August 2021

E R F

E

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

Back-to-School WELLNESS TIPS SMILING MAKES YOU HAPPIER 7 WAYS TO THINK YOURSELF HAPPY BEST R EASONS TO HIR E A LIFE COACH

Postal Customer EDDM *****ECRWSS*****

Presorted Std U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 2397 Tampa Fl

August 2021

|

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

|

GoNaturalAwakenings.com

Regenerative Therapies • • • • • • • • • •

Prolotherapy Prolozone Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Bone Marrow Adipose Vampire Facelift® O-Shot® P-Shot® Bresast Life/Butt Lift Botox

Alternative Treatments

• Bio-Identical Hormones • FEM Lift • Peptices for Autoimmune Disorder • Laser Hair Removal • Weight Loss • CO2 Laser Facial Resurfacing

Alternative Testing • • • • • • • • •

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

Painful Conditions • • • • • •

Laser Therapy Neural Therapy Hyalgan Injection Pulse Magnetic Therapy Sound Wave Medical Marijuana

Do you suffer with Candida, chronic digestive, thyroid or immune system issues?

Are you tired of being prescribed one dangerous drug after the other with little or no improvement?

Dr. Biamonte has been a doctor to celebrities and political figures.

He is a world-recognized authority for his treatment methods, a published author, and has helped tens of thousands of patients recover from their chronic illnesses... even when other drugs, surgeries and therapies have failed!

Dr. Michael Biamonte

352.290.3959 VISIT: FloridasCandidaDoctor.com

NewYorkCityCandidaDoctor.com NewYorkCityThyroidDoctor.com

“Dr. Michael Biamonte is the ONLY doctor who cracked the code on how to heal the digestive tract and balance the mind and body without using prescriptions.

The proof is in the thousands of patients he has successfully treated, including my son and I. His book is life-changing and I strongly recommend it to anyone who suffers from Candida, chronic fatigue or imbalances that cause illness.” ~Jenny McCarthy (Actress)

Health-Truth.com

FOR FREE: • Mini Video Series • Podcasts • Articles on most chronic health conditions

$79

Initial Consultation

when you mention this ad

letter from publisher

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

W

elcome to our August issue! It has been raining a

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA

lot the last few weeks, which may have put a pause on some outdoor activities, but the grass is greener

Publisher Sheila Mahan

and the flowers are in full bloom. It seems like the outdoors is just

Editor Martin Miron

a lot brighter after a hard rain. This is also the time of the year

Events Dana Malans

where kids are gearing up for the start of another school year.

Design & Production Martin Friedman

Sara Shrode

CONTACT US

SUBSCRIPTIONS 12-month print subscriptions available for $32. Call or mail in form found in each issue.

Digital subscriptions are free visit our website to sign up.

COO/Franchise Sales Joe Dunne

Financial Manager Yolanda Shebert Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs

Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy

their food choices and offer them healthier alternatives for their meals and snacks.

Growing your own is also a great way to teach kids about agriculture, gardening and preparing food. “Preserving the Harvest,” by Julie Peterson, highlights different ways of putting food by such as dehydrating, canning, pickling and fermenting. What is your preferred method of preserving food? I can remember helping my mom with canning sooo sure to check out our recipes for kimchi, pineapple tepache, pickled watermelon radishes

CEO/Founder Sharon Bruckman

National Art Director Gabrielle Wyant-Perillo

great opportunity for parents to teach their children about nutrition, involve them with

many veggies we grew from our garden that it kept us stocked up for the entire year. Be

NATIONAL TEAM

ents to help get children back into a routine of an earlier bedtime, eating a complete breakfast and planning lunches with healthier options. This is a really

Ph: 352-366-0088 GoNaturalAwakenings.com Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com

Our feature article, “Back-to-School Wellness,” offers tips for par-

Sales & Marketing Sheila Mahan

National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

Administrative Assistant Anne-Marie Ryan Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4851 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 200 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2021 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

and zucchini bacon.

With the summer heat, water sports are a great way to cool off and get a workout.

Skiing, rafting, paddle boarding and kayaking help with agility, build muscle tone and lift our spirits. Read “Enjoy Water Sports for a Total Body Workout,” by Marlaina Donato, and be inspired to start one that helps you get fit and happy.

Those of you who like myself, enjoy flower gardening to help the butterflies and bees or want to learn more about it, will love “Pollinator-Friendly Yards,” by Betsy S. Franz. It contains a great overview that explains the decline of pollinators due to insecticides and landscape maintenance practices and offers suggestions for homeowners to help pollinators thrive. It is so satisfying to see all the birds, butterflies and bees enjoying the garden, as well as knowing you are helping to sustain the ecosystem.

Be sure to check out all the articles in this month’s issue that promote happiness and healthy living for a healthier planet. I hope you have a great August and a great school year.

Sheila Mahan

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

Natural Awakenings of North Central Florida is a faithful steward of global resources.

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

4

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

20

Contents 18

18 POLLINATORFRIENDLY YARDS

Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

19 SMILING CAN MAKE US HAPPIER

20 THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

24

24 PRESERVING THE HARVEST

Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year

28 WATER SPORTS FOR

A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

30 BACK-TO-SCHOOL 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.

32

WELLNESS

Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

32 UNLEASH YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL

Working with a Life Coach Can Help

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 14 global briefs 16 eco tip 18 green living 19 inspiration

24 conscious eating 28 fit body 30 healthy kids 32 healing ways 34 calendar 35 classifieds 37 resource guide August 2021

5

r u o y e g Chan , job r u o y e Chang life!

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

news briefs

Story Time at Wild Horse Rescue

S

tory Time and Farm Visit at Wild Horse Rescue, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., August 18, at the Wild Horse Rescue Center provides an opportunity to interact with animals and expose children to the educational and healing power of nature.

There are dogs, chickens, pigs, cows and many horses. All events are outside in the open air. Most animals can be fed or petted, so guest can bring apples and carrots. Most stories are animal-related and educational at appropriate age levels. A restroom is available and closed-toed shoes are advised.

Nonprofit Wild Horse Rescue rehabilitates and find new homes for mustangs and burros while providing educational clinics and seminars to the public. They rely on volunteers, sponsorships, donations and adoptions to provide care for the mustang rescues.

Admission is free. Location: 12103 SE 47th Dr., Webster. For more information, call 321-427-1523 or email Visits@WildHorseRescureCenter.org.

is looking for SALES PEOPLE Commission-based position with GREAT EARNING POTENTIAL for the right person!

This Battery Just Keeps on Going

P

ainting with Bats at the LuBee Bat Conservancy, a painting party and a privatebehind-the-scenes tour will take place from 10 am. to 2 p.m., August 14. Guests can meet some giant fruit bats up close and personal with local artist Samm Wehman Epstein. who will pre-sketch a canvas if desired and guide participants every step of the way as they create their own masterpiece. All art supplies are provided.

The nonprofit Lubee Bat Conservancy is dedicated to saving bats and their habitats through research, conservation and education, with a focus on children and community engagement. More than 200 bats are housed on the property, spending their days playing, socializing and interacting with their roost mates. As a USDA-registered and AZA-certified related zoological institution, Lubee ensures that the animals and facilities are maintained to the highest ethical standards.

Admission is $55. Location: 1309 NW 192nd Ave., Gainesville. For more information, call 352-485-1250 or visit LuBee.org.

Email Your Resume to: Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com

6

North Central FL Edition

Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Weed Whackers Unite

T

Horses and Kayaks and Fun, Oh My

C

actus Jack’s Trail Rides will host a Ponies and Paddle Tour by Epic Paddle Adventures from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., August 13.

It includes a one-hour guided horseback trail ride; paddleboard or kayak and all safety equipment; and a one-and-a-half-to-two-hour guided tour on the Silver Spring. After the adventuring by land and water, participants may opt for an ice cold drink and lunch at a local hangout if time permits. No previous riding experience is required.

The trail ride on horseback through lush forest surrounded by butterflies and fresh air contiunues at Silver Springs State Park to paddle the Fort King trail ending at the head spring. Monkeys, manatees, turtles, otters and other wildlife are abundant in this true Florida environment.

Cost is $128. Location: 11100 SW 16th Ave., Ocala. For registration and more details, call 407-300-8781, email cjstrailrides@gmail.com or visit FloridaHorseRiding.com.

he Gainesville Greenway Challenge conducts Give Back Thursdays weekly between 9 a.m. and noon, and on the first Saturday of the month, removing exotic invasive plants including coral ardisia, Caesar’s weed and more. The aim is to restore natural habitat in Gainesville by removing species that threaten ecosystem health.

An invasive exotic species is a plant or animal which has established itself in a location other than its native range and is causing harm to the environment, economy, and/or human health. People have been introducing species around the world since they were able to travel. Around the early 1500s, Europeans brought plants and animals to new settlements in North America and elsewhere. Although many introduced species are harmless and used for food or landscaping, there are a number of species that have no natural growth controls and threaten native Florida habitats.

More than 50 percent of Florida’s native listed plants are threatened by invasive exotic species through direct destruction or crowding. Invasive exotics know no boundaries and will grow beyond a homeowner’s yard and into neighboring natural areas. Approximately 130 invasive exotic plant species currently pose a threat to Florida’s natural areas.

For more information, call 352-393-8425, email GnvGreenway Challenge@gmail.com or visit Plants.ifas.ufl.edu.

Crones’ Cradle Conserve Farm-to-Fare Weekly Subscription Food Basket Program Naturally Grown Vegetables Available Weekly!

Ocala Pick Up Locations: Marion County Library Pickup: Wednesdays, 2-2:30pm at the library headquarters parking lot

Weekly Baskets Contain: • 5-7—In-Season Vegetables

• 1—Culinary Herb • 1/2 -1 doz.—Eggs,

CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP PRICING!

Like Us on

when available • 2—Recipes using ingredients in basket • 1—Copy of our weekly newsletter

Farm Pickup: Wednesdays, after 9am Haile Plantation/Cacciatore Catering: Friday delivery to the SW side of Gainesville, 11am-2pm Other days may be arranged.

Delivery: Within 3 miles of Marion County Library.

Must be within our delivery area. $5 per week charge for special deliveries.

352.595.3377

Ecological Preserve • Retreat Center Organic Farm | E: CatCrone@aol.com

CronesCradleConserve.org August 2021

7

news briefs

Overlooked Creatures Shine at the Museum of Natural History

S

urvival of the Slowest, an exhibit on display through September 12 at the Florida Museum of Natural History, features animals that are slow, small or weak, and explores how they use these traits to thrive. Visitors get an up-close look at live animals, including a sloth, hedgehog, snake and others. The exhibit has a keeper onsite to answer visitor questions and hold daily presentations.

Visitors can meet creatures that have survived for millions of years despite their apparent disadvantages and learn about the puzzling sides of evolution and adaptation, including the difference between warm- and cold-blooded animals and the unique ways they hide from predators.

Admission is $10 adults/$9 Fla. residents, seniors and non-UF college students/$7 ages 3-17/free for UF students and museum members. Location: 3215 Hull Rd., Powell Hall, UF Cultural Plaza, Gainesville. For more information, visit FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu/exhibits/survival/#.

Local Farms Feed Local Students

N

ow in its fourth year, the Alachua County Farm to School program by Alachua County Public Schools now serves vegetables and fruit from local farms every day in school meals, allowing students to learn about the connection between farming, food and good health in a fun, educational and interactive environment. In addition to food purchased from local farms, school gardens at 15 schools are producing salad fixings and collard greens for school lunches.

Programs include Harvest of the Month, where students receive a trading card with information about and nutritional information about the fruit or vegetable offered and the farm where it grew; the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetables program, which offers children a fruit or vegetable snack every day, introducing them to a variety of fruits and vegetables in an effort to combat obesity; and the On Point Food Truck, which delivers fresh food to district high school students.

For more information, email brewkm@gm.sbac.edu.

Pearl Project Buddy Training

Nature’s Diamond in the Rough

C

edar Lakes Woods and Garden features more than 50 gardens and numerous waterfalls and koi ponds in a 100-year-old retired lime rock quarry. It has become a sanctuary home and refuge to many creatures great and small. The aviary tour includes pheasants, quail, a goose and leopard tortoise. Birds of prey, owls, doves, numerous songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife may be encountered along the trail.

The mission of Cedar Lakes Woods and Garden is to instill in visitors respect and appreciation for environmental stewardship by inspiring the public with artistic botanical creations. Their intention is to promote peace, humane education, animal rescue and environmental preservation.

The adjacent 54-acre nature conservation easement is maintained by the Conservation Trust of Florida. Discounted group and educational rates are available on Thursdays.

Admission is $12 for ages 13 and up/$7 for ages 6 to 13/ $6 for active military with ID/ free for children under 6 and member passholders.

Location: 4990 NE 180th Ave.,Williston,. For more information, call 352-529-0055 or visit CedarLakesWoodsAndGarden.com.

8

North Central FL Edition

B

ased on years of research by Dr. Karyn Purvis, Dr. David Cross and their colleagues at Texas Christian University, trust-based relational intervention (TBRI) is an evidence-based, trauma-informed intervention. This attachment-rich intervention is designed to meet the unique needs of children that have experienced trauma. Those interested in serving as a Pearl Project Buddy are invited to come to the summer training 5:30 to 7 p.m., August 16, at Highlands Baptist Church, in Ocala. Volunteer opportunities are available through the year.

When children feel safe and know they have a voice, their survival behaviors: including lying, stealing and anger outbursts, are diminished. When TBRI is applied, caregivers spend less time stressfully putting out fires and more time joyfully engaging their children. As a result, these children that desperately needed a sense of self-worth begin to discover their value. While TBRI was designed for vulnerable children, parents often find this to be the best parenting philosophy for all children.

There is no cost to attend. Location: 3530 E. Fort King St., Ocala.

For more information, call Joy Zedler at 352-405-5005, email Joy@ThePearlProjectCF.org or visit ThePearlProject.org.

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Welcome Back Fall Festival

JOIN US OCT 9, 2021 10:00am-3:00pm

Music • Food • Workshops Kids Games Hour Vegan, Vegetarian and Meat Food Options Available

$5 Workshops Available:

• HERB CLASS with Keith Wells, Crones Cradle Greenhouse Manager

• FALL AND WINTER FLORIDA GARDENING with Mark Bailie, Small Farms Extension Agent for Marion County

Other Scheduled Workshops: • OCT 23 —BREAD MAKING with Kor Farms, $25.

• NOV 6 — CANNING AND PRESERVING $25.

Kids Hour: 12:00- 1:00pm OLD FLORIDA ACTIVITIES: • Butter Making • Sugar Cane Grinding’ • Corn Shelling • Potting Plants • Cow Camp with Cracker Horse • Fresh Cast Iron Dutch Oven Made Biscuits • Roping • Whip cracking • AND, More!

Crones Cradle Conserve

6411 NE 217th Place Citra, FL 32113

CronesCradleConserve.org | 352.595.3377

health briefs

Certain gut microbiota can predict possible causes of mortality, reports a new study from Finland’s University of Turku.

Researchers collected stool samples from 7,055 Finnish adults around 50 years old and followed them for 15 years. They found that greater numbers of bacteria from the Enterobacteria family increase the risk of death from cancer, respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disease. “Many bacterial strains that are known to be harmful were among the Enterobacteria predicting mortality, and our lifestyle choices can have an impact on their amount in the gut,” says study co-author Teemu Niiranen.

10

North Central FL Edition

frenta/AdobeStock.com

Microbiome Linked to Risk of Death from Disease Eat Oily Fish to Live Longer Omega-3 fatty acids have previously been linked to better heart, brain, eye and joint health, and a new large-scale analysis published in Nature Communications suggests that omega-3s from oily fish may also extend lifespan. Researchers reviewed pooled data from 17 studies of 42,466 people that were followed an average of 16 years. Those that had the highest amount of fishbased omega-3s in their blood—at the 90th percentile— had a 13 percent lower risk for death than people with omega-3 levels in the 10th percentile. The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was 15 percent lower and from cancer 11 percent lower. The blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid omega-3s obtained from plant-based sources like nuts and flaxseed did not show a conclusive link to lower mortality.

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

pixelbliss/AdobeStock.com

People needing a push to eat more fruits and vegetables might be motivated by two new studies from Australia’s Edith Cowan University. Studying data from 8,600 Australians between the ages of 25 and 91, researchers found people that ate at least 470 grams (about two cups) of fruits and vegetables per day had 10 percent lower stress levels compared to those that ate less than half that amount.

“Vegetables and fruits contain important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids that can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and therefore improve mental well-being,” says lead author Simone Radavelli-Bagatini.

In a second study based on 23 years of data on 50,000 Danes, researchers found that those that consumed one cup each day of the most nitrate-rich vegetables like leafy greens and beets had about a 2.5 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and a 12 to 26 percent lower risk of peripheral artery disease, heart attacks, strokes and heart failure. Eating more than one cup daily didn’t increase the benefits, they found, and blending greens into smoothies (but not pulp-destroying juicing) is a good option for increasing intake.

sommai/AdobeStock.com

Eat Produce to Lower Stress and Heart Disease

Avoid Air Pollutants to Protect Children’s Mental Health

satjawat/AdobeStock.com

Exposure to even moderate levels of traffic-related air pollutants during childhood results in a greater risk of mental illness by age 18, Duke University researchers report in JAMA Network Open. In the study, the psychiatric health of 2,000 twins from England and Wales followed into adulthood was compared to recorded levels of air pollution in their neighborhoods. Twenty-two and 84 percent of the twins, respectively, were found to have had exposure to nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter that exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Higher levels produced the most symptoms, including depression and anxiety. The effect, although weak compared to family history, equals that of other neurotoxicants known to harm mental health, particularly childhood exposure to lead.

Previous evidence suggests that air pollutant exposures can cause inflammation in the brain and may lead to difficulty regulating thoughts and emotions.

WHO estimates that nine of 10 people worldwide are exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants emitted by vehicles, waste disposal, power plants, factories and other industrial processes. Studies show increased hospital admissions for many psychiatric illnesses during poor air quality days in China and India. “Because harmful exposures are so widespread around the world, outdoor air pollutants could be a significant contributor to the global burden of psychiatric disease,” says lead author Aaron Reuben.

Avoid Sugary Drinks to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk andrii kovalAdobeStock.com

Getting teens to eat well can be an uphill battle, but new evidence shows its long-term importance.

Drinking two sugary drinks per day from ages 13 to 18 increases by 32 percent the risk of colorectal cancer in women by age 50 when compared to drinking less than one such drink each week, Washington University School of Medicine researchers report in the journal Gut. The study used data from the Nurses’ Health Study II, which tracked the health of nearly 116,500 female nurses from 1991 to 2015. Other drinks, including milk and unsweetened coffee, were associated with a decreased risk. Early-onset colorectal cancer rates have risen alarmingly in the last 20 years, causing the American Cancer Society to lower its recommended age for a first colonoscopy from 50 to 45.

August 2021

11

health briefs

Implementing the Candida Diet

by Michael Biamonte The Candida Diet, which is designed to eliminate candida yeast from the body. The diet is low in carbohydrates; sugar (even in healthy foods, like fruit); and fermented foods like vinegar and alcohol. All these foods feed candida and make it harder for medicines to kill it.

High Springs Emporium North Central Florida’s ONLY Rock Shop The Most Unusual Story in Town Rocks, Crystals, Gifts, Jewelry

The Heat is On!

Hot summer days call out for cool water. Come out to the Emporium on your way to the springs and enjoy the coolest rocks in town.

• Carved stone animal totems • Polished natural citrine • New stock gemstone bracelets • Wonderful new spheres • Ice quartz from the Himalayan mountains • Disco fire quartz from Namibia • Welo opal from Ethiopia Citrine with green tourmaline and lepidolite, Minas Gerias, Brazil

19765 NW US Hwy-441 High Springs, FL 32643 HighSpringsEmporium.net 386.454.8657

A complicating factor is the presence of social obligations like weddings, birthdays and holidays; food cravings due to PMS or allergies; cravings or hunger triggered by stress, exercise, medications and even Candida itself—the list of hurdles is long. Here are some workarounds.

While the Candida diet allows for gluten-free grains only—which excludes wheat, barley and rye—some people are not allergic to the gluten protein in rye. This allows for the possibility of using yeast-free rye bread on the diet. Other grain options are millet, white or brown rice, corn, spelt, triticale and kamut.

There is ample variety in the diet. Try buying some new cookbooks for ideas and inspiration. They don’t have to be written specifically for the Candida diet—just look for books that promote a “low-carb” lifestyle.

Meat and vegetable stir-fries are perfect for the Candida diet (just leave off the rice). So are Italian dishes featuring meats, poultry or fish in light-red sauces or butter- or olive-oil-based sauces; these can be paired with combinations of herbs, spices and vegetables to produce restaurant-quality meals. Other good options are Indian curries of meats, poultry or fish served with green leafy vegetables. If doing traditional American, go for meat, creamed spinach and mushrooms served with a salad, or seafood with a vegetable medley.

Several physical conditions can cause hunger and food cravings. They include hypoglycemia; food allergies (often caused by Candida) or food sensitivities; adrenal exhaustion (triggered by stress, insomnia or sleep deprivation and exacerbated by poor diet); and PMS. The key is to identify the cause and address it with diet modification and nutritional supplements. Hemp hearts—raw, shelled hemp seeds—are one of nature’s superfoods. They curb sugar cravings and provide a broad spectrum of health benefits. For PMS, adding magnesium through foods and supplements can ease fluid retention and decrease chocolate cravings. Vitamin B6 appears to increase magnesium absorption. Many alternative doctors have found that evening primrose oil can prevent PMS symptoms. Several supplement companies make PMS-specific formulas.

To restore adrenal function, add pantothenic acid, vitamins C and B6, sea salt and licorice root; get eight to 10 hours of sleep nightly; and eat five or six small meals per day to stabilize blood sugar. Testing can determine the best adrenal support formula.

While Candida is best managed with testing and supervision through a comprehensive program, adopting the Candida diet is a first step anyone can take now.

These are the Dog Days of summer.

All dog statuary is 10% off this month.

Well behaved dogs are always welcome here.

Sharron is going on a buying trip - we’ll have great new stuff to put on our shelves.

12

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Michael Biamonte owns the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition. For more information, visit Health-Truth.com. See ad, page 3.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Preserve Telomeres and Turn Back the Clock

by Laura Varich, M.D. We can actually reverse aging with changes to our diet.

Capping the ends of the long strands of DNA (chromosomes) within our cells, telomeres act like the plastic caps on the end of shoelaces that prevent the laces from fraying. But they actually get shorter each time the cell divides. After a cell has divided many times, the telomeres become so short that the cell stops all activity. When many of the body’s cells halt their routine activities, the result is aging, as well as increased chronic disease development and eventually, death.

Inflammation resulting from our Western diet, chronic stress and environmental pollutants causes cells to divide more quickly, resulting in rapid shortening of telomeres and premature aging. But research has shown that there are ways to slow this shortening of our telomeres and even ways to lengthen our telomeres, leading to a longer lifespan.

Shortened telomeres are associated with intake of red meat, processed meats, saturated fats, sugar and alcohol, because an unhealthy diet creates increased free radicals and causes telomere-damaging inflammation. To live a longer, healthier life, try to limit or avoid these foods.

Antioxidants (polyphenols) in tea increase telomere

length. In a research study, compared to people who drank little tea, those that drank more than three cups of tea per day were found to have increased telomere length and five years of extra lifespan. The telomere-lengthening tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and includes green tea, black tea, white tea and oolong tea.

In a 38-year research study following 4,600 women, those that followed the Mediterranean Diet had increased telomere length consistent with four-and-a-half fewer years of aging. The Mediterranean diet focuses on plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, with olive oil as the primary fat source. This diet also contains only limited amounts of dairy products, eggs, fish and poultry.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory which has been noted to increase telomere length and decrease both cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Resveratrol is found in peanuts, pistachios, grapes, red and white wine, blueberries, cranberries, cocoa and dark chocolate.

Studies have also shown that the nutrients in certain foods such as seeds, nuts, legumes, seaweed, coffee, fruit and whole grains can increase telomere length.

One recent research study found that people placed on a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet, combined with moderate exercise, showed a significant increase in telomere length after only three months. If we make healthy changes, we can turn around aging. For the best possibility of living a longer, healthier life, consume a variety of these healthy foods every day.

Laura Varich, M.D., is the founder of Fresh Physician. For more information about health through nutrition and lifestyle, email FreshPhysician@gmail.com or visit FreshPhysician.com.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Having an Event?

List your events on our events page for FREE and TELL the WORLD what you are doing!

For more information, contact Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com

352-366-0088

August 2021

13

Soil Regulators Soft on Pesticide Use Pesticides cause significant harm to earthworms and thousands of other vital subterranean species. These invertebrates, nematodes, bacteria and fungi filter water, recycle nutrients and help regulate the planet’s temperature. The most comprehensive review ever conducted on how pesticides affect soil health, published in the journal Frontiers in Environmental Science, reveals that beneath fields of monoculture crops, a toxic soup of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides is wreaking havoc on the ecosystem.

The study recommends changes in how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assess the risks posed by the nearly 850 approved pesticide ingredients. Presently, regulators ignore pesticide harm to earthworms, springtails, beetles and many other subsoil critters. The EPA relies on one insect, the European honeybee, to represent the thousands of species that live or develop underground. The ongoing escalation of pesticide-intensive agriculture and pollution are major driving factors in the precipitous decline of many soil organisms that are critical to maintaining healthy soils. This contamination has been identified as the most significant driver of soil biodiversity loss in the last decade.

Thorny Problem

Cactus Poachers Are Denuding Deserts

More than 30 percent of the world’s 1,500 or so cactus species are threatened with extinction, and criminal scavengers are primarily to blame. A 2020 seizure by authorities in Italy yielded more than 1,000 of some of the rarest cactuses in the world, valued at more than $1.2 million on the black market. Some were over 100 years old. President of the Association for Biodiversity and Conservation Andrea Cattabriga helps police identify specimens taken from tourists or intercepted in the mail. He says, “Here is an organism that has evolved over millions of years to be able to survive in the harshest conditions you can find on the planet, but that finishes its life in this way, just as an object to be sold.”

Trafficking can take a serious toll because many species are highly localized and often extremely slow-growing, thus quite sensitive to over-harvesting.

Cactuses and other succulents have become popular on social media, promoted by indoor plant influencers for their unusual Superfund Mine-Polluted Stream Restorations See Success appearance and minimal Large investments have been made to clean up acid drainage into streams and rivers care requirements. The polluted by toxic metals from abandoned mining sites. A new study published in pandemic has increased Freshwater Science based on long-term monitoring data from four U.S. Environmentheir popularity, with shops tal Protection Agency Superfund sites in California, Colorado, Idaho and Montana unable to keep some speshows that cleanup efforts can allow affected streams to recover to near natural cies in stock. Sales of legally conditions within 10 to 15 years after abatement work begins. sourced plants could help David Herbst, a research scientist at UC Santa Cruz and co-author of the paper, offset illegal trade, with the says, “The good news from them all is that Superfund investments can restore the proceeds going directly to water quality and ecological health of the streams.” Researchers combined data communities living alongfrom long-term monitoring during periods of 20 years or more using aquatic insects side the plants, creating an and other diverse invertebrate life such as flatworms and snails as indicators of the incentive to protect them. restoration of ecological health, with nearby unpolluted streams as standards for

Reversing Ruin

comparison. Much of the recovery occurred within the first few years of treatment.

Herbst says that the promising results suggest that even daunting environmental problems can be remedied.

14

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

sheilaf2002/AdobeStock.com

Bugs Matter

dmitry kovalchuk/AdobeStock.com

global briefs

Suiting Up

Textile Manufacturers Fight Climate Change Clothing makes the man or woman, but mankind makes the clothing. The Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index (MCI) has been tracking industry changes and their impacts since it was launched in partnership with GreenBiz in 2019. The MCI is the largest business-to-business comparison initiative tracking progress toward more sustainable material sourcing for apparel, footwear and home textiles. It also monitors alignment with global efforts such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the transition to a circular economy. With a goal to accelerate action, 2019 was established as a baseline year from which to track the related efforts and progress of leading corporations.

The MCI is part of Textile Exchange’s Corporate Fiber & Materials Benchmark program, enabling companies to measure, manage and integrate a strategy for using preferred fiber and materials in their operations. With a goal of 45 percent reduced CO2 emissions from textile fiber and material production by 2030, Textile Exchange is pushing for urgent climate action. This year, they are launching an insights report, leaderboard and dashboard (TextileExchange.org/2030-climate-plus) to provide a comprehensive analysis of the state of the industry and determine ways to work with the data.

GET IN FRONT OF YOUR NEXT CLIENT

DIGITALLY

Call Sheila TODAY! 352-366-0088 • Social Media • Local SEO • Facebook/ Instagram Ads

Feeding our Community From Within Our Community

AD SPECIAL

ONE FREE ITEM with Purchase (Butcher’s Choice)

BEEF • LAMB • PORK • POULTRY & MORE Custom Cuts By In-House Butchers | Delivery Available!

SOURCED FROM OUR FLORIDA FRESH FAMILY OF FARMS. Grass-Fed, Pasture Raised, Humanely Treated, Hormone & Antibiotic Free

CONTACT OUR BUTCHER SHOP

352-307-8400

13770 S Hwy 475 | Summerfield, FL 34491 Info@FloridaFreshMeat.com | FloridaFreshMeat.com August 2021

15

eco tip

Bug Battle

How to Keep Mosquitoes at Bay

maridav/AdobeStock.com

It’s no fun fending off uninvited airborne guests at the family cookout, but bloodthirsty bugs are an inevitable part of summer. Mosquitoes aren’t just an annoyance; they can carry infectious diseases like West Nile and Zika viruses, so it’s important to know the best ways to keep them at bay.

Sprays containing the chemical DEET—developed by the U.S. Army after World War II and made commercially available in 1957—have long been the go-to option for mosquito repellent. DEET sprays came under scrutiny after isolated reports of seizures; these were subsequently dismissed as involving “off label” applications such as ingesting DEET (it’s best not to drink bug juice). DEET can occasionally cause a rash or skin irritation; however, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have both deemed DEET sprays as generally safe and effective for both adults and kids as young as two months. DEET also breaks down quickly in the environment, posing minimal danger to wildlife.

For outdoor lovers seeking a more natural bug repellent, one formula performs as well as DEET at stopping mosquitoes and even better at repelling ticks: products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus extract, which contains the naturally occurring compound para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), a byproduct of the leaves of Corymbia citriodora tree. In a study published in the Journal of Insect Science in 2015, researchers from New Mexico State University found that it deterred mosquitoes for up to six hours, unlike largely ineffective candles, bracelets and ultrasonic devices.

The PMD compound differs from lemon-eucalyptus essential oil, so look specifically for repellents containing PMD, found at most outdoors sports stores and major retailers. Lemon-eucalyptus essential oil itself is also sometimes touted as a natural mosquito deterrent, but like other essential oils like clove or citronella, the limited protection it offers is short-lived, as their volatile compounds evaporate quickly. While DIY insect repellents made from essential oils smell wonderful and are easy to make, they can also irritate the skin at higher concentrations and in some cases, such as clove oil, be toxic to pets. Products containing essential oils are also not registered by the EPA, and therefore not tested for efficacy.

Products containing Picaridin, a chemical modeled on black pepper, also have proven to be as effective as DEET. Picaridin-based products are better at deterring mosquitoes from landing than DEET, and are less oily and strong-smelling.

The percentage of DEET or Picaridin in a product determines how long it protects, with higher concentrations providing longer protection with fewer reapplications. Those benefits taper off at 30 percent DEET and 20 percent Picaridin.

Covering up with long sleeves and spraying clothes, not just skin, with insect repellent will help keep skeeters at arm’s length and also help keep off ticks.

16

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

KnoWEwell.com

YOUR ONE-STOP SOLUTION TO HEALTH CARE A REGENERATIVE WHOLE HEALTH COMMUNITY & MARKETPLACE 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 for everyone.”

LIMITED TIME 50% OFF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

INDIVIDUAL APPLY CODE: NAFL30221 PROVIDERS APPLY CODE: NAFL30221P

Join a safe, secure, and private community.

Find best-matched screened, checked, and approved Whole Health providers, based on your needs, values, and preferences.

Access evidence-based knowledge and resources.

Attend live educational webinars from providers and experts.

Search 1,400 natural medicines for safety and effectiveness.

Join moderated Topic Groups with vetted multimedia content and like-minded members.

P U B L I S H I N G

C O R P O R A T I O N

Visit KnoWEwell.com

green living

vaceslavromanov/AdobeStock.com

Pollinator-Friendly Yards Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

by Betsy S. Franz

pollen grains from the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another, thereby helping plants to produce seeds for the next generation. According 18

North Central FL Edition

to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard-working animals pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and nearly 75 percent of our crops, including chocolate and coffee. Without pollinators, say biologists, neither the human race nor the Earth’s ecosystems would survive.

Like many species, some pollinators are showing steady population declines, attributed in part to habitat loss and exposure to pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that grassy lawns occupy almost 2 percent of the total U.S. land mass, making grass the single largest irrigated crop in the country, which is why the way that people garden and maintain their landscapes can either harm or help pollinators.

Many people spending more time at home last year due to the pandemic did more gardening and maintaining of their own landscapes, often without realizing the significance and impact of their activities. “Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife,” writes Douglas Tallamy, an agriculture and natural resources professor at the University of Delaware, in his book Bringing Nature Home.

“Bees are what comes to mind when

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

most people think of pollinators, but pollinators include many other species, including some flies, moths, butterflies, wasps and beetles, as well as bats, hummingbirds and even a few mammals,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. Fortunately, the same principles that make home landscapes more inviting to pollinators also make it safer and friendlier for a wide variety of wildlife.

Rethink the Perfect Landscape

“One of the main dangers for pollinators is loss of appropriate habitat,” says Andre Kessler, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at Cornell University. “To help them, give up your idea of the perfect, manicured landscape and aim to restore their preferred habitat.” Kessler suggests leaving part of a landscape a bit untidy by including native plants and mowing less often. “An island of native vegetation usually provides flowering plants year-round and, similarly important, nesting sites for native bees,” he says.

Tallamy advocates halving the total amount of space devoted to lawns in the continental U.S.—reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use—and replacing grass with plants that sustain more animal life. Leave the leaves, sticks and debris, says Mizejewski. “Many species rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring.”

anna hoychuk/AdobeStock.com

F

or some people, perfectly mowed lawns without a trace of a weed or an insect makes them proud, but they may not realize that this method of gardening and landscaping could be harming the local ecosystem and the important pollinators that we rely on to keep food and flowers reproducing.

Pollinators are the creatures that move

With so many different species of pollinators across the diverse terrain of America, few plants work for all locales. Most experts believe the best option is choosing native plants. The Pollinator Partnership (Pollinator.org) lists plants for each zone

by ZIP code, as well as the pollinators they attract. There are also native plant societies in many areas that offer specific recommendations.

Eliminate the Chemicals

“Probably the most important thing the home gardener can do to overcome the pollinator and broader biodiversity crisis is to avoid using any pesticides,” says Kessler. “The uncontrolled use of insecticides and herbicides is the major reason for the dramatic loss of insect life in general and most other organisms depending on those insects.”

“It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference,” Tallamy writes. “In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.”

Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer who seeks a loving, sustainable balance between the nature of our world and the inner nature of man.

Learn More About Pollinators Ecoregional Planting Guides: Pollinator.org/guides Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists: Xerces.org/pollinatorconservation/pollinator-friendly-plant-lists Lawn to Wildflowers App: LawnToWildflowers.org/download Native Plant Societies: ahsGardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies

inspiration

Smiling Can Make Us Happier

by Julie Peterson

A

smile makes the brain happy. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter if we smile at first because we’re genuinely happy or if we simply fake a smile. The brain doesn’t know the difference.

When we are happy, we naturally smile. But research has shown that the act of smiling can also induce happiness. It happens because the muscles required to lift the mouth into the shape of a smile are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain.

Once the brain gets the message that a smile is happening, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body. These feel-good chemicals make us feel less stressed, less pain and happier, which can effortlessly transform a fake smile into a genuine one.

Platitudes through the ages have urged us to “Turn that frown upside down” and “Put on a happy face.” In 1872, Charles Darwin hypothesized that facial feedback could alter emotions and, ever since, the topic of smiling and mood has been a subject of discussion and research. Whether or not forced smiles can have a strong enough impact on our state of mind to effectively boost overall mental health is still being debated, with some research indicating that “false” smiles can lower mood if used continuously to avoid expressing certain feelings; however, there are several more positive aspects of smiling to take into consideration.

Smiling is contagious. Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, which discharge; they discharge similarly whether we’re doing an action or observing someone else do it. So, being around smiling people, seeing them smile, affects our brains as if we were doing the smiling.

Smiling also provides the health benefits of reduced anxiety and lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Over the long haul, these attributes add up to improved cardiovascular health and a measurable reduction in risk for stroke.

Get more smile time by working these muscles at every opportunity. Fake it if you must until it comes naturally, watch funny shows, spend time with cheery people and when things are looking down, grin and bear it. You might just feel better right away, and better long-term health is certainly something to smile about. rido/AdobeStock.com

Choose Appropriate Plantings

Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist (RAKtivist.com) and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being.

August 2021

19

THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

W

jenko ataman/AdobeStock.com

by Ronica O’Hara

hat is happiness? Aristotle pondered it, our country’s founders encouraged its pursuit, but only now—thanks to the thriving field of Positive Psychology—have we learned more precisely how to attain and sustain it. In thousands of studies in the last two decades, researchers have watched babies share crackers, put Tibetan monks in brain scanners, asked college students to do kind deeds and explored databases, among other strategies. A major finding has emerged: Happiness is, to a great degree, in our own hands—or more exactly, our own minds.

“You get to choose,” says trailblazing researcher Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 and a professor at the University of North Carolina. “No matter where your river of emotions flows today, over time and with continued effort and attention, you can change its course and location to live a happier, more positive life.” Using advanced brain imaging technology, neuroscientists and psychologists have discovered that the brain is “plastic” and malleable. When we change our thinking and actions in positive ways, brain neurons start rewiring themselves to make newfound happiness settle in, especially if our practices are repetitive.

“Interestingly, changes can start quite quickly,” says neuro20

North Central FL Edition

scientist Andrew Newberg, who has authored 10 books on the brain, emotions and spirituality, including Words Can Change Your Brain. “For those changes to become more fully ingrained, it can take a few months, but it does not necessarily require hours a day for many years.”

A change in thinking shifted the behavior and life of John Peterson, a sales manager at a major West Coast auto retailer and editor of SafeDriveGear.com. “I was unhappy and miserable, so I decided to give gratitude a shot,” he recalls. “It was mechanical to start, but the reactions I got turned into a domino effect.” Instead of giving cursory thanks, he praised a co-worker’s kindness in handing him a daily cup of coffee; now they chat about their families. Instead of “keeping myself to myself,” he offered to help a neighbor he barely knew to clean gutters; now they’re “barbecue besties,” he says, adding, “I was kind of blown away at the incredible effect gratitude had on my life, both in improving my mental health and boosting my relationships. It was a real revelation to me!”

Positive psychologists offer two major approaches: adopting habits that encourage happiness and clearing away the mental debris that blocks it. Many books and websites offer a wide range of theories, techniques and tips. “The most effective practices for you

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

are the ones that you enjoy and are willing to do more often,” says Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., a Psychology Today blogger and founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. The following are research-based methods to enhance happiness:

1

Aim for a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative experiences

The difference between languishing and flourishing, says Fredrickson in her book Positivity, is constructing a life in which heartfelt positive experiences outnumber the negatives by three to one. Positive experiences that flow from feelings such as gratitude, serenity, hope, awe and love can be as simple as exchanging smiles with a passerby, patting a friend on the back, joking with a cashier, picking up something that someone has dropped or planting a kiss on a son’s head. She emphasizes that the experiences must be authentic and heartfelt: acting “Pollyanna-ish” out of habit or pasting on a smile can actually make us feel worse, and positivity can turn toxic if it’s relentlessly turned on 100 percent of the time. “True happiness is not rigid and unchanging,” she says.

When it comes to marriage, five positive interactions for every negative one is the “magic ratio” that makes it happy and stable, according to studies by renowned relationship psychologist John Gottman, author of What Makes Love Last. “Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures and small acts,” he writes.

negativity by 2 Flip reframing experiences

Positive reframing involves shifting misery-making thinking to see the positive side of any situation. Canadian researchers reported in a 340-person survey at APA PsycNet that during the pandemic, reframing was the most effective mental health strategy; people practicing it gradually felt better, while people that vented, distracted themselves or disengaged from others fared worse.

Reframing strategies include viewing a problem as a challenge, a learning opportunity or a way to help others; finding the higher purpose or divine order in a bad situation; exploring what the unexpected benefits might be; and finding humor in a situation.

jenko ataman/AdobeStock.com

the inner critic 3 Defuse with caring self-talk

Berating ourselves for our shortcomings is a sure route to suffering, but applying self-compassion powerfully lowers the volume.

It involves three elements: treating ourselves as kindly as we would a dear friend; realizing that making mistakes is intrinsically human so we’re not alone; and non-judgmentally facing our emotions without denying or indulging them, according to its major theorist, psychologist Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind. Numerous studies show that people that practice self-compassion have less self-doubt and fewer negative thoughts, are less likely to feel anxious or depressed, enjoy better health and relationships and are more resilient and motivated to change.

Another way to handle the inner critic is to transform it by befriending and chatting with it, a method used in voice dialogue therapy and in the Internal Family Systems approach. Jackie Graybill, a Seattle songwriter and piano teacher, calls her “mean girl” inner critic Brutista Dynasticus. “I’ll find myself responding to an inner thought like, ‘You look fat. Just how much weight have you gained over COVID?!’ with a recognition like, ‘Oh, Brutista, that wasn’t very nice. I may have some extra pounds, but this healthy body has gotten me through a freaking pandemic! Show a little respect, okay?’ This quiets her down because I’ve recognized her and addressed her, and I feel an inner sense of victory because I’ve brought a positive truth to bear. It’s a very empowering practice.”

4

Clear away pain by questioning assumptions

Of our estimated 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, about 80 percent are negative and 95 percent are repetitive, says the National Science Foundation. Those noisy mental loops dampen our spirits by repetitively telling us that something regretful should not have happened in the past or is going to happen to blight the future. Few worries have real credence: A Cornell University study found that 85 percent of what people worry about never happens. Of the 15 percent of worries that did happen, 79 percent of people found they handled the problem better than they had expected or that they learned a valuable lesson from it. Cognitive behavioral therapists help clients to examine those beliefs and assumptions, challenge the dysfunctional ones and try out different interpretations to uncover the truth.

Victor Blue, a Tampa transportation engineer, examined his difficult relationship with a tyrannical father by asking himself two questions that spiritual teacher and author Byron Katie suggests applying to any painful thought: “Is it true? Can you absolutely know it’s true?” Self-inquiring deeply, Blue realized he had a distorted view: His father had in fact loved him, but had lacked the capacity to show it with warmth or tenderness. “My father started with very little and saw a tough world and treated everyone tough,” he says. “And I came to realize that yes, I am able to father myself.”

the heart by 5Open deepening gratitude

Perhaps the most popular and direct approach to happiness is gratitude.

Research shows that feeling and expressing thankfulness significantly boosts emotional well-being, makes us feel more connected and generous to others, and improves health and sleep quality.

In one study, writing a few sentences of gratitude once per week for 10 weeks increased optimism and hope in participants; August 2021

21

Natural Awakenings is

EVERY WHERE In addition to our direct mailed copies and local businesses, Natural Awakenings magazine can be picked up at the following locations:

ALACHUA COUNTY

Bambi’s Cafe 18592 High Springs Main St, High Springs Earth Origins 1237 NW 76th Blvd, Gainesville Sunflower Health Foods 3424 W University Ave, Gainesville Wards 515 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville

MARION COUNTY

THE VILLAGES & LADY LAKE Winn Dixie 820 Old Camp Rd, The Villages Lady Lake Library 225 W Guava St, Lady Lake Green Apple Health Food 175 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake Almost Perfect Furniture 15004 US 441, Summerfield Winn Dixie 11310 US Hwy 301, Belleview Fairy Dust Crystals & Such 11781 SE Hwy 441, Belleview Belleview Library 13145 SE CR 484, Belleview Deb’s Natural Source Health Food 3490 W Dunnellon Rd, Dunnellon Dunnellon Public Library 20351 Robinson Rd, Dunnellon Winn Dixie 10051 S Us Hwy 441, Dunnellon

Eat a happy-making diet A gut-wisdom axis may exist. People with a greater diversity of the gut microbiome—the mark of a healthy diet—had higher levels of wisdom, compassion and social support, and lower levels of loneliness than people with less diverse microbiomes, University of California San Diego scientists reported in Frontiers in Psychiatry. A study of 12,000 Australians found that the more they increased their fruit and vegetable intake over a seven-year period, the happier and more satisfied with life they became. Eating eight servings a day was as happiness-producing as going from being unemployed to employed.

Go for the doze Surveys show that getting enough sleep is the most influential factor in how people rate their daily mood, with good sleepers more likely to rate their life as happier overall. A University of California, Berkeley, study found that inadequate sleep makes our brains 60 percent more reactive to negative stimuli; in other words, being tired makes us grouchy.

Love a lot A landmark study that began in 1938 and followed 724 Harvard students and working-class Boston youth for 80 years found that fame and achievements didn’t make them truly happy—warm, loving relationships with their family, friends and community did. In a 2020 study, Pennsylvania State University researchers found that simply becoming aware of daily experiences of “felt love”, defined as “micro-moments when you experience resonance with someone,” increases those heartwarming episodes and improves well-being.

CITRUS COUNTY

Cenber Ridge Library 425 W Roosevelt Blvd, Beverly Hills Citrus Springs Library 1826 W Country Club Blvd, Citrus Springs Coastal Region Library 8619 W Crystal St, Crystal River Homosassa Public Library 4100 S Grandmarch Ave, Homosassa Rutabagas Health Food 335 S Croft Ave, Inverness Museum Café 10466 W Yulee Dr, Homosassa

DIGITAL EDITION AVAILABLE @ GoNatural Awakenings.com

North Central FL Edition

Besides using mental strategies, choosing happiness involves taking daily actions that enhance our well-being, as studies demonstrate.

Exercise even a little Whether it’s lunges or sun salutations, movement lifts us up. In a review of 23 published studies involving half a million people published in The Journal of Happiness Studies, University of Michigan researchers found strong evidence that any kind of exercise increases happiness; even as little as 10 minutes a day raises spirits. People that exercise at least 30 minutes on most days are about 30 percent happier than those that don’t exercise.

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 2721 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala Earth Origins 1917 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala

22

Well-Being Basics

Do good deeds Performing five acts of kindness one day a week, such as helping a friend with a task, writing a thank-you email or donating blood, had a more powerful and long-lasting effect on college students’ happiness than spreading five good deeds over a week, reports University of California, Riverside, researchers. A four-year study of 13,000 retirees found that those volunteering more than two hours per week were happier, more optimistic and less lonely and depressed than people that never volunteered.

Be nurtured by nature After walking in a natural setting, people ruminated less and showed increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that lowers depression and anxiety, Stanford researchers found. In one study, people watching five minutes of Planet Earth felt 46 percent more awe and 31 percent more gratitude than people watching the news or a comedy show. Biological diversity also matters: European scientists found that an additional 10 percent of bird species in an area increases residents’ life enjoyment as much as a 10 percent increase in their income.

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

they even exercised more and had fewer doctor visits than those writing about aggravations. Writing a thank-you letter to someone we haven’t appreciated enough in the past can induce a sense of well-being that lasts for at least six months, a University of Pennsylvania study found.

Gratitude can be cultivated simply by daily journaling; writing a list every few days often works even better, research indicates.

The more concrete the items are and the more freshly observed, the better: Rather than, “I’m grateful for my daughter,” it might be, “I’m grateful for my daughter because she made me laugh at breakfast by making a funny face.”

Some people kick off their day by writing two thank-you emails; others find creative ways to fold gratitude into relationships. During the pandemic, Nadia Charif, a San Jose-based wellness and health advisor at Coffeeble.com, shared with her boyfriend a note-taking phone app in which they wrote the ways they appreciated each other during the day. “Somehow, no matter how frayed our nerves were, we remembered the last lovely entry and melted like ice to water,” she says. “It diffused many arguments before they escalated.”

Online Resources AuthenticHappiness.org: positive psychology news and self-tests Martin E.P. Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania professor and bestselling author who coined the phrase “positive psychology” in 1998, designed this comprehensive website that includes new research and dozens of self-questionnaires.

Pursuit-of-Happiness.org: research and curriculums Resources offered by Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., author of Positivity and Love 2.0, include an overview of research, online courses and curriculum suggestions.

the noisy mind with meditation, 6Quiet prayer and mindfulness

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, Newberg and other neuroscientists studied meditating Buddhist monks, prayerful Catholic nuns and mindfulness meditators. They found that each practice has its own distinctive pattern of brain activity, yet all three deactivate the brain regions that underlie mind chatter.

That “default mode network” is constantly ruminating, nagging and making sure we avoid trouble. Sustained spiritual practices gradually turn down its everyday volume, which may explain in part the well-documented link between spiritual practices and well-being. Even brief meditations can have a quieting effect, counsels New York City psychologist and mindfulness teacher Loch Kelly, author of Shift into Freedom. In a quiet moment, he suggests, “Ask yourself, ‘What is here right now if there is no problem to solve?’”

7

Lift up others with a positive outlook

The more we give with a full heart, the more happiness we experience, studies show—and the benefits radiate far beyond ourselves. Following nearly 5,000 people over 20 years, Harvard researchers found that one person’s happiness triggers a chain reaction up to three degrees away, lifting the spirits not only of friends, but friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends.

Effects can last up to one year. It’s a vital way to help the world, says Fredrickson. “The happiness that you experience together with others has ripple effects, both biological and behavioral, that make whole communities healthier.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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

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

A Positive Path for Spiritual Living

Buy One / Get One

Pay for one monthly class, get one for FREE! ($36 value).

Limited to one offer per person. New students only. Expires 8/31/21.

Psychic Medium Spiritual Development Classes IFSK.org | 407.247.7823 | Classes Online & In Person

August 2021

23

conscious eating

levels can be increased with lemon juice.

Vegetable pickles become acidic through the addition of vinegar. Heat-sealed jars are shelf-stable if the seals remain intact.

Paul Fehribach, chef and co-owner of Big Jones, a restaurant in Chicago, gives canning tips in The Big Jones Cookbook.

For pickles and preserves, he recommends using a simple canning kit with a tool to lift jars in and out of boiling water, a jar rack that sits in the bottom of a stock pot and Mason jars with new canning lids to hold the food.

Both Paster and Fehribach suggest using professionally tested recipes. “Go to a reliable source, whether it’s a cookbook or a website, because there are some food safety issues. Recipes have been calibrated to have the right ratio of water and vinegar to vegetables to ensure it’s acidic enough,” says Paster. “Pickles are a great place to begin because they’re really hard to mess up.”

Preserving the Harvest Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year

by Julie Peterson

teatian/AdobeStock.com

Refrigerator Pickling

W

hether gardening, purchasing at farmers’ markets or ordering from a community supported agriculture farm, preservation techniques capture the bounty of the harvest and ensure availability of fresh flavors year-round.

Dehydrating “Dehydrating machines can be purchased for about $50, but an oven that goes down to a temperature of 150 or less will work,” says Brekke Bounds, educator at City Grange, a garden center in Chicago. Before dehydrating, consider the end use. Peaches or cherries can be cut into bite-size pieces. Roma or cherry tomatoes, sliced or cut in half and dried, can go in winter soups and stews. “Apple chips are super-easy,” Bounds says. “Core and slice with a mandoline, dunk in a lemon solution, sprinkle with cinnamon, dehydrate and store in an airtight jar.”

Foods can be seasoned or marinated before drying. “We make zucchini bacon for vegan BLTs,” says Anthony Damiano, chef proprietor at Counter Culture restaurant, in Vero Beach, Florida. Dried herbs chopped in a food processor can be stored in airtight containers and used up to a year later as flavorful salad toppings or soup mixes.

Canning “One of my go-to methods is water bath canning,” says Emily Paster, author of The Joys of Jewish Preserving. “It’s a really safe and effective method of home preservation for high-acid foods. Certain kinds of microorganisms, most specifically botulism, can’t live in a high-acid environment.” Fruits that go into jams and jellies are typically acidic enough, but 24

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

The pickling process can be done without water bath canning, but the jars must remain refrigerated. The fun is in the quickness and variability of the recipes.

Beyond traditional cucumber pickles, excellent pickles can be made with green beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower and green tomatoes. Brine can be dill, spicy or sweet. Damiano makes refrigerator pickles with a variety of local organic produce, including radishes, okra and other vegetables. The pickles are great for eating and can be used in salads and recipes like plant-based tostadas.

Fermenting “Fermentation is an essential part of how people everywhere make effective use of food resources,” says Sandor Ellix Katz, fermentation revivalist in Liberty, Tennessee, and author of The Art of Fermentation.

“Fermentation produces alcohol, helps preserve food by producing acids and makes foods more digestible, more nutritious, more delicious and sometimes less toxic.”

Cultures around the world developed fermentation techniques as a practical method to prevent food decomposition.

Studies show that fermented foods and beverages provide beneficial probiotics

to the gut microbiome. Anyone can give fermentation a try with ordinary kitchen tools—a knife, cutting board, mixing bowl and a jar. “Certain ferments, such as yogurt or tempeh, require specific temperature ranges,” advises Katz.

uckyo/AdobeStock.com

Cold Storage Many fruits and vegetables freeze well, but a basement or backyard root cellar is a no-electricity, cold storage method. Items that store well in a root cellar include most root crops and firm fruits like apples and pears. “Root cellars use the natural, cool, moist conditions underground for fruit and vegetable storage.

Earth-sheltered options work best for cooler climates where the ground temp is naturally cooler,” says Laurie Neverman in Denmark, Wisconsin, creator of CommonSenseHome.com. Those with no outdoor spot or cold basement room can still use cold storage. “Some crops like onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, apples and carrots keep well in dark, dry, cool room temperatures of about 55 degrees,” says Neverman.

Food preservation methods extend the blessings of the harvest. A little preparation now will provide edible delights for months to come.

Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin.

Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

‘Clean the Garden’ Kimchi This easy kimchi recipe turns common garden veggies into a spicy probiotic ferment that’s loaded with good bacteria and health benefits. yield: 32 servings 4 Tbsp sea salt and 4 cups water 1 lb Chinese cabbage (napa or bok choy preferred, but other cabbage will do) 1 daikon radish or a few red radishes 1 to 2 carrots 1 to 2 (minimum) onions (or shallots or leeks) 3 to 4 (minimum) cloves garlic 3 to 4 hot red chilies to taste (seeds removed, dried is fine, nothing with preservatives) 2 to 3 Tbsp (minimum) fresh grated ginger root Prepare brine in a nonreactive container such as a glass bowl or large measuring cup.

Mix water and salt, and stir thoroughly to dissolve salt.

Cut up cabbage, radishes and carrots. (Add in other vegetables as an option.) Mix vegetables together and move them into fermentation vessel. Cover vegetables with brine.

Use a fermentation weight or plate with a heavy object to weigh the vegetables down and keep them below the brine. (Mix more brine if needed to make sure vegetables are completely submerged.) Put a cloth over the fermentation vessel and wait for vegetables to soften (a few hours or overnight).

Drain the brine from the vegetables, reserving it. Give the vegetables a taste. They should be salty, but not too salty. Sprinkle on additional salt, if needed, and mix; rinse if too salty.

Mix the onion, garlic, chilies and ginger into the drained vegetables and blend well. Pack the vegetable mix into the fermentation vessel. Use the fermentation weight or plate to press it down until the brine covers the kimchi-in-progress. Add a little brine back, if needed, to make sure the vegetables are completely covered.

Cover the fermentation vessel with a cloth and leave it on the counter for about a week.

Taste test to check the fermentation. When happy with the flavor, the kimchi is done.

Store in the refrigerator in a glass container to stop the fermentation.

Recipe by Laurie Neverman at CommonSenseHome.com.

Food Preservation Resources National Center for Home Food Preservation: nchfp.uga.edu Ball & Kerr recipes and products for canning: FreshPreserving.com Complete Dehydrator Cookbook, by Carole Cancler The Pickled Pantry: From Apples to Zucchini, by Andrea Chesman Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables, by Mike and Nancy Bubel

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

August 2021

25

Pineapple Tepache

Ferment for 2 to 5 days, depending upon temperature and desired level of fermentation.

It’ll get fizzy, then develop a pronounced sourness after a few days. Taste each day after the first few to evaluate developing flavor. Strain out the solids. Enjoy fresh or refrigerate for up to a couple of weeks.

yield: about 1 quart ½ cup sugar, or more, to taste (ideally piloncillo, panela or another unrefined sugar, but any type of sugar will work) Peel and core of 1 pineapple (eat the rest of the fruit), cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 1 cinnamon stick and/or a few whole cloves and/or other spices (optional) Dissolve the sugar in about 1 cup of water. Place the pineapple skin and core pieces and spices into the vessel. Pour the sugar water

sveta zarzamora/AdobeStock.com

over the pineapple, then add additional water as needed to cover the pineapple. Cover with a loose lid or cloth and stir daily.

Tepache is a wonderful, effervescent, lightly fermented pineapple beverage. It’s made from the skins and core of pineapple, making use of the parts typically discarded.

Recipe is an exclusive first look from the forthcoming book, Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys (Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2021).

1 to 2 watermelon radishes ¼ cup white wine vinegar ¼ cup rice wine vinegar ½ cup water 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt 1 tsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tsp ginger, microplaned ½ tsp peppercorns, lightly crushed

Wash and peel watermelon radishes. With a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, slice radishes into round discs. In a non-reactive saucepan, bring the water, white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns. Pour the hot liquid including the garlic and peppercorns over the radishes. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.

Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida.

russiandoll64/AdobeStock.com

Pickled Watermelon Radishes

Zucchini Bacon 2 medium zucchini 2 Tbsp grape seed oil 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp maple syrup 1 tsp liquid smoke Pinch chipotle chili pepper powder Freshly ground black pepper

and toss until coated in marinade. Let sit for several hours or overnight.

In a large bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, chipotle chili pepper powder and season generously with black pepper. Whisk to combine. Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, slice zucchini length-wise into thin strips. Place strips in bowl 26

North Central FL Edition

Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida.

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

photo by Julie Peterson

Place in a single layer on dehydrator trays, making sure not to overlap. Set the dehydrator to 145° F and let the strips dehydrate for 4 to 6 hours. Remove them when they are crispy. Thicker strips may take longer. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container.

THE LARGEST ONLINE CONSCIOUS DATING NETWORK

IS WAITING FOR YOU! We invite you to join and experience a truly conscious, loving, dating environment with amazing members.

TRY FOR FREE and manifest an extraordinary, enlightened relationship.

Be proactive by joining today. Your natural match is waiting to meet you!

Visit us at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com

fit body

Water Sports for a Total Body Workout Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

luna vandoorne/AdobeStock.com

by Marlaina Donato

W

hether it’s adrenaline-fueled kiteboarding or peaceful paddle boarding, getting active in the water helps to improve bone density, elevates mood and engages major muscle groups without stressing the joints. The highlight of a vacation might be rafting down a river, surfing at sunset or waterskiing on a mountain lake. Whether done regularly or occasionally, water sports offer a good workout disguised as play. While some water sports require a higher level of fitness, most are beginner-friendly and only require the willingness to try something new.

Core Adventures “Many lifelong skiers call waterskiing the fountain of youth.

My friends who are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s that still ski are living proof,” says pro water skier Corey Vaughn, owner of Bum Pass Water Ski Club, in Bumpass, Virginia. “Waterskiing is one of the best total body workouts on the planet, yet you are having so much fun it never feels like a workout.”

For Natali Zollinger, a raft guide, river surfer and whitewater stand up paddle boarder, it’s about trusting and working with 28

North Central FL Edition

the current: “Either rafting or paddling, our core has to engage way more than it would with other sports, and you’ll definitely notice the internal strength.” Based in Moab, Utah, Zollinger says that in only one week, paddling and kayaking produce noticeably more tone in the triceps and biceps, adding, “If you row boats, you’ll see the traps, shoulders and back muscles develop.”

Stand up paddle board (SUP) yoga on the water, although seemingly placid, challenges the abdominals and cultivates balance. Christy Naida Linson, yoga instructor and owner of Prana Yoga Center and Aligned Flow Floating Studio, in Denville, New Jersey, says, “Paddling is excellent exercise for the core, back, shoulders, arms and legs. Postures are done in relationship to the current of the water and recruit many of the smaller stabilizing muscles.”

Getting the Feet Wet SUP yoga is accessible to both new and experienced students that can swim and are comfortable in the water. All postures can be modified to be done in positions lower to the board, such as kneeling, to make balancing easier. “A typical class is 90

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

minutes long and begins with instruction on land. We go through paddle strokes and safety, how to get onto the board kneeling, transition to standing when feeling stable, paddle and stop,” says Linson. “The worst thing that happens if you lose your balance is that you go for a little swim!”

Fitness requirements for river rafting can vary, depending on the type of trip and location. “Usually a couple months of ‘stair-stepper’ and some squats and lunges will do the trick,” says Zollinger. When it comes to gear, commercial trips offer the most freedom, especially for beginners, she says. “Normally, commercial trips pack all the gear that you need for basic camping, and all you have to bring is your personal gear like clothes, toiletries, etc.”

Waterskiing can be a challenge, but learning is easier with proper instruction, optimal equipment, an experienced, skilled boat driver and positive encouragement.

“People tell me about Uncle Fred just throwing them behind the boat with a couple of old skis, telling them to hang on tight and then gunning the boat. This is

not what I would consider best practices,” says Vaughn. A typical lesson lasts about 30 minutes, involves six to eight passes up and down the lake and includes technical guidance on body positions and timing.

For optimal waterskiing, Vaughn prefers private lakes to avoid interruption in the rhythmic flow of skiing that can occur on busier lakes or bodies of saltwater due to boat traffic, winds, tides and currents. Vaughn marvels when everything comes together; “There is nothing quite like the smile of a firsttime skier when they get up [on their skis] and realize they are gliding across the water.”

In the end, water sports are all about embracing possibilities.“It is a genuine joy to see people who may be new or doubt their ability come away feeling empowered,” says Linson.

Zollinger passes on wisdom about time on the water. “The river continuously teaches me to be in the flow and appreciating the little things.”

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer.

Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

Psychic Medium Spiritual Development Classes • Development Classes • Monthly Book Discussion Groups • Tele-Consultations Available

Promoting the Religion, Science and Philosophy of Spiritualism

Email or Call for schedule.

Marilyn@IFSK.org

Check our complete program on our website.

IFSK.org | 407.247.7823

Natural Awakenings | 352-366-0088 | Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com | GoNaturalAwakenings.com August 2021

29

healthy kids

iaroslava zolotko/AdobeStock.com

Back-to-School Wellness Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

by Ronica O’Hara

drobot dean/AdobeStock.com

Reset bedtime creep

A

fter a year dealing with the ups and downs of pandemic-era schooling, many parents are anticipating their children’s return to school with mixed emotions. “Families indeed have had a rough time in the pandemic, resulting in increased food insecurity, weakened social skills, splintered attention spans due to constant multitasking and arguments over screen time, yet many families also feel that they grew closer together as they coped with the adversity,” says Jenifer Joy Madden, author of How To Be a Durable Human.

As we wave our children off to classes, we can draw on those hard-won, deeper ties by taking steps to ensure our children’s health and well-being. Here are some suggested strategies:

Hold a family sit-down Meet as a group to talk about schedules and logistics to make sure everyone’s commitments will work together, recommends Erika Beckles Camez, Ph.D., a licensed family therapist in Temecula, California. “Talk as a family about how everyone feels about going back to school and intentionally tell your student that throughout the year if they are needing support or are feeling overwhelmed or concerned, they can always talk to you to work through the issue together,” she says.

30

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

“During the summer, bedtime tends to creep later and later. Two weeks before school starts, begin to reset bedtime by reversing the creep by 15 minutes every few nights,” suggests Amber Trueblood, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Culver City, California, and author of Stretch Marks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age sleep nine to 12 hours a night and teenagers 13 to 18 sleep eight to 10 hours. Getting enough sleep, it advises, leads to “improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” Sleep experts recommend not allowing kids to be on device screens beginning an hour before bedtime, and perhaps storing devices in another room.

Buoy them with breakfast According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children that eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster, make fewer math mistakes and show improved concentration, alertness, comprehension and memory. “Get in the habit of a healthy breakfast that contains a mix of lean proteins, healthy fats and unrefined carbohydrates and fiber,” advises Amy Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist in Plano, Texas. “That might be something like eggs scrambled with spinach in olive oil; a smoothie with greens, coconut milk, nut butter, cherries and steamed cauliflow-

er; or a small bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with berries and almond butter alongside some turkey sausage. These types of combinations help promote stable blood sugar until lunchtime, which means your child will be able to focus on learning and social interactions instead of their tummies.”

Satisfy them with healthy snacks There’s a metabolic reason students head straight for the fridge when they get home—but it’s best if they can’t grab sweets. “Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain,” says Uma Naidoo, M.D., a Harvard-based nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef and author of This Is Your Brain on Food. To support optimal brain development and help lower kids’ anxiety and hyperactivity levels, she suggests snacks rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12 and D, and iron and folate, such as: “Fries” cooked in an air fryer to crisp up zucchini, carrots or green beans n Veggie dips or hummus made with chickpeas, carrots, beets or spinach n Almond butter on celery sticks, or seed butter for dipping sweet peppers or apple slices n Homemade fish sticks made by heating salmon pieces in an air fryer n

Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain. n

Granola that includes walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds

Take allergy precautions

About one in 14 U.S. children has a food allergy. Anisha Angella, an early childhood specialist and author of Easing Allergy Anxiety in Children, recommends taking special precautions with an allergy-prone child, including frequent handwashing; carrying an EpiPen for sudden, severe reactions that require an epinephrine injection; and not sharing foods. “Connect with their teachers,” she advises. “They want to help in any way, too. When a child sees an adult that supports their allergy safety in all environments, they feel comfortable, and that lessens anxiety.”

“Readjusting from the pandemic will take patience and perseverance on the part of parents,” says Madden. “Having the family start simple wellness habits can help.”

Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Let Us Guide You to Better Health

Come in and let our friendly and helpful staff guide you through our large selection of supplements, healthy foods and skin care products.

We have one of the largest selections of gluten-free foods. We can special order many products!

We offer Senior Discounts everyday and ask about our Frequent Buyer Program.

You Can Make A Difference In Your Health

(352) 854-4577

8449 SW Hwy 200 #139, Ocala Fl 34481 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-6:30pm Saturday, 8:30am-6pm

August 2021

31

healing ways

Unleash Your True Potential

Working with a Life Coach Can Help

by Sandra Yeyati

H

iring a life coach can be an empowering decision for people that want to understand themselves better and lead fulfilled lives. Coaches may specialize in distinct topics like business, parenting or weight loss, but, “It’s all life coaching,” says Patrick Williams, a master certified coach by the International Coach Federation, licensed psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training. “If I hire a specialist like a wellness coach, I assume they’re going to know something about wellness, but I’m not hiring a consultant to tell me what I should do in diet and exercise. I want to be coached in living a more well life.”

According to master certified coach Fran Fisher, with 30 years of experience, “Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. It’s a partnership of two experts. The client is the expert of the content: who they are, what’s important to them and what they believe, think and feel. The coach is the expert of the process.

They’ve been specially trained to help the client access their deeper wisdom and make better choices that align with who they are.”

Going for Gold Martha Beck, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained sociologist, renowned coach and bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, says, “Most problems can be resolved by simply talking to someone who is willing to listen compassionately and deeply to whatever is going on in their lives and to give them good feedback. A coach will get you to high levels of happiness, self-fulfillment and self-expression. Unlike therapists, coaches don’t deal with the mentally ill.

They deal with the mentally well who want to maximize their performance.”

“A coach helps you think and say and dream of things you hadn’t thought before,” says Williams. “I can advise myself all day long, but as soon as I have a conversation with a trained coach, I hear myself differently. I get new ideas, and that motivates me to make change. The value may come monetarily. It may improve someone’s business or money decisions, but it also may come in how you live your life. There may 32

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. be value in having less stress, more time, more fun. Anybody who is motivated to make a change or maybe is in the midst of change and they don’t know what to do; that’s who benefits from coaching.”

Limiting Beliefs and Turtle Steps According to Beck, one of the most common issues a coach must address is their clients’ limiting beliefs. “It’s about freeing yourself from beliefs that are preventing you from moving forward or convincing you that you can’t have what you want, so you never try,” says Beck. “There’s something in your behavior that’s not allowing you to move forward. Let’s find the behavior, figure out why you’re doing it and change that belief. It’s good old-fashioned problem solving in partnership with the client.”

Beck’s favorite tool for making changes is what she calls one-degree turns, or turtle steps, defined as the smallest steps you can take toward a goal. “Research shows that large steps tend to get discouraging,” she notes. “We could do them at the beginning of a

Finding the Right Coach The search for a coach often begins online to check credentials, training and experience, and to understand the coach’s approach and personality. “Trust your gut,” says renowned coach and author Martha Beck. “See how you feel when you’re looking at somebody’s website or when you email them and get a response.”

Master certified coach Patrick Williams recommends asking for referrals from friends or through the International Coaching Federation (CoachingFederation.org) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCCGlobal.org). “A coach should have some level of certification. You want to ask about their training and how long they’ve been coaching,” he says.

Most experts recommend interviewing at least three coaches.

Many offer a free, 30-minute sample session. “There has to be a feeling of safety and rapport with that person. You want to feel seen and heard,” says master certified coach Fran Fisher.

“Any coach worth their salt will help you find out that you already know your path through life, so although you may feel challenged by this person, you should also feel excited, like this could set you free. If a coach gives you a list of things that will never fail you, and it doesn’t feel like freedom to you, and you don’t feel like your real self, find someone else,” Beck says.

really passionate, goal-seeking time, but we almost never sustain it. If we go in tiny steps toward what we really believe and what we really want, we get there. The tortoise wins the race.”

Achieving Goals and Feeling Free

When it comes to setting and achieving goals, coaches have different approaches. Williams, for example, considers himself an accountability partner. “I won’t punish you if you don’t achieve your goals,” he says. “If you report progress, we celebrate and talk about what’s next. If you say, ‘I didn’t get it done,’ then we talk about what got in the way, what needs to change. We never make the client wrong. It’s what’s true for you.”

For Beck, goals take a back seat. “My clients tend to give me goals that are culturally based on what they think they should do.

People move forward much more rapidly when you don’t hold them to a goal. When they have permission to do whatever they want, they actually start doing the things that all the goal setting in the world won’t allow them to do. We have such a strong response to freedom. When we feel like we’re forcing ourselves to do something, we won’t do it because it’s not free. When we’re free, we do the things that are best for us.”

For more information, visit DrPatWilliams.com, FranFisherCoach. com and MarthaBeck.com.

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

Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary!

Crystals THANK YOU for your support during these past years!

Books Tarot decks Jewelry Candles Essential Oils Unique gifts Metaphysical 352.693.4592 Reiki Sessions and Spiritual Classes & Meditation FairyDustCrystals.com Supplies Like us on Facebook Readers

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

CHECK OUT Our Online Directory for Local Businesses GoNaturalAwakenings.com

Interested in Being in Our Directory?

CONNECT WITH SHEILA TODAY! Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com August 2021

33

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 Back To School Bingo – 5:30-7:30pm. Free. Food, drinks, raffles, prizes and a good cause. Proceeds from the BTS Bingo will directly support efforts to provide over 175 children with backpacks and school supplies. High Dive, 210 SW 2nd Ave, Gainesville.

352-872-5949. HighDiveGainesville.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Friday Family Fun Night – 6-8pm. $1. Games and activities in and out of the water for swimmers and non-swimmers. Bicentennial Park Pool, 8145 W Bicentennial Park Dr, Crystal River. 352-795-1478.

DiscoverCrystalRiverFl.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 10th Annual Gator Clot Trot – 8am-2pm. Free. Walk and fundraise with the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida. Veterans Memorial Park, 7400 SW 41 Pl, Gainesville. 352-548-1210. VisitGainesville.com.

Ranger Led Tour – 8:30-9:30am. $5. Pre-registration required. Arrive 15 minutes early then begin a guided tour through Florida’s wetlands. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, Gainesville. 352-554-5871. SweetwaterWetlands.org.

Farmers Market at the Depot – 9am-1pm. Free.

Fresh and artisanal style vendors with produce, oils, pet treats, food and handmade items. Depot Pavilion, 300 N Apopka Ave, Inverness. 352-7263913. Inverness-Fl.gov.

Ranger Led Park Tour – 2:30-3:30pm. $5. Learn about Florida’s water, wildlife and the wetland community. Walk is one mile total. Sweetwater Wetlands Park, 325 SW Williston Rd, Gainesville.

352-554-5871. SweetwaterWetlands.org.

be served. Hosted by Greenway Bikes. Santos Trailhead, 3080 SE 80th St, Ocala. 352-351-3475.

RetroCityCycles.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Ponies and Paddle Tour – 8:30am-2:30pm. $128.

Adventure begins with a one hour trail ride on horseback through the forest; no previous riding experience is necessary, following with a tour of Silver Springs State park via paddle board or kayak. Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides, 11100 SW 16th Ave, Ocala. FlHorseRiding@gmail.com.

FlHorseRiding.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 Ocala Downtown Market – 9am-2pm. Free. Shop local from a variety of vendors including produce from local farmers, goat and dairy products, meats, honey, seafood, soaps and more every saturday, rain or shine. Ocala Downtown Market, SE 3rd St and SE 3rd Ave, Ocala. 352-438-2800. OcalaMarion.com.

North Central Florida Outdoor Expo – 9am-3pm.

Free. Hundreds of vendors for all of your outdoor needs ranging from recreational to educational.

WorldEquestrianCenter, 1390 NW 80th Ave, Ocala.

352-622-9500. WindFM.com.

Spider Cup Archery Series – 9am-3pm. $25.

Series created to entice shooters to compete in the different disciplines of archery with six separate tournaments that will decide the overall champions for the year. Easton Newberry Archer Center, 34880 NW 16th Ave, Newberry. 352-472-2388.

EastonNewberryArcheryCenter.org.

The Difference Between Psychic and Mediumship Readings and The Ethics of Both – 3-5:30pm. $36. Online class. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Call to register. 407-2472823. IFSK.org.

Painting With Bats – 10am-2pm. $55. A painting party and private behind the scenes tour to meet some of the world’s giant fruit bats up close and personal as well as other animals at the conservation.

All art supplies are included. Paint party led and instructed by local artist Samm of Samm Wehman Art. LuBee Bat Conservancy, 1309 NW 192nd Ave, Gainesville. 352-485-1250. LuBee.org.

Summer Sunset Cycling – 6:30pm. Free. All bikes are welcome to ride any distance over this paved trail from Santos Trailhead to WhimCycle Trail Resort where dinner and happy hour will

Feng Shui The Art of Placement with Dr. Ina Anderson – 1-4pm. $35. Cash only. Bring a floor plan of your home, hand drawn is fine, and use the Art of Placement to improve the energy flow of

34

North Central FL Edition

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

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

Free Comic Book Day – 4pm. Free. Celebrate 20 years of comic books with a fun and free comic book. Bearded Browncoat Comics and Games, 500 SW 10th St, #200, Ocala. 352-433-2249.

BeardedBrowncoat.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15 The Market Of Marion – 8am-4pm. Old town square farmers market including food, animals, furniture, antiques and local mercantile rolled into one. Vendors welcomed with reservations. The Market of Marion, 12888 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. 352-245-6766. TheMarketOfMarion.com.

Museum for Me Sensory Friendly – 10am-1pm.

A morning for adults and children on the autism spectrum and their friends, families and caregivers to explore at their own pace in a peaceful and less crowded environment. In addition, a separate space will be available to decompress or desensitize if needed. Anyone with special needs is invited to attend. Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville. 352-8462000. FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 8th Annual Hooked Up For TaTas Fishing Tournament – Aug 20-21. 4-7pm. Free. High payouts per catch. All proceeds raised are donated to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Foundation. Plantation On Crystal River, 9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River. 352-304-1323.

ReelActionPromotions.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Fishing for Success Family Fishing Days – 8amNoon. Free. Back to school bonanza that is free and open to all adults, children, families and those with disabilities. All are encouraged to participate. UF IFAS, 7922 NW 71st St, Gainesville. 352-846-0850.

Ffgs.Ifas.ufl.edu.

The Difference Between Psychic and Mediumship Readings and The Ethics of Both – 10:30am-1pm. $36. International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge. Call to register. 407-2477823. IFSK.org.

Ocala Horse Sale – 2pm. Top shelf consignments from all over the nation between regular session and preferred. Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2228 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala. OcalaHorseSale.com.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 Yoga At The Park – 7-8:30pm. Free. All levels class with a focus on intentional movement, breathwork and connection with others. Led by Stephanie.

Inverness Liberty Park, 268 N Apopka Ave, Inverness.

352-287-3438. DiscoverCrystalRiver.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 Open Mic Night – 6:30-9:30pm. Free. Vocalists, musicians, poets and comedians are welcome.

No profanity. Hosted by Citrus County Parks and Recreation. Central Ridge Community Center, 77 Civic Cir, Beverly Hills. 35-527-7450. DiscoverCrystalRiver.org.

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

ADVERTISING

FOOD CODES

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.

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

OPPORTUNITIES

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.

START A CAREER YOU CAN BE 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.

SUPPLEMENTS FREE EXCLUSIVE PLANT BASED SUPPLEMENTS – Try Terra Power Greens for Free!

Just pay shipping. TerraLifeStore.com, click free sample set or Amazon. 954-459-1134.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 2021 Florida CERT Conference – 8am-4pm. $175. Learn about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact your area and basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River. 239-825-8075.

FlaCertAssociation.org.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Dive-In Movie: Dolphin Tale 2 – 4-9pm. Free.

Movie goers will be able to swim and play in the pool during the entire film. The Frosty Freeze Food Truck will be outside the gate with drinks, snacks and meals to purchase. Bicentennial Park Pool, 8145 W Bicentennial Park Drive, Crystal River.

352-537-7540. CitrusBOCC.com.

Cafe

100% Plant-Based Deliciousness!

Farm to Table

Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Baked Goodies, Gluten-Free Options, Daily Macrobiotic Meals

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 The Difference Between Psychic and Mediumship Readings and The Ethics of Both – 10:30am12:30pm. $35. In person class. Fairy Dust Crystals and Such, 11781 SE US Hwy 441, Belleview. Hosted

by International Foundation for Spiritual Knowledge.

Call to register. 407-247-7823. IFSK.org.

plan ahead TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Five Life Hacks to Help Your Family Have a Successful School Year – 6:30pm. Free. Dr. Randy Bryant, 1315 SE 25 th Loop, Suite 103, Ocala. 352-694-7700. Info@DrRandyBryant.com.

DrRandyBryant.com.

18592 High Springs Main Street High Springs 386-454-1600 | info@bambisfarm.com

Tues-Sat, 11-5pm

Join us at High Springs Farmers Market Friday 3-7pm

386-454-1600

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne August 2021

35

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

A Course in Miracles – 6:30pm. Unity of Gainesville, 8801 NW 39th Ave. UnityGainesville.org.

Get More From Your Core Hatha Yoga – 9-10am. $12. Beginner level for those who have an existing yoga practice and are familiar with basic poses.

Intended to strengthen every part of your core with focus on strengthening muscles from your thighs to your sternum. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-5250247. NadiOmWellness.org.

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

Spiritual Service – 9:30am. Let the spirit guide you with hands-on healing, meditations, messages and more. Conscious Awakening, 301 SR26, Melrose.

352-262-0078. BackToBasicsLiving@gmail.com.

Sunday Spiritual Service – 10am. Unity of Ocala, 101 Cedar Rd. 352­-687­-2113. Mail@UnityOcala. org. UnityOcala.org.

Guided Meditation and Sunday Service – 10am (meditation); 10:30am (service). Rev. Cindy Grimes, Senior Minister. Awaken and live. Center for Spiritual Living Ocala, 1009 NE 28th Ave. 352629-3897. CSLocala.org.

Meditation and Book Discussion – 10:30am-noon.

Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352214-1334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org.

Galactic Glyph Gallery – 11-4pm. Free. Experiential art classes and energetic healing sessions available. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-258-5879. BalaGlyphs.com.

Brewery Yoga at First Magnitude – 1-2pm.

Bring your own mat for yoga in the warehouse.

All experience levels. Suggested $5 donation. First Magnitude Brewing Co, 1220 SE Veitch, Gainesville. 352-727-4677.

monday Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-368-5517.

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

Mail@UnityOcala.org. UnityOcala.org.

Stand By Me Yoga – 6-7pm. $12. Beginner class with an opportunity to “level up” for intermediate practitioners who would like to participate in a gentle but active stretch for the entire body with an emphasis on standing poses. Online and in-studio.

Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required.

Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org.

North Central FL Edition

Every BODY Hatha Yoga with George – 10:3011:30am. $12. Learn to Yoga your way! Class for those who want to start a practice, who have limited flexibility or mobility or who just want to enjoy a gentler practice in a positive, energy-filled space to experience all the benefits of yoga at the appropriate level. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-5250247. NadiOmWellness.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.

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. 352-368-5517.

Meditation Instruction and Orientation – 7-9pm.

Meditation, book discussion, refreshments to follow.

Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352-2141334. Gainesville.Shambhala.org.

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

352-401-3920.

Technology Help Center – 2-4pm. Free. Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Hwy 484. 352-438-2500.

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.

36

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.

Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-368-5517.

Embodiment 101 – 6:30-8pm. Body awareness movement followed by meditation. Shambhala Gainesville, 1899 NE 23rd Ave. 352-214-1334.

Gainesville.Shambhala.org.

friday Galactic Glyph Gallery – 7-10pm. Free. Cool hangout space for locals to visit for a cultural experience.

Music, wine and off-the-wall visual art. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-2585879. BalaGlyphys.com.

saturday Alachua County Farmers’ Market – 8:30amnoon. Open rain or shine. A grower’s only market.

5920 NW 13 th St, Gainesville. 352-371-8236.

441market.com Haile Farmers Market – 8:30am-noon. Open rain or shine, heat or cold. Haile Village Center in Haile Plantation, SW 91st Terr, Gainesville. HaileFarmers Market.com.

Bend and Extend Yoga – 9-10am. $12. This beginner’s level, gentle practice will start with a full body warm-up and proceed to bending our bodies to help improve balance, flexibility and mobility. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org.

Fit In The Park: Zumba – 5:30-6:30pm. Ages 10+. Free. E.D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala. 352-368-5517.

Ocala Farm Market – 9am-2pm. Locally-grown 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.

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

Farmstead Saturday – 9am-3pm. Free. Crones Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217 Pl, Citra. 352-­595-­ 3377. CronesCradleConserve.com.

thursday

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.

A Morning Cup of Joe Hatha Yoga – 9-10am. $12.

Beginner class with a slow-vinyasa-style flow for those who have an existing yoga practice and are familiar with base poses. Intended to build heat, boost energy and conclude by leaving you feeling balanced, calm and ready to take on the day. Online and in-studio. Space is limited in studio. Pre-registration required. Nadi Om Wellness, 6118 SW St Rd 200, Ocala, 352-525-0247. NadiOmWellness.org.

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

Galactic Glyph Gallery – 11-4pm. Free. Experiential art classes and energetic healing sessions available. Galactic Glyph Gallery, 518 SE 2nd St, Gainesville. 720-258-5879. BalaGlyphs.com.

Starlab Planetarium Shows – 11-11:30am, 1-1:30pm. Tour our solar system and learn about the stars and constellations. $3/person/session plus exhibit admission of $6/pers

community resource guide

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

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 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.

CHIROPRACTOR DR. RANDY BRYANT

352-694-7700 The first combined Suiteand 103, Ocala 1315 SE Anti-Aging, 25th Loop, Holistic, Family Practice Clinic Info@DrRandyBryant.com in Central Florida and The Villages

352-750-4333 Dr. Bryant’s holistic approach and SERVICES OFFERED: for many natural solutions ✦ Chelation and IV Nutrient ✦ Peptides health ✦ Urinary issues Incontinence have ✦ Exosomes:common The Next Femlift Vaginal Tightening Generationimproved in Regeneration the ✦lives of many from Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy ✦ Soundwave for ED Services ✦ Laser Therapy for pain are ✦ Amniotic around the world. ✦ Spectravision (Full Body ✦ Adipose tailored to the needs Analysis Test) of each ✦ Bone marrow ✦ Nutritional Counseling ✦ PRP-platelet Rich Plasmapatient. unique You will not ✦ Weight Loss ✦ Prolo Therapy ofMagnetic the snapping, ✦ Pulse Wave ✦ Prolozone experience any Evaluation Neural Therapy cracking ✦✦or popping usually✦✦ Antioxidant associated with Mineral Evaluation Bio-Identical Hormone Heavy Metal Evaluation Replacement Therapy chiropractic treatment.

Dr. ✦Bryant has been Individual responses may vary involved with the sport of rodeo as a treating physician since 1995.

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.

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 his team will health 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.

FARMERS MARKET HARBISON FARM CATTLE AND PRODUCE

COLONICS Jaclynn Sola, LMT

Karin Panyko GENTLE WATERS HEALING Licensed CENTER MA56771 Aesthetician

Over 10 years experience Specializing In: Over 13 years experience 352-374-0600 Specializing In: • Raindrop Therapy – • Cupping for • Micro Derm Abrasion Aromatheraphy Pain Relief and Gainesville • Spa Facial/Galvanic (tightens Lymphatic Drainage utilizing essential oils and tones cheek muscles) • Myo Fascial Release • Sports Massage/ Info@GentleWatersHealing.com • High Frequency Therapy • Deep Tissue Golf

4686 NE County Road 329 Gretta Ellis, ARNP Anthony, Florida Over 10 years experience Specializing In: 352-239-3552 • Chronic Disease GVTHarbison@embarqmail.com • Gastro-Intestinal Disorders • Alternative Medicine • SIBO/Leaky Gut • Bio Identical Hormone Replacement - BHT • ER and Internal Medicine Experience

Locally grown, whole, organic The therapists at Gentle Waters food from working Florida Healing Center assist each farms. The Harbison family’s individual with detoxing using daily market offers fresh colon hydrotherapy and/or far produce, grass-fed beef, eggs, Healing Central Florida, One Stem Cell at a Time!

On-Site Financing Available infrared sauna. Call Dawn Brower Amish products, and local honey, Healthcare Partners Family Medicine Call to for Schedule more information or Suite visit 1501 HWY 441, 1704, The Villages, FL, 32159 plus a variety of jams, jellies, and www. HealthcarePartnersFL.com Your Appointment: G e n t l e Wa t e r s HHours: e a l Monday-Thursday: i n g . c o m . 8:00preserves. am to 5:00 pmOur mission is to provide healthy food 352-750-4333 Friday: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm MA41024, MM15426. 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.

Massage • Cranial Sacral SpectraVision • Reiki Master Tuning Forks • Colonics

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

• Light Therapy • Facial Massage – Deep Tissue My passion is to assist others in achieving their balance with inner and outer beauty.

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.

LEIGH STEINBERG, M.S., FMCHC NBC-HWC 352-462-3033 HealthCoachingByLeigh.com LeighSteinberg@outlook.com

Having worked in the medical field for over 25 years, Leigh recently became a health and wellness coach in order to provide support and accountability for clients trying to achieve their own health goals or ones recommended by their practitioner. With a background in Functional Medicine, she will work with you in all areas of health including sleep, nutrition, movement, stress and purpose with a focus on what helps you to find the perfect balance. Virtual and phone appointments available.

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 15.

HAVE YOUR BUSINESS LISTED HERE. Contact Sheila Today!!

Sheila@GoNaturalAwakenings.com 352-366-0088 August 2021

37

HEALING AND WELLNESS MICHAEL BIAMONTE, CCN

The Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition All Appointments via phone and video.

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

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 7.

MASSAGE & ACUPUNCTURE

B-HEALTHY

8449 SW Hwy 200, #139, Ocala, 352-854-4577 BHealthyOnline.com Facebook.com/BHealthyNaturalFoods

111 NE 25th Ave, Suite 504, Ocala BeWellHolisticMassage.com 352-547-8611

Come in and let our staff guide you through our large selection of supplements, healthy foods and skin care products. We have one of the largest selections of gluten-free foods. We can special order many products. We offer senior discounts everyday. Ask about our Frequent Buyer Program. See ad, page 31.

We o f f e r h i g h l y t r a i n e d professional licensed massage therapists that are passionate about providing signature healing arts & exclusive organic massage with the highest levels of client satisfaction. Our focus is on individualized therapies that are designed to fit our client’s unique personal needs.

As a result each session gets us closer to a healthy balance and desired outcome. Open Sunday Saturday 9am-9pm.

HOLISTIC HEALTH

PLANT-BASED RESTAURANT

DEBORA DONAHUE, ARNP-BC

BAMBI’S CAFÉ

Symphony Healthcare, Inc 1317 SE 25th Loop, Suite 101, Ocala 352-629-5939 SHCOcala.com

18592 High Springs Main St, High Springs 386-454-1600 or 954-907-9759 Facebook.com/100PercentPlantBased

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

We u s e f r e s h l o c a l a n d organically grown produce for our homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. Some of our items include; vegan chicken artichoke melt, cheddar lentil burgers, Asian dishes, organic coffee, fresh brewed teas, matcha lattes, smoothies and many gluten free items. Catering available. See ad, page 35.

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 31.

North Central FL Edition

MARTHA BALLESTEROS-SHAKTI 407-970-1439 MarthaBallesteros.com MarthaBallesteros@gmail.com

Martha has over 25 years of practice as a Rapid Eye Therapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Transformational Coach. She can get into the roots and cause of any issue her clients present and help them release the patterns that keep them stuck, opening up their body, mind, and spirit to a new relationship with themselves and life. “I’m here to support you in releasing stress and traumatic memories so you can live a life you love, relaxed, and in harmony within your being.”

BE WELL HOLISTIC MASSAGE

HEALTH FOOD

38

RAPID EYE THERAPY

Follow us @GoNaturalAwakenings

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.

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

August 2021

39

Your Partner for Health Peptides Are Here To Stay!

“It’s predicted that almost 70% of medicine will be shifting to peptides over the next 5 years.”

-Tracy Rapin, MD Board Certified Urologist & Mens’ Health Expert

O

ur bodies produce peptides. Peptides promote normalization for disturbed body functions. They also contribute to bone shape and strength. Peptides help to fight bacteria and promote wound healing.

With age and lifestyle... the body’s ability to produce them decreases.

Peptides can help with: • Muscle Gain • Weight Loss • Bowel/Gut Repair • Anti-Aging • M/F Libido • Social Anxiety • Chronic Fatigue • Chronic Pain • Migraine Prevention.

Peptides can be used to treat diseases Naturally.

Conditions such as type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, thyroid imbalances and many others.

Find out how Lemire Clinic can help you!

Physician Directed Services, including: • • • • • • • • • •

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

Call TODAY to Schedule Your Appointment!

352.291.9459

Most Insurance Accepted

James E. Lemire, MD, FAAFP, IFMCP Board-Certified, American Board of Family Practice

9401 SW Hwy 200, Suite 301, Ocala, FL 34481 | LemireClinic.com