Natural Awakenings December 2020

E R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

GIVE THE GIFT

OF FESTIVE EDIBLES

THE HEALING POWER OF

SINGING

HOMETOWN BENEFITS OF

THE BUY LOCAL MOVEMENT

WRITING A NEW

WORLD STORY

THAT HEALS US AND THE PLANET

December 2020

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

GoNaturalAwakenings.com

HealthCare Partners

Family Medicine The first combined Anti-Aging, Holistic, and Family Practice Clinic in Central Florida and The Villages About Nelson Kraucak, MD, FAAFP

Nelson Kraucak, MD, FAAFP Regenerative Therapies • Prolotherapy • Prolozone • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) • Adipose • Vampire Facelift® • 0-Shot® • P-Shot® • Breast Lift/ Butt Lift • Botox

Nelson Kraucak, MD, FAAFP, is internationally recognized for his pioneering achievements in Holistic and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Kraucak is a diplomate of the American Academy of Family Practice. He has advanced certificates by the American Board of Holistic Medicine and the International Board of Anti-Aging and Longevity Medicine, Heavy Metal Detoxification and Immuno Modulation. Dr. Kraucak is a multilingual physician fluent in Spanish and Serbo Croatian. He is the founding physician of HealthCare Partners Family Medicine, the first integrated Holistic practice in Central Florida and The Villages.

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. He has traveled extensively to many countries including the Philippines, Argentina and Venezuela – extending his knowledge and experienced care. From the diagnostic phase through the treatment and follow up, from simple issues to the most complicated chronic conditions, Dr. Kraucak and his team will assure you and your family have comprehensive, innovative and the latest therapeutic support. Dr. Kraucak looks forward to extending his care to your family. Call today to schedule an appointment.

SERVICES OFFERED:

Alternative Testing • Spectravision • Antioxidant Levels • Heavy Metal Evaluation • Mineral Levels • Thermograms • Allergy Testing • Digestive Analysis • Nutritional Eval. Analysis • Hair Analysis • Spectracell Analysis

Alternative Treatments • Bio-Identical Hormones • Sound Wave for ED • FEM Lift • Peptides for Autoimmune Disorder • Laser Hair Removal • Weight Loss • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy • CO2 Laser Facial Resurfacing • Colonics

Painful Conditions • Laser Therapy • Neural Therapy • Hyalgan Injection • Pulse Magnetic Therapy • Sound Wave • Massage Therapy • Medical Marijuana Individual responses may vary

IV Lounge

Let us mix you a Cocktail IV for Immune, Stress, Hangovers, Fatigue, Energy, Colds, and Flu

✦ Myer’s Cocktail ✦ Vitamin C ✦ Super Immune ✦ Chelation ✦ Macular Degeneration ✦ Hydrating Cocktail before you drink ✦ Hangover Cocktail ✦ Antiviral Cocktail ✦ Fatigue Cocktail ✦ Heavy Metal Drip ✦ B12 ✦ DMPS ✦ PK Protocol ✦ Glutathione ✦ UVB

Family Practice

✦ Preventive ✦ Cardiology Evaluations ✦ Respiratory Evaluations ✦ Pulmonary and Sleep Evaluations ✦ Gastrointestinal H. Pylori Testing ✦ Gynecology ✦ Cervical Biopsies ✦ Cryotherapy ✦ Dermatological Evaluations and Treatments

On-Site Financing Available Call to Schedule Your Appointment:

352-750-4333

www.HealthcarePartnersFL.com 2

North Central FL Edition

Jaclynn Sola, LMT MA56771 Over 10 years Experience Specializing In:

• • • •

Raindrop Therapy Myo Fascial Release Deep Tissue Massage Cranial Sacral SpectraVision • Reiki Master-Tuning Forks • Colonics • Cupping for Pain Relief and Lymphatic Drainage

• Sports Massage/ Golf • Hot Stone Massage • Body Scrubs/Wraps • Reflexology/Foot Massage • Cellulite Reduction Massage

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 Cell at a Time!

HealthCare Partners Family Medicine 1501 HWY 441, Suite 1704, The Villages, FL 32159 (east side of 441, across from Sharon Morse Building)

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

BEEF • LAMB • PORK • POULTRY• AND MORE

BEEF • LAMB • PORK • POULTRY• AND MORE Sourced From Our Florida

Contact Our Butcher Shop:

Contact Our Butcher Shop: 352-307-8400

Sourced From Our Fresh Family of Florida Farms.

13770352-307-8400 S. Hwy 475

Grass-Fed, Pasture Raised, Fresh Family of Farms.

Summerfield, 34491 13770 S.FL Hwy 475

HumanelyPasture Treated,Raised, Hormone Grass-Fed,

Info@FloridaFreshMeat.com Summerfield, FL 34491

& Treated, AntibioticHormone Free Humanely

& Antibiotic Free

FloridaFreshMeat.com Info@FloridaFreshMeat.com

Custom Cuts By In-House Butchers. Delivery Available!

FloridaFreshMeat.com

Custom Cuts By In-House Butchers. Delivery Available!

FEEDING OUR COMMUNITY FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY

December 2020

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

i everyone and welcome to the December issue. Since

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

becoming publisher, my goal has been to make each issue better than the last, to promote local business

Publisher Sheila Mahan Editor Martin Miron

owners and provide readers with local resources. This magazine

Events Dana Malans

is a bit different than most community magazines in that we also

Design & Production Martin Friedman Chelsea Rose

provide national and global news briefs and articles. We include

Distribution Steve Weisse

those so that you can be better informed as to the latest hap-

Sales & Marketing Angela Durrell

planet, and that’s what we are all about.

Ph: 352-366-0088 GoNaturalAwakenings.com Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com Angela@GoNaturalAwakenings.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available for $32 (for 12 issues) email the address above. Digital subscriptions are free visit our website to sign up.

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

National Art Director Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo Art Director Josh Pope

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert

Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs

Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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

North Central FL Edition

This month, we have included a Local Gift Guide comprised of local artisans and

businesses that include Opal’s Handmade, Nature Coast Eco Tours, Life Unplastic, Soul Essentials and Unique Cherie. Thank you all so much for taking part and allowing me to highlight your business with the community. You can also view these businesses via our digital issue and online business directory.

As we head into a new year, I hope to meet with as many local business owners as

here in our own backyard. Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting with Bambi Liss, owner of Bambi’s Café, a plant-based restaurant in High Springs. I tried the Southern Comfort dish that includes collard greens, grits and cheesy-mac. It was absolutely delicious! What may sound like a simple dish was so flavorful and the best comfort food I’ve had in a long time. Add it to your list of go-to places. You won’t be disappointed.

I would also like to welcome Halo Health, Better Health and Rehab and Barnes

Insurance as new sponsors this month. Thank you for trusting your advertising with me. For business owners that are unfamiliar with our services, we offer print, digital and social media advertising platforms that include Facebook ads. If you are a local business owner interested in advertising or have questions, feel free to reach out to me anytime.

As we head into the Christmas holiday and you’re planning a family dinner, don’t

forget to buy local first. You can pre-order free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free, gourmet meats from Florida Fresh Meat Company, in Summerfield, produce from local farms such as Crones’ Cradle Conserve and Harbison Farm, and other healthy foods from B-Healthy, in Ocala, and Deb’s Natural Source, in Dunnellon.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday with your family. For all those who will have an

empty chair at the table this year, my heart sincerely goes out to you. I am hopeful for a brighter and healthier New Year. Stay safe, everyone.

Sheila

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.

possible to help spread the word about the great products and services they provide right

NATIONAL TEAM

penings and innovations related to healthy living for a healthier

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other? ~George Eliot

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 55+ healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 12 REINVENT THE

HOLIDAYS

More Meaning, Less Stuff

14 PAY WHERE WE PLAY Boosting the Hometown Economy

16 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 17 ACHIEVE TRUE WELLNESS At Formula One Health and Fitness

18 MIND-BODY FITNESS How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

20 SING TO HEAL

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body

22 OVERCOMING THE

MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA

24 A NEW STORY FOR THE WORLD

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

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.

28 THE GIFT OF YUM

Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer

37 HOLIDAY TREATS FOR PETS

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 8 health briefs 8 global briefs 11 eco tip 32 local food guide 12 healthy kids 37 natural pet 16 holiday gift guide 39 business spotlight 18 fit body 40 calendar 20 healing ways 43 classifieds 28 conscious 44 resource guide eating December 2020

NATURAL AWAKENINGS IS

EVERYWHERE

THANK YOU to the local businesses that display Natural Awakenings Magazines!

Pick up your next free copy:

In addition to medical offices and local businesses, Natural Awakenings magazine can be picked up at the following locations: Earth Orgins 1237 NW 76th Blvd, Gainesville Sunflower Health Foods 3424 W. University Ave, Gainesville The Bagel Bakery 4113 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville Wards 515 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville Fairy Dust Crystals & Such 11781 SE Hwy 441, Belleview Belleview Library 13145 SE CR 484, Belleview Winn Dixie 11310 US Hwy 301, Belleview Winn Dixie 10051 S. US Hwy 41, Dunnellon Museum Cafe 10466 W Yulee Dr, Homosassa Too Your Health 995 HWY 441, Lady Lake Freedom Library 5870 SW 95th St, Ocala B-Healthy 8449 SW Hwy 200, #139, Ocala Marion County Tax Collector 503 SE 25th Ave, Ocala Marion County Public Library 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala Earth Origins 1917 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala Winn Dixie 820 Old Camp Rd., The Villages

DIGITAL EDITION AVAILABLE @

GoNaturalAwakenings.com

news briefs

Buy Local and Support the Community

he Auk Market mini market holidays series will continue from noon to 4 p.m., December 5. The AUK Market is a collaboration between three independent local brands: Zorka Rose Vintage, Timber Line Jewelry and La Chua Vintage. Each week, four to five makers and vendors will be featured for an open air-style shopping experience on Small Business Saturday. They bring a compelling and curated shopping experience to Gainesville with vintage home goods and clothing, as well as handmade jewelry, art and accessories. The market features product selections by a rotating group of quality local vendors and a consistent schedule of events, as well as hosting a variety of creative workshops. The shop opened in November 2018 to share products created by featured vendors and host events and workshops. Admission is free. Location: 2031 NW 6th St., Gainesville. For more information, email TheAukMarket@gmail.com or visit TheAukMarket.com.

Ocala First Friday Art Walk

he First Friday Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., including December 4, within Ocalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic downtown. Festivities include artist displays, live entertainment, free family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. Attendees may pick up a map on the square and take a selfguided tour of local artists displaying their works for sale and enjoy an evening of art, live performances, and downtown shops and restaurants. Performing artists are stationed along the way. The evening will feature returning and new artists live music on the Square, including the ambient sound of music played by the accordion and mandolin musical group My Uncleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friend. Admission is free. Location: 100 SE 1st Ave., Ocala. For more information, call 352-6298447 or email ArtInfo@OcalaFl.org.

Paint the Town Citrus Offers Drawing Class

rofessional Artist Jan Obrebski will be teaching pencil drawing classes at Paint the Town Citrus from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, including December 7. In these lessons, students will learn how to build basic line strokes, value, perspective, composition, contrast and more. These lessons are perfect for beginners. At the Paint the Town Citrus art venue, professional artists teach step-by-step how to create an individual masterpiece, so no experience is needed. They offer every type of class from paint on your own, walk-in and paint, no-frills paint nights, all inclusive paint nights, parties and private lessons. Enjoy a glass of wine while browsing a collection of rare memorabilia and our extensive art gallery. Party planning is available. Cost is $30. Location: 1801 NW U.S. 19, #151, Crystal River. For more information, call 352-601-1344 or visit PaintTheTownCitrus.com.

North Central FL Edition

Calling All Horse Lovers

ajestic Oaks Ocala Farm will conduct a Three Phase Schooling Show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., December 12, for both horse and rider to train in all three phases of eventing, including dressage, stadium jumping and cross country, with an array of high-quality jumps. Riders must wear a certified helmet while mounted, with tall boots or half chaps. Clothing is casual, but polos are recommended. Medical armbands and a vest are required while jumping. The 100-acre facility has been the site of the Majestic Oaks Three-Phase Schooling Shows and the Majestic Oaks Horse Trials since January 2018. The Majestic Oaks team is committed to providing a year-round equestrian and multi-purpose event venue. It’s the only schooling venue in the area open seven days a week. With some of the best cross country footing and a new show jumping arena with a fiber base, the venue is considered a favorite among world-class riders. The farm is available as a venue for a variety of opportunities from local fundraisers, corporate retreats, private events, weddings and other social events. Admission is free. Location: 17500 N. U.S. Hwy. 441, Reddick. For more information, call 559-917-3046 or visit MajesticOaksOcala.com.

Gainesville Poetry Jam

ainesville’s longest-running open mic poetry reading, at 25 years and counting, will take the stage from 8 to 11 p.m., December 10, at the Civic Media Center. All forms of word-based art and poetry styles are welcome: poetry of every possible sort, short prose, miniature theatrical pieces, word-centered performance art, acoustic music and/or hip hop, etc., from beat to baroque, formal to freestyle, spoken word to academic and everything in-between. The Civic Media Center and Stetson Kennedy Library Inc, founded in October 1993, is an alternative library, reading room and info shop. The Civic Media Center is a community-based non-profit organization that serves as a resource for progressive grassroots organizing, activism, and public awareness in Gainesville, a public access library, educational discussions, a meeting space, WGOT radio, workshops, music shows and much more Admission is free. Location: 433 S. Main St., Gainesville. For more information, call 352-373-0010 or visit CivicMediaCenter.org.

Ayurveda Health Retreat in Alachua

Little Sparks at Cade Museum

t the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, children will receive a personal Little Sparks kit with all of their own supplies, plus make-and-takes that extend the fun and learning at home from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., December 17. The Brain and Sweat Solution exhibits will also be open for Little Sparks on Thursdays through 11:30 a.m. Guest safety is a top priority, and in addition to their own personal Little Sparks kits to ensure the safest experience for all of our guests, Cade has partnered with Violet Defense patented UV technology that eliminates 99.9 percent of germs and viruses, to bring a clinical level of disinfection to the museum. Cade’s philosophy is arranged along an arc of Think like an inventor or entrepreneur, Meet an inventor or entrepreneur and Be an inventor or entrepreneur, which guides the creation of the museum’s exhibits and programs. Using this guiding arc connects concepts in the exhibits with programming, creating a cohesive message of creativity and invention. The mission is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, Location: 811 S. Main St., Gainesville. For more information, call 352-371-8001 or visit CadeMuseum.org.

yurveda Health Retreat (AHR) will conduct a Yoga and Lemonade event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., December 18. AHR was established in 2001 by Ayurvedic practitioner Richard A. Masla with a mission to share the wisdom of Ayurveda and yoga in the spirit of healing, love, transformation and service. He says, “Ayurveda is the mother of all healing arts. It is one of the world’s oldest sciences, with roots in ancient India dating back over 5,000 years. Ayurveda and yoga are considered sister sciences: Ayurveda is the science of life and living well and yoga is the science of self-realization. Together, they bring us into balance with ourselves and nature, offering a pathway to good health and happiness.” Admission is a sliding scale donation from $5 to $10. No one will be turned away. Location: Behind the Alachua Recreation Center/ Legacy Park amphitheater, 15400 Peggy Rd., Alachua. For more information, call 352-870-7645 or visit AyurvedaHealthRetreat.com.

News to share? Submit information to Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com. Submittal deadline is the 10th of the month. December 2020

health briefs

global briefs

Eat Cruciferous Veggies for Cleaner Blood Vessels

Tainted Taps

Practice Yoga to Improve Atrial Fibrillation

elly fairytale/Pexels.com

Yoga postures and breathing may significantly reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation, suggests a new study—good news for the one in 11 Americans that suffer from its anxiety-producing palpitations, racing pulses, dizziness and shortness of breath. In the study, which was presented to the European Society of Cardiology, 538 patients underwent 12 weeks without yoga and then 16 weeks of attending 30-minute yoga classes every other day. During the yoga period, their fibrillation episodes were halved, dropping on average to eight as compared to 15 in the non-yoga period. Average blood pressure was 11/6 millimeters of mercury lower after yoga training. The patients also reported improved moods and energy. “Our study suggests that yoga has wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits for patients with atrial fibrillation, and could be added on top of usual therapies,” says study author Naresh Sen, M.D., of Sunil Memorial Superspecialty Hospital, in Jaipur, India. 8

North Central FL Edition

The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has created WellExplorer, a new, interactive tool that allows residents and scientists to find out what toxins have been deposited in their drinking water as a result of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Exposure to fracking fluid in drinking water has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory problems, premature births, congenital heart defects and other health problems. Different fracking sites use a diverse mix of chemical ingredients, and individuals and researchers are often uninformed about the exact health consequences of living near a particular well. People can view the closest fracking sites in their state, learn which chemicals are used at those sites and view their levels of toxicity by entering their zip code. WellExplorer can be obtained for free at WellExplorer.org or downloaded on Apple’s App store. A recent study published in the journal Database found that operators of wells in Alabama use a disproportionately high number of chemicals that target estrogen pathways, as do those in Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania in impacting testosterone pathways. The information found through WellExplorer might be particularly relevant for those that use private water wells.

kobu agency/Unsplash.com

southstore design/Pexels.com

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

WellExplorer App Can Warn of Toxic Drinking Water

Fast Foodie

MilkRun Gives Farmers Direct Sales

MilkRun, a Portland, Oregon, company founded by farmer and entrepreneur Julia Niiro, is supporting local farmers on small farms by enabling them to sell produce safely and directly to consumers. The online platform allows farmers to set their own prices, eliminating wholesalers, shippers and truckers. After consumers place orders, farmers deliver the produce to an aggregation hub where MilkRun boxes and ships it. Niiro explains that while wholesale orders from restaurants have decreased dramatically due to COVID-19, direct purchasing from consumers is offsetting the losses. By rescaling, creating new safety practices and adapting to direct consumer demand, farmers are able to turn a profit during the pandemic. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, farmers receive roughly 8 percent of the purchase price from grocery stores, while MilkRun estimates a return of up to 70 percent of the purchase price through its platform.

See the Real Florida with Captain Spalding Better Health and Rehab, LLC

business spotlights

Connecting Authentically with the Patient

anice C. Brown, M.D., MPH, provides personalized healthcare at Better Health And Rehab, LLC. “I officially opened Better Health And Rehab, LLC on October 1. I have always wanted to open my own clinic and care for patients in a way that is personalized,” she says. “In November 2019, I was given the opportunity to make opening my clinic a Dr. Janice C. Brown reality. I started planning then; however, putting down my family’s roots in Ocala was the result of the COVID virus and a good thing. I am looking forward to growing my tribe while adhering to my ‘why’ of helping people improve their health.” Brown is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and medical acupuncture. Her services include pain management, spasticity management, gait analysis, prosthetic management, acupuncture, health coaching and motivational public speaking. She explains, “I focus on providing true personalized healthcare (i.e. when patients call with any medical questions, they will get me and not an answering service). I have a special niche for persons with disabilities. My approach to healthcare combines all the tools I have gathered in my lifetime with functional medicine as the base. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and my extensive training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. My goal is to teach people how to care for themselves so that they can prevent the onset of illness.” Regarding her business philosophy, Brown says, “I don’t see things as challenges; rather, I see them as lessons. Thus, my biggest business lesson is learning how to grow a business. My ‘why’ is true to who I am. I am using my talent as a healer. I am real with my patients.” Brown’s plans are to grow the practice, continue to connect with health practitioners in the community, give back to the community and move her family to Ocala. She has a podcast coming out in early 2021.

Better Health And Rehab, LLC, is located at 2275 SW 22nd Lane, Ste. 210, in Ocala. For more information, call 352-4339292 or visit BetterHealthAndRehab.com.

aptain Jodi Spaulding is the single women business owner of Nature Coast Eco Tours. Her motto is, “Connecting people with nature off the beaten path. See the Real Florida.” She is a certified and licensed master captain, lifeguard, Florida master naturalist and a member of the Florida Native Plant Society for eight years. Spaulding has volunteered more than 500 hours with the State Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Commission, learning about environmental issues and impacts in Florida. She says, “Environmental education and interpretation is the foundation of my business. I strive to spread knowledge and passion to my guests through the tours and adventures I provide.” Services include boat rides, scalloping tours, island adventures, kayak guided tours, camp and kayak excursions and hiking tours, as well as unique seasonal tours such as bioluminescence kayaking tours, full moon and meteor shower cruises and paddles over all of West Central Florida. Spaulding relates, “I started my business in October 2017 out of passion to show and teach people the hidden gems we have here in Florida and to teach why it is important to protect and conserve our environment. I was born and raised in Florida, where I developed a love and passion for our diverse ecosystems and wildlife. As a child, I explored and learned the area very well.” She explains, “Florida is a very beautiful state to live in! We are all very attracted to the beauty that surrounds us. It is so very important for us as residents to come together and protect the ecological health and natural beauty that surrounds us. Once it is gone, it cannot be replaced at any price. The first step in making a difference is spreading the word and teaching our youth to be good stewards of the environment. Our kids are the future! If we teach them to love and respect the environment now, they will set a good example for future generations.” Spaulding believes what makes Florida special are the many lakes, springs, rivers and beaches that around the state and the many different species of wildlife that depend on the waterways. She shares, “Manatees are definitely one of the most popular and magnificent aquatic mammals that call this home! Manatees are very humble and docile. They are naturally curious and depend on our springs to survive during the winter months. It is up to us to help protect them by respecting their natural habitat and being responsible boaters on the water.” Those interested in learning more about manatees can take advantage of a manatee observation boat ride or guided kayak tour. For more information about Nature Coast Eco Tours, call 352-4221122 or visit NatureCoastEcoTours.com. December 2020

business spotlight

Pharmacist-Prescribed Cannabidiol(CBD) at Halo Health

r. Heather Hardin, Pharm.D., BCACP, received a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida and is board certified in ambulatory care by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. She is the owner of Halo Health, Services since 2018, which sells pharmacistformulated, organic CBD products. Each client receives a free initial clinical pharmacist consultation as they begin using the cannabidiol (CBD) products and are continually monitored as they continue treatment. Hardin says, “As a clinical pharmacist and ambulatory care specialist, I clinically assess if CBD would be a safe option for each client. If so, I provide assistance with choosing the most effective product for their condition and assist with

adjusting doses throughout treatment to provide the safest and most effective treatment. All of this is provided free of charge with the purchase of Halo Health products.” She notes that CBD has been proven to treat stress, discomfort and skin conditions, has no major side effects, does not cause a “high” feeling and does not test positive on a drug test for marijuana. “I started Halo Health to help my clients get healthier, reach a higher level of wellness and find greater joy in their lives. I view my clients holistically, treating their conditions by assuring safe and effective medication use, identifying the most beneficial supplements and vitamins, guiding nutrition and fitness plans, and addressing mental health challenges that prohibit

I started Halo Health to help my clients get healthier, reach a higher level of wellness and find greater joy in their lives. ~Heather Hardin

them from reaching their personal wellness goals,” says Hardin. “It is always best to consult with a clinical pharmacist such as myself before taking or using any CBD product. I provide a full clinical assessment of current medications and conditions as they relate to CBD. My products are pharmacistformulated, organic CBD products of the highest quality, grown right here in Florida. After your purchase, we remain connected for continued monitoring and guidance as you begin and continue your regimen,” she advises. CBD products include CBD broad spectrum oil, vegan CBD gummies, CBD topical intensive rub cream, CBD bath bombs and CBD (cannabigerol) oil. They are pesticide and harsh chemical-free, gluten-free, non-GMO and made with good manufacturing practices. Hardin also offers clinical pharmacist consulting services and says, “Helping patients manage their medications and conditions in a safe and effective manner, I address not only medications use, but also nutrition, fitness, mental health, yoga and meditation to achieve optimum wellness and life satisfaction. Most of my work is virtual via video medication consulting or phone consulting.” Hardin explains, “I am more than just a CBD dispensary. With my pharmacy training, I bring my medical guidance to each client assuring safe and effective use of my product for each individual. Being in the healthcare field for over 15 years, I have seen my share of overprescribing and polypharmacy, leading to a cascade of excessive medication use. I have found in my practice that most patients have one major question; ‘How do I get off of all of these medications?’ As a ‘deprescribing’ pharmacist, I work with my clients to safely and naturally decrease medication use by helping them achieve better overall health in a more natural and holistic manner, decreasing their dependency on medications.” Halo Health CBD is located at 8611 SW 92nd Lane, Gainesville. For more information, call 352-359-5518 or visit HaloHealthCBD.com.

North Central FL Edition

eco tip

’TIS THE SEASON TO SAVE THE PLANET When the holiday classic Jingle Bells starts playing in department stores, Americans deck the landfills with extra trash. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), garbage increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day— or about 1 million extra tons each week—including 38,000 miles of ribbon, $11 billion worth of packing material and 15 million discarded Christmas trees. As this waste decomposes, dangerous greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are emitted, adding to the climate crisis. This season, include Earth on the gift list by reducing holidayrelated waste. To stop the uptick of mailed catalogs, call stores and request to be removed from mailing lists. Reusable shopping bags are not just for groceries. Bring them to malls and boutiques to cut down on single-use store bags. Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are beautiful, but create waste. Consider eco-friendly alternatives like towels, tablecloths, scarves and even socks. According to NEEF, an estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold in the U.S. every year. That’s enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. Be kind to the planet by switching to e-cards or making personal phone calls. At the holiday table, use cloth napkins and tablecloths instead of paper. They’re festive, elegant and best of all, washable and reusable. Forgo plastic cutlery, paper plates and single-use plastic cups, too. An extra dishwasher load is better than bags full of trash, plastic being the

priscilla du preez/Unsplash.com

Eco-Friendly Holiday Ideas

worst non-biodegradable culprit. Social-distancing Americans are expected to flock to the internet for gifts. Consider saving the shipping boxes and packing materials for later use or donating them to a mailing center that would be happy to reuse them. The most environmentally friendly gifts eliminate wrapping and shipping altogether. Here are some favorite low-waste ideas: n Charitable donations n Cooking, music, craft or other lessons n Passes to museums or amusement parks n Gift cards for restaurants or bookstores n Music downloads or spa treatments Most towns recycle Christmas trees and process them into mulch for use in parks. Contact a local waste management agency for details.

To promote the Religion, Science and Philosophy of Spiritualism Psychic Medium Spiritual Development Classes

Please email or call for schedule.

Check our complete program on the website.

www.ifsk.org ~ 407-247-7823 December 2020

Getting Creative

healthy kids

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

REINVENT THE HOLIDAYS More Meaning, Less Stuff

dglimages/AdobeStock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

ike many parents, Alicia Hough, a corporate wellness expert in New York, used to go overboard plying her kids with gifts at Christmas. “I was always busy with work, which is why I thought that buying my children the latest or most trending toy in the market will make up for the time I’ve lost,” she recalls. “As kids, they indeed get excited with material gifts, but that joy is just temporary, and that’s what I realized throughout this pandemic. In the end, it’s the relationship with people you value that matters, and not these material things or celebrations.” Hough, who considers the pandemic a turning point, is not alone. In this turbulent year, holiday celebrations will likely be smaller, quieter and less opulent for many families. Yet the crisis has also set the stage for families “to create a holiday that is more in keeping with their values, finding deeper connection and meaning with less rushing around and spending less money,” says Laura Markham, a clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. Besides passing up traveling and parties for cozy pajama times, many families are seriously rethinking their gift-giving habits. Although presents are a beloved part of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations, many families have come to wonder how the shopping and spending has gotten so out of hand. According to Investopedia, in 2019, the average American spent $942 on holiday gifts, a figure that has steadily mounted in the last decade to total $1 trillion. An estimated $16 billion worth of those gifts are unappreciated and tossed aside, reports Moneyish. This pandemic season offers “a chance to reset expectations if festive gift-giving has become excessive in recent years,” says Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy. “Perhaps most important is to have a conversation with children about buying less stuff and avoiding waste,” she adds. “They may have their own ideas about how to reduce waste and relish the challenge of thinking about what they really want.” 12

North Central FL Edition

n Build anticipation with a treasure hunt or by opening presents over a period of time. n Incorporate a sense of wonderment with a wooden magic set or a storybook written by either or both parents that stars the child. n Surprise the children by transforming a room in the house into a winter wonderland or turning the garden shed into Santa’s grotto. n Offer a parent’s time, skills and attention in the form of promissory notes or a small token that indicates a future shared experience, such as a jar of homemade marshmallows tied with a label promising a family camping trip. n Give children items that they can use or eat that are handmade by the parents. n Invoke a sense of nostalgia that prompts family storytelling, such as a jigsaw that summons memories of putting together a puzzle with a grandfather 50 years ago. n Celebrate environmental stewardship by planting and growing a Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush. Even gift wrapping can become a fun and eco-smart family game by challenging everyone to creatively repurpose everything

gmail.com.

from old maps and fabrics to magazines and paper bags, perhaps decorated with artwork and nature finds. If every American family wrapped just three presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However they are wrapped, gifts demonstrate in these unprecedented times that deep joy comes not from acquiring new stuff, but from caring for and giving to each other—especially our children. “In the end, the most precious gift parents can give their children this holiday is their attention, infused with a little bit of festive magic,” says Kempton.

Gentle Self-Care for Parents It’s been a long, hard year for many parents, and working to make the holidays special for the children may add another layer of stress and anxiety. That’s why it’s key to acknowledge any sadness one is experiencing. “Feelings of melancholy are a reality for many people over the holidays, and this year it is likely to affect more of us than usual, given how so many of us have lost someone or something this year,” says Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy. “It is vital to acknowledge these feelings and accommodate them, whilst also making space for joy. This comes down to talking about it, letting people know what you need or asking what they need and being prepared for the emotions to rise to the surface in the middle of things.” She suggests “putting some slack in your schedule, taking extra care of your health, reaching out for support and giving yourself permission to do things differently this year.”

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

Instilling the Giving Spirit in Kids

hildren love getting gifts, but they also love the feeling of giving them, and the holidays are an optimal time to encourage this natural human impulse. Giving helps build their empathy and compassion muscles, which in turn makes for happier, more fulfilled lives, studies show. Bridging the hug gap. With grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends less likely to be sitting around the table this year, having kids open those presents when the loved ones are on the other side of the Zoom or FaceTime screen can help ease the pain of the time apart. Or children can put together a love package for them that includes drawings and notes to be opened on the other end of a livestream virtual gathering.

jonathan borba/AdobeStock.com

Care for the community. “So many families have been devastated by COVID-19 and fires this year. And many of us have become aware of the cost of institutional racism to families of color,” says psychologist Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. “Why not discuss and decide on a family gift to make the world a better place? You could decide how much you would normally have spent on presents and give some portion of that away to help people who are struggling or support a cause that is important to you.” Simple steps like giving neighbors homemade cookies or candies tied with ribbons can also do much to lift holiday spirits. With her kids, Beth Kempton, author of Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A Little Book of Festive Joy, makes up a batch of mince pie to share. “We might be wearing masks, along with Santa hats, and leaving the holiday treats on doorsteps instead of going in our neighbors’ homes this year, but we can still share holiday cheer,” she says. Alexandra Fung, CEO of the parent networking site UpParent.com, says her family in Chicago will provide gift boxes for families in need through their church or a local nonprofit and may work together to make blankets for traumatized and ill children using patterns supplied by the nonprofit Project Linus. We are the world. Another approach is to give children a small sum to donate, perhaps $10 or $20, and encourage them to find a cause they care about in town or by researching online—from putting money in a Salvation Army Christmas kettle to saving rainforest animals. Or encourage them to find a humanitarian or environmental project to focus on over the holidays. At UpParent.com, kids can find 11 ways to help others around the world without leaving the house, like turning old jeans into shoes to help Ugandan children fight parasites or helping to track animals in the wild. The National Environmental Education Foundation at NeefUSA.org lists dozens of at-home projects for kids, such as doing a home-energy audit, creating a compost pile and helping to identify wildlife caught on camera for a digital database. December 2020

Image Courtesy of Josh Pridgen

studioporto sabbia/AdobeStock.com

green greenliving living

unteering,” Shuman says. “Sociology studies show lower crime and greater degrees of social organization and civil society. Health studies reveal that local business communities replace a lot of unhealthy, imported food with healthier, fresher, lesspackaged food that lowers rates of diabetes and obesity. Unique local businesses attract tourists. And because they shorten the lines of distribution and supply, we know they bring down carbon footprint.” Phoenix business leader Kimber Lanning, who opened a record store in 1987 and an art gallery in 1999, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of local commerce. “Doing business with people we know heightens our connection to place, and when we care about place, we’re more likely to vote, volunteer and give charitably.” In 2003, Lanning founded the nonprofit Local First Arizona (LFA) to help local businesses thrive and eventually eliminate city, state and federal subsidies that

PAY WHERE WE PLAY Boosting the Hometown Economy by Sandra Yeyati

North Central FL Edition

jonathan weiss//Unsplash.com

message we hear throughout the year, but especially during the holidays, is, “Buy local.” The idea is to purchase from locally owned and operated businesses. Facing competition from big chains like Walmart or internet companies like Amazon, they need our support. But it’s not just a nice thing to do; consumers that buy local help build robust hometown economies with a long list of impressive benefits. “About three dozen studies have found that two to four times more money stays in the economy for every dollar spent in a locally owned business rather than a nonlocal one,” says economist Michael Shuman, author of The Small-Mart Revolution, Put Your Money Where Your Life Is and The Local Economy Solution. “What’s more, the community enjoys a multiplier effect, generating two to four times more job opportunities, two to four times more income and two to four times greater tax collections. If your interest is in reducing poverty and raising social equality, locally owned businesses are your ticket to doing so.” According to Shuman, cities that rely on just one or two large companies to drive their economies are far less self-reliant and less resilient than towns that support a diversified base of smaller, locally owned businesses. “The more you have control over your economy, the less likely you’re going to be hurt if one big company splits for Mexico,” he explains. Cities that have many thriving local businesses enjoy other benefits, too. “We know from political science studies that they have higher rates of voting participation and vol-

multinational companies were receiving. “Big chains move in, claiming they’re going to drive so much sales tax revenue that the city should pay them to be there,” she explains. “Cabela’s [the outfitter chain] got a $68 million subsidy from Glendale to open one retail location. These sweetheart deals extract money out of the community that could have been spent on parks, libraries and fire departments, but instead goes to shareholders living elsewhere.” Responding to political pressure by LFA and others, Arizona passed a law banning these subsidies five years ago—a major victory—leveling the playing field for smaller businesses, according to Lanning. As the author of 13 destination guidebooks, Florida-based travel journalist Karen T. Bartlett helps people discover the often-hidden flavors and experiences unique to their own region, meeting neighbors and supporting the local economy along the way. “From kayak adventures and foodie tours to community theater productions and galleries featuring local artists, fun and meaningful ways to enjoy the distinctive offerings of home abound,” she says. “Think local first,” Lanning says. “Spend your money with people you know in your community—from haircuts to oil changes. Use a local pharmacy. Go to the farmers’ market and move your money to community banks and credit unions.” “For people to get excited about the purchase of a five-dollar hammer and not pay attention to where they have their mortgage is utterly irrational. Rank [in] order your business expenditures, which starts with your home, then probably goes to your car and then health care, and think about ways of localizing those things, rather than every grocery item,” Shuman advises. “Usually, you find cheaper, better-quality goods and services, or at the very least, comparable options,” he says, adding that even if a purchase is slightly more expensive or a bit less convenient, favoring the neighborhood vendor is always going to benefit the local economy. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com. December 2020

healthy holiday guide

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTHY LIVING Our Healthy Holiday Guide will help you find the perfect products and services for your gift giving needs!

North Central FL Edition

business spotlight

Achieve True Wellness

at Formula One Health and Fitness

harles Pattenson, and exercise helping owner of Formula them reach their goals. One Health and Another specialty is that I Fitness, is a certified holiswork with people in their tic health coach through 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, the Institute of Integrative helping them navigate Nutrition and personal health as we age. I just trainer with the American turned a big milestone, Sports & Fitness Asand this gives me a better sociation. He provides understanding just what is clients with health options needed for my clients that through food and exercise, may be intimidated by enCharles Pattenson helping them achieve tering a health and fitness lasting health goals. He offers hand-picked program.” At some point, Patterson would nutritional supplements online and works like to have his own studio to provide yoga, with clients remotely via Skype, phone or meditation and exercise to small groups. in person, and his experience with celebrity “I am very passionate about their health clients and race car drivers has brought and wellness,” he says. “Living the lifestyle, more confidence to their daily lives. I love to pass my knowledge to others. Patterson shares, “I have been involved Having been fortunate to meet and work in health for many years. Having been born with some incredible people, not only in in California and a personal trainer in LA, the health field, but everyday, hardworking then moving to Colorado in the early 90s. people overcome their fears and desires Here, my interest in fitness and nutrition reto achieve the true health that they deally took a different turn, working in health serve—that is what Formula One Health food stores (GNC) and working for one of is all about. I am working on a New Year’s the biggest supplement companies in the package of health and wellness to get people late 90s, EAS. It is here that my interest not back on track. This year has been one of only in exercise but nutrition really took off. great difficulty, but with good health you Becoming a nutrition coach gave me the opcan overcome many of life’s obstacles.” portunity to expand my knowledge on how nutrition is the key to longevity.” Formula One Health and Fitness is loHe explains, “My coaching approach cated at 3955 W. Drysdale Lane, in Citrus is different, in that I listen to my clients Springs. For orders, more information and carefully to better understand their health free downloads of both nutritional and concerns. This allows me to tailor a proexercise information, call 303-669-4907 or gram both through nutritional changes visit FormulaOneHealthAndFitness.com.

My coaching approach is different, in that I listen to my clients carefully to better understand their health concerns. This allows me to tailor a program both through nutritional changes and exercise helping them reach their goals. ~Charles Pattenson

JANUARY

Coming Next Month

Health & Wellness on a Budget Plus: Holistic Hospital Care

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

352-366-0088 December 2020

fit body

katerina jerabkova/Unsplash.com

Tapping into Contentment

Mind-Body Fitness How Mindfulness Benefits Workouts

by Marlaina Donato

hen mindfulness approaches are applied to fitness training—which can be as simple as breathing consciously and tuning into subtle body sensations— the results can be fewer injuries, improved immunity, a lowered stress response, a brighter mood and a deeper commitment to staying fit. Being in the present moment can also spark enjoyment. Research shows that mindfulness training can also significantly raise self-esteem, and women that cultivate meditative self-compassion experience a boost in acceptance of and satisfaction with their bodies. “In nature, the bigger the eye of the storm, the more powerful the winds, suggesting that our workout potential and enjoyment is dependent not on how hard we push, but how calm and self-aware we can be,” says John Douillard, DC, author of Body, Mind, and Sport and the founder of LifeSpa, in Boulder, Colorado. “Slowing down and being aware of the body allows the mind to attend to muscles, which can increase blood supply, lymph drainage and replace a potentially damaging fight-or-flight response during a workout with a rejuvenating parasympathetic response.” 18

North Central FL Edition

Mindful fitness instructor Ellen Barrett, in Washington Depot, Connecticut, offers clients a full-body experience with a fusion of movement forms and weight training. “We think mindfulness is some sort of yoga thing, but everything can become mindful. Jumping jacks and biceps curls can be mindful. It’s not the movement, but the awareness behind the movement. Mindfulness is about being present.” Adding in balance training, tai chi and Pilates, and swapping a bit less time on the treadmill for a few moments of meditation or visualizing positive results can go a long way, say fitness experts. Debbie Rosas, founder and co-creator of Nia—a body-mind conditioning program anchored in martial arts and modern dance—underscores the importance of listening to cues. “Notice any areas that feel tight, blocked, rigid and bound. This wisdom through felt sense and awareness will immediately alert you to stop, adjust and slow down.” The Portland-based co-author of The Nia Technique points to the fun factor. “I believe that when you stop exercising and start moving, anything you do can bring you enjoyment. Do things that leave you feeling successful and motivated to do them again.”

Breath as a Compass Practicing conscious breathing fortifies the positive impact of exercise and can prevent injuries like hernias that can arise when the breath is held during heavy lifting. “One of the most powerful tools for mindfulness during a workout is following your breath. Mindfulness is the key, but it’s hard to be mindful when you’re breathing 26,000 times a day into the upper chest, activating a fight-or-flight response,” says Douillard. Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth during exercise bolsters mindfulness, and as Douillard has demonstrated in studies, causes brain waves to shift from stressed beta waves to a meditative

alpha state. “It takes longer to fully inhale and exhale during nose breathing, which creates a baseline of calm,” she says. “Don’t rush. Be aware of the body breathing and feel each muscle contracting and relaxing with each rep and stretch.” Chicago-based fitness expert Stephanie Mansour, host of the PBS weekly Step it Up with Steph show, concurs. “Sync your breath with your movement. Mindfully transition from exercise to exercise.” Mansour also suggests working out next to a mirror to improve alignment and avoiding the distraction that can come with having a workout buddy. “Another trick to improve form is to put on headphones and

zone out by listening to white noise so that you have no distraction,” she says. Exercising with deep body-presence is something we do for ourselves. “If you’re really paying attention, you can steer yourself towards invigoration and away from irritation. The body is always providing feedback, but we’re often too ‘out of body’ to notice. Giving full attention to your body is a big gift of self-love,” says Barrett. “Breathe. Move. Be free,” adds Mansour. “This is your dedicated ‘me’ time and you can use it to feel good about yourself.”

Home-Delivered ome-Delivered Wellness Services

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

More Helpful Tips Body scan from Ellen Barrett: Establish a body scan ritual before working out. Either sitting or standing, close your eyes and take a second or two to focus on each part of the body with your mind’s eye. Start with the feet and then move up to the ankles, legs, spine, etc. Nasal breathing from John Douillard: Establish a comfortable, slow, nasal breathing rhythm in the beginning of your workout and try to maintain that throughout your practice. Give it time. It will take about three weeks of nose breathing practice to begin to run at the same pace or lift the same weight as you did before as a fight-or-flight mouth breather. To begin: Breathe deeply in and out through the nose with each rep on the weight machine and lengthen your nasal breathing during cardio [workouts]. As soon as your nasal breath rhythm begins to speed up or you have to open your mouth to breathe, slow down and reestablish a comfortable rhythm of nasal breathing again. Once the mindful calm has been reset, begin to increase your intensity, letting the nose breathing set the pace. Breathing tip from Stephanie Mansour: Inhale on the easier movement and exhale on the more challenging movement. For example, inhale as you bend down into a squat and exhale as you press up to standing. Pull your belly button in toward your spine in all workouts. Engage your core whether you’re working your legs, arms, back or chest. Workout advice from Debbie Rosas: Do some research if you are new to working out. Go online and look for a teacher you feel aligned with in philosophy and workout approach. Build slowly. Exercise teachers are trained to inspire you. Their inspiration can push you. Always do less than what you see and build when your body says, “I am ready for more. Let’s move faster and in a larger range of motion.”

he mobile wellness clinic Centerlife Therapy provides outpatient Integrative Occupational Therapy rehabilitation, gentle, body-appropriate yoga lessons and life coaching sessions in the comfort of the clients’ home. Owner Tracy Renna received a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and is certified in chair and restorative yoga, CranioSacral Therapy, MPS Pain Therapy, Lee Silverman Voice Treatment BIG, kinesiology taping, yoga nidra and life coaching. She says, “Centerlife Therapy evolved after connecting with individuals experiencing chronic pain in traditional settings. I noticed that many times, standard therapeutic approaches aggravate symptoms. This creates an imbalance throughout our body, which effects mind and spirit. I found that traditional services focus on the physical area of the body that is challenged with pain or discomfort, then an exercise program is created for that muscle group. My approach to pain is holistic, because the evaluation takes into consideration the area where the discomfort is located, but I also analyze standing posture, the biomechanics of the body when December 2020

Centerlife Therapy is based in Oxford. For more information, call 352-502-6513 or email CenterLifeTherapy@gmail. comemail or visit Centerlifetherapy.com for weekly articles. 20

North Central FL Edition

healing ways

essica delp/Unsplash.com

performing a daily task, coping skills to the challenges of pain/discomfort and daily habits that help keep the spirit healthy.” Restorative yoga [another offering] involves using props to support the body in seated and supine (lying down) postures to passively stretch and open the body. “Restorative yoga is beneficial for everyone, but I use it a lot with individuals with mobility challenges,” advises Renna. “These challenges can range from muscle weakness, as seen in my clients going through cancer treatment, to individuals with neurological challenges that need to gently stretch tight muscles. Restorative yoga is magical. It’s a simple practice of self-care that stimulates the relaxation response within the brain and the body. Restorative yoga is a powerfully soothing and rejuvenating practice.” Centerlife Therapy is a Medicare part B provider. The integrative occupational therapy services are covered by Medicare. The individualized yoga lessons and life coaching session are cashbased and not covered by Medicare. Weekly meditation sessions are held online at Facebook.com/centerlifetherapy. A virtual, gentle yoga class for individuals with fibromyalgia, Yoga for Fibromyalgia: Soothing Practice to Relieve Pain, will aired on December 9. “My clients benefit from my body, mind and spirit approach because all three areas need to be addressed to help the body heal,” says Renna. “Pain is felt in the physical body. The stress of pain affects the mind, and many people with chronic pain have depression and anxiety. Our spirit radiates when we live a joyful and purposeful life, but pain depletes that energy.” She can set up a 20-minute complementary consultation to select the right service.

SING TO HEAL

Using the Voice to Uplift Mind and Body by Marlaina Donato

ccording to growing research, singing along to a favorite musical or joining a local choir can be good for our health. From college students to patients with Parkinson’s disease, everyone can benefit, regardless of talent. Singing naturally fosters endorphins, amps up immunity levels and lowers the stress hormone cortisol. A study by the UK University of East Anglia published in 2017 in The BMJ’s Medical Humanities shows that group singing—along with the positivity of social interaction— supports and improves mental health in people with depression and anxiety. Singing for the Brain, a program created by The Alzheimer’s Society, has been shown to improve memory, mood and the ability to socialize for people with dementia. “I feel singing can be significant to mental well-being and healing from an injury or cancer, while in recovery from substance abuse, or to help cope with trauma. Additional benefits may include pain management,” says Tamera Anderson-Hanna, a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Wellness, Therapy & Yoga, in Miami.

Breathing into Self-Expression “When we sing, we dive straight into a conscious bodily experience that brings us into immediate connection with our bodies. Singing, especially repetitive singing where we can start to regulate a breath cycle and elongate it, gets us deeply oxygenated,” says Daisy Press, a professional singer and vocal teacher in New York City. There’s no right or wrong way to reap the benefits of music. A few years into her professional career, Press took a group lesson with a North Indian raga teacher and experienced a deep inner shift. “I was allowed to enjoy the feeling of singing that one note and my mind turned off. I felt the intonation itself in my body—in waves, shapes and colors. Intonation itself became a real living energy that felt essentially good, restorative and healing.” Lea Longo, a Montreal-based meditation mindfulness coach and musician, concurs. “Singing has been my way to relax, not only my mind, but my body, as well. It uses the breath, a vital tool for health. It’s my go-to place to feel better. I just sing when I need a boost, and it works for me.”

Resonance, Mantra and Humming “The voice can be considered a healing tool for the fact that it is directly related to resonance in the body,” explains Longo. “We can think of our voice as a tuning fork to ‘tune’ ourselves and use it as a way to heal internally through the vibrations and sounds we produce.” Using sound is a subtle energy therapy that can help heal emotional or physical distress, he says Mantra, the recitation of specific words or traditionally sacred chants, is not a religion, but simply a method to quell mental chatter. “Mantras are vibrational tools that can be practiced by any faith or spiritual practice.” In her work, Anderson-Hanna makes the mantra personal. “I often teach individuals how to create their own mantra and how to challenge their thinking using positive affirmations. The mantra I teach

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

Effect and director of the Sound Healers Association, in Boulder, Colorado. “The importance of nitric oxide is coming more into light since it is a vasodilator and has anti-viral qualities.” In addition, humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which reduces inflammation and enhances immunity. Whether we sing children to sleep at night or learn to sing jazz, using our voices can be good medicine. Goldman reminds us, “There are so many different ways that sound can positively shift and change us.”

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

Starting Off Singing

Humming and Singing Tips to Try From Tamera Anderson-Hanna, an Uplifting Playlist: “I encourage my clients if they need to boost their mood to create a happy and uplifting playlist to sing or listen to—the same advice I used for myself when healing from breast cancer and experiencing setbacks.” From Jonathan Goldman, Conscious Humming: “Find a place where you will not be disturbed. Begin by taking some nice deep breaths in and out. Choose a purpose or intention. Do you want to assist with a headache? Do you want to reduce your stress? Do you want to send this sound to a specific part of your body? Hum a tone on one note that is comfortable. Do this at least five times so that you can become aware of how the hum is resonating in your head or body, and then hum for five minutes, if possible. Be in a place of silence for at least a minute or more after you have created the hum and be aware of what you experience. Note: Because the hum has so many powerful effects, people often become lightheaded (and very relaxed) when they practice conscious humming.” From Lea Longo, Mantra Tips: “If you have never used or chanted a mantra before, I would recommend starting with the universal mantra Aum or Om. It is simple and easy to pronounce. Start with five minutes a day for 30 days and increase the time as you feel fit. As you get more comfortable with the sound of your voice, you will develop a practice and habit. The shower is a great place to start to overcome self-consciousness.”

December 2020

Overcoming the Mental Health Stigma

ASK THE EXPERT Need help? Find local resources at GoNaturalAwakenings.com 22

North Central FL Edition

ainesville Healsomething was missing in ing House is a their healing journey. Our psychotherapy specialty is taking healing practice providing empirto a deeper level. We are ically validated treatment patient and don’t rush the for people struggling with process. We go at the climental health concerns. ent’s pace. Our biggest acThe staff is comprised complishments are rooted of clinicians licensed or in the gratitude we receive registered in the state of when people are able to Florida. Kelly Nenezian move forward with clarity, founded Gainesville healing, self-compassion Healing house in 2015. and self-love.” Kelly Nenezian Individual, couple, and Nenezian relates that family psychotherapy services are availthe stigma related to mental health and able via teletherapy and in-person sessions. emotional healing is prominent. “It is tough They take Aetna insurance in network. All to get people in the door at times due to other insurance companies are billed as this stigma.” She says. “Oftentimes, the requested as an out-of-network service. individuals brave enough to come through The COVID-19 pandemic has our door are already having to cope with brought a substantial increase in stress. the shame and fear related to just getting Nenezian says, “This is a tough time emothe help and healing they deserve. This is a tionally for many of us. Whatever sense difficult process.” of stability and safety we had was taken Gainesville Healing House recently abruptly and unapologetically. We are all started a telehealth depression group for living in a traumatic experience. We have young adults. “We noticed a significant seen an increase in people struggling with increase in depression in this age group fear, loneliness, grief, and identity.” during the pandemic and wanted to give Gainesville Healing House offers a place for connection to these individuan integrated approach to healing. “We als,” says Nenezian. “The group may stay understand that mental health effects the online or go to an in-person group once physical health and physical health effects the pandemic is over. We will let group the mental health, advises Nenezian. “We members decide. We will continue to offer are passionate about the mind-body congroup, family, couples, and individual psynection and utilize this in many of our chotherapy services for all ages. We hope to treatment modalities to allow for deep-level continue to help people light their path.” healing so change can be sustainable.” She notes, “We specialize in trauma Gainesville Healing House is located at 1810 work. Usually, clients come to us following NW 6th St., Ste. E, Gainesville, For more inother therapy experiences that helped, but formation, visit GainesvilleHealingHouse.com.

December 2020

A New Story for the World

Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet by Linda Sechrist

lightscience/AdobeStock.com

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

North Central FL Edition

In the 1980s, author and cultural historian Thomas Berry declared that humanity needed a new story that is less destructive and dysfunctional. Berry filled lecture halls, telling attendees, “We are in trouble now because we don’t have a good story. The old story, the account of how the world came to be and how we fit into it, isn’t functioning properly. What once sustained us, shaped our emotional attitude, provided us with life purpose, energized action, consecrated suffering, integrated knowledge and guided education is no longer serving humanity.” As we are discovering globally through hard experience, the old stories of rugged individualism and conquering and dominating the natural world have run their course with grim results. In the last four decades, fragments of a new story have been slowly emerging. Because it isn’t deemed worthy of mainstream media, the public is left in the dark about new, life-instructing stories capable of altering human civilization in positive ways. Were these story fragments woven together in an anthology, chapters on climate, economy, religion, environment, science, politics, medicine, education, conscious evolution and community would constitute a useful account of ideas and concepts capable of bringing about a brighter future for humanity and the planet. These possibilities would surely capture readers’ imaginations.

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

New Science Story Evolution biologist Elisabet Sahtouris’ stories about science shine a light on the broader perspective of life and science gained from studying multiple worldviews. A scholar of ancient sciences, Sahtouris reminds us that the original purpose of science was to find guidance for human affairs by studying nature. During a recent conversation with Ubiquity University founder Jim Garrison in the online Humanity Rising’s Global Solutions Summit, she says, “We have acted in opposition and made ecology subservient to our economy, using ecology as a set of resources for human economics. When we make our economy fit into nature’s economy, which we call ecology, we’ll have ecosophy, the ‘wisdom of the Earth itself ’ that occurs when a man knows how to listen with love.” Sahtouris teaches corporations about ecosophy’s new view of a conscious universe and a living Earth in which we are co-creators. This, she believes, takes humans out of fatalistic victimhood so that we can become consciously active agents of our destiny. Lifting the fog of our

preiscilla dupreez/Unsplash.com

more beautiful world our hearts know is achievable. The story, which he believes is attainable, calls for people, governments and organizations to embrace a partnership paradigm to protect, restore, regenerate and repair damages to our planet’s natural world, which we call the environment. Using indigenous wisdom, organizations such as the Pachamama Alliance and Bioneers are helping individuals worldwide to recognize that humanity is here to be in service to life. Creating the right conditions for revitalizing life is the opposite of our collective story that views the natural world only as a resource. Eisenstein’s ideas for regenerative agriculture match those described in environmentalist Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. In October, Drawdown Georgia became the first state-centered effort to crowd-solve for climate change, with solutions tailored to Georgia’s unique natural, economic and social resources.

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

A Global Commons Sharing Solutions Through the daily sharing of stories with keynote speakers and panel discussions, Garrison increases the momentum of the Humanity Rising movement, which includes Ubiquity University students, program participants and more than 400 organizations that come together as a “global commons” to take counsel and share what they are developing for their own networks. Humanity Rising was launched to try to leverage the crisis of the coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity for human renewal and increase our resilience to future challenges. This new form of real-life competency education delivered in TED Talk-style presentations, moderated dialogues, working groups, blogs, ongoing conversations, group discussions and other interactions provides participants a wide scope of possibilities and activities for working together for global solutions.

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

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

Story of Our Time: From Duality to Interconnectedness to Oneness. “Nature is an embodiment of the divine, and the whole Earth is sacred. Its vast resources are our common heritage entrusted to us,” he says. “Humanity is one family. Having passed through the stage of childhood, humanity is now struggling to leave behind its adolescent ways while taking on new patterns of thought and action in approaching its maturity. Accepting the oneness of humanity as a biological fact, a social necessity and a spiritual reality will lead us further along our journey toward lasting peace.” Atkinson believes global harmony is inevitable when we exercise our obligation to independently investigate reality and stop blindly and uncritically following various traditions, movements and opinions. He says, “I consider this as one of the main sources of world conflict.”

Undivided Wholeness In a world engulfed by fragmentation, the film Infinite Potential: The Life & Ideas of David Bohm is a healing balm with the potential to overturn our ideas about the world and ourselves. “The core work of David Bohm, considered one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century, is our essential interconnectedness and undivided wholeness from which we get a sense of our own interconnectivity,” says producer and director Paul Howard. “This realization makes it logical to start taking better care of ourselves, each other and planet Earth.”

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

Indigenous Wisdom While the early church developed and grew in numbers by assimilating the wisdom of the world about it, including paganism, it neglected to assimilate the intuitive ways in that indigenous people knew the natural world, how it functioned and how intimately they were integrated with it. Tribes around the globe have ancient extinction stories that foretold the crises we are collectively experiencing, as well as potential outcomes and possible solutions. In Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset) tells the story of the Mohawk Seventh Generation Prophecy. “The Onkwehonwe, or real people, rise up and demand their wisdom and way of life be respected and that the natural way of the Earth and way of life be fully restored. Teachings on the indigenous way of life are being sought after, and all that remains is that we work together to restore the Earth to a state of balance and good health,” she says.

hugo/AdobeStock.com

Medicine and Community

North Central FL Edition

Thousands of people are gathering in online intentional communities associated with personal growth, healing and spiritual awakening. Jennifer Phelps, M.D., owner and director of Phelps MD Integrative Medicine, in Redding, Connecticut, practices mind-body medicine and is a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, in Washington, D.C. A trained facilitator of small groups, she has been teaching trauma and stress healing via Zoom calls during the pandemic. Initially, Phelps was concerned about how the levels of intimacy, trust and vulnerability necessary for individuals to develop a sense of cohesiveness and bonding could be formed via computer screens. By using the center’s model of self-care, selfawareness and mutual support that has its roots in indigenous culture, she felt her concern dissipate as group members began to bond quickly. “Our guidelines call for no cross-talking and no interrupting. Confidentiality is sacred. I’m a facilitator and a participant, which most models don’t allow,” says Phelps. She speculates that the success of online bonding might be due to participants feeling safer in their homes with a little extra anonymity, noting, “Not being face-to-face seems to allow people to share more freely. These weird times are creating a commonality and a sense of community connection.”

hugo/AdobeStock.com

Practical teachings to help you lead a healthy, prosperous, and meaningful life.

Conscious Choice Leah Lamb, a sacred storyteller in Topanga, California, defines her role as a seer far beyond the present moment. In Lamb’s online classes with her storytelling community, she loves sharing quotes by other storytellers such as Rebecca Solnit, “We think we tell stories; but stories often tell us … Too often stories saddle us, and they ride us and whip us onward and tell us what to do and we do it without questioning. The task of learning to be free is to learn to hear them; to question them, to pause and hear silence, to name them and then become a storyteller of your own story.” “In our role of storyteller, we can’t be without understanding that we tell stories about how we are in the world as much as stories tell us how to be in world. Identify and notice your stories, then understand how they are running you, so you can consciously choose your place in them,” advises Lamb, who encourages her students to discover the genius of their own calling. These are only some chapters in the new story that calls for each of us to be aware of the stories we live by, as well as those we tell ourselves and others. It also begs us to ask what is our role in the new story. Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings. Connect at LindaSechrist.com.

101 Cedar Road Ocala, Florida 34472 www. unityocala.org Sunday Celebration & Youth Program 10 a.m.

A Positive Path for Spiritual Living Crystals Books Tarot decks Jewelry Candles Essential Oils Unique gifts Metaphysical and Spiritual Supplies

Reiki Sessions 352.693.4592 Classes & Meditation FairyDustCrystals.com Like us on Facebook Readers

Your Holistic and Spiritual Healing Center 11781 SE Hwy 441, Belleview, FL 34420 (at the Almeida Plaza) December 2020

jill heyer/Unsplash.com

conscious eating

The Gift of Yum Homemade Treats Spark Holiday Cheer by April Thompson

ift-givers seeking memorable presents while avoiding holiday shopping stress need look no further than the kitchen. Edible homemade gifts make special, welcome treats, help slow down the shopping frenzy of the season and increase creativity in the kitchen. While 79 percent of recipients return some holiday gifts every year, food and handmade items rank in the top 10 treasured gifts, according to Survey Monkey research. Mackenzie Burgess, a Fort Collins, Colorado, dietitian and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices, encourages holiday gift-givers to think beyond the Christmas cookie. One of her go-to holiday gifts, a lentil and brown rice dry soup mix, features colorful dry ingredients layered in a Mason jar and the recipe attached with a pretty ribbon. “This shelf-stable dry soup mix is the perfect, plant-based meal to make on a chilly night, and makes for a unique, affordable and thoughtful gift,” says Burgess, adding that the Mason jars can be repurposed. For a sweet but healthy treat, Burgess offers freezer-friendly energy bites, which can be made in large quantities in advance and frozen or refrigerated, then popped into jars at gift time. These gluten-free, vegan treats can be made with common pantry items, including a base of oats, nut butter and a sweetener like honey or agave, as well as “fixings” such as shredded coconut, dried cranberries or goji berries, chopped nuts, or chia or flax seeds to boost the flavor and nutrition. Natural food coloring can also be added to foster a more festive look. 28

North Central FL Edition

To give a gift a “wow” factor, blogger Shelley Fulton, in Hudson, Ohio, recommends making a themed basket that may include a mix of homemade and purchased items. “You can take your signature spice rub or that homemade soup mix everyone raves about and expand into a gift basket with other products that support the theme, like barbecue tools for the spice rub or a kettle with cute soup bowls and a new ladle for the soup mix,” says Fulton, the creator of Two Healthy Kitchens. For the dog lovers on a holiday list, Fulton suggests making homemade sweet potato dog biscuits, which can be bundled in a dog bed with other canine comforts. Stephanie Hafferty, author of The Creative Kitchen: Seasonal Plant Based Recipes for Meals, Drinks, Garden and Self Care, suggests handcrafted items like infused vinegars, herb salts, herbal tea blends or spice mixes for foodies on the holiday gift list. Infused concoctions can be easily made by steeping a light vinegar like champagne or cider with rosemary, thyme or other perennial herbs, along with a spiraled citrus peel, for two weeks before gifting. “Infused vinegars look so lovely and go with so many winter dishes. They also have the advantage of being antiviral and having the shelf life of a few years,” says Hafferty. Herb-infused olive oils make another gorgeous foodie gift, but Hafferty warns of botulism risk if the herbs are not completely dried beforehand and fully submerged in the oil. “Make this one closer to the time you plan to give it and include instructions to use within a few weeks,” recommends the Somerset, England, author. Unusual spice mixes are another favorite gift of Hafferty’s, which can encourage home cooks to get creative. “Ras el Hanout is a versatile Moroccan spice blend that elevates dishes to another dimension. You can upcycle an old tin and decorate it with images of Moroccan tiles and add a homemade booklet with recipe ideas,” she says.

lydia matzal/Unsplash.com

For a hostess gift that will be eaten immediately, Fulton loves making fruit kabob bouquets, made festive by using red and green fruits like strawberries and kiwi cut into holiday-themed shapes like stars and bells. “This is a fun one to make with kiddos,” adds the blogger. If concerned about preparing food items for someone due to COVID-19, Fulton suggests assembling a countertop herb garden or a handmade book of favorite recipes, with a promise to cook together soon. The spirit that goes into holiday gift-making matters as much as the end product. Making thoughtful presents for loved ones is a great time to reflect upon our blessings, especially those that have blessed our lives this year. Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

Holiday Gift-Giving Recipes Lentil Brown Rice Soup

bread and parmesan cheese, if desired.

yield: 6 servings

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

If presenting the soup mix as a gift, layer dry ingredients in a Mason jar and print recipe to attach to the jar. 1 cup green or brown lentils ½ cup uncooked brown rice ½ cup green split peas 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning 1 Tbsp dried parsley 1 Tbsp garlic powder ½ tsp ground black pepper 2 large vegetable bouillon cubes (1 cube should be equivalent to 1 Tbsp of granulated bouillon) 8 cups water

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

photo by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

Optional: 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no salt added Optional: Sauté onion in oil in a large stock pot over high heat for 3 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes. Add dry soup ingredients and 8 cups of water to the same large stock pot (unless starting with this step). Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, covered with a lid. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve with crusty December 2020

Christmas Cocoa Crunch Bark

able and take 5 minutes or less to make. It’s easy to create festive, colored bites for the holidays. Simply add one-quarter cup of oats into a bowl with 15-30 drops of food coloring and give it a stir. Then, simply roll your finished balls in the food-colored oats.

yield: 30 pieces

photo by Stephanie Hafferty

½ cup 100% cocoa powder, unsweetened ½ cup coconut oil, melted 2 Tbsp raw quinoa 2 Tbsp maple syrup ¼ tsp stevia ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup pistachios, roughly chopped 2 Tbsp candied orange, diced in small pieces ½ tsp pink Himalayan salt 2 Tbsp white chocolate, melted (optional) Toast raw quinoa over medium-high heat until slightly browned and nutty aroma.

Ras el Hanout Spice Mix

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

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

Pour mixture onto a plate or sheet pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Sprinkle pistachios, dried cranberries, candied oranges and salt over the melted chocolate mixture. Drizzle white chocolate over the top and use a toothpick to create swirl effect if desired.

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

photo by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN

Recipe from Mackenzie Burgess, Cheerful Choices.

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. 30

North Central FL Edition

Add oats, add-ins, nut or seed butter, and liquid to a large bowl. Stir to combine. Mixture should be slightly sticky, but still crumbly. Add in honey or maple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach desired sweetness. Stir until mixture starts to come together in a sticky ball. If the mixture is still too dry, add in 1-2 more tablespoons of liquid. Place bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill, then roll mixture into balls using hands. Store in the fridge until ready to eat or pack into a jar for a gift. Store any leftovers in fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.

Dry roast the cumin, coriander, peppercorns, fennel and star anise in a cast-iron skillet until lightly toasted. This takes a minute or two and smells gorgeous. Cool and mix with the other ingredients, grinding in a pestle and mortar or spice blender until the mixture resembles a fine powder. Store in a glass-lidded container. This spicy mix is good for up to six months.

Energy Bites yield: 12 large bites or 24 small bites

These energy bites are the perfect snack to grab and go. They’re completely customiz-

photo by Stephanie Hafferty

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

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

photo by Stephanie Hafferty

Delicious and Healthy Chocolate Truffles

Rosemary-Infused Vinegar This fragrant, versatile vinegar makes a delightful holiday gift that can be enjoyed for months. Rosemary vinegar is delicious in salad dressings, sprinkled on vegetables (it is especially good on Brussels sprouts, cabbage and other brassicas) or added to sauces and homemade mayonnaise. It is also an excellent natural cleaner. Fresh sprigs rosemary Light vinegar (organic apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar) Clean bottles Labels Wash the bottles and lids until they sparkle and then dry them thoroughly. Shake the rosemary sprigs to dislodge any dirt or insects if taken from the garden, then rinse and air dry. Cut the rosemary so that it is two inches shorter than the bottle. This is so that all of the herb will be submerged in the vinegar. Place two sprigs of rosemary into each bottle. Cover with vinegar until the bottle is almost full and replace the lid. Label creatively; a small sprig of dried rosemary tied to the outside of the bottle is a nice touch. The vinegar will store for a long time in the refrigerator. When using in the kitchen, the level of vinegar will fall below the sprigs. When this happens, remove the rosemaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the vinegar will still taste of the herb. Use up any vinegar past its best as a bathroom cleaner. Recipes courtesy of Stephanie Hafferty.

The joy of giving is multiplied when making these chocolate truffles, as they are a gift of deliciousness, made with simple, clean and seasonal ingredients that are ethically sourced. These balls of decadent goodness are easy to make and contain four simple ingredients: Medjool dates, dark chocolate, chocolate powder and orange zest. Decadent and rich in taste yet simple to make, these truffles are a great treat for family or friends, no matter the diet restrictions, as they are plant-based, vegan, paleo, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and gluten-free. They are a guilt-free pleasure due to the nutritional quality of ingredients: Dates are rich in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, and provide sweetness with a low glycemic index. Orange zest contains vitamin C as well as limonene and polyphenols, which have been studied for their anticancer effects, and dark chocolate with 70 percent cocoa is rich in iron, manganese, copper and health-boosting flavanols. Using chocolate that contains plant-based stevia or monk fruit instead of refined sugar provides sweetness without the empty calories. Either 100 percent cocoa powder or dark chocolate bars can be used. For those that value a meaningful gift that is homemade, ethical and locally sourced, this recipe has it all by using fair-trade non-GMO organic dark chocolate, dates grown in California, Oranges grown by a local Florida farmer and the main ingredient of it all: a whole lot of love. yield: 20 pieces

8 oz dark chocolate (with 70% cocoa content, sugar-free or sweetened with stevia or monk fruit), or Â˝ cup of 100% cocoa powder plus 2 Tsp of stevia for sweetness 10 Medjool dates Zest of 2 oranges 3 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 Tbsp hot water

tency or forms a ball. Add the date paste to the orange zest and mix well with a fork. If using chocolate bars: Unwrap the chocolate and break into smaller pieces and place it into a metal bowl (choose one thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s small enough to fit inside the cooking pot). Fill the cooking pot with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low, place the metal bowl that contains the chocolate inside the water and let it melt slowly while stirring occasionally. Once the chocolate is melted and smooth, add it to the date and orange paste and mix with a fork until all is evenly mixed and a smooth consistency is reached. If using cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate bars, simply mix the date and orange paste with the cocoa powder and add a couple of teaspoons of stevia or monk fruit for more sweetness. Cover the truffle mixture with foil and place it into the fridge for a few hours. Take out the truffle mixture, and with a teaspoon, scoop a spoonful of the mixture into clean and dry hands, then roll until a ball is formed. Add the cocoa powder onto a flat plate and roll the truffle ball in cocoa powder to coat evenly, shake off excess powder and place the truffle on a baking sheet or flat platter covered with baking paper. Place the finished chocolate truffles in the fridge for another few hours.

Wash the oranges thoroughly. Grate the rind of 2 oranges with a fine grater into a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of hot water, stir and let it soak.

Put the truffles in glass jars or little food bags and gift-wrap to give it away. The truffles are best when eaten within a couple of days.

Cut the dates open and remove the pits. Place the pitted dates into a food processor and grind until it reaches a paste-consis-

Recipe courtesy of Eliane Baggenstos, RN, LMT, certified health coach, and plantbased diet expert (PlantBased.Expert). December 2020

local food guide

3 Tips

for a Safe and Healthy Holiday

raditionally, the holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends to reminiscence and celebrate all that has happened throughout the year. But with an ongoing pandemic, many are left looking for new and unique ways to enjoy those time-honored traditions in a way that keeps everyone safe and healthy. While things will likely look different than we are accustomed to, that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean we and our loved ones have to miss out on those most important and cherished traditions. Instead, consider trying these tips and tricks for safe, socially-distant holiday fun.

Host Safely

If planning to host, there are a number of precautions to keep guests safe. If

North Central FL Edition

possible, take gatherings outside where we can increase physical distance and airflow. Choose outdoor activities such as a bonfire or an active game. To limit travel, it is best to limit the number of attendees. Provide information to guests about local safety guidelines and take steps to prevent spread by providing masks and hand sanitizer.

Get Local Help

With everything to consider this year, there is nothing better than receiving a helping hand in the kitchen, especially delivered right to the doorstep or picked up. Check out the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market guide and our advertisers offering healthy, locally made foods. This helpful solution is also perfect

for those taking extra precautions during this unusual holiday season.

Go Virtual

Because we may not be able to see family and friends in person, consider spending time with loved ones from afar by using the many apps and programs that allow them to gather virtually. To keep the conversation flowing, prepare a list of fun topics, questions to ask or games to play while digitally celebrating the season together. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the pandemic steal the joy and ruin time-honored holiday traditions. Instead, try following these helpful tips to ensure a safe and healthy season. We might even discover a new tradition to add to the list.

18592 High Springs Main St., High Springs

Bambi’s Cafe

Bambi’s 100% Plant-Based Café creates delicious farm to table cuisine in High Springs. They use fresh local and organically grown produce for homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Items include vegan chicken artichoke melt, cheddar lentil burgers, Asian dishes, organic coffee, fresh-brewed teas,

436 SE 2nd St., Gainesville

Daily Green

Daily Green is a place to enjoy fresh organic locally sourced meals and a space to strengthen the feeling of community in downtown Gainesville. Place an order for an organic cold press juice or organic smoothie made from fresh veggies and fruits. To boost the immune system, choose from a variety of well-

14816 Main St., Alachua

Harvest Thyme Cafe

Harvest Thyme Cafe provides the freshest ingredients from locally owned businesses: Sweetwater Organic Coffee, Artie’s Tempeh, Village Bread & Bagels and Rainbow Produce to serve the local flavor. They also serve tasty sandwiches and wraps, unique salads, fresh fruit, homemade soups, pasta salad and freshly baked goodies,

Facebook.com/100percentplantbased

matcha lattes, smoothies and many gluten -ree items. Voted “Best of the Best 2020” by Trip Advisor. Catering available. Hours: Tue. through Thurs. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call us at: 386-454-1600 or 954-907-9759. See ad, page 15.

352-226-8288

DailyGreenDowntown.org

ness shots such as wheatgrass, ginger or a turmeric elixir. All food scraps from the kitchen are given to the farms that Daily Green works with and are fed to their pigs. No food scraps go to waste. Hours: Wed. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call in and online orders only.

386-588-3188

HarvestThymeCafe.com

including cookies, brownies, muffins and harvest bars. To ensure everyone is well-fed, they accommodate alternative diets and allergies, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free. Hours: Mon. through Fri. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 2020

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, noon to 4 p.m. Located at City Hall. Parking at the museum. 23718 W U.S. Highway 27, 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

December 2020

North Central FL Edition

natural pet

HOLIDAY TREATS FOR PETS

Beware of These Troublemakers n Caffeinated products. Gary Richter, a holistic veterinarian in Oakland, California, and author of The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, suggests keeping caffeinated drinks and food away from pets. Caffeine contains stimulants called methylxanthines, and pets are much more sensitive to the effects of these substances than humans are. Ingesting even a small amount can make dogs vulnerable to caffeine poisoning, which can cause hyperactivity, panting, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures and collapse. Seek immediate veterinary care for treatment if these symptoms develop in a dog.

leah kelleyPexels.com

by Tonya Wilhelm

ooking for our pets is a great way to ensure they are eating wholesome, nutritional foods. It’s also a fun way to customize a pet treat recipe to meet specific dietary needs. These three festive holiday treats will have a dog woofing for more and a cat purring for seconds. Choose organic, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Pumpkins and apples are always at the top of the culinary list for holiday treats. Not only are these two foods safe for pets, they offer health benefits. Both are packed with fiber, which helps dogs feel fuller. It’s also good for digestive and colon health and can yield firmer stool. For the kitty friends, that fiber also helps move hairballs along. In addition, apples contain phytonutrients and flavonoids like quercetin, which are helpful in treating allergies. The chia seeds in this pet pie not only help firm up the pie, but are packed with nutrients that naturally boost energy. Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are a great source of antioxidants. They also contain minerals, fiber, calcium, protein and vitamins A, B, D and E. Cinnamon and ginger are wonderful spices to use in pet holiday treats. Both of these warming spices improve digestion and soothe the stomach lining. Select Ceylon cinnamon, not cassia cinnamon, because the latter contains higher amounts of coumarin, which can harm the liver and increase the risk of cancer. Ginger may act as a blood thinner, so don’t use it if a dog is going to have surgery or is pregnant. It may also lower blood pressure and blood sugar, so if a dog has heart issues or diabetes, talk to a vet. When in doubt, leave it out.

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

smitty/Unsplash.com

Homemade Recipes They Will Love

December 2020

Pumpkin Apple Pie yield: depends on size of molds

LOVE READING

NATURAL AWAKENINGS MAGAZINE?

1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin 2 apples 5 eggs 1 cup goat’s milk 2 Tbsp chia seeds 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp ginger Remove and discard the apple core and seeds. Place all ingredients in a mixer and blend. Then set it aside for 10 minutes to allow the chia seeds to begin to expand. Preheat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into preferred baking dishes, either for a large pie or small, bite-sized muffins.

Now you can receive it monthly in your home!

Bake approximately 15 minutes for small muffins or 40-60 minutes for a full-sized pie. Allow the pie to fully cool and set up before slicing and serving. Serve as a special treat to pets. Portion the remaining pie into serving sizes and freeze for later.

Eggnog for Pets Raw eggs can be a healthy addition to any fresh pet diet, assuming the animal doesn’t have an egg allergy. Cow’s milk isn’t the healthiest option for dogs and cats because they don’t tolerate its high level of alpha-s1-casein protein. Goat’s milk is a healthier option because it contains extremely low to no amounts of this protein, allowing better absorption of the nutrients. 4 eggs 2 cups goat’s milk 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon Blend all the ingredients. Either place a few tablespoons in the pet’s dish as a special treat or drizzle over the food. Alternatively, place a silicone ice cube mold on a cookie sheet for support. The smaller the cavities, the better. Take the remaining eggnog, pour into the molds and place in the freezer. Once frozen, pop out the treats and store them in a glass container in the freezer. Try serving one frozen treat to each pet every few days.

Turkey Meatballs

Never Miss an Issue! $32 for 12 issues 352-366-0088 Sheila@ GoNaturalAwakenings.com GoNaturalAwakenings.com

Making treats for cats can be tricky. The best bet is to head to the meat department. Even the most finicky of kitties will gobble up this healthy treat. 1 lb ground turkey 2 eggs ½ Tbsp dried peppermint Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well-blended. Form into tablespoon balls using your hand or scooper and place on a lined or ceramic cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes until meatballs are set (they will be extra eggy). Carefully remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve as a special treat. Place treats in a glass container and refrigerate for up to three days or freeze until ready to serve. Thaw completely before serving. Tonya Wilhelm is a professional dog trainer, spreading the word about positive methods of preventing and managing behavioral issues with a holistic approach. For more information, visit RaisingYourPetsNaturally.com.

North Central FL Edition

business spotlight

Better Than Boarding Precious Pets

as carbon dioxide, helping the body heal eashes To Leads Pet Care offers itself naturally. in -home pet care. Owner Aimee Thomas says, “My love for animals, Thomas is a certified professional pet combined with my escape from corporate life, sitter; CPR and first-aid trained pet tech; led me to follow a longtime dream and start Fear-Free certified professional; and certimy own business. With a leap of faith and the fied MagnaWave practitioner. Services also support of my amazing husband, Leashes to include farm sitting, dog walking, and playLeads Pet Care, LLC was established in Janutime and MagnaWave sessions. She covers ary of 2019. I care for any kind of animal that horse farms in northwest Ocala, Golden doesn’t require a permit to handle. The most Ocala, Golden Hills, Forest of Golden Hills, unusual animal that I have done pet sitting Timberwood, Hunterdon Hamlet, Pinnacle for is an ostrich. The most unusual animal Park, Timber Lakes, Evergreen Estates, Histhat I have done a MagnaWave session for toric Downtown Ocala and Bellechase. was a 10-year old rescued sulcata tortoise.” She even offers home check (no She employs an app that allows clients pets), farm/horse care and a pet taxi. “The to book and pay for services, see when she biggest thing that sets me apart is being arrives and leave their home and receive a certified MagnaWave practitioner,” she photos and updates, along with a GPS map says. MagnaWave is a pulsed electromagof everywhere the dogs are walked. “I work netic field that is said to stimulate cell meAimee Thomas closely with many of the kennels in town. If tabolism, increase oxygenation and reduce I feel that a daycare or boarding kennel is a better fit for a dog, I will inflammation. This action is thought to cause a chain of processes in the body that could lead to improvement of health without side say so, and I will recommend which facility I feel would be a good fit for their pet,” states Thomas. effects. A cell produces energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that is vital for the function of the body, building up and breaking down molecules, and transporting substances across For more information about Leashes To Leads Pet Care, cell membranes. MagnaWave PEMF is thought to increase ATP LLC, call 352-266-1526 or visit levels so the signal is able to penetrate the cell wall to increase its LeashesToLeads.com. permeability, deliver more oxygen and rid waste products such

My love for animals, combined with my escape from corporate life, led me to follow a longtime dream and start my own business. With a leap of faith and the support of my amazing husband, Leashes to Leads Pet Care, LLC was established in January of 2019. ~Aimee Thomas

Bring Natural Awakenings home!

Membership Form Join to get your print copy every month. I am enclosing a $32 check or money order. Please send my print copy to: Name _______________________________________ Address _____________________________________ City __________________State _______Zip ________ Mail to: Natural Awakenings 7797 SW 19th Avenue Rd, Ocala, FL 34476

December 2020

calendar of events TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3

Recovery Dharma – 5:30-6:30pm. Free. Peer led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction through Buddhist practices and principles of meditation, self-inquiry, wisdom, compassion and community as tools for healing. Soul Essentials of Ocala, 805 E Fort King St, Ocala. 352-236-7000. SoulEssentialsOfOcala.com.

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. Little Sparks – 10-11:15am. Free. Children will receive a personal Little Sparks kit with all of their own supplies plus make and takes that extends the fun and learning at home. BRAIN and Sweat Solutions Exhibit will also be open. Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-371-8001. CadeMuseum.org. Kids Yoga – 1-3pm. $15. Includes a one hour introduction to hatha Yoga with a connection to animals and plants through stories, songs, and themes, along with breathing awareness techniques, interactive games, music and interesting stories, partner poses, guided visualization, relaxation and creative expression. Goloka Kids Yoga, 13921 NW 146th Ave, Alachua. 630-363-1967. 4GolokaKids.wixsite.com. Experiencers Share with Betty Harbison – 2:304:30. Love donation. Excellent discussion group on UFO’s and other paranormal events. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com. Gainesville Bodhi Tree Tarot with Timmy – 5-7:45pm. Timmy the Tarot Reader shares messag-

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Warm for the Winter Coat Drive – Dec 2-11. Noon-11pm. The holidays are a time for giving. The Oaks Mall has partnered with Volunteers of America to help support the local community and give back to those in need. Join in spreading holiday cheer by donating new coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The Oaks Mall, 6419 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville. 352-331-0040. TheOaksMall.com. Union Street Farmers Market at Celebration Pointe – 4-7pm. Every Wednesday, rain or shine, approximately 40 vendors selling conventional, hydroponic, and organic seasonal produce, plants, honey, fruits, baked goods, free range meats, seafood, as well as vegan and other types of prepared foods will fill the Promenade. There will also be live music and performers. Celebration Pointe, Gainesville. 844-619-8400. CelebrationPointe.com.

VE THIS O L E U R T FIND

North Central FL Edition

es, insights, and guidance through tarot and oracle card divination. The Bodhi Tree, 6419 Newberry Rd, Gainesville. 727-314-3401. BodhiTree.com. Thursday’s Weekly Chair Yoga for Grief Workshop – 5:30-6:30pm. Free. Sessions are conducted by Ellen Armitage, certified instructor. Space is limited, call to reserve your chair. Friends of Citrus, 8471 W Periwinkle Ln, Ste B, Homosassa Springs. FriendsOfCitrus.org. Crystal River Paddle with Manatees SUP and Yoga Retreat – Dec 3-6. 6pm-11am $599. This is a unique opportunity to paddle with and learn about manatees in Crystal River this winter at the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the endangered Florida Manatee. The last unspoiled and undeveloped spring habitat in Kings Bay. Accommodations limited to 15, includes meals, SUP equipment and park feels. Email to register. Info@ Soulful.Yoga. 678-662-7946. SoulfulYogaAtl.com. Nutcracker Under the Stars – 7-9pm. Free. Continue your Holiday Family Tradition by coming to see Dance Alive National Ballet’s The Nutcracker Under The Stars. Legacy Park Amphitheater, 15400 Peggy Rd, Alachua. 386-418-6100. CityOfAlachua.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Marion County Friday Market – 9am-2pm. Free. The Marion County Friday Market takes place every Friday. The Friday Market includes well known vendors throughout Marion County and sells a variety of products such as fresh produce, fresh seafood, olive oils and vinaigrettes, mouth watering pastries, beef jerky and freeze dried candies and fruit snacks. McPherson Field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala. 352438-2360. MarionCountyFl.org.

First Friday Art Walk – 6-9pm. Free. Event festivities include over 20 art displays, family art activities provided by local arts organizations and extended shopping hours. Downtown Ocala, S Magnolia Ave, Ocala. 352-629-8447. OcalaFl.org. Guided Meditation with Brian - 8-9pm. Free. Peaceful practice led by Brian who has a vast knowledge and understanding of Spiritual Awareness. Soul Essentials of Ocala, 805 SE Ft. King St, Ocala. 352-236-7000. SoulEssentialsOfOcala.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Haile Farmers Market - 8:30am-Noon. Enjoy live music while you stroll the tree-lined streets of the Haile Village Center. Shop for seasonal produce, fresh dairy, pastured meat, artisan wares, handmade gifts and more. A treasure for both Gainesville locals and visitors! Hailes Farmers Market, 5213 SW 91 Terr, Gainesville. 352-6390446. HaileFarmersMarket.com. Ranger Led Park Tour - 8:30-9:30am. $5. Join a park ranger for a comfortable walk around Sweetwater Wetlands Park and learn how the park benefits our water, wildlife, and the community. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville. 352-554-5871. SweetwaterWetlands.org. Obstacle Play Day – 9:30am-4pm. $10-$20. Everyone is Welcome to come and enjoy a wonderful day of fun, learning and building your partnership with your horse. Meet new friends and catch up with old friends. All net proceeds go to The Greener Side Equine Foundation to help with care and maintenance of the horses. Food Truck is scheduled to offer snacks and lunch with picnic benches for your use. As always ice cold water will be available for purchase. The Greener Side Ranch Obstacle Course, 6775 West Antelope Ln, Beverly Hills. 931-6283337. GreenerSideRanch.wixsite.com Yogi Signs at Spring Tree Park – 11-11:30am. $12 per family. A playful storytelling yoga class suffused with yoga poses and American Sign Language, designed to highly engage all ages and levels of experience. Bring your own yoga mats or beach towels for each family member, water and a playful attitude. Limited to ten families. Reserve your spot online. Led by Kori Brooks Yoga. Spring Tree Park, behind Creekside Community Church, Gainesville. KoriBBrooks@gmail.com. Mini Market Holidays Series – Noon-4pm. Free. Each week four to five makers and vendors will be featured for an open air style shopping experience on Small Business Saturday. The AUK Market, 2031 NW 6th St, Gainesville. TheAukMarket@ gmail.com. TheAUKMarket.com. Special Holiday Greetings from Loved Ones in Spirit Online – 3-5:30pm. $36. Online class. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org. Crystal River Christmas Parade – 6pm. Free. This year we are taking you back to a simpler time. A time when Christmas was about homemade gifts and generational traditions. From tinsel to popcorn garland, hand-painted dolls to matchbox cars, celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with this year’s theme, A Vintage Christmas. 352-795-3149. CitrusCountyChamber.com. Under the Stars – 7-9pm. Free. Make up for months spent at home with Music Under the Stars. This series of concerts are bands and musicians who were rescheduled. There will be music, food

and fun. Celebration Pointe, Celebration Point Ave, Gainesville. 844-619-8400. CelebrationPointe.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 Morning Yoga on the Lawn – 9-10am. Free. Yoga on the lawn led by Monica Villalon. Yoga will be held on the lawn next to the solar pergola. Curia On The Drag, 2029 NW 6th St, Gainesville. 352-792-6444. CuriaOnTheDrag.com. The Florida Vintage Market – Noon-5pm. Free. Enjoy a unique shopping experience in the heart of Gainesville. There will be a variety of vendors, handmade goods, art, food and more. High Dive, 210 SW 2nd Ave, Ste A, Gainesville. TheFloridamarket@gmail.com. TheFloridaVintageMarket.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 Basics to Pencil Drawings with Professional Artist Jan Orbes – 2-4pm. $30. Professional Artist Jan Obrebski will be teaching drawing classes on Mondays starting in September. In these lessons, you will learn how to build basic line strokes, value, perspective, composition, contrast, and more. All with a pencil. These lessons are perfect for beginners, and will be in depth. Paint the Town Citrus, 1801 NW US 19 #151, Crystal River. 352601-1344. PaintTheTownCitrus.com.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Working with Angels – 2:30-4:30pm, 5:30-7:30pm. $30. Learn about guardian angels, archangels and participate in an angelic healing circle. Led by JoEllen Blue. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 Farmers Market – 9am-1pm. 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. 352-8543670. CircleSquareCommons.com. Little Sparks – 10-11:15am. Free. Children will receive a personal Little Sparks kit with all of their own supplies plus make and takes that extends the fun and learning at home. BRAIN and Sweat Solutions Exhibit will also be open. Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-371-8001. CadeMuseum.org. Poetry Jam – 8-11pm. Free. All forms of word based art and poetry styles welcome Civic Media Center, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-373-0010. CivicMediaCenter.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Free Yoga Under The Oak – 8:45-9:45am. Free. Flow under the large oak tree located in the West Gardens at the Thomas Center. All levels offering, no experience required. The Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave, Gainesville. 352-888-4669. FlowSpaceGNV.com. Marion County Friday Market – 9am-2pm. Free. The Marion County Friday Market takes place every Friday. The Friday Market includes well known vendors throughout Marion County and sells a variety of products such as fresh produce, fresh seafood, olive oils and vinaigrettes, mouth watering pastries, beef jerky and freeze dried candies and fruit snacks. McPherson Field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala. 352438-2360. MarionCountyFl.org.

Drive In Movie The Polar Express – 5:45-8pm. Free Join Citrus County Parks and Recreation to get into the Christmas spirit with The Polar Express. Register your vehicle to reserve your spot. The Frosty Freeze Food Truck will be there with hot and cold drinks, meals, snacks and desserts. Homosassa Area Recreation Park, 4210 S Grandmarch Ave, Homosassa. 352-527-7540. Apm.ActiveCommunities.com. Yoga and Lemonade – 6:30-7:30pm. Donation based. Led by Ayurveda Health Retreat behind the Alachua Rec Center/Legacy park amphitheater. Please bring your own mat and cup to drink from. Alachua Rec Center, 15400 Peggy Rd, Alachua. 352-870-7645. AyurvedaHealthRetreat.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

equine event SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Three Phase Schooling Show - 8am-5pm. Free. Schooling show for both horse and rider to train in all three phases of eventing including dressage, stadium jumping and cross country with an array of high quality jumps. Riders must wear a certified helmet while mounted with tall boots or half chaps. Clothing is casual but polos are recommended. Medical armbands and a vest are required while jumping. Majestic Oaks Ocala Farm, 17500 N US Hwy 441, Reddick. 559-917-3046. MajesticOaksOcala.com. Falliday Pop Up Market – Noon-5pm. Free. An afternoon to celebrate and shop local for the holi-

SUPPORT LOCAL ADVERTISING

LET US HELP YOUR BUSINESS WEATHER THESE TIMES OF CRISIS – CONTACT US TODAY TO ADVERTISE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: 352-366-0088

NaturalAwakenings.com December 2020

days. Due to recent events, the Big Market will be transformed into smaller Pop Ups featuring small businesses with an emphasis on holiday shopping. All shopping will take place outside. Sandy’s Savvy Chic Resale Boutique, 4148 NW 13th St, Gainesville. 352-372-1226. SandysResale.com. Mini Market Holidays Series – Noon-4pm. Free. Each week four to five makers and vendors will be featured for an open air style shopping experience on Small Business Saturday. The AUK Market, 2031 NW 6th St, Gainesville. TheAukMarket@ gmail.com. TheAUKMarket.com. Christmas Parade – 2-4pm. Free. Come out and see the Christmas Parade or enter your float to be in the parade. The theme for this year’s parade is “Classic Toys”. Main St, Alachua. 386-462-3333. Alacha.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Horoscope and Self-Acceptance Webinar – 2-3:30pm. Free for members, $10 for guests. This lecture will invite you to think deeper about your own horoscope, and will spark thoughts that lead to greater self-acceptance. Tickets available for purchase after December 9th. Online event. ISARAstrology.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Lightworkers Gathering – 6-7:30pm. Love donation. Open floor discussion group discussing a wide variety of spiritual and metaphysical topics. Please call the store to register. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-693-4592. FairyDustCrystals.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Farmers Market – 9am-1pm. 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. 352-8543670. CircleSquareCommons.com. Little Sparks – 10-11:15am. Free. Children will receive a personal Little Sparks kit with all of their own supplies plus make and takes that extends the fun and learning at home. BRAIN and Sweat Solutions Exhibit will also be open. Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, 811 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-371-8001. CadeMuseum.org. Kids Yoga – 1-3pm. $15. Includes a one hour introduction to hatha Yoga with a connection to animals and plants through stories, songs, and themes, along with breathing awareness techniques, interactive games, music and interesting

stories, partner poses, guided visualization, relaxation and creative expression. Goloka Kids Yoga, 13921 NW 146th Ave, Alachua. 630-363-1967. 4GolokaKids.wixsite.com.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 Free Yoga Under The Oak – 8:45-9:45am. Free. Flow under the large oak tree located in the West Gardens at the Thomas Center. All levels offering, no experience required. The Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave, Gainesville. 352-888-4669. FlowSpaceGNV.com. Marion County Friday Market – 9am-2pm. Free. The Marion County Friday Market takes place every Friday. The Friday Market includes well known vendors throughout Marion County and sells a variety of products such as fresh produce, fresh seafood, olive oils and vinaigrettes, mouth watering pastries, beef jerky and freeze dried candies and fruit snacks. McPherson Field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala. 352438-2360. MarionCountyFl.org. Yoga and Lemonade – 6:30-7:30pm. Donation based. Led by Ayurveda Health Retreat behind the Alachua Rec Center/Legacy park amphitheater. Please bring your own mat and cup to drink from. Alachua Rec Center, 15400 Peggy Rd, Alachua. 352-870-7645. AyurvedaHealthRetreat.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Vibranium Comics Comic Fest – 10am-5pm. Free. Find the perfect holiday gift at the comic fest. The Crystal River Mall, 1801 NW US Hwy 19, Crystal River. 352-237-9049. VibraniumComics.com. Online Melanin Meditation Group – 10:3011:30am. Free. This group is available to all who are a part of a racial minority community, regardless of meditation experience or knowledge. Come as you are, all backgrounds welcome. Newcomers must arrive at 10am for instruction before practice begins. Join by emailing Kane.Barr1@gmail.com to receive the zoom link. Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave, Gainesville. 352-214-1334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org. Special Holiday Greetings from Loved Ones in Spirit Online – 10:30am-1pm. $36. Online class. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org. Mini Market Holidays Series – Noon-4pm. Free. Each week four to five makers and vendors will be featured for an open air style shopping experience on Small Business Saturday. The AUK Market, 2031 NW 6th St, Gainesville. TheAukMarket@ gmail.com. TheAUKMarket.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 The Age of Aquarius with Aleksandar Imsiragic – 2pm-3:30pm. Free for members $10 for guests. In this lecture, we’ll explore the significance of different Ages and the Age of Aquarius in particular with all the messages that are coming with it, as well as the significance of the moment we are currently going through. Online event. ISARAstrology.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 Marion County Friday Market – 9am-2pm. Free. The Marion County Friday Market takes place every Friday. The Friday Market includes well known vendors throughout Marion County and sells a variety of products such as fresh produce, fresh seafood, olive oils and vinaigrettes, mouth watering pastries, beef jerky and freeze dried candies and fruit snacks. McPherson Field, 601 SE 25th Ave, Ocala. 352-4382360. MarionCountyFl.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 Haile Farmers Market - 8:30am-Noon. Enjoy live music while you stroll the tree-lined streets of the Haile Village Center. Shop for seasonal produce, fresh dairy, pastured meat, artisan wares, handmade gifts and more. A treasure for both Gainesville locals and visitors! Hailes Farmers Market, 5213 SW 91 Terr, Gainesville. 352-639-0446. HaileFarmersMarket.com.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 Morning Yoga on the Lawn – 9-10am. Free. Yoga on the lawn led by Monica Villalon. Yoga will be held on the lawn next to the solar pergola. Curia On The Drag, 2029 NW 6th St, Gainesville. 352-7926444. CuriaOnTheDrag.com. Mantra, Meditation and Breathwork – 4-5:30pm. Suggested donation $7-$21. Peace and Serenity Sanctuary and Madhavi Glick Breathwork are hosting meditation groups monthly. Learn simple meditation techniques. Vegan snacks will be provided. Space is limited to seven people. Madhavi Glick Breathwork & Wellness. Address will be provided once space is confirmed. 818-927-3284. RelaxGville.com. Guided Meditation – 8:05-9:05pm. Love donation. A guided meditation of peace, love and light. Soul Essentials of Ocala, 352-236-7000. SoulEssentialsOfOcala.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 Poetry Jam – 8-11pm. Free. All forms of word based art and poetry styles welcome Civic Media Center, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-373-0010. CivicMediaCenter.org.

Remember, PLANS CHANGE! Please call ahead to confirm dates and times. 42

North Central FL Edition

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

wednesday

A Course in Miracles – 9:30am. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org.

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.

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. BackToBasics Living@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. 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.

monday 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. Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517. ACA Meeting – 6pm. Adult Children of Alcoholics. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd. 352-687-2113. Mail@UnityOcala.org. UnityOcala.org. A Course in Miracles – 6:30pm. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org.

tuesday 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.

Technology Help Center – 2-4pm. Free. Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Hwy 484. 352-438-2500. Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 368-5517. Game Night – 7:30pm. Muddy Lotus Tea, 520 NE 1st Ave, Ocala. 352-559-3003. MuddyLotusTea.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. 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

thursday

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.

A Course in Miracles – 10am. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org.

ADVERTISING

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. Karaoke – 8-11pm. Muddy Lotus Tea, 520 NE 1st Ave, Ocala. 352-559-3003. MuddyLotusTea.com.

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.

saturday Alachua County Farmers’ Market – 8:30am-noon. Open rain or shine. A grower’s only market. 5920 NW 13th 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. Farmstead Saturday – 9am-3pm. Free. Crones Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352595 3377. CronesCradleConserve.com.

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 DEVELOPA 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.

December 2020

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, back cover.

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.

CBD PRODUCTS DR. HEATHER HARDIN Halo Health 352-359-5518 Pharmie@cox.net HaloHealthCBD.com

Board certified, clinical pharmacist sells p h a r m a c i s t formulated, organic CBD products. Clients receive a free initial clinical pharmacist consultation as they begin using the cannabidiol (CBD) products and are continually monitored as they continue treatment. CBD products include CBD broad spectrum oil, vegan CBD gummies, CBD topical intensive rub cream, CBD bath bombs and CBD (cannabigerol) oil. See ad, page 15. The first combined Anti-Aging, Holistic, and Family Practice Clinic in Central Florida and The Villages

CHIROPRACTOR 352-750-4333

SERVICES OFFERED: DR. RANDY BRYANT

✦ Chelation and IV Nutrient ✦ Peptides 352-694-7700 ✦ Urinary Incontinence ✦ Exosomes: The Next th ✦ Femlift Vaginal Tightening Generation in Regeneration 1315 SE 25 Loop, Suite 103, Ocala Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy ✦ Soundwave for ED Info@DrRandyBryant.com ✦ Laser Therapy for pain ✦ Amniotic ✦ Adipose ✦ Bone marrow ✦ PRP-platelet Rich Plasma ✦ Prolo Therapy ✦ Prolozone ✦ Neural Therapy ✦ Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

✦ Spectravision (Full Body

Analysis Test) Dr. Bryant’s holistic approach and ✦ Nutritional Counseling natural solutions ✦ Weight Lossfor many ✦ Pulse Magnetic Wave common health issues have ✦ Antioxidant Evaluation Mineral of Evaluation improved the✦lives many from ✦ Heavy Metal Evaluation around the world. Services are Individual responses may vary 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 theSola, sport a treating Jaclynn LMT of rodeo asKarin Panyko MA56771 Licensed Aesthetician Over 10 years experience Specializing In: Over 13 years experience physician since 1995.

• Raindrop Therapy – Aromatheraphy utilizing essential oils • Myo Fascial Release • Deep Tissue Massage • Cranial Sacral SpectraVision • Reiki Master Tuning Forks • Colonics

• Cupping for Pain Relief and Lymphatic Drainage • Sports Massage/ Golf • Hot Stone Massage • Body Scrubs/Wraps • Reflexology/Foot Massage • Cellulite Reduction Massage

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

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 Nelson Kraucak, MD, FAAFP the diagnostic phase through the treatment and “We are committed aid and follow up, to from simple issues to the most promote the body’s innate complicated chronic conditions, Dr. Kraucak and mechanisms to heal and achieve homeostasis for optimum health his team will assure you and your family have by introducing and using natural comprehensive, and the latest approaches with innovative and innovative cutting-edge technology.” therapeutic support. See ad, page 2.

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

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, back cover.

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 3.

HEALTH AND REHAB DR. JANICE C. BROWN

Better Health and Rehab 2275 SW 22nd Lane, Ocala 352-433-9292 BetterHealthAndRehab.com Dr. Janice C. Brown is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and medical acupuncture. Personalized services include pain management, spasticity management, gait analysis and prosthetic m a n a g e m e n t . D r. B r o w n ’s approach to healthcare combines knowledge of functional medicine as the basis. This includes massage therapy and extensive training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. See ad, page 15.

HEALTH COACHING BODONO HEALTH SERVICES 352-559-9355 Bodono.com Info@bodono.com

Certified Health Coach, Registered Nurse and Plant-Based Expert offers motivational coaching, personalized meal planning, exercise programs and practical tools to improve your health and boost the immune system. Contact Bodono for more info and to get help with weight loss and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

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 in the country and we can special order. We offer senior discounts everyday. Ask about our Frequent Buyer Program. See ad, page 11.

DEB’S NATURAL SOURCE

3490 W. Dunnellon Rd, Dunnellon 352-586-0754 Facebook.com/DebsWholeFoodNutrition At Deb’s Natural Source you’re surrounded by all natural, local foods and produce, medicines, and other products that will help you be healthier. You’ll be immersed in a relaxing shopping environment with organic non-GMO foods, quality wholefood supplements, skin care items, essential oils, and more. See ad, page 22.

HEALTH SPA IMMUNITY HEALTH SPA

480 N. US Hwy 27/441, Lady Lake 352-750-9909 • ImmunityHealthSpa.com Using 100% natural and organic products, Immunity Health Spa offers high-quality healing services to improve the health of our clients and community. Our immune boosting IV Therapy enhances your energy, improves mood and is an excellent preventive boost for your overall health. Each 45-minute session delivers vital nutrients of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids directly to the bloodstream, where the body will absorb 100% of the nutrient directly to the cells to improve your health and boost hydration. Call for a consult and to answer questions about this and other treatments, including Salt Therapy, Facials, Massages, and Waxing. See ad, page 23.

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 3.

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.

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, back cover.

BAMBI’S CAFÉ

18592 High Springs Main St, High Springs 386-454-1600 or 954-907-9759 Facebook.com/100PercentPlantBased We use fresh local and 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 15.

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 10.

DIRECTORY Find local businesses with ease at GoNaturalAwakenings.com December 2020

North Central FL Edition

IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR PARTNER HAS LAUNCHED ®

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

FREE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP - FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

“There is no simple way to describe KnoWEwell but Think Big! WebMD, meets Match.com, HomeAdvisor, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Indeed for Regenerative Whole Health, all in one place for the benefit of everyone.” Joe Dunne, Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp., COO

Join for FREE at KnoWEwell.com INDIVIDUALS

ENTER CODE: NAFL360 (a $60 value)

PROVIDERS

ENTER CODE: NAFL3300 (a $300 value)

A Top 50 Healthcare Company 2019

The KnoWEwell Collaborative with benefits for all in the RWH and well-being ecosystem. December 2020

Enjoy Optimal Health – Naturally! QUARANTINE RECOVERY: Where Do We Go From Here?

Lemire Clinic’s one-of-a-kind Quarantine Recovery Program is a comprehensive three-month protocol that is designed to help restore inner balance while building resiliency and optimizing your future health. The program promotes detoxification, cellular health, metabolic and immune function along with weight loss.** Each month of the program has a unique focus. This program gives you the products, knowledge, nutrition tools and action items needed to empower whole health as you re-enter society. **Past participants of other Lemire Clinic’s Personalized Programs Note: Results are not guaranteed. All individuals are different.**

2018: Still going strong and healthy!

10 months ago: Now: Low energy, Symptom-free, mental fog and Happy other conditions

2011: Cancer-free, zero diabetes, down from a 46” to 34” waist!

2010: Brain tumor, Diabetes, high blood pressure

Physician Directed Services, including:

JAMES E. LEMIRE, MD, FAAFP, IFMCP

• • • • • • • • • •

IV Infusion (Vitamin C, Myers Cocktail) Bioidentical Hormones Physician-assisted Heavy Metal Detox Nutrition Counseling Transformation: Detox/Weight Program Chelation Prolotherapy Ozone (UBI) Functional Genetic Testing Heart Rate Variability

Board-Certified, American Board of Family Practice

Natural Family Medicine with a Personal Touch New & Existing Patients: (352) 291-9459 • Most Insurances Accepted 9401 SW Hwy 200, Suite 301, Ocala, FL 34481 • www.LemireClinic.com 48

North Central FL Edition

Natural Awakenings December 2020

Articles inside

The Gift of Yum

A New Story for the World Re-Visioning the Script for a Healthier Society and Planet

Overcoming the Mental Health Stigma

Pharmacist-Prescribed CBD at Halo Health

SING TO HEAL

Charles Pattenson

PAY WHERE WE PLAY