Springs Farmers’ Market

Fridays, 3 to 7 p.m. 23517 NW 185th Rd, High Springs 352-275-6346 Highsprings.us/FarmersMarket

North Central FL Edition

Sumter County

Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 1996 North Florida Avenue, Hernando 352-419-4833 HernandoFreshMarket.com

Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 524 N Market Boulevard, Webster 352-569-1220 SumterCountyFarmersMarket.com

Hernando Fresh Market

Frog Song Organics

Citrus County

Sumter County Farmers’ Market

Snow’s Country Market

Brownwood Farmers’ Market

Tony’s Produce Market

Brown’s Country Market

Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 6976 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills 352-489-4933 Facebook.com/SnowsCountryMarket Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 454 NE 3rd St, Crystal River 352-228-4119 Tonys-Produce-Market.com

Marion County

Crone’s Cradle Conserve

Call in orders and receive a pick-up time. For Saturday or Sunday pickups, orders must be placed no later than 2 p.m. Friday. 6411 NE 217th Place, Citra 352-595-3377 CronesCradleConserve.org

Harbison Farm Cattle and Produce

Harbison Farm Cattle & Produce, 4696 NE County Road 329, Anthony 352-239-3552 GVTharbison@EmbarqMail.com Tinyurl.com/HarbisonFarm

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2726 Brownwood Boulevard, Wildwood 352-750-5411 SumterCountyFarmersMarket.com

Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 13992 N U.S. 301, Oxford 352-303-1550 BrownAndBrownFarms.com/pages/ browns-country-market

The Villages

Brownwood Paddock Square

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2705 W Torch Lake Dr, The Villages 352-753-6655 TheVillagesEntertainment.com/markets

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natural pet

Feathered Friends The Pros and Cons of Keeping Birds as Pets by Julie Peterson

Complex Commitment Birds follow only dogs and cats as the country’s favorite companion animals, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lovebirds, budgies and canaries have an average lifespan of eight or more years, but can live to be 20. Typically, larger birds live longer. Because it’s common for birds to outlive their owners, the Avian Welfare Coalition, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, helps ensure these pets are included in wills and estate planning. Birds need to chew, and if they play outside their cages, must be kept away from hazardous items. Besides droppings, birds also create dander and dust. “Cleaning her cage and the room is a two-hour project every week,” says Luther. There’s also the potty mouth. Kata May learned some unsavory phrases from her previous owner. She sometimes screams, “Shut the hell up!” or, “Turn that #@%&ing thing up!” to get the TV at the desired volume. Babette de Jongh, an animal communicator and romance author in Bay Minette, Alabama, once knew a bird that routinely screamed, “Fire!” resulting in 911 calls. “Birds can be loud,” says de Jongh. “They generally try to be louder than the ambient noise in the room.” Luther agrees, saying, “You can hear my bird yell from a city block away.” 30

North Central FL Edition

Happy and Healthy Talking birds are delightful. Some mimic human language, others understand word meanings and use them appropriately. “Birds are as intelligent as a young child and as emotionally temperamental as a toddler,” says Mary Miller, who has raised budgies and the small- to medium-sized parrots known as conures at her home in Buffalo and has worked with other birds in rescue facilities. Luther agrees that birds don’t just mimic what they hear. “They understand like a 2- to 3-year-old child. When we are cooking dinner, she will ask, ‘For me?’ or, ‘Can I have some?’” Kata May also articulates her fondness for the pizza delivery person with, “I love you!” Then, “Mmmmmm, thank you,” in anticipation of a treat. Even without words, birds are excellent companions. “If raised correctly and interacted with on a regular basis, birds can be very affectionate. They are highly intelligent and social animals, so they form deep and lasting bonds with humans,” says de Jongh. Nutrition is key to a raising a bird. Leslie Moran, a Reno-based holistic animal nutrition and care consultant, is working to end avian malnutrition through the Healthy Bird Project, which conducts nutritional research on exotic species. Traditional grain and seed mixes lack essential nutrients and contribute to unbalanced protein intake for caged and companion birds. Moran’s goal is to move

passakorn/AdobeStock.com

ata May is a 30-inch-tall, blue-and-gold macaw. “It’s nice to come home and have a conversation with a snuggly bird,” says Joshua Luther, who took over care of the avian when he was 13 years old and she was 11. Now 17 years later, Kata May holds a commanding presence in Luther’s home in Columbus, Wisconsin. “She’s set up where our dining room should be, so my wife and I can sit and talk or play with her.” Luther notes that the cherished pet has a bit of a temper and can bend the bars on her $1,000 cage if she’s bored or angry. Considering the bird has a bite force of 1,800 pounds per square inch, it’s sensible to keep her happy, which could be for another 50 years.

Don’t Shop, Adopt Birds are available from breeders and pet stores, but there are many needing adoption. Sanctuaries struggle to care for animals with such long lifespans and complex needs, including diet, space, intellectual stimulation and emotional bonding. Lacking proper care, birds may develop mental illness and pluck out feathers or bite, but happy birds can be snuggly, social and fun. Rosemary Wellner, of Mountainside, New Jersey, has owned parakeets, cockatiels and lovebirds. Currently, she has two parrots, the oldest is 24. “Many people do not understand… but birds feel true attraction for their companions—and who doesn’t want to be loved?” she says. Julie Peterson is a health and wellness writer. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

inspiration

Create a Nurturing Nest by Marlaina Donato

ore than being a roof over our heads, home is where we live, love and heal. This past year, we all have been reminded of the importance of having a refuge; a place that shelters not only our physical beings, but our souls, too. With ongoing pandemic restrictions, we have more time on our hands, and with this comes a blessed opportunity to catch up with our bliss. Living space should be inspired space. Creating a haven doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or buying new furniture, only distilling new joy from the mundane. Adding a luxurious throw to a sofa or putting books to read in a pretty basket by an easy chair invites us to tend to the muchneglected inner life. Putting cut flowers at the bedside or turning a chair toward the sunlight says, “Yes” to life and renewal. Playing uplifting, infectious music on laundry day rouses an element of fun. Practicing easy principles of feng shui—the art of placement—can get previously stagnant energy moving. Repositioning furniture for optimal flow and creating more open space are simple actions that can lighten heavy thoughts or memories. Home is a harbor of habit, and breaking out of the usual routine can be transformative. Here are some activities to try. kelly sikkema/Unsplash.com

the food industry toward the inclusion of more wholesome choices. “Fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the grocery store, but parrots need specific, high-quality, tropical bird food, which can be hard to find,” says Luther. Keeping a tropical animal healthy also requires bathing, temperature control, clean air and water, exercise and mental stimulation. Costs vary. Owning a small parakeet could include the purchase or adoption price ($12 to $65); cage ($30 and up); food; toys; and checkups (typically less than $200 a year). A large macaw might cost $500 to $5,000. Supplies, food and vet care could top $2,000 the first year.

n Reserve an evening every week for an old-fashioned “Sunday supper” by candlelight or have a rainy-day indoor picnic on the floor in the living room.

n Add one item per day for a month to a bag intended for a local thrift store and then follow through by dropping it off.

n Tidy the desk every other day and keep it uncluttered. n Hang new art prints, photos or paintings to set a new mood. Consider bright splashes of color—a set of red cups, a turquoise pillow or sunny yellow bathroom towels. image courtesy of Rosemary Wellner

n Bring the seasons in; hang a garland of faux ivy, roses or autumn leaves over the showerhead. Cappy, a 23-yearold white-eyed conure, resides in Mountainside, New Jersey, with his lifelong human companion, Rosemary Wellner.

n Buy or adopt low-maintenance indoor plants like philodendrons and snake plants for a spot of lovely green, even in deep winter.

In a world that fosters a “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality, cultivating soul-nourishment is a sure way to turn the humblest space into a castle. Marlaina Donato is the author of Spiritual Famine in the Age of Plenty: Baby Steps to Bliss. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. April 2021

calendar of events NOTE: All calendar events must be submitted via our website by the 10th of the month and must adhere to our guidelines. Visit GoNaturalAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 Circle Square Commons Farmers Market – 9am1pm. Free. Enjoy a wonderful selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade products and much more. Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St, Ocala. 352-854-3670. CircleSquareCommons.com. First Friday Art Walk – 6-9pm. Free. Various artists and performer stations that will be working on as well as selling art in the central business district. Live entertainment, performing artists and community booths on the downtown square. Downtown Ocala, 100 SE 1st Ave. Ocala. 352-629-8383. OcalaFl.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 Florida Museum Spring Online Plant Sale – Apr 2-5. 10am-4:30pm. Free. Online event. In celebration of Earth Day, a three day spring plant sale will feature more than 100 species of difficult-to-find and butterfly friendly plants. Accent, host, native and nectar plants are selected for Florida gardens. Contactless curbside plant sale means you can browse through the plant collection and order all online then safely pick up your selection without leaving your vehicle. All proceeds benefit the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit. Florida Museum of Natural History. 352-846-2000. FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu.

chua Beautiful while removing a variety of exotic invasives including Coral Ardisia, Caesars Weed and more. GreenwayChallenge@gmail.com. 352393-8425. CityOfGainesville.org. Understanding and Maximizing Your Relationship with your Spirit Guides – 3-5:30pm. $36. Online class. Call to register. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. 407-247-7823. Ifsk.org. 9th Annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt – 5-9pm. $40. Rental gear available. Open to all water divers or higher. Barbeque to follow dive. Registration event fee includes entry, dinner and egg hunt. Scuba Monkey Dive Center, 13585 NW 101st Dr, Ste 700. Alachua. 386-518-6323. ScubaMonkeyDiveCenter.com. Citrus County Fair – Apr 3-4. 2pm. $5-8. 3 and under, Free. Rides, foods and entertainment for the whole family. Citrus County Fairgrounds, 3600 S Florida Ave, Inverness. 352-697-0193. CitrusCountyFair.com.

MONDAY, APRIL 5 Yin and Yang Yoga – 7:30-8:30pm. Free in-studio and live streaming. Free weekly class given weekly as a way to give back to the community. Learn Yin Yoga, the steady and still and Yang Yoga focusing on body movement and flow. Wildflowers Yoga, 205 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville. 352-283-6760. WildflowersYoga.com.

store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Earth Day Celebration – 10am-2pm. Free. A wonderful day for all ages to enjoy sweet treats while meeting animal ambassadors from the Florida International Teaching Zoo. There will be sand sculpting, energy saving strategies , as well as the ever popular kids fossil dig. CEMEX Center Hill Mine, CR 48. Center Hill. 352-689-4400. DiscoverSumterFl.com. Guided Meditation – 2-3pm. Love donation. Chanting, breathwork and meditation with Mary Dodd. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com. Afternoon Explorer Camp – 2-5pm. Members $20. Non-members $30. Ages 5-11. Children will focus on challenges that boost their creativity and imagination. Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, 811 South Main St, Gainesville. 352371-8001. CadeMuseum.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17 Understanding and Maximizing Your Relationship with your Spirit Guides – 10:30am-1pm. $36. Online class. Call to register. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. 407-247-7823. Ifsk.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 19

Destress and Stretch with Calli – 5:30-7pm. $10. In studio and on Facebook Live. Bring relaxation into your body by gently moving through squeezeand-release sequences along energy lines, incorporating breathing techniques and stretching. Blissful Life Corporation, 2100 SE 17th St, Ste 110, Ocala. 352-694-9642. BlissOcala.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6 Uncovering Your Spiritual and Psychic Gifts – 2:30-4:30pm, 5:30-7:30pm. $20 per class. Led by JoEllen Blue. Nine week course. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

Museum in the Parks Plants at San Felasco – 9:30-11am. $12 per adult/child pair and includes park entrance fee. $6 per additional person. Learn about Florida’s plants by exploring collections and hiking. Participants will receive a personalized tour of the area, an up close look at Museum specimens and experts to help identify animals seen during the program. This event is best suited for families with children grades 1-6. San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park, 12720 NW 109 Lane, Alachua. 386-462-7905. FloridaMuseum.Ufl.Edu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

Gainesville Greenway Challenge Invasive Species Monthly Clean Up – 9am-Noon. Keep Ala-

Opening Your Third Eye – 2:30-4:30pm, 5:307:30pm. $30. Led by JoEllen Blue. Please call the

Edible Native Plants – 2-3pm. Free. Online. Discover natives that make excellent teas, jams,

The Earth is what we all have in common. ~Wendell Berry

North Central FL Edition

Earthfest Celebrate Arbor Day – 9am-2pm. Free. Celebrate Arbor Day with tree repelling, youth fishing derby, feeding live butterflies, rock climbing with food and entertainment provided by food trucks and live music. There will be tree giveaways and a variety of vendors that promote conservation and sustainability. Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala. 352-629-2489. OcalaFl.org. Crystal Bowl Concert – 2-3pm. $25. Led by Robert Austin. Bring pillows if desired. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

Springtree Park salads, sautés, herbs, spices and more while being rich in vitamins or therapeutic properties. Florida Wildflower Foundation Manager, Stacey Matrazzo will introduce the edible, medicinal and nutritional properties of native plants commonly found in backyards and landscapes. Info@FlaWildflowers. org. 407-622-1606. FlaWildflowers.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 Crystal Bowl Meditation – 2-3pm. $20 love donation. Led by Marcia McAllister. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

2021 Thai Massage Certification – Apr 24-25. $250-$1500. 9:30am-4:30pm. Premiere Thai Massage Certification offered both in person and online. Seven phases with a Bonus Phase. 14 hour weekends once a month. Emphasizing on the art of being a witness and healing touch with core movements, stances, hand techniques and rooted breath awareness necessary for a strong foundation in the Thai Massage practice. Led by Ariela Grodner. Flow Space, 117 NW 16th Ave, Gainesville. 352888-4669. BodhiSangha.com. Annual Pioneer Days Festival – 10am-4pm. Vendors selling handmade crafts, clothing, furniture and other goods; artists selling their wonderful creations; merchandisers selling unique and often locally produced items. Annual Pioneer Days Festival, 120 NE 2nd Ave, High Springs. 386-454-3120. HighSprings.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28

Gainesville Shrine Club Community Market – 8am-2pm. Free. Local vendors with a variety of food, arts and crafts and handmade items. Gainesville Shrine Club, 8100 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville. 352-376-7334. GainesvilleShrineClub.org.

Coming Next Month MAY

Sustainable Fashion Plus: Top Women’s Health Concerns

Mantra and Meditation with Calli – 5-6pm. $10. Be immersed in a wave of sound and vibration that leads deep within. Calli will introduce a Sanskrit chant with its English translation. Blissful Life Corporation, 2100 SE 17th St, Ste 110, Ocala. 352694-9642. BlissOcala.com.

Guided Meditation – 2-3pm. Love donation. Chanting, breathwork., and meditation with Mary Dodd. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

April 2021

ongoing events NOTE: All calendar events must be submitted via our website by the 10th of the month and must adhere to our guidelines. Visit GoNaturalAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries.

sunday

tuesday

Get More From Your Core Hatha Yoga – Starts Mar 14. 9-10am. $12. Beginner level for those who have an existing yoga practice and are familiar with basic poses. Intended to strengthen every part of your core with focus on strengthening muscles from your thighs to your sternum. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org.

Every BODY Hatha Yoga with George – Starts Feb 16. 10:30-11:30am. $12. Learn to Yoga your way! Class for those who want to start a practice, who have limited flexibility or mobility or who just want to enjoy a gentler practice in a positive, energy-filled space to experience all the benefits of yoga at the appropriate level. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org.

A Course in Miracles – 9:30am. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org. Spiritual Service – 9:30am. Let the spirit guide you with hands-on healing, meditations, messages and more. Conscious Awakening, 301 SR26, Melrose. 352-262-0078. BackToBasicsLiving@gmail.com. Sunday Spiritual Service – 10am. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd. 3526872113. Mail@UnityOcala.org. UnityOcala.org. Guided Meditation and Sunday Service – 10am (meditation); 10:30am (service). Rev. Cindy Grimes, Senior Minister. Awaken and live. Center for Spiritual Living Ocala, 1009 NE 28th Ave. 352629-3897. CSLocala.org. Meditation and Book Discussion – 10:30am-noon. Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352214-1334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org. Galactic Glyph Gallery – 11-4pm. Free. Experiential art classes and energetic healing sessions available. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-258-5879. BalaGlyphs.com. Brewery Yoga at First Magnitude – 1-2pm. Bring your own mat for yoga in the warehouse. All experience levels. Suggested $5 donation. First Magnitude Brewing Co, 1220 SE Veitch, Gainesville. 352-727-4677.

Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-401-3920. Newberry Farmers Market – 4-7pm. A local producer only market focused on food with additional vendors. Located on the corner of Newberry Road and 254th St. 352-472-2112. nmsoinfo@gmail.com. NewberryMainStreet.com. Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517. Meditation Instruction and Orientation – 7-9pm. Meditation, book discussion, refreshments to follow. Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352214-1334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org.

wednesday Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-401-3920. Technology Help Center – 2-4pm. Free. Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Hwy 484. 352-438-2500.

monday

Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517.

Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-401-3920.

Game Night – 7:30pm. Muddy Lotus Tea, 520 NE 1st Ave, Ocala. 352-559-3003. MuddyLotusTea.com.

Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517.

thursday

ACA Meeting – 6pm. Adult Children of Alcoholics. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd. 352-687-2113. Mail@UnityOcala.org. UnityOcala.org.

A Morning Cup of Joe Hatha Yoga – Starts Mar 18. 9-10am. $12. Beginner class with a slowvinyasa-style flow for those who have an existing yoga practice and are familiar with base poses. Intended to build heat, boost energy and conclude by leaving you feeling balanced, calm and ready to take on the day. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-5250247. NadiOmWellness.org.

Stand By Me Yoga – Starts Mar 15. 6-7pm. $12. Beginner class with an opportunity to “level up” for intermediate practitioners who would like to participate in a gentle but active stretch for the entire body with an emphasis on standing poses. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org. A Course in Miracles – 6:30pm. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org.

North Central FL Edition

Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-401-3920.

Alachua Farmers Market – 4-7pm. A local producer only market where most foods have been picked or made that day. Behind the Chamber of Commerce office. 14801 Main Street, Alachua. 386-462-3333.AlachuaFarmersMarket.com. Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517. Embodiment 101 – 6:30-8pm. Body awareness movement followed by meditation. Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352-214-1334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org.

friday Health Happens Farmers’ Market – 9am-2:30pm. Shop for fresh produce, seafood, honey, baked goods, gluten-free snacks and prepared meals for lunch. McPherson Governmental Complex field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala. 352-438-2360. Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-401-3920. Partner Yoga – Apr 9-23. 6:30-7:30am. $20 per couple/partners each week. $50 for all three weeks. Enjoy an hour of supporting each other on the mat. Includes seated, standing and reclined poses in which you truly lean on, support and stand by each other’s side. Livestream and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-5250247. NadiOmWellness.org. Galactic Glyph Gallery – 7-10pm. Free. Cool hang-out space for locals to visit for a cultural experience. Music, wine and off-the-wall visual art. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-258-5879. BalaGlyphys.com.

saturday Alachua County Farmers’ Market – 8:30amnoon. Open rain or shine. A grower’s only market. 5920 NW 13 th St, Gainesville. 352-371-8236. 441market.com. Haile Farmers Market – 8:30am-noon. Open rain or shine, heat or cold. Haile Village Center in Haile Plantation, SW 91st Terr, Gainesville. HaileFarmersMarket.com. Bend and Extend Yoga – Starts Mar 6. 9-10am. $12. This beginner’s level, gentle practice will start with a full body warm-up and proceed to bending our bodies to help improve balance, flexibility and mobility. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org. Farmstead Saturday – 9am-3pm. Free. Crones Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-595- 3377. CronesCradleConserve.com. Ocala Farm Market – 9am-2pm. Locallygrown farm fresh seasonal produce, homemade jellies and jams, crafts and plants. Corner of SE 3rd St and SE 3rd Ave, Ocala. 352-629-8051. OcalaDowntownMarket.com. ABC Yoga Workshop – May 8-29. 10:30-11:30am. $45 for all four weeks. Absolute beginner yoga,

4-week class series. Workshop is an introduction to basics so participants will feel more comfortable as they begin their yoga journey. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org. Total Body Fitness Workshop – Apr 3-24. 10:3011:30am. $45 for all four weeks. Beginner level for those interested in improving their strength and flexibility. The first three weeks will focus on strengthening a different area of the body, upper body, mid body and lower body. The final week will focus on strengthening the total body. Livestream and instudio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org. Galactic Glyph Gallery – 11-4pm. Free. Experiential art classes and energetic healing sessions available. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-258-5879. BalaGlyphs.com. Starlab Planetarium Shows – 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm. Tour our solar system and learn about the stars and constellations. $3/person/session plus exhibit admission of $6/person or $22/family of four. Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala. Ocala.org. Fitness Zone – Noon-8pm. Ages 14+. Free. Cardio and strength training equipment. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 401-3920.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $20 for the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. To place an ad, email Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com.

ADVERTISING ADVERTISE HERE – Are you: hiring, renting property/office space, selling products, offering services, or in need of volunteers? Advertise your personal/business needs in Natural Awakenings classified ads section. To place an ad, email Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com.

CHIROPRACTOR Re.A.L. CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS – Dr. Randy Bryant, one of a few chiropractors in the nation doing these types of adjustments. Chiropractor to individuals including rodeo riders. Schedule your appointment by calling 352-694-7700. DrRandyBryant.com.

FARMERS MARKET LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE, EGGS AND BEEF – Find the best the region has to offer from our co-op of farmers and growers. Harbison Farm Cattle and Produce market is open Monday-Friday 8-5pm, Saturdays 8-4,

and Sundays 10-3. 4686 NE County Road 329. Anthony. 352-239-3552.

FOOD CODES DEVELOP A FOOD PLAN UNIQUE TO YOU USING FOOD CODES–Your subconscious knows which foods are best for you for energy, for weight loss, and to avoid. For more information visit SandraWilsonPositiveChange.com or email EFTSandy@ yahoo.com.

OPPORTUNITIES S TA RT A C A R E E R Y O U C A N B E PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home-based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise.

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community resource guide

FARMERS MARKET

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 Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

BIO ENERGETICS

COLONICS

ALEX TERRERO, LMT (MA60219) Lemire Clinic 9401 SW Hwy 200, Suite 301, Ocala 352-291-9459 LemireClinic.com

Alex is the primary operator of their bio-energetic technology including, but not limited to; all aspects of the Zyto program, the Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field therapy, and the Heart Rate Va r i a b i l i t y d e v i c e s . T h e combination of his technical background and massage therapy allow him to assist his patients find the best method of reducing their pain, increasing their ability to bounce back from an injury and most importantly shed some light on the questions they have along the way. See ad, page 40.

CHIROPRACTOR

GENTLE WATERS HEALING CENTER 352-374-0600 Gainesville Info@GentleWatersHealing.com

The therapists at Gentle Waters Healing Center assist each individual with detoxing using colon hydrotherapy and/or far infrared sauna. Call Dawn Brower for more information or visit G e n t l e Wa t e r s H e a l i n g . c o m . MA41024, MM15426.

ENERGY BALANCING SANDY WILSON

EFT, Emotion Code, Body Code, Hypnosis 352-454-8959 EFTSandy@yahoo.com SandraWilsonPositiveChange.com With balanced energy, you feel better, make better decisions, and have better relationships. Sandy will help balance your energy so you can achieve your health, wealth, and relationship goals. See website or call to start achieving your goals.

DR. RANDY BRYANT

352-694-7700 1315 SE 25th Loop, Suite 103, Ocala Info@DrRandyBryant.com Dr. Bryant’s holistic approach and natural solutions for many common health issues have improved the lives of many from around the world. Services are tailored to the needs of each unique patient. You will not experience any of the snapping, cracking or popping usually associated with chiropractic treatment. Dr. Bryant has been involved with the sport of rodeo as a treating physician since 1995.

The first combined Anti-Aging, Holistic, and Family Practice Clinic in Central Florida and The Villages

352-750-4333

SERVICES OFFERED:

✦ Peptides ✦ Exosomes: The Next Generation in Regeneration Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy ✦ Amniotic ✦ Adipose ✦ Bone marrow ✦ PRP-platelet Rich Plasma ✦ Prolo Therapy ✦ Prolozone ✦ Neural Therapy ✦ Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

✦ Chelation and IV Nutrient ✦ Urinary Incontinence ✦ Femlift Vaginal Tightening ✦ Soundwave for ED ✦ Laser Therapy for pain ✦ Spectravision (Full Body Analysis Test) ✦ Nutritional Counseling ✦ Weight Loss ✦ Pulse Magnetic Wave ✦ Antioxidant Evaluation ✦ Mineral Evaluation ✦ Heavy Metal Evaluation

HARBISON FARM CATTLE AND PRODUCE 4686 NE County Road 329 Anthony, Florida 352-239-3552 GVTHarbison@embarqmail.com

Locally grown, whole, organic food from working Florida farms. The Harbison family’s daily market offers fresh produce, grass-fed beef, eggs, Amish products, and local honey, plus a variety of jams, jellies, and preserves. Our mission is to provide healthy food to the community and help those in need. Call us to inquire about our Food Relief Fund and we may be able to help you with groceries.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE JAMES LEMIRE, MD

Lemire Clinic 9401 SW Hwy 200, Suite 301 352-291-9459 LemireClinic.com Dr. Lemire is both Board Certified in Family Practice for 40 years and is an Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner. Some of the common protocols Dr. Lemire works with are: Thyroid conditions, Chronic Fatigue, MS, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Leaky Gut, Cancer, Hormone Unbalances, Heavy Metal Toxicity, Inflammatory and Auto Immune Conditions, Lyme Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Weight Management. Dr. Lemire sees children and adults. See ad, page 40.

FAMILY MEDICINE NELSON KRAUCAK, MD, FAAFP

Healthcare Partners Family Medicine 1501 Hwy 441, Suite 1704, The Villages 352-750-4333 HealthcarePartnersFL.com The first Holistic Medical Practice in Central Florida. Dr. Kraucak has been practicing holistic medicine since 1995 and is passionate about caring for his patients around The Villages, throughout Florida and visiting patients around the world. From the diagnostic phase through Nelson Kraucak, MD, FAAFP the treatment and follow up, from simple issues to the “We arecomplicated committed to aid and most chronic conditions, Dr. Kraucak and promote the body’s innate his team will assure you and your family have mechanisms to heal and achieve homeostasis for optimum health comprehensive, innovative and the latest therapeutic by introducing and using natural support.with See ad, page approaches innovative and 2. cutting-edge technology.”

GOURMET MEATS FLORIDA FRESH MEAT COMPANY 13770 S. Hwy 475, Summerfield 352-307-8400 FloridaFreshMeat.com Info@FloridaFreshMeat.com

“Feeding Our Community From Within Our Community” Florida Fresh Meat Company produces local sustainable hormone and antibiotic free a n d o rg a n i c a l l y r a i s e d , gourmet grass fed Angus beef, grass fed lamb and goat, and natural pastured pork. Also available through our network of local ranches and farms is pastured duck and chicken as well as farm raised, phosphate and preservative free Florida farm raised gator. Our gourmet meats are USDA inspected. See ad, page 29.

Individual responses may vary

Jaclynn Sola, LMT

MA56771 Over 10 years experience Specializing In: • Raindrop Therapy – • Cupping for Aromatheraphy Pain Relief and utilizing essential oils Lymphatic Drainage • Myo Fascial Release • Sports Massage/ • Deep Tissue Golf Massage • Hot Stone Massage • Cranial Sacral • Body Scrubs/Wraps SpectraVision • Reflexology/Foot • Reiki Master Massage Tuning Forks • Cellulite Reduction Massage • Colonics

Karin Panyko

Licensed Aesthetician Over 13 years experience Specializing In: • Micro Derm Abrasion • Spa Facial/Galvanic (tightens and tones cheek muscles) • High Frequency Therapy • Light Therapy • Facial Massage – Deep Tissue My passion is to assist others in achieving their balance with inner and outer beauty.

North Central FL Edition

On-Site Financing Available

Call to Schedule

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. ~Amelia Earhart

Gretta Ellis, ARNP

Over 10 years experience Specializing In:

• Chronic Disease • Gastro-Intestinal Disorders • Alternative Medicine • SIBO/Leaky Gut • Bio Identical Hormone Replacement - BHT • ER and Internal Medicine Experience

Healing Central Florida, One Stem Cell at a Time!

Healthcare Partners Family Medicine 1501 HWY 441, Suite 1704, The Villages, FL, 32159

HEALING AND WELLNESS MICHAEL BIAMONTE, CCN

The Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition All Appointments via phone and video. 352-290-3959 NewYorkCityCandidaDoctor.com Michael Biamonte has been in practice for over 30 years, is the author of “The Candida Chronicles” and is a World Recognized Candida elimination expert. His office has proprietary software developed for NASA that help identify and treat all nutritional deficiencies. Offering both phone and video appointments. See ad, page 3.

HEALTH FOOD B-HEALTHY

8449 SW Hwy 200, #139, Ocala, 352-854-4577 BHealthyOnline.com Facebook.com/BHealthyNaturalFoods Come in and let our staff guide you through our large selection of supplements, healthy foods and skin care products. We have one of the largest selections of gluten-free foods. We can special order many products. We offer senior discounts everyday. Ask about our Frequent Buyer Program. See ad, page 25.

HOLISTIC HEALTH DEBORA DONAHUE, ARNP-BC Symphony Healthcare, Inc 1317 SE 25th Loop, Suite 101, Ocala 352-629-5939 SHCOcala.com

Let’s work together to get to the root cause of your health condition. Debora will listen to your concerns and provide a holistic treatment plan. We will use your insurance plan for visits and testing whenever possible. We specialize in autoimmune, thyroid, digestive and hormonal disorders. Call for your free 10 minute consult.

LOCALLY-GROWN PRODUCE CRONES’ CRADLE CONSERVE FOUNDATION 6411 NE 217th Pl, Citra 352-595-3377 CronesCradleConserve.org

The conserve is an ecological preserve, retreat center and organic farm. Local fresh produce can be bought at The Farm Store on property, through Farm to Fare weekly Baskets or delivered to your restaurant. The Farm Store is open 7 days a week. Certified kitchen honey house and event space available. See ad, page 8.

PLANT-BASED RESTAURANT

REAL ESTATE NANCY SHEAR, BROKER ASSOCIATE, CRB, CRP, SRS

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 407-608-2097 Nancy.Shear@PremierSIR.com NancyShear.PremierSothebysRealty.com Having managed thousands of transactions as a managing broker, coach and trainer over the past two decades, Nancy has a wide range of experience in the field and can offer her customers a vantage point and expertise that few other associates can. Additionally, she brings her years of experience in sales, management and asset disposition to her clients looking to sell/buy or invest in residential or commercial real estate.

BAMBI’S CAFÉ

18592 High Springs Main St, High Springs 386-454-1600 or 954-907-9759 Facebook.com/100PercentPlantBased We u s e f r e s h l o c a l a n d organically grown produce for our homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Some of our items include; vegan chicken artichoke melt, cheddar lentil burgers, Asian dishes, organic coffee, fresh brewed teas, matcha lattes, smoothies and many gluten free items. Catering available. See ad, page 32.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION DRAGON RISES COLLEGE OF ORIENTAL MEDICINE

Gainesville, FL 32601 800-606-6685 • DragonRises.edu Our comprehensive 10semester ACAOM-accredited Master’s degree program enables students to become competent, confident and successful acupuncturists. Graduates help people achieve genuine healing and their highest sustainable level of health and wellness. See ad, page 33.

THERMOGRAPHY JUNE DRENNON

Lemire Clinic 9401 SW Hwy 200, Suite 301, Ocala 352-291-9459 LemireClinic.com June is the owner of Florida Medical Thermography and has been certified as a Clinical Thermographer since 2008. She has certifications in Colon Hydrotherapy and Electro Lymphatic Drainage Therapy but now only sees patients for thermography. Working in the holistic field of thermal imaging is her true passion. She has done thousands of thermography reports and has often seen the value it offers in identifying risk factors and helping to prevent and monitor developing pathology. See ad, page 40.

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North Central FL Edition

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April 2021

North Central FL Edition

Natural Awakenings April 2021

Articles inside

FEATHERED FRIENDS

SPRING CLEANING THE BODY

SHERYL DEVORE

HEALTHY HOME

CLIMATE CHANGE