Natural Awakening Houston June 2021 by Holistic Choice Publishing/Natural Awakenings Houston

E E R

Natural Health for Men S T R AT E G I E S F O R R O B U S T V I TA L I T Y Ve g a n R o a d - Tr i p p i n g

CREATE A DOG-FRIENDLY YARD

GARDENING AS A GREAT WORKOUT

June 2021 | Houston Metro-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

Dr. Tom O'Bryan Chief Health Off icer, KnoWEwell

"WE ARE TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE" Personalized. Diverse. Inclusive. Regenerative Whole-Health and Well-Being Benefits. It’s how KnoWEwell is transforming the future of healthcare. Award-winning. One global online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources, and ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address chronic diseases and achieve WELLthier Living – Happy. Healthy. Abundant. PurposeFilled. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, access to evidence-based resources, immersive learning opportunities from the experts, and help create meaningful connections.. Take control and optimize your health and well-being by visiting: KnoWEwell.com As a Natural Awakenings reader, receive 50% off your first year of membership. Individuals apply: NAPUB0221

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Contents

Natural Awakenings is a family of more than 50 healthy living magazines celebrating 25 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

9 Rethinking Fireworks

13 Integrative Health for Men 17 Vegan Road Tripping 19 Create a Dog Friendly Yard 21

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The Fit Gardner

23 Traveling for the Planet 25 Super Herbs

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

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CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

Email Calendar Events to: Calendar@NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com. Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month. If you have missed the deadline ask about our “Red-Eye Special” and our digital placements.

REGIONAL MARKETS

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4 letter from the publisher

25 plant-based wellness

5 affirming naturally

27 calendar of events

9 eco tip

28 healthy living guide

22 fitness tip

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

letter from publishers

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Greetings! What June means for Cindy and I has changed over the years. Once upon a time June was the first month of freedom as school was out for the year and we could sleep late, go swimming at the public pool and dream about the vacation trip we might go on. As adults and magazine publishers there isn’t that annual lazy hazy time. Every month there is a new issue to put together and publish but we do both enjoy gardening and walking outside before the weather gets too hot and we are glad that we will be able to continue doing both at The Cabin. As last month focused on women’s health, this month we look at men’s health, specifically, the health issues that men tend to deal with more often. The approach that Natural Awakenings takes isn’t just to focus on fixing health problems but finding an integrative holistic approach to overall wellness. For those of you who ARE going somewhere on vacation this year, there are articles to help you continue to eat healthy on your travels and to be kind to the Earth. For those of us who are mainly staying home, there are articles to show you how to used gardening to stay fit and how to make your yard safer for your four-footed companions. There really is something for everyone this month, not just us men. Cindy and I hope you have a super great June this year and as things begin to finally open back up with large group events and activities that you stay safe. Bright blessings,

HOUSTON EDITION PUBLISHERS

EDITOR & DESIGN Mike Hart CREATIVE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Doyle Ward Joseph Nobile SALES & MARKETING Carmen Jules WEBSITE

Mike Hart

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JUNE 2021

Cindy Hart

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.

Cindy & Mike Hart

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

affirming naturally

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Today is a great day. by Doyle Ward You have more than 55,000 thoughts each day. Many are the same thoughts over and over again. Every single one is an affirmation; this also includes everything that you say. By reducing your negative thoughts and words and increasing the positive ones, you can reshape your life. Expecting a better day helps to create a better life. The only place we have to take action or make changes is the present.

Coming Soon! Mobile Colonics Barbara J. Ellis, Retired RN, therapist & owner

Today is a great day. Are there days when you dread getting up and starting your day? If yes, how do those days work for you? Louise L. Hay said, “How you start your day is how you live your day. How you live your day is how you live your life.” Start creating better days and better lives one thought at a time.

Urban Colonics

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The only thing that you’re guaranteed in life is this moment. Working with positive affirmations can radically change your mindset. Say them and write them repeatedly with the feeling that they are your truth. You have the power to make great changes in yourself and the world. I know this is true because I have made huge changes in my life by changing my thoughts. Doyle Ward, Blissful Quests ® Doyle Ward is a successful life coach, workshop leader and lecturer in the field of personal development. See ad on page 8.

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THE WISDOM OF EASTERN MEDICINE AND THE ADVANCEMENTS OF WESTERN MEDICINE SPECIALIZING IN: WOMEN’S HEALTH, FERTILITY, MENOPAUSE COSMETIC FACIAL ACUPUNCTURE MICRONEEDLING AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

Katy Acupuncture and Herbal Care

1822 Snake River Rd, Suite E Katy, TX 77449 281-789-8970 katyacupuncture.com

Get to the Root Cause of Your Health Conditions Specializing in: • Digestive Issues • Fatigue • Food Cravings • Mood Swings • Hormonal Imbalances • Fertility • Weight Issues • Auto Immune Conditions • Aches & Pains • and More Erin Thole,CNHP Reach Your TRUE Health Potential With: Food Sensitivity, Hormonal, Toxicity, and Nutritional Deficiency Panels Nutritional Programs & More

Natural Health for Men S T R AT E G I E S F O R R O B U S T V I TA L I T Y Ve g a n R o a d - Tr i p p i n g

CREATE A DOG-FRIENDLY YARD

GARDENING AS A GREAT WORKOUT

June 2021 | Houston Metro-Edition | NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

Set up your FREE consultation by emailing: thole.erin@gmail.com To learn how Erin has helped others just like you visit: www.ErinThole.com

Natural Awakenings Delivered to your Home Every Month If you are one of the lucky one thousand Houstonians who had this month’s Natural Awakenings magazine delivered to your door or if you just picked up this month’s magazine at one of the over 200 places that distribute it but would like us to deliver it to you every month, there are two ways to do this. You can subscribe to the print edition on our website by going to naturalawakenings-houston.com/print-subscriptions. Follow the links and you can pay using PayPal. The cost is only $29 for 12 months or $50 for 24 months. If you prefer to pay by check or credit card, email us at mike@naturalawakengings-houston.com and put SUBSCRIPTION in the subject line, include your name and phone number and we’ll take your informaton over the phone. If you prefer to read Natural Awakenings on your laptop or mobile device, just text NAHTX to 66866 and we’ll add you to our email list and send you a digital copy ever month for FREE. Subscribe today and don’t miss a single issue!

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Enhance your birth experience with Transcendent Birth®! Transcendent Birth® Doula Care facilitates empowered and satisfied birth experiences by providing information, encouragement and support to women as they navigate their journey through pregnancy. As owner of Transcendent Birth LLC, Candace Mensik has proudly provided birth doula support and parent education to families since 2016. She is a DONA certified birth doula and one of the only Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educators in the greater Houston area. Visit her website to learn more or to schedule your free consultation today! Transcendent Birth® Doula Care transcendentbirth.com See ad on page 5

Bobcat Raw Food Kate was already aware of the benefits of raw food, but she began considering them more closely after her cat Tuxy underwent major surgery. She needed a nutrient rich food to put Tuxy back on her feet. She started feeding her raw food after the surgery and saw her blossom and recover quickly. A totally unexpected benefit of feeding her raw food was that Tuxy became much more friendly and loving. And so did her other cats. She switched to using only a complete and balanced raw food diet. Seeing the benefits of this diet first hand, She decided to start Bobcat Raw Food, to spread my love and passion for raw food to other cat owners here in Houston and all over Texas. Bobcat Raw Food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of obligate carnivores. They use only the highest quality Grade A, USDA certified US-sourced meats. All meals are 100% natural and grainfree and are pre-portioned to for your convenience. Their top priority is to make feeding raw convenient and affordable. They deliver inside Houston for a flat fee of only $5. Visit their website today and let your cat experience the difference a raw food diet makes. Bobcat Raw Food bobcatrawfood.com See ad on page 31

Houston Acupuncture & Energy Medicine Clinic We are a holistic acupuncture and energy healing clinic, serving Houston since 2008. Our healing philosophy is based on the holistic principle of body-mind-spirit connection. While our clinic treats a wide range of physical health issues, we place equally important emphasis on addressing emotional, psychological, and spiritual imbalances. To achieve this goal, we offer an integrative system of alternative healing modalities including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, energy healing, flower energy medicine, regression therapy, aromatherapy, therapeutic bodywork, spiritual healing and channeling by accessing higher dimensions and the Ascended Masters. Our clinic is a people focus & result focus practice where every patient receives unparalleled personalized care. Our mission is to heal, advocate, and educate our community by practicing gentle and harmless healing methods which are natural, safe, drug free, noninvasive, effective and sustainable for long term support while addressing the root causes of health issues. For more than a decade we have treated a wide range of conditions with high success rates and highly satisfied patients who have regained health, well-being, and a quality life. We bring to all patients our knowledge and experience of the wisdom based, time-tested ancient healing traditions that are still importantly relevant today as thousands of years ago with our commitment to high standard care and dedicated patient support. April Bui Holistic Acupuncture 713-922-3474 www.abui-acupunctureclinic.com See ad on page 28

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Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

eco tip

JULY

Food as Medicine

Plus: Better Sleep The Ethics of What We Eat Benefits of Urban Gardening

Rethinking Fireworks

Greener Ways to Celebrate the Fourth

AUGUST

Boost Happiness & Well-Being

Plus: Back-to-School Wellness Tips Benefits of Having a Life Coach Shamanism Today

Synonymous with American Independence Day, fireworks have been around for thousands of years. Earliest versions originated in China, where people tossed bamboo stalks into a fire to ward off evil spirits, which exploded as the hollow areas of the stalks heated up. Later, a Chinese alchemist invented gunpowder—a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal—that when poured into bamboo sticks, created the first fireworks.

Environmental and Health Impacts

SEPTEMBER

Creativity in Health & Healing

Plus: Integrative Pain Management The Healing Power of Art for Kids National Yoga Awareness Month

Contact us to learn about marketing opportunities and become a member of the Natural Awakenings community at: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com

Today, most fireworks are made of non-biodegradable plastics and harmful chemicals. When set ablaze, they release smoke and particulate matter, polluting the ground, air and water. Viewing fireworks poses health risks, particularly to people with preexisting ailments. It’s best to watch them from far away and upwind of the launch site or indoors through a closed window. Pet owners lament the noise pollution these pyrotechnics produce, and every year injuries and fires result when people unsafely light their own rockets at home.

Greener Fireworks While climate-neutral fireworks don’t exist, some products are more eco-friendly. The Walt Disney Company has patented a new technology to replace gunpowder by using compressed air to launch fireworks—a potentially safer, quieter and less polluting alternative. European fireworks manufacturer

WECO Feuerwerk (weco.de) is gradually replacing plastic components with compostable, plant-based fibers. A particularly troublesome compound is perchlorate, which helps fireworks burn longer, but inhibits thyroid function after repeated exposure. A cleaner alternative is nitrogen, which produces less smoke and fewer dangerous byproducts. With less smoke, smaller amounts of toxic metal salts are needed to produce the brilliantly colored flames. For now, nitrogen-based fireworks are much more expensive and not widely used in outdoor settings. Indoor, low-smoke pyrotechnics are available through DMD Systems at AngelFire.com.

Planet-Friendly Alternatives Drone light shows involve the launching of hundreds or even thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with powerful LEDs that light up the sky. The drones are reusable, silent and do not release chemicals. Because they are controlled digitally, an almost infinite combination of movements, colors and artistic expressions are possible. Lasers can also paint the night sky. The most compelling displays are done professionally, but a colorful and exciting light show can be created at home with a portable projector. To add red, white and blue charm both indoors and out, solar-powered or LED string lights or lanterns can decorate the home.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

Mischievous Metal Lithium Mining for Electric Vehicles Creating Tension

The proposed Thacker Pass lithium mine in northern Nevada, the largest in the U.S., has passed a review by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and construction of mining facilities could begin later this year. But unhappy residents and conservation groups are filing lawsuits. Lithium Nevada expects to pump up to 5,200 acre-feet of groundwater per year, and critics say this may draw down groundwater levels and affect soils, streams and springs. In addition, other expected environmental impacts include groundwater pollution and detrimental impacts to sensitive wildlife. The challenge is to quickly transition the U.S. economy to carbon-free energy sources by acquiring the vast mineral resources needed, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel for batteries, without endangering biodiversity or the health of nearby communities. John Hadder, executive director of Great Basin Resource Watch, one of the environmental nonprofits suing BLM over the Thacker Pass mine, says, “There is a lot of pressure to extract materials for what we consider to be the new energy economy, but we have to do it in a way which isn’t business as usual.” The goal is to get the federal government to do a more thorough review of the project so that the surroundings won’t become an arid, polluted wasteland.

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HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Nix Sweeteners to Avoid Spreading Antibiotic Resistance

Four widely used artificial sweeteners—saccharine, sucralose, aspartame and acesulfame potassium—promote the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in both environmental and clinical settings, report researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia, in The ISME Journal. They found that these four nonnutritive sweeteners promote horizontal transfer of the genes between bacteria, furthering the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in the intestine. The researchers say the findings provide insight into the spread of antimicrobial resistance and point to a potential risk associated with ingesting the artificial sweeteners.

Cultivate Satisfaction to be Healthier and Happier

Older people with high levels of life satisfaction—a favorable attitude toward life— have healthier habits, less depression and pain, better sleep and a longer life, reports researchers from the University of British Columbia. They studied nearly 13,000 U.S. adults older than 50 for four years and found that higher life satisfaction was linked to 26 percent reduced mortality and a 46 percent lower depression rate. People that felt good about their lives had fewer chronic conditions and pain, exercised more often, were both more optimistic and likely to be living with a partner and experienced less hopelessness and loneliness. However, such positive feelings were not associated with fewer health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis or obesity; were not marked by less alcoholic binging or smoking; and were not affected by frequency of contact with children, family and friends.

HOUSTON METRO

Chiropractic Guide Innate Chiropractic Healing Arts Center Dr. Jackie St.Cyr, DC 8100 Washington Ave, #210 Houston, TX 77007 713-521-2104 n8chiro.com HealthPro Chiropractic & Acupuncture Dr. Alayna E. Pagnani-Gendron, DC 4101 Green Briar Dr. #135 Houston, TX 77098 281-506-0105 healthprochiro.com Franson Chiropractic Dr. Brett V. Franson, DC 1652 South Dairy Ashford Rd. Houston, TX 77077 281-701-1596 fransonchiropractor.com Nominate your chiropractor. Email their contact info to: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

advertorial

Grahame Martin is the inventor of freeingMe apps. He has worked as a homeopathic

practitioner for over 20 years in a busy clinic near London. He found that his energy dropped every afternoon, interfering with his work. He had been pursuing new techniques in using information held within light to heal people and wondered if this could be incorporated into an app, as the mobile phone is a light emitting device. He said one day he was talking to someone and just zoned out and ‘the solution just magically came to me”. The process of making the apps had several twists but every time it seemed impossible, he was ‘given’ an answer. Some extraordinary energetic things happened, that should not rationally work. One of these is the fact that the energy source that creates harmony remains external to the apps. The apps act as a kind of go-between allowing the user to connect with this source to gain the harmony of light information. Grahame calls this Photon Communication. The apps work like any form of healing energy to create balance. Grahame has tested them using Kirlian Photography in an independent stress clinic (see report on freeing.me) and with a Quest9 Biofeedback device, reporting a significant rebalance of many human energy systems. For now there are 3 apps but others will follow. There is the ENERGY app, which helps to pick you up and can manage energy levels over the week. The STRESS app has helped people with apprehensive stress, pressured work environment and even countered depression. The REST app enables you to relax and take time out. It has even helped people to go to sleep and corrected sleep issues. However, the apps are not designed for medical use and should not be used to replace medication or professional medical advice. These apps are different to wearables, as they are not signal dependent but use intelligent light to harmonize a person’s energy system. This harmony grows with use and does not stop, like with devices where the signal is switched off. They can therefore be used for immediate relief, as with the STRESS app. Because they work offline they can be used in two ways without overloading you with EMF. First you can lay the mobile screen down on the forearm and run the session, or you can hold the mobile towards you like you are checking messages.

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

What should I expect? We have found, depending on sensitivity, that some people feel the apps whilst others don’t. We have also discovered that an observer notices the changes whereas the user doesn’t. For instance, when the user becomes more relaxed. This can also be the same for the ENERGY app, where by only looking back on what has been achieved during the day can an assessment be made as to how the energy has improved. There is a list of examples of situations when the apps may be applicable on our website: freeing.me. As many people find the apps very subtle, the best way to assess them is to make a note of any improvement to wellbeing in the area associated with the chosen app over time. What is the cost? We have created a free 3 day trial so you can decide if they are right for you. We wanted to make our apps affordable to as many people as possible and their use flexible, so we presently offer an introductory price of $3.49 per month for three months, $4.49 per month thereafter. FREEING ME Apps freeing.me See ad page 28

INEGRATIVE HEALTH FOR MEN Natural Approaches for Robust Vitality by Ronica O’Hara

tatistically speaking, living long and well is an uphill battle

for most American men. Compared to women, they eat worse, smoke more, drink harder, exercise less and suffer more injuries. They live on average five fewer years than women. At birth, they outnumber women 105 to 100, but by age 60, it’s flipped to 95 to 100. Of the 15 leading causes of death, the only one men don’t lead in is Alzheimer’s, because many of them don’t live long enough to develop it. Men are markedly slow to consult doctors. Seventy-two percent would rather do household chores like cleaning toilets, one survey found, and 37 percent admitted that they withheld information from doctors to avoid hearing a bad diagnosis. When more serious symptoms arise like chest pain or painful urination, they can turn to medical specialists and the latest technology to get heart stents inserted, kidneys flushed out and pain lowered with pharmaceuticals. By then, however, disease can be advanced and the prognosis dimmer. But that “macho man” approach is ebbing as men—especially millennials—increasingly adopt proactive integrative strategies to take control of their health. “As traditional gender roles continue to fade with the times, there will be less of a stigma around men’s health care and we’ll start to see more and more men placing greater importance on their health,” says integrative internist Myles Spar, M.D., co-author of Integrative Men’s Health and chief medical officer of Vault, a men’s health care organization. By dealing head-on with not just a condition’s symptoms, but also with its physical, mental and emotional roots, men can become better equipped to enjoy long years of robust health.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

HEART DISEASE

The leading cause of death for men in the U.S., heart disease kills one in four men. Half of those that died suddenly exhibited no previous symptoms. Men develop heart disease 10 years younger than women on average, possibly because estrogen has a protective effect on coronary arteries. Stress, especially in economically beleaguered occupations and areas, takes a toll, as evidenced by rising drug abuse among men nationwide. “Overall, it appears that men’s coping with stressful events may be less adaptive physiologically, behaviorally and emotionally, contributing to their increased risk for coronary heart disease,” concludes a State University of New York at Stonybrook study.

SYMPTOMS: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, sensations in arms and legs such as pain, swelling, weakness or tingling. NEW RESEARCH: Active, 40-ish men that were able to do 40 pushups had a 96 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years than men doing less than 10 pushups, a Harvard study concludes. A 10-year study of 134,297 people from 21 countries found that eating six ounces or more each week of processed meat like bacon, sausages and salami was linked to a 46 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 51 percent higher risk of death. INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES: “An integrative model for heart disease, when done properly, hunts down chronic inflammation in the body wherever it is and attempts to remedy it naturally, which is why we have had so much more success and significantly fewer side effects than conventional medicine,” says naturopathic cardiologist Decker Weiss, of Scottsdale, Arizona, a pioneer in the field. Typically, integrative cardiologists will interview a patient to determine the root causes of inflammation, including diet, physical activity and emotional stress. After targeted lab tests, they may prescribe botanicals along with pharmaceuticals like diuretics and beta blockers to manage fluids and vital signs. They often focus on repairing the gastrointestinal tract with specific probiotics and restoring the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) with nutrients like magnesium, coenzyme Q10 and alpha-lipoic acid. They’ll encourage patients to switch to healthier, plant-based diets; perhaps to undergo a colon, liver or lymph cleanse; and exercise and use stress-reducing practices like meditation or martial arts.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex, often drives a man to seek medical care. An erection—a complex interplay among the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels—can be hampered by such conditions as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, insomnia and alcohol use. Although a quarter of new patients with ED are under age 40, mild and moderate ED affects approximately 50 percent of men in their 50s and 60 percent in their 60s.

JUNE 2021

Integrative medicine offers potent strategies such as exercise, weight loss, good sleep and a varied diet, factors that can reverse ED, according to Australian researchers. “Men aren’t ever going to stop eating hotdogs in the name of ‘wellness’, but if you tell a man that eating hotdogs will impact his ability to get erections, he’ll never eat a hotdog again,” says Spar.

SYMPTOMS: repeated difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, reduced sexual desire. NEW RESEARCH: In a survey of 12 studies involving 8,300 participants, the longer-lasting erection drug Cialis (tadalafil) beat out Viagra (sildenafil) as the drug of choice by a three to one margin. Cornell researchers found that of the 48 percent of older men in one study with ED, only 7 percent had tried an erection drug, and fewer than half refilled the initial prescription, partly due to unpleasant side effects. INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES: An integrative strategy typically involves a doctor checking and increasing a man’s testosterone levels if necessary; a thorough checkup and lab tests to detect and treat causes such as diabetes and high cholesterol; and vetting and replacing medications such as antihistamines and blood pressure drugs that might cause ED. For relationship problems, anxiety or depression, a cognitive behavioral therapist might be recommended and mindfulness meditation might be encouraged to reduce stress. A weight-loss plan featuring more produce and less meat is typically suggested: men with a 42-inch waist are 50 percent more likely to have ED than men with a 32-inch waist. Some foods like arginine-rich oatmeal and antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice, as well as supplements like DHEA, L-arginine, zinc and panax ginseng have also proven helpful in studies. Effective exercises include Kegels to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, Pilates to build core strength and aerobic workouts to strengthen blood vessels. Just 30 minutes of walking each day was linked to a 41 percent drop in risk for ED, Harvard researchers found.

PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men, 60 percent of which are over age 65. African American men get prostate cancer younger, have more severe cases and are twice as likely to die from it. Although it’s not as virulent as most other cancers, it requires monitoring, sometimes for decades, which compels some men to get serious about diet and exercise. “If you hear you have cancer, the rug is pulled out from underneath you and you feel you’ve lost your locus of control to surgeons and other doctors,” says integrative oncologist Donald Abrams, of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. “But lifestyle changes are important, useful and have an impact, and they’re something patients themselves have control over and

can decide to do.”

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

DEPRESSION

SYMPTOMS:

They may be silent or involve frequent urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, urinary leaking, needing to urinate frequently at night, blood in the urine, erectile dysfunction or discomfort when sitting.

Up to one-third of men may experience depression, but it’s marked more by bravado than tears. “Rather than appearing sad, men with depression are more likely to react with anger, self-destructive behavior, self-distraction, or numbing of pain with substance use, gambling, womanizing and workaholism,” concludes a major University of Michigan study in JAMA Psychiatry. Irritability, blowing up at minor annoyances, sudden spells of aggression and risky behaviors are other hallmarks. Men are far less likely than women to seek treatment and four times as likely to die by suicide.

NEW RESEARCH: The

SYMPTOMS: Besides anger and irritability, demore faithfully that pressed men are more prone to lose weight rather men with localized than gain it, become obsessive-compulsive rather prostate cancer than anxious and experience physical problems followed a Medilike headaches, stomach ailments and chronic terranean diet, the pain. better their disease fared, report UniNEW RESEARCH: Men with moderate to versity of Texas MD high levels of what Russian researchers call “vital Anderson Cancer exhaustion”, marked by excessive fatigue, demorCenter researchers. alization and irritability, are 16 percent more likely Drinking several to have a heart attack within 15 years. The risk cups of coffee every doubles for men that never married, were divorced day may be linked or became widowed. to a lower risk of INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES: “First, it is developing prostate important to get a lab screening to rule out low cancer, suggests a testosterone, vitamin deficiencies, anemia and thypooled data analroid problems,” says holistic psychiatrist W. Nate ysis in the online Upshaw, M.D., medical director of NeuroSpaTMS, journal BMJ Open. A new urine test for A patient receiving NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy. in Tampa. He also checks for sleep disorders, treats with cognitive behavioral therapy and after prostate cancer is getting lab results, suggests such supplements as so accurate it could have eliminated the need for one-third of biopsies in a recent study of vitamins B12, D3 and methylfolate. His lab focuses particularly on transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, which a 2020 Stanford study 1,500 patients in the Journal of Urology. found to be 90 percent effective in relieving drug-resistant depresINTEGRATIVE APPROACHES: In a 2018 comprehensive resion. “It restores healthy brain function without medications, and with view of prostate cancer studies published in the Journal of Alternative essentially no side effects,” says Upshaw, adding that the approach and Complementary Medicine, Abrams recommends a plant-based, is particularly good for men that want to avoid the sexual side effects antioxidant-rich diet that emphasizes cruciferous vegetables, tomaof antidepressants. toes, soy, pomegranate, green tea and fish-based omega-3s; limiting meat, sugary drinks and saturated fats; supplementing with vitamin Natural health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at D3 and omega-3s while avoiding selenium and vitamin E; exercising OHaraRonica@gmail.com. daily, with yoga and tai chi especially providing mind-body benefits; and using acupuncture to manage the side effects of conventional treatments. To combat the anxiety that can arise during the period between a diagnosis and surgery, Abrams suggests stress-reducing therapies like mindfulness training, reiki and support groups.

TO LEARN MORE Integrative cancer care: A four-part video lecture series by integrative oncologist Donald Abrams, M.D., of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. Osher.ucsf.edu/patient-care/patient-care-team/donald-abrams.

Health self-quiz: Myles Spar, M.D., co-author of Integrative Men’s Health, offers a simple quiz that helps identify health problems and proposes integrative strategies. Tinyurl.com/DrSparHealthQuiz.

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CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

JUNE 2021

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conscious eating

Vegan Road-Tripping

Travel Tips for Plant-Based Eaters by Carol Sanders

o maximize health and minimize our impact on the planet, a whole-food, plant-based diet reigns supreme. Cooking at home ensures quality-controlled ingredients, but when traveling, extra measures are needed to enjoy healthy options while avoiding the allure of diet-busting, processed foods. The key to success is a combination of planning and resolve.

Much can be done before the trip begins. Research the destination and road trip stops, says Julieanna Hever, registered dietitian and author of Plant-Based Nutrition (Idiot’s Guides). She recommends reviewing online menus, calling ahead to clarify options and using apps like Yelp.com and HappyCow.net to scout for restaurants and grocery stores. Her favorite places are Thai and Mexican eateries, as well as steakhouses for their plant-based side dishes. Upon arrival at her destination, she hits a grocery store to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. “We live in an extremely difficult food environment, with a lot of triggers and inputs that don’t go away even if you’ve been eating a healthy diet for a long time,” says Micaela Karlsen, Ph.D., senior director of research at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and author of A Plant-Based Life. “For people that are transitioning into this new lifestyle, the highly refined foods they are used to eating are kind of low-grade addictive substances and what researchers call hyper-palatable foods like added fat, sugar and salt that stimulate the brain in a similar way as addictive drugs like cocaine or alcohol, so it’s really a process of withdrawal for people initially.” To combat the temptations, especially when away from home, Hever advises writing down and clearly understanding dietary goals and the reasons for eating this way. “I work with peo-

ple that are very sick and with elite athletes. Their goals may be different from everyday people that want to have a vacation,” she says. “Do you want to have another heart attack or reactivate your diabetes? No. Are you totally healthy and consciously deciding to splurge once in a while? That can totally fit into a healthy lifestyle. What matters most is choosing to eat whole food, plant-based foods most of the time.” Karlsen recommends always carrying snacks. “Don’t let yourself get too hungry or too tired, because when people are extra hungry or run-down, the reward experience of eating goes up and willpower goes down,” she explains, adding that dried fruit, nuts, rice cakes, individually packaged nut butter and fresh fruits are good portable snacks to carry. At the hotel, microwaveable popcorn, as well as oats and shelf-stable, single-portion almond or soy milk, will help stave off the munchies. “I love granola, not only for breakfast, but also as a snack in the mid-afternoon,” Karlsen says. “Most store-bought granola, however, is akin to food crime. Oats are whole, healthy and cheap, but once oil, sugar and other stuff are added, the commercial product is high in fat, way too sweet and really expensive. The first time I made granola myself, I was amazed at how I didn’t even notice that the oil and sugar weren’t there. It was delicious and so satisfying.” According to both experts, a cooler in the car or a refrigerator at the destination hotel expands the kinds of home-prepared foods that can accompany travelers, including hummus spread over crudités or sprouted, whole-grain crackers, as well as any kind of leftover dishes. They both tout the convenience and tastiness of nori rolls—a wide variety of ingredients wrapped in a sheet of dried seaweed. Among Karlsen’s favorite nori fillings are tempeh baked with tamari and a little maple syrup, topped with tomato and kale; peanut butter and pickles; avocado rubbed with umeboshi plum vinegar; and sweet potato, avocado, red pepper and thinly sliced carrots. “Food is intertwined in our culture with entertainment, but thinking about food that way doesn’t really serve our biological potential for wellness,” says Karlsen. “People are so accustomed to these highly rewarding, intense foods like buffalo wings, pizza or chocolate cake that they actually don’t know what it feels like to enjoy something that’s simple and unrefined. There’s a lot of enjoyment in healthy eating. The longer you do it, the more it becomes enjoyable.” Carol Sanders is a professional writer and can be reached at GoodEyePress@gmail. com.

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Almond Cinnamon Granola

Japanese Noritos 2 sheets nori 1 tsp low-sodium miso paste ¼ cup cooked brown rice ½ small Persian cucumber, julienned 1 ½ Tbsp shredded carrots (chard, dandelion greens, kale and/or spinach) 1 tsp low-sodium tamari 1 tsp sesame seeds Place nori sheets on a flat surface. Gently and evenly place miso paste on half of each nori sheet. Add brown rice, Persian cucumber and shredded carrots on top of miso paste. Drizzle with tamari and lightly sprinkle sesame seeds over top. Tightly roll the nori sheets like a burrito from ingredient-filled side. Slice into pieces to make them easier to eat. Courtesy of Julieanna Hever. For more information, visit PlantBasedDietitian.com.

1 12-oz jar unsweetened applesauce 10 dates, pitted 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 6 cups plus 2 Tbsp thick rolled oats 1 cup sliced raw almonds (optional) 1 cup raisins (optional) Blend the applesauce, dates, vanilla, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of oats in a blender until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the applesauce mixture with the remaining oats. Spread mixture evenly onto dehydrator racks or baking sheets. Cook in a dehydrator set on high (160º F) for 7 to 8 hours or in an oven set at 225º F for 1½ hours until slightly brown and crunchy. If using an oven, make sure to break up the granola and turn it every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking. Once cooked, add almonds and raisins, if desired. Courtesy of Micaela Karlsen.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins 1 medium banana, mashed 15-oz can sweet pumpkin puree ¼ cup 100 percent pure maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups gluten-free, all-purpose, whole-grain flour blend ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground nutmeg ¼ tsp ground ginger 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (grain-sweetened)

The grill is the summer equivalent of a fireplace; everyone gravitates to it. ~Katie Lee

JUNE 2021

Preheat oven to 375° F. In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, pumpkin puree, maple syrup and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Transfer dry mixture to large bowl and mix together gently until well combined. Avoid over-mixing to prevent toughness in the final product. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into silicon muffin cups and bake for 20 minutes or until the muffins are lightly browned. Remove muffins from the oven and let cool for five minutes. Store in an airtight container. Courtesy of Julieanna Hever. For more information, visit PlantBasedDietitian.com.

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natural pet

Create a Dog-Friendly Yard Plants, Paths and Play Areas to Wag a Tail by Karen Shaw Becker

ackyards can be sanctuaries, filled with gardens and landscaping. For homeowners with dogs, consider “dog-scaping”. It’s a term coined by landscape designer Maureen Gilmer of Palm Springs, California, who wrote the e-book The Dog-Scaped Yard. Gilmer points out that nobody asks Fido his opinion on how to landscape the yard, “yet he spends more time there than anyone else.” The yard should be a safe and secure place for the family dog, so fencing may be necessary to give ample room to roam. Lawn chemicals on grass are linked to cancer in dogs, so those are best avoided. Some people choose to go beyond grass to create a rich environment for the dog to explore. Gilmer recommends planting a meadow, complete with tall grasses and perennials, where the prized pet can investigate the terrain. Low troughs of wheat grass are good for a dog to nibble on and may discourage him from chewing on ornamental flowers and plants. Some dogs also enjoy rose hips from Rosa rugosa plants.

Flea-Repelling Herbs

Many herbs were once known as “fleabane” because they could repel fleas. Plant a fleabane garden to discourage these pests from moving in and finding the dogs. “When my dog Dot rubs against them, I can smell the aromatic oils on her fur,” Gilmer notes. Suitable plants for this garden include pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), fleawort (Erigeron canadense), rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) and eucalyptus. The plants can also be dried and added to a dog’s bedding for a more natural flea repellant. When choosing the best locations for herbs and flowers, consider keeping about 18 inches around the border of the yard free from plants. Because dogs regularly tend to patrol the boundary of their territory, any plants on this trail may get trampled.

Provide Thoughtful Areas for the Dog

Dogs love to dig, but if it has become a problem, it could be because the dog is trying to uncover a cool spot to rest. Gilmer recommends being proactive by digging a shallow pit where a dog can comfortably fit in a shady spot. Line it with sand to prevent it from turning into a mud pit and keep it damp. In warm weather, a dog can retreat to this cooling-off spot. A plastic kiddie pool can be a welcome addition for dogs to escape the summer heat. To incorporate it into the landscape, dig out

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NEARTOWN ANIMAL CLINIC 1314 Woodhead Street Houston, TX 77019 713-526-1502 neartownvet.com an area and set it into the ground. Another thoughtful addition is a post where a dog can mark his territory to his heart’s content. A large piece of driftwood or an upright log works well for this purpose. Logs are also useful as borders along planted areas where the dog is meant to stay out. Pathways for the dog to run through are also important, as dogs will create their own routes if they are allowed to. Turn the walkways into proper paths by widening them to three feet. Consider creating a designated area in the yard for the dog to relieve himself. When planting flowerbeds, put sturdier plants such as ornamental grasses at the edge, while putting more fragile plants in the middle, where a dog is less likely to run over them. Choose plants that are sturdy, but soft, without thorns or spines that could scrape a pet.

A doggy play area will also be much appreciated by a pup. Define it by using logs or stone blocks, then set out a few of the dog’s favorite toys for him to discover. For dogs that like to dig, teaching him that this is his play spot where it’s acceptable can save the gardens. Many four-legged diggers enjoy having a sand pit or designated dig spot where they can express this natural behavior. By paying careful attention to the plants and features in the yard, the perfect pet-friendly environment can be created. Veterinarian Karen Shaw Becker has spent her career empowering animal guardians to make knowledgeable decisions to extend the life and well-being of their animals. Learn more at DrKarenBecker.com.

Plants to Avoid in Pet Yards An outdoor area for pets must be free of hazards that could cause illness. This includes cocoa bean mulch, which contains the chemical compounds theobromine and caffeine, which are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal. Specific plants can also be poisonous to pets and can cause a variety of conditions, including diarrhea, vomiting, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, seizures, organ damage or failure, coma or death. Research any plants in the yard for safety, and be sure to keep the yard clear of the following poisonous plants, as compiled by the Pet Poison Helpline, to create a backyard that’s both fun and safe for pets: Autumn Crocus Azalea Cyclamen Daffodils Dieffenbachia

Kalanchoe Lilies Lily of the Valley Oleander Sago Palm

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

JULY Coming Next Month

Food as Medicine Better Sleep The Ethics of What We Eat Benefits of Urban Gardening

fit body

The Fit Gardener

Backyard Workouts Good for Mind and Body by Marlaina Donato

oth gardeners and researchers know that tilling the soil can lower stress and uplift the mood, and gardening can also foster fitness, burn calories and support heart health. By offering an opportunity for moderate intensity exercise, it provides a challenging workout with aerobic benefits. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, light yardwork can help burn 330 calories an hour, so using a trowel, pruning bushes and putting down some mulch can go a long way toward realizing this benefit. Heavy yard work, like hauling buckets of dirt and moving rocks, burns 440 calories an hour. Time spent in the garden can be a dynamic fitness investment, whether it’s for 10 minutes or two hours. “Gardening is a full-body workout that uses every muscle. There’s bending and squatting, carrying and lifting, digging, walking and reaching high,” says Pollyanna Hale, the British author of The Fit Mum Formula. “Another benefit to gardening is that you can go at your own pace.”

Power Up Outside

Staying active fortifies the immune system, and gardening provides a way to work out while working the earth. Cynthia Miller, a seasoned bodyworker and passionate gardener for 30 years in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, attests to the fitness challenge. “Gardening can involve many forms of physical activity, including carrying plants, hoeing, shoveling, lugging buckets of compost, pulling weeds, bending, kneeling and constantly getting up and down. Initially, in the spring, there may be a lot more intense physical labor involved to get a garden started, especially if you need to break ground. Keeping up with the weeding can be a good workout in and of itself.” Hale emphasizes working within the scope of our personal fitness level and taking advantage of outdoor perks. “The fresh air and sunshine you get in your garden are benefits not found in a sweaty gym,” she says. “Many people are deficient in vitamin D, which we get primarily from sun exposure. Even if it’s cloudy outside, you’ll still be getting some benefits.”

Aerobic Gardening

With mindfulness, gardening can be a self-paced power workout, especially when muscle groups are treated equally. “Incorporate some stretches when you’re raking and cleaning up before your session. Engage your core and pull your abs in tight during your movements,” recommends Chicago-based Stephanie Mansour, host of the weekly national PBS health and fitness show Step It Up with Steph. Mansour highlights the power of raking and underscores that any gardening session can become more aerobic by adding quicker movements. “Move quickly with your upper body to get in cardio. Moving faster will get your heart rate going and will help you burn calories. Another strategy to incorporate cardio into your gardening is to encourage yourself to stand up after each flower you plant or run in place for 10 seconds with each task completion.”

Yoga in the Garden

Incorporating some asanas adds another dimension to garden fitness, offsetting potential bodily discomforts from hours of work. A

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yoga mat can be used outside to protect from wet or muddy ground. “Additionally, you may find yourself in uncomfortable positions while gardening. Kneeling or squatting can cause aches and pains,” explains Mansour. “I suggest transforming these positions into yoga movements. You can garden in a modified low lunge position, with one leg behind you and the other foot forward, resting on the knee of your back leg while getting a hip flexor stretch in the front leg. While on your knees, put one leg out to the side so that you’re resting just on one knee and stretching the inner thigh and hamstring of your extended leg.” Depending upon climate and personal ambition, garden workouts can nourish in other ways, as well. “Once you feel the physical and mental benefits of an hour outside in nature, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it more often,” says Hale. Miller agrees. “There is nothing like getting your hands in the soil to literally ground you. Nature calms our nervous systems. Watching the tiny seeds you planted burst forth and grow into something you can harvest is a miracle like none other.” Marlaina Donato is a body-mind-spirit author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

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You only have this one life and the question is, how are you going to live it? Are you going to look young and healthy or sick and old? Are you going to let high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes take you before your time or are you going to do something about it? Regardless of whether you are interested in competitive bodybuilding or just getting fit so you can play with your children or grandchildren, it is never too late to start. Every journey begins with the first step. So, you’ve picked one thing you want to change and have the end result 6 months from now visualized. Nothing will ever happen unless you start. But start when? Tomorrow? Next week? When you get time? When you feel up to it? When you figure it all out? In that case, you will never start and a year from now you will be in the same place you are today or worse. So, start with the only day you actually have, TODAY. Turn off that TV. Get up from that laptop or tablet and start your exercise program. It doesn’t matter if you don’t do it quite as long or as hard as you planned, it matters that you did it, you started. Tomorrow, do it again. Six months from now, you will have a program that you can maintain as you choose another change that you want to make. Consider hiring a Fitness Trainer so you have someone to be accountable to. Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised to any of us. I have been working out all my life and at 66, I still compete in and win bodybuilding competitions. Working out can erase 20 years from your body. Remember, muscle knows no age. JoeyDiego, personal trainer 917-402-8664 JoeyDiego is a person trainer at Personal Trainer at Hardcore Gym in Galveston and CRUNCH Fitness in League City. He won 1st Place at the 2020 NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic Bodybuilding Competition in the Masters Over 60 category.

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green living

Traveling for the Planet Sustainable Ways to Explore the World by Sandra Yeyati

fter more than a year in social isolation, many of us are

ready to hit the road, meet new people, fly to exotic locations and enjoy the sights and flavors of anywhere-but-here. Although the travel industry is raring to serve pent-up demand, this unprecedented respite can be an opportunity to reset priorities. When choosing hotels, modes of transportation, places to shop and dine, and other activities, consider their sustainability. Tourism need not harm the planet. With proper planning, it can enrich it while benefiting the people living in the places we visit.

Fly Direct and Economy

“Flying is the most carbon-intensive thing we can do in our lives,” says Holly Tuppen, author of Sustainable Travel: The Essential Guide to Positive Impact Adventures. To reduce emissions, she recommends flying direct in space-saving economy seats; taking longer, less frequent vacations; and using trains or other overland transportation whenever possible.

Take it Slow

In 2010, Tuppen travelled around the world without flying for 20 months. “We walked, biked, sailed across the Atlantic, got on a container ship across the Pacific, took trains, hitchhiked—a whole heap of transport cobbled together,” she recalls. “It’s not that bucket-list idea of flying into a place, doing everything quickly and ticking off experiences. With slow travel, you’re letting the journey be part of the experience and inevitably, you meet more people along the way.”

Don’t Overdo It

In another eco-friendly aspect of that excursion, Tuppen visited places that weren’t tourism hotspots. “From Venice to Bali to Mexico, there are examples of places that before the pandemic had too many visitors—more than the infrastructure could handle,” she says. “That’s a massive problem, because it harms the life of local people. When the cruise industry started to stop in Dubrovnik, Croatia, for example, local amenities like hairdressers and grocery stores became souvenir shops.”

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Keep it Local

According to Tuppen, the needs of locals should take precedence over those of tourists. A related problem is tourism economic leakage. “If you spend $2,000 on a trip to Thailand, my hope would be that I’d be contributing $2,000 to the economy in Thailand, but in reality, the way that the tourism supply chain is set up, a huge proportion of that money will end up in the hands of international companies,” she explains. “Ideally, we should be looking for accommodations, experiences, stores, restaurants that are all locally owned rather than being part of an international chain. If you’re booking a hotel, 70 percent or more of the workforce should be local.”

Pack for a Purpose

To help travelers express their gratitude to a community for their hospitality, Rebecca Rothney founded PackForAPurpose.org, which lists items locals need and the accommodations and tour companies that deliver them to more than 450 community projects worldwide. Travelers dedicate a portion of their luggage space to carry in-kind donations and drop them off when they arrive at their hotel or meet their tour guide. Common items are medical and school supplies, as well as crafting materials for women to make and sell items like jewelry and trinkets, providing money to pay for their children’s education. “A stethoscope weighs less than a kilo, but it can touch 10,000 hearts,” she says.

Book Kind Hotels

Finding sustainable accommodations can be challenging and time-consuming, but KindTraveler.com is helping to change that. Recognized by Travel + Leisure as a 2020 Global Vision Award recipient, the hotel booking platform offers exclusive rates and perks from vetted, Earth-friendly accommodations when travelers make a nightly donation to a local charity that positively impacts the community visited. “A $10 donation will provide care for a rescue kitten for one month in Belize, clean 250 pounds of trash out of a waterway in Sonoma, California, or provide 40 nutritious meals to individuals in need in New York City,” says co-founder Jessica Blotter. There are hundreds of participating hotels in 22 countries benefitting 70 global charities with an emphasis on fighting poverty, advancing environmental sustainability and reducing inequalities in communities. “It’s a way to connect, feel good and have meaningful experiences, knowing that your travel dollars are leaving the destination better than before you arrived,” Blotter says. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

JUNE 2021

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plant-based wellness

SUPERHERBS

Four Plants that Fight Off Disease by Kathleen Barnes

erbs, respected for their healing properties for millennia, have been widely used by traditional healers with great success. Now clinical science supports their medicinal qualities. Pharmaceutical companies routinely extract active ingredients from herbs for common medications, including the potent pain reliever codeine, derived from Papaver somniferum; the head-clearing antihistamines ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, from Ephedra sinica; and taxol, the chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat several types of cancer, including breast cancer, from Taxus brevifolia. These are among the findings according to Leslie Taylor, a naturopath and herbalist headquartered in Milam County, Texas, and author of The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs. Even among an abundance of healing herbs, some stand out as nature’s “superherbs” that provide an array of medical properties, according to Rosemary Gladstar, of Barre, Vermont, the renowned author of Herbal Remedies for Vibrant Health and related works. Two of these, she notes, are widely considered nuisance weeds.

Plantain (Plantago major): Commonly used externally for poultices, open wounds, blood poisoning and bee stings, it also helps relieve a wider variety of skin irritations. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, this common “weed” fortifies the liver and reduces inflammation, which may reduce the risk for many kinds of chronic diseases. At least one study, published in the journal Planta Medica, suggests that plantain can enhance the immune system to help fight cancer and infectious diseases. “Plantain is considered a survival herb because of its high nutritional value,” advises Gladstar, who founded the California School of Herbal Studies, in Sonoma County, in 1978. A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirms it’s an excellent source of alpha-tocopherol, a natural form of vitamin E and beta carotene that can be used in salads for those that don’t mind its bitter taste. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Like plantain, dandelion is one of the most powerful medicinal herbs on the planet. “Dandelion is revered wherever you travel, except in the U.S., where it is considered noxious,” observes Gladstar. Americans should reconsider their obsession with eradication. Dandelion root is an effective treatment against several types of cancer, including often-fatal pancreatic and colorectal cancers and melanoma, even those that have proven resistant to chemotherapy and other conventional treatments, according to several studies from the University of Windsor, in England. Traditionally part of a detoxification diet, it’s also used to treat digestive ailments, reduce swelling and inflammation and stop internal and external bleeding.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric gives curry powder its vibrant yellow color. “Curcumin, turmeric’s most important active ingredient, is a wealth of health, backed by substantial scientific evidence that upholds its benefits,” says Jan McBarron, a medical and naturopathic doctor in Columbus, Georgia, author of Curcumin: The 21st Century Cure and co-host of the Duke and the Doctor radio show. Several human and animal studies have shown that curcumin can be an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, both in prevention and to slow or even stop its progress. One Australian study showed that curcumin helps rid the body of heavy metals that may be an underlying cause of the memory-robbing disease. Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that curcumin helped dissolve the plaques and tangles of brain material characteristic to Alzheimer’s. Curcumin is also known to be effective in lessening depression and preventing heart disease, some types of cancer and diabetes, says McBarron. Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Primarily used for its considerable anti-inflammatory properties, ginger makes a delicious and healing tea and an enticing spice in a variety of dishes. This herbal powerhouse has at least 477 active ingredients, according to Beyond Aspirin, by Thomas M. Newmark and Paul Schulick. Considerable research confirms ginger’s effectiveness against a variety of digestive problems, including nausea from both morning sickness and chemotherapy. Research from Florida’s University of Miami also confirms its usefulness in reducing knee pain. “Ginger is a good-tasting herb to treat any type of bacterial, fungal or viral infection,” says Linda Mix, a retired registered nurse in Rogersville, Tennessee, and author of Herbs for Life! The health benefits of these four vital herbs are easily accessed by growing them in a home garden or pot or via extracted supplements. Kathleen Barnes is the author of Rx from the Garden: 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com. Note: For referenced studies, check the National Center for Biotechnology Information

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Houston Metropolitan Dance Center Presents: Summer Extravadance 830pm Invigorate your weekend with an evening bursting with energy, music and the intoxicating spirit of dance. Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre.com

SUNDAY JUNE 6th

Faith & Resilience: Spiritual Hubs 3:00 pm online. Join Jim Blackburn, long-time environmental lawyer/planner and Professor in the Practice of Environmental Law in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Rice University, for a talk on faith and resilience. Jim’s talk will focus on physical, economic and spiritual resilience in the context of our changing climate and the need to understand its implications and address its impacts. The role of the faith community will be discussed. Jim will also include some climate-based poetry from the recent 365-day virus vigil of poetry and paintings and writings about Earth Church and nature. Please register for this event https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-resilience-spiritual-hubs-tickets-153064466941 Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

TUESDAY JUNE 8th

Black Authors Matter Interview 7:00 - 8:00 pm CT Live interview with Sherra Aguirre, author of Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease about preventing and reversing heart disease and health benefits of a plant-based diet. Live streamed on Facebook @ https://www. facebook.com/nationalblackbookfestival No registration required.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 9th

Brazos Bookstore, Virtual Summer of Women Book Club 7:00 - 8:00 pm CT Book event featuring Sherra Aguirre’s book Joyful, Delicious, Vegan: Life Without Heart Disease. Discussion with the author and Q&A with participants. For registration and more information go to brazosbookstore.com.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 10th

The Houston Symphony Presents: Summer Symphony Nights. 8:30pm. Join your Houston Symphony at the park for a series of family-friendly concerts that showcase outstanding soloists and conductors performing favorites from the classical repertoire. Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre.com

FRIDAY JUNE 18th

Aperio Presents:Lush Life & Latin Beats. 8:30pm. Get ready to feel the beat with orchestral showstoppers by Duke Ellington, Chick Corea, Michael Torke & Arturo Marquez. Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre.com

SATURDAY JUNE 19th

A Gulf Coast Juneteenth: Featuring Bobby Rush. 8:30pm. This annual blues and creole festival features Grammy award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush. This story telling bluesman boasts gritty, sensuous vocals and impressive harmonica chops that wow audiences wherever he goes. Miller Outdoor Theatre 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. milleroutdoortheatre.com

WEDNESDAY JUNE 23th

Holistic Chamber of Commerce 6-8 pm It is the time for our community of holistic practitioners and friends to come together and grow this chapter. Our goal is to be a chapter that will help its members to grow and develop and to help our Houston community learn about our holistic businesses. We each bring unique skills and talents that as we share can help each other and our community and prospects. Please bring yourself and bring a friend to our meeting....Looking forward to meeting all of you. no cost, virtual meeting at https://cp.webinarblaze.live/rooms/130/join Any questions, call or email memorial@holisticchamberofcommerce. com

FRIDAY JUNE 25th

Critical Mass Houston meet up 6:30-7:45pm, roll at 7:45pm, end at 10:00pm. Critical Mass Houston is a casual bike ride starting from downtown Houston and going wherever. Cars rule the road every day, but one day a month we get together to celebrate our love for bicycles and have fun riding our bikes. This is generally a slow-paced ride where persons of all skill levels can participate. Guadalupe Plaza Park 2311 Runnels St, Houston, TX 77003, criticalmasshouston.com Send your suggested calendar listings to mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com. They are FREE for the months of July, August and September. Deadline is the 15th of the month for the next month’s issue.

thursday Living the Change Weekly Online Discussion Group 6 pmThis 12-week program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation; energy; and food. The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to join us on this journey, via a weekly online discussion group. . Please register for this event on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail. com.

saturday No Drop Saturdays 7:30-9:30 am Beginner Level Social Bike Ride All level of riders welcome. This is a slow paced, no drop ride that’s perfect for first time riders, families, or anyone who has not done a group ride before. There will be instruction on how to shift, how to brake, etc., as needed. Bicycle World of Katy, 24555 Katy Fwy, Katy, TX 77494 Call 281-665-1016 for more information.

sunday Houston Zen Center 8”20 am Sunday Sangha. https://houstonzen.org/cloud-zendo Grace Episcopal Church & School. 10 am. Sunday Worship Livestream. https://www.facebook.com/GraceinHouston/ Unity Spiritual Center of Greater Houston 10:15 am Sunday Service. Facebook Live https://unityspiritualcenterhouston.org First Spiritualist Church of Houston 10:30 am Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings Facebook Live

wednesday Blissful Quests® with Doyle Ward-The Pocast. 1:00pm.Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Maybe the real question to explore is not IF you are intuitive, but HOW you are intuitive. Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive medium, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Call in during the show at: 1-760-456-7277, access on-demand episodes or listen live! blissfulquests.com/podcast/ Healing Meditation at First Spiritualist Church of Houston. 7:30 pm Livestream on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FirstSpiritualistChurchofHouston/

First Unitarian Universalist Church 10:30 am Sunday Morning Worship Livestream. https:// firstuu.org/ Unity of Houston. 11 am Sunday Morning Service Livestreaming. https://unityhouston.org/ Creative Life Spiritual Center 11 am Sunday Celebration. Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/creativelife.org/ Unitarian Fellowship of Houston 11 am. Sunday Program. Click on Sunday Program to access the Zoom link. https://ufoh.org/ Dawn Mountain Center for Tibetan Buddhism 12 noon. Sunday Meditation & Dharma Talk. https://www.youtube.com/user/dawnmountain ISKCON 5 pm Sunday Feast Class Livestream https://www.mayapur.tv/

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

healthy living guide ACUPUNCTURE APRIL BUI HOLISTIC ACUPUNCTURE 9039 Katy Freeway, Suite 504 Houston, Texas 77024 713-922-3474 abui-acupunctureclinic.com

April Bui, LAC, MAOM specializes in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and energy medicine for pain, stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure but she is also able to treat many other health conditions. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the field of alternative holistic health and has practice acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2008. Visit her website for more information or to schedule a FREE Consultation.

Houston Integrative Health, Acupuncture and Mindful Movement 716 Chelsea Blvd. Houston, TX 77006 832-304-0149 facebook.com/drlance houstonintegrative

Whether you are looking to optimize your health or take care of an injury, pain or a chronic medical problem, let Lance Westendarp ND, LAc, BCB, CKTP, E-RYT200, help. Lance is a graduate of Bastyr University with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. He has also been teaching yoga and movement since 2003, is board certified in biofeedback and mind-body medicine. Follow him on Facebook and call him today for a FREE phone consultation. See ad on page 5

APPS FREEING ME Apps freeing.me Imagine having revolutionary quantum wellness energy always at hand. Now it’s here in three apps that can help revive ENERGY, release STRESS and recreate REST. Visit our website to download a FREE 3-day trial.

JUNE 2021

BIOLOGICAL DENTISTRY MARILYN K. JONES, DDS Houston Dental Health Center 800 Bering Dr. Houston, TX 77057 713-497-1355 houstonbiologicaldentist.com

Natural Dentistry supports the body and the mind by finding the cause of dental problems. The dental examination includes noticing systemic and habitual influences. If you have dental issues or currently have silver amalgam fillings, call me today to schedule an appointment. See ad on page 16

BRAIN BALANCING CERESET™

Galveston, Texas cereset.com 409-599-7268 The Cereset™ Gavston location is part of a national network of client centers focused on next-generation brain wellness - helping you relax your brain to manage restful sleep through patented BrainEcho™ technology, which empowers the brain to reset itself as it hears and “sees” its own reflection. To schedule an appointment call: 409-599-7268.

COLONICS JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE 1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness.com

Established 1989. Call to schedule any of the following services: massage therapies, lymphatic drainage massage and facials, reflexology, infra-red sauna, ion cleanse foot or hand baths, Chinese cupping or colon hydrotherapy (prescriptions only- yours or ours). By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!

URBAN COLONICS

Barbara Ellis, Retired RN 5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com Serving Houston and the surrounding area since 1979. We continue to irrigate with State Of The Art Equipment (closed colonic systems cleared by the FDA). We utilize totally disposable colonic set-ups and sterile water. A prescription is required for this procedure. Our Medical Director at a different location will make an assessment and write a prescription for OUR clients only. Visit our website to learn more details. Please call us to schedule an appointment. See ad page 5

See ad on pages 6 & 8

COACHING BLISSFUL QUESTS

Positive change starts now! 832-628-4113 blissfulquests.com Are you looking for answers? Have you ever had a “hunch” or a “gut feeling” that came true? Are you wondering if you are intuitive? Doyle Ward is an experienced intuitive, teacher, grief recovery specialist, and life coach. Tune in to his weekly PodCast, Wednesdays at 1 pm on inflowradio.com See ad on page 8

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

JULY

Food as Medicine

Plus: Better Sleep The Ethics of What We Eat Benefits of Urban Gardening

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Secure this ad spot!

713-927-6540

ERIN THOLE, CNHP ErinThole.com Thole.erin@gmail.com

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC & MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER

Get to the Root Cause of your Health Conditions. Erin has been working in the health and nutrition field for over 11 years specializing and working extensively with those suffering from: autoimmune, digestive, hormonal and inflammatory disorders. She works with each client’s unique biochemistry to determine what dietary, supplementation and lifestyle changes will work best for them as an individual. There is NO one-size-fitsall program. All appointments are conducted via phone! This makes it very easy and convenient to receive care from any location. If you want to reach your true health potential, Email Erin today to schedule your FREE 45 minute initial phone consultation. Hours until 5 pm Fridays. See Ad page 8

GREEN POWER DRINKS

TERRA POWER GREENS 954-459-1134

terralifestore.com Feeling Tired and Need More Energy? Wake up with increased energy, feeling fresh and energized in the morning, and don’t be surprised if you start waking up before the alarm clock goes off. You will feel clean, energized, mentally sound and just overall great! Terra Power Greens is an amazing and great-tasting superfood drink. Our unique formula combines 45+ organic and high quality wildcrafted vegetables, grasses, leaves, sprouts and herbs. In the “greens” business since 2001. Get samples of four of our best selling products, greens powder, clay, electrolytes & colon cleanser FREE as a new customer. (Pay only shipping) Visit our website TODAY and start bringing your body back into balance!

HAIR DESIGN VENUS HAIR DESIGN

361 West 19th Street Houston, TX 77008 713-868-4725 venushairhouston. com Venus and her staff can do any age with any style, from a trim to a Mohawk. She is a wizard at color! If you are in The Heights, drop by, check out her art car, The Hairse, and say Hi! Now OPEN by appointment only. Call me!

“Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Have you spent years in hope for finding answers to your symptoms or illnesses? We offer people an alternative solution to conventional medicine by determining the specific nutritional needs of your body so that it can to heal itself. We now also offer medical thermography useful in early diagnosis of cancer and chronic inflamatory pain. Call today to schedule an appointment.

HYPNOSIS CLAUDIA AUTRY, HYPNOTIST (by appointment only) 281-849-4610 ca@claudiaautry.com claudiaautry.com

Want to stop smoking or lose weight? Looking for ways to relax, find balance and increase the joy in your life? Hypnosis can help you. Call SOON to book your appointment. Let’s work together to create the life you want!

INDIVIDUAL NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOLS LINDA ISAACS, MD 2500 W. William Cannon Dr., Suite 603 Austin, TX 78745 737-208-0831 DrLindaI.com/NAHTX For more than 20 years, Dr. Linda Isaacs and the late Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez offered individualized protocols involving diet, nutritional supplementation, and detoxification for cancer and other degenerative diseases. They published multiple articles in peer-reviewed medical journals about their results. The work is based on that of the Texas orthodontist Dr. William Donald Kelley. Dr. Isaacs is currently seeing new patients.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE JOYCE LONG’S WELLNESS INSTITUTE

1308 James Street Rosenberg, TX 77471 281-232-7336 joycelongwellness.com/ Health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling. Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system. By appointment only. Be well-Stay well. CALL TODAY!

METAPHYSICAL SHOP

GREEN IS SEEN when you advertise with us. 713-927-6540

ODYSSEY EMPORIUM 123 Midway St, Bldg C Spring, Texas 77373 888-492-3584 odysseyemporium.com

We are a retail shop and also have an online store. We can also custom-make many of our product lines. Our products include a range of metaphysical items, clothing, books, stones, jewelry, candles, soaps, teas, incenses, herbs, blades, and accessories for spiritual work. We also have some unique renaissance festival and gothic clothing and accessories. We carry some wonderful and unusual products some of which are artisan made. Check out our gaming and sci-fi themed products as well. We offer daily in-house Tarot reading and conduct private Old Town Spring Ghost tours. Open 7 days a week.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. ~Dr. Seuss

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

NATURAL HORMONES DR. FISHER ROAD 2 WELLNESS

Dr. LaTronica Fisher, DNP, ANP, GNP, RN 4544 Post Oak Place Dr. STE #254 Houston, Texas 77027 DrFisherRoad2Wellness.com 713 520-8188 Services: nHormone Rejuvenation nVaginal Dryness nUrinary Incontinence nLow Libido nErectile Dysfution nLow Stamina nWeight-Loss nSexual Dysfunction(men & women) nHair Restoration nNatural Face Lift Call today to schedule a consultation

NATUROPATH HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC “Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Dr. Gracie Chukwu is a Doctor of Naturopathy and a Certified Nutrition Counselor. She has been assisting people for over five years with holistic medicine, diet, nutrition and supplement support to enhance her client’s health and overall well-being. She has a real love for what she does and her greatest joy is to help people overcome their health problems and move on to more fulfilling lives! If you are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, fatigue,, anxiety, migraines, skin problems, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, sinusitis, chronic mucus and congestion, and cannot find relief, give Dr. Gracie a call.

OPTICIAN FACTORY EYEGLASS OUTLET 7921 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77024 713-468-5665 factoryeyeglassoutlet.com

Factory Eyeglass Outlet provides the ultimate services for all your eyecare needs. Whether you’re looking for premium or standard eyewear, we have something for you. As part of our superior services we offer complimentary consulting and frame styling. Next time you need you need new eyeglasses or need a repair choose Factory Eyeglass Outlet. Better sight- Better Life.

PERSONAL TRAINER JOEY DIEGO, PERSONAL TRAINER 917-402-8664

Build your beach body, now! Erase 20 years from your body and quit looking sick and old. Prevent or reverse high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Lose weight. Live longer and better so you can enjoy your children and grandchildren. Remember, muscle knows no age. What are you waiting for? Call JoeyDiego TODAY! See ad page 22

JULY

Food as Medicine Plus: PET FOOD

Better Sleep Made locally. Delivered to your door. The Ethics of What We Eat bobcatrawfood.com Benefits of Urban Gardening Our raw cat food BOBCAT RAW FOOD

is designed to meet the nutritional needs of obligate carnivores. We use only the highest quality Grade A, USDA certified US-sourced meats. All our meals are 100% natural and grain-free and are pre-portioned to for your convenience. Our top priority is to make feeding raw convenient and affordable. We deliver inside Houston for a flat fee of only $5. Visit our website today and let your cat experience the difference a raw food diet makes.

SELF-HEALING Ching Chi Institute

Life energy education and research Kun Wu, Ph. D. Integral chi healer Chi H Wu, L. Acupuncturist 832-654-2885 chingchiinstitute.com Do you want to learn how to use your body’s own chi energy to CHING decrease your chance CHI of becoming ill, increase your chance of recovering more quickly from illness, prevent a minor INSTITUTE illness from becoming a major one, and improve your overall health? We have live and prerecorded classes online to teach you the principles and techniques of self-healing. We will be resuming in-person classes this month. Look for our new offering on the Corona Virus. Visit our website for more information.

SPIRITUALITY GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4040 West Bellfort Street Houston, TX 77025 713-666-1408 GraceInHouston.org

THERMOGRAPHY MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER “Better Health Naturally” Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 713-781-9991 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com

Breast thermography has the ability to warn woman up to 10 years before any other procedure that a cancer may be forming; thus, allowing for prompt and timely treatment. Thermography uses no radiation and poses absolutely NO health risks to the patient. Consequently, scans may be performed at any frequency necessary. BREAST THERMOGRAPHY GUIDELINES: Baseline thermograph at age 20, 20-30 years of age–every three years, and 30 years of age and over–every year. If you are a woman, over 20 years old and have not had a breast thermograph, call Dr. Gracie TODAY.

We are a welcoming, inclusive and affirming Christian community, committed to abundant, holistic living in the way of Jesus of Nazareth. Guided in our life together by the Episcopal Church tradition, we are committed a way of love. Come walk on our Tree of Life Labyrinth by appointment anytime. Grace: you are welcome here.

FIRST SPIRITUALIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON

AUGUST

Boost Happiness & Well-Being

Plus: Back-to-School Wellness Tips Benefits of Having a Life Coach Shamanism Today

2115 Turner Dr. Houston, Texas 77093 713-695-2550 firstspiritualistchurchofhouston.org

Spiritualism is a common sense religion, one of knowing and living. We accept all truths and endeavor to prove their validity. Truths are found in nature, in other religions, in writings, in science, in philosophy, in Natural Law and are received through spirit communication. We are a growing family and would love for you to visit us LIVESTREAMING ON FACEBOOK Sunday Healing & Spirit Greetings 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Open Healing Service 7:30 p.m.

GREEN IS SEEN when you advertise with us. 713-927-6540

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

WE GROW WHAT WE SELL ... organically and sustainably! This is the only way that we can be sure of the quality that goes into the products we sell and you should insist on nothing less. family owned and operated fully licensed hemp farm regenerative farming completely organic just outside of College Station Hemp Flower -Vape Products - Isolates -Tinctures HoneyHills TX products are available at the following area locations: Houston, TX: Smoke Envy-Yale St, Smoke Envy-Nasa Rd 1, Amsterdam Coffee-W. 19th Galveston, TX: Hazy Daze-Seawall Blvd, Hazy Daze -The Strand, Hazy Daze - 3802 Cove View Blvd , Smokee’s Vape & Smoke Shop-Seawall Blvd Bryan/College Station: Smokin’ Joe’s-South Texas Ave. Caldwell, TX: Cotten’s Care CBD - 203 Hwy. 21 W

Honey Hills TX

Est. 2019 - Caldwell, Texas 832.868.9452 honeyhillstx.com 32

JUNE 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Natural Awakening Houston June 2021

Articles inside

letter from the publisher

calendar of events