Natural Awakenings Houston March 2021

E E HEALTHY LIVING FR

HEALTHY

PLANET

Easy Ways to GROW EDIBLES INDOORS DOWN TO EARTH

THE PROMISE OF REGENERATIVE FARMING

GETTING PREGNANT

LIFESTYLE STRATEGIES TO BOOST FERTILITY

ALL ABOUT CBD RESEARCH POINTS TO ITS BENEFITS

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

JOIN THE LARGEST HOLISTIC, CONSCIOUS SINGLES SITE ONLINE

WE CATER TO SINGLES WHO VALUE:

Authentic & Loving Relationships Natural Health & Sustainable Living Living a Conscious Life Honoring Diversity

Try for FREE at NaturalAwakeningsSingles.com 2

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

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.

13

Contents 16

9 Plug & Pedal 13 Down to Earth: the promise of regenerative organic farming 16 Indoor Edible Gardening

19

17 Tasty Sprout-inspired Recipes ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE

19 On a Roll: Foam Rollers & Workouts

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

22 Getting Pregnant: Boost Fertility

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS

24 Hemp-derived Cannabidiol

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 713-927-6540 or email: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com.

Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month.

Email articles, news items and ideas to: mike@naturalawakenings-houston.com.

Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

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

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 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

22

26 Jeff Tkach on Regenerative Healthcare 4 letter from the publisher

24 plant-based wellness

5 affirming naturally

28 calendar of events

9 eco tip

29 healthy living guide

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

3

letter from publishers

HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Greetings!

We used to say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

Cindy and I are certainly ready for some lamblike gentleness. We are ready to participate the renewal and regeneration that comes with the springtime. I may have shared my favorite Mary Oliver poem, Wild Geese, with you before but it bears sharing again.

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.

HOUSTON EDITION PUBLISHERS

EDITOR & DESIGN Mike Hart CREATIVE

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

And as you, like the wild geese, take your place in the family of things and bask in annual renewal of nature, remember to be kind. Be kind to the people you meet and the people you are with ever day. Be kind to the plants and animals of this earth. And be kind to yourself.

Cindy & Mike Hart

Coming Next Month APRIL

Healthy Home

Plus: Climate Change Health Impacts

4

march 2021

Cindy & Mike Hart

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Cindy Hart

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Doyle Ward

Linda Sechrist Dr. Nettie Ramsay April Thompson SALES & MARKETING Carmen Jules WEBSITE

Mike Hart

CONTACT US

446 West 19th Street, Suite 419 Houston, TX 77008 713-927-6540 NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

NATIONAL TEAM

CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne NATIONAL EDITOR Jan Hollingsworth MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett ART DIRECTOR Josh Pope FINANCIAL MANAGER Yolanda Shebert FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Lisa Doyle-Mitchell © 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

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

© 2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment.

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

Feel Better-Live Healthier with Colon Hydrotherapy

affirming naturally

Serving Houston for 41 years We use the Closed System & Disposable Setups.

Call us to schedule an appointment 713-738-8199

It is easy for me to make the changes that I desire.

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.

Spring is fast approaching. The change of seasons is a good time to start working on the changes that you want to bring in to your life.

Choose something that you would like to change, remove or bring into your life. Start by choosing one and decide on a few simple actions to start you on the way. Now, create some affirmations, positive statements to create a powerful mind-set for creating and achieving what you desire. Work with your affirmations as often as you can by thinking them, saying them and writing them.

Coming Soon!

Mobile Colonics Barbara J. Ellis, Retired RN, therapist & owner Urban Colonics

5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com

It is easy for me to make the changes that I desire.

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. blissfulquests.com See ad on page 8

HOUSTON INTEGRATIVE HEALTH, ACUPUNCTURE AND MINDFUL MOVEMENT 716 Chelsea Blvd.

Houston, TX 77006 832-304-0149

Doors Are Open for Dining & Shopping 713-365-0368

9341 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77024 amoveablefeast.com

Pain, injury, chronic conditions, mind-body medicine LANCE WESTENDARP ND, LAc, BCR, CKTP, RYT200

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/drlancehoustonintegrative/

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

5

Honey Hills TX a Texas Regenerative Organic Hemp Farm 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 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

Honey Hills TX is a Family owned and operated, fully licensed hemp farm located just outside of College Station Texas. Our land has been in the family since the early 1830’s.

Our cannabis/hemp journey began back in 2015 when Philip moved to Colorado to pursue his passion for cannabis and Organic farming. He and his partners established arguably the most respected extraction lab in Colorado, producing some of the best cannabis products in the state. Recognizing the need to start with high quality organic cannabis for our crafted cannabis products, Philip and his partners then designed, built, and operated a completely organic outdoor cannabis farm in southern Colorado. This vertical integration of the lab and cultivation facility enabled us to create consistently high quality products that were free of any pesticides, toxic chemicals, or other harmful ingredients.

Fast forward to 2019. Texas is our home, and we are finally able to bring all of the knowledge we learned in Colorado back to Texas! In 2019, HB1325 passed without opposition and gave Texas (back) our rights to cultivate hemp in our home state of Texas! Without hesitation, Philip moved back home to be with his family and to build our dream cultivation facility together right here in Caldwell Texas at our family farm.

Philip currently serves on the Texas Ag Commissioner’s Industrial Hemp Council, and works closely with the TDA to advise and guide the implementation of the new Texas hemp program. The 2018 Farm Bill and HB 1325 has now made it possible to provide pursue this same “seed to product” quality in our newly legalized Texas hemp market.

We are also passionate about our regenerative farming practices. These practices not only benefit the plants that we grow, but they also benefit the environment by putting more carbon back into the soil where it belongs. Through the use of cover crops, no till farming, and other practices we are able to put more carbon back into the soil that what we use and sell the carbon credits we generate.

Most of the CBD and hemp products that you see on the market today are simply ‘white labeled’ products and do not come from the farms where the cannabis (hemp) was produced. In fact, there are very few Cannabis (Hemp) product companies that operate their own cultivation. At Honey Hills TX our quality standards are superior because we only use the raw natural ingredients we produce with absolutely no fillers or substitutes. Our organic cannabinoids, proprietary blend of terpenes and other all natural ingredients are utilized to ensure our products are free of unhealthy toxins and contaminants. Our products are manufactured by our cGMP certified lab partners and are always third party tested for safety, accuracy and validity. These independent panels test for pesticides, mold, heavy metals, and for product potency. WE GROW WHAT WE SELL ... organically and sustainably!

See ad on the Back Cover

6

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

business briefs

Fitness- the fountain of youth It’s never too late to start!

Would you believe the person in the picture is 66 years old? Most people don’t but JoeyDiego has been working out all his life and at 66 still competes in and wins bodybuilding competitions. He is a member of the National Physique Committee and Global Bodybuilding Organization. Joey gives much credit for his success to his personal trainer, Everett Jolivet aka TC. With 10 years’ experience in personal training, he currently works as a Personal Trainer at Hardcore Gym in Galveston and a Personal Training Coach at CRUNCH Fitness in League City. Joey also does Mobile Personal Training and will come to your home or business to help you get in shape.

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. Erase 20 years from your body and quit looking sick and old. Prevent or reverse high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Lose weight and plan to live longer and better. Remember, muscle knows no age.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and give JoeyDiego a call.

JoeyDiego, personal trainer 917-402-8664 See ads page 20 & 31

B. Johnson became interested in Reflexology while working as a nail technician. She noticed that applying pressure to the feet would occasionally help relieve pain. She was amazed that there are pressure points in the feet that are connected to every part of the body. After more research, she started classes with Digits International and learned the Egyptian Method Reflexology. That was 22 years ago and now Pressure Points Mobile Reflexology comes to you.

Pressure Points Reflexology A holistic step to better health

Reflexology is a gentle hands-on modality where the reflexologist applies pressure to specific points on the feet and hands. It can be used help pain and soreness not just there but elsewhere in the body. It also can balance the flow of chi through the meridians of the body. When your feet feel good, your whole body feels good.

A reflexology session takes only an hour so take one hour and change your health and life.

Call today for rates and to schedule a session.

Pressure Points ReflexologyMobile Reflexology Service 713-826-6709 See ad page 31

Heal Thyself Holistic Spa We specialize in healthy living

Rivis Husband has been a Licensed Colonic Hydrotherapist for over 10 years. She began this path because she was looking for a way to improve her health and reduce her risk to certain issues and disease while meeting and exceeding the demands off a physical challenging occupation working as a telephone repair woman. Now retired from that career, she still lives a holistic lifestyle and believes in healing the body inside and out.

Rivis is the owner and head practitioner at Heal Thyself Holistic Spa in the Spring Branch neighborhood overseeing operations, and client treatments and services. If you are experiencing digestive issues, problems regulating the bowels, problems with mobility or just want to detox your system, she invites you to call and set up an appointment.

In addition to colonics, she also offers Ion Foot Detox treatments which many clients report gives them a feeling of renewed energy. Plans are underway to add additional services to the spa. More information and updates can be found on their Facebook page or just call to see if colonics is right for you.

Heal Thyself Holistic Spa 8020 Hammerly Blvd.

Houston, TX 77055 832-258-8959 Facebook.com/iamhths See ads on pages 6, 20 & 31

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

7

SUBSCRIBE NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Natural Awakenings subscriptions are available! Get each month’s issue mailed straight to your home.

713-927-6540

naturalawakenings-houston.com/print-subscriptions

life coach - : a partner/champion for your full potential helping with clarity, setting and reaching goals or overcoming challenges.

Life is Short.

Enjoy Your Life!

Life Coaching gets you motivated!

Relationships • Family • Love • Success Financial • Career • Goals • Happiness Intuition • Life’s Purpose

Hypnosis is a normal and natural state of relaxation that can help with:

Problem Solving • Self-Confidence Creativity • Sports Performance Weight Loss • Smoking AND MORE!

hin oac Life C

Motivational Hypnosis

g•

ef Rec over y

®

ri Mo •G s i tivati s onal Hypno

If not now...WHEN? For more information Contact Doyle today!

(832) 628-4113 Doyle@BlissfulQuests.com Visit BlissfulQuests.com for more info

A man may esteem himself happy when that which is his food is also his medicine. ~Henry David Thoreau 8

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

eco tip

Plug and Pedal

The Benefits of Using Electric Bikes Gas-guzzlers are the worst of vehicles, emitting harmful pollutants and using up non-renewable natural resources. An Earth-friendlier alternative for work commutes or pleasurable neighborhood spins is the e-bike, powered by pedaling and an electric motor. Reaching maximum speeds of 20 to 28 miles per hour and costing $400 and up, an electric bicycle offers a more scenic and easier ride that gets us to our destinations without trashing the planet.

Environmental Benefits Zero emissions. Electric bikes run on clean energy, eliminating the devastating carbon emissions associated with cars, vans, trucks and motorcycles.

Long-lasting power. The batteries last for years—much longer than traditional types. They don’t contain lead and can be recycled.

Easier on roads. Bikes are considerably lighter than larger vehicles and cause much less damage to infrastructure.

Health-Friendly Commuting E-bikes are a great way to bring some physical activity to an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. In a 2018 study, Swiss researchers found that commuters enjoyed similar cardiorespiratory improvements

regardless of whether they used an electric bicycle or a conventional, non-motorized model. With the power assist, e-bikers were able to cycle at higher speeds and climb hills more easily, which also proved to be highly motivating.

Safety Tips Pay attention to traffic. Many car drivers may not expect a biker to reach 20 or more miles per hour. Ride defensively.

Be visible. Outfit the bike with lights and a bell and wear eye-catching clothing.

Start slow. Get a feel for the bike’s capabilities at lower speeds before cranking it up.

Give it a brake. With the added speed and power, slowing down well ahead of stop signs, lights and road crossings is a must.

Be careful on the mount and dismount. An e-bike is about 20 pounds heavier than a regular bike, so a step-through frame might make good sense, even for men.

Wear a helmet. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head injury is the most common cause of death and serious disability in bicycle-related crashes.

Local Electric Bicycle Shops Green Zone Bikes 10100 Belknap Rd. Suite B6, Sugar Land, Texas 77498 GreenZoneBikes.com

Pedego Electric Bikes West Houston 11605 S. Fry Rd. Suite 107, Fulshear, TX 77441 pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/fulshear/

Pedego Electric Bikes Galveston 728 Seawall Blvd Suite B, Galveston, TX 77550 pedegogalveston.com/dealers/galveston/

Zipp E Bikes 2311 Mechanic St #110, Galveston, TX 77550 zippebikes.com

Pedego Electric Bikes Houston Heights 600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 454, Houston, TX 77007 pedegogalveston.com/dealers/houston-heights/

When you visit these fine shops, be sure to mention that you saw them in Natural Awakenings magazine.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

9

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

De-Stress with Cereset!

The brain is your central command center. When your brain is out of balance, or stuck, you don’t feel right and it’s impossible to function at your highest level. Cereset is a proven technology that’s non-invasive and highly effective. Cereset can help your brain free itself, enabling you to achieve higher levels of well-being and balance throughout your life.

Life today is more stressful than ever. Stress can lead to trouble sleeping, feelings of restlessness, an inability to focus or a lack of joy. Cereset can help your brain reset itself, restoring your brain’s rhythm naturally, enabling it to manage stress more effectively. Cereset office sessions jump start the process of re-balancing your brain.

Cereset Home provides the on-going ability to combat negative stressors, allowing you to relax your brain at home. The Cereset system can help you be your best you.

A Cereset balanced brain will help you experience more restful sleep which is connected with other benefits including releasing stress, overcoming worry and anxiety, restoring hope and happiness and increasing energy levels. If you’ve tried other modalities, medications or methods – ask yourself – did I experience more restful sleep?

Cereset guarantees you’ll sleep better when following your Cereset Office’s recommendations.

Cereset is not driven by a conscious effort to train the brain or change the brain’s response, like Neurofeedback. Cereset is guided by the brain itself, so it can relax and reset itself naturally without using human will power or outside intervention.

Risky? NO Cereset is driven by the brain itself, not an outside intervention, stimulus, or medication of any kind. Natural adjustments are made by the brain itself as part of Cereset’s brain relaxation process. Your brain cannot harm itself.

Why haven’t I heard of this? YOU HAVE NOW The earliest technology, prior to Cereset, involved a great deal of time to administer and lengthy sessions with clients. Cereset is fast, effective, and efficient – usually requiring four office sessions of approximately one hour each, and subsequent use of the home unit, as needed.

Our brain reacts to keep us alive. When it functions to do that in the face of extreme stressors it can become stuck in survival mode.

Even the brain, with its incredible capability, can be assisted to relax so it can find its own center or balance. Cereset is your brain’s best friend.

CERESET Galveston ~ 2220 Postoffice Street, Galveston, TX 77550 ~ 409-599-7268 See ads pages 6, 8 & 29

10

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

health brief

Use Green Tea Extract and Curcumin to Ward Off Oral Cancer

Early signs of oral cancer can include white patches, sores and lumps inside the mouth, biomarkers known collectively as oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). To see if two natural chemopreventive agents—green tea extract and curcumin—could reverse these conditions, researchers in India tested 60 people with OPMD, splitting them into three groups. One group was given 400 milligrams (mg) of green tea extract in a capsule, as well as a gel; a second group was given 475 mg of curcumin; and the third received a combination of the first two treatments.

After 12 weeks, researchers found that the supplementation had significantly reduced OPMD biomarkers in all three groups, with particularly strong results in the combination group, suggesting a synergistic effect.

AlbertasPainRelief.com 4oz Jar

$

15 00

Plus $4.90 Shipping

Book Online

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

11

12

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

DOWN TO EARTH The Promise of Regenerative Organic Farming

by Sandra Yeyati

W

ith its dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, heavy tilling techniques, concentrated animal feeding practices and mono-crops—all designed to maximize yields—conventional farming has come at a great cost. “Conventional intensive farming practices have significant negative consequences for the land and surrounding ecosystems,” says Richard Teague, Texas A&M professor of Ecosystem Science and Management. “By disrupting the natural function of these habitats, the valuable ecosystem services they provide are compromised.”

he way we’re growing food now is not sustainable. “According to the United Nations, we only have 60 harvests left before our soil is completely depleted. Years of conventional industrial agriculture have drained the soil dry of all of the organic matter, all the microbes, that microbiome that brings nutrients to our plants and to our planet as a whole,” says Margaret Wilson, content creation and media relations specialist at the Rodale Institute.

The UN also reported last year that agriculture and forestry were responsible for nearly a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions. “Agriculture is a climate-intensive process and conventional practices make that even worse because they’re fossil fuel-intensive,” Wilson says. “They require a lot of machinery to plow fields and distribute pesticides. Fertilizers are fossil fuel-based. Tillage is a huge part of conventional agriculture, where you’re turning the soil over, and that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”

One third of the world’s land surface is considered desert, and according to Judith D. Schwartz, the Vermont author of The Reindeer Chronicles and Cows Save the Planet, most deserts are manmade. “If we look historically, we learn that most deserts were once thriving grasslands or some other kind of ecosystem and became deserts after hundreds of years of poor grazing management or farming that was no longer putting nutrients back into the soil.”

The good news is that deserts can be brought back to life. In the state of Chihuahua,

Mexico, where much of the land is degraded, ingenious ranchers have figured out a way to support healthy animals and plant biodiversity. “The ranchers were earning money by managing the livestock holistically in a way that was reviving the ecological function of these lands, so there were thick grasses, birds and butterflies flourishing right next to land that looked horrible—absolute deserts with a lot of erosion, the soil so depleted that it couldn’t hold water,” recalls Schwartz, who visited the area.

Regenerative organic farming holds great promise to rebuild soil, draw carbon from the atmosphere and ultimately grow healthier food. “When you take out the pesticides, fertilizers and intensive tilling, our farming

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

13

systems trial concluded that regenerative organic agriculture uses 45 percent fewer fossil fuels and releases 40 percent fewer carbon emissions than conventional practices,” Wilson says, adding that a recent Rodale Institute white paper postulated that by transitioning all global crop and pastureland to regenerative management, we could sequester 100 percent of annual carbon dioxide emissions.

As the founder of the Rodale Institute, J.I. Rodale, said, “Healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people.” Soil restoration is job one, and we know how to do this. “The goal of regenerative farming is to farm and ranch in nature’s image,” says Gabe Brown, a North Dakota farmer and author of Dirt to Soil. He offers the following six principles to create a thriving, regenerating agricultural ecosystem:

1 2

Context: “There’s a reason bananas do not grow in North Dakota. They don’t fit the context, whereas more spring wheat is grown in North Dakota than anywhere else. You have to farm and ranch in your context.”

The least amount of mechanical and chemical disturbance possible: “Nature tills with earthworms and burrowing rodents, but it certainly doesn’t till the soil like we do in farming or even in gardening. Tilling is the worst thing you can do if you want to raise nutrient-dense food. Nature aerates the soil with the use of living plants and soil aggregates.

Those soil aggregates will only last about four weeks, then new ones need to be formed, and the only way to form them is by not tilling and allowing biology and fungi to secrete substances that help bind sand, silt and clay to form soil aggregates.”

3

4

Armor on the soil: “Nature always tries to cover the soil, whether it be leaves in a forest or decaying plants in a pasture or field. Nature does not like bare soil.”

Diversity: “Where in nature do you see a monoculture? Usually only where man put it or man’s actions have driven it to be a monoculture. Nature is very diverse, so hundreds of different grasses, legumes all growing in harmony. We’ve gotten away from that. Now we plant monocultures. That’s not the way nature functions.”

5

A living root being in the soil as long as possible throughout the year: “I go out in the spring here in North Dakota, and you’ve got crocuses coming up through the snow. That’s nature’s way of trying to take the solar energy and all of these compounds out of the atmosphere, and through photosynthesis convert it into carbon to feed soil biology.”

6

Livestock and insect integration: “Nature does not function properly without animals.

Too many people think we have to remove the animals from the landscape. That’s the worst thing you can do. What’s going to pollinate the plants? The way our rich soils were formed was with large herds of ruminants, grazing the plants. That plant, once grazed, starts sloughing off root exudates to attract biology, to regrow, and then that plant is able to cycle more carbon out of the atmosphere.”

Brown waxes poetic when he talks about the amazing results of regenerative farming.

“Healthy soil looks like dark chocolate cake. It’s full of pore spaces. Healthy soil is dark because of the amount of carbon in it. It smells good, whereas unhealthy soil is very compacted.

There’s no pore spaces. Water cannot infiltrate into it. It’s a dull, pale color. You can see it, you can smell it, you can feel it.”

According to Wilson, the Rodale Institute is poised to help farmers adopt these principles and make them profitable. “People say regenerative organic isn’t scalable, but through our farming systems trial, we’re proving that you can do this on a large scale. It might require customization, but that’s why we’re investing so much in providing support and research to farmers to help them navigate that, and we’re seeing that scalability is not a barrier to implementation because so many big companies like Dr. Bronner’s and Patagonia are starting to implement these practices because people are demanding it. The market finds a way to make it doable and as long as we keep up our consumer education and show people that this is a benefit to everybody, I think large-scale farmers and corporations that buy their products will respond.”

Last year, Graham Christensen’s father gave him and his brother full control of a 750-acre farm in Oakland, Nebraska, that has been in the family since 1867. Over the decades, the farm has seen many changes, but the biggest transformation is still to come, as the brothers

14

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

eagerly transition their once conventional operation into a regenerative organic one.

The family began to incorporate a few innovations 12 years ago when they stopped tilling the land and adopted solar energy, but this year they’ll take bolder steps to eliminate their dependence on GMO seeds and chemical fertilizers and pesticides which over the years have reduced organic matter levels in the soil and led to increased and unhealthy nutrient levels in their waterways.

“For the first time, we’ll be cover-cropping 612 acres and expanding habitats for wildlife, especially in some riparian areas, so we can get more roots in the soil and have better filtration and cleaner water,” Christensen explains. “We’re going to produce nutrients by building a biodiverse ecosystem and we’re incorporating animal grazing systems to help us fertilize naturally rather than having to add synthetics like nitrogen and phosphorus.”

They have planted a 100-tree hazelnut orchard that they hope to expand as a tree crop. “That’s going to help us stop soil erosion, store more carbon in the ground, produce another form of income and also be able to fit right into our cropping system, virtually taking out no extra land; just creating a higher layer, so now we’re farming higher in the air.”

The transition is not without its risks, Christensen adds. “Farms like ours have been heavily subsidized by the federal government to ship our grain to other countries. What we’re trying to do now is produce more small grains and hazelnuts for a regional market and reintroduce livestock to the land—not in confinement—so we can focus more on feeding people in our local community and in Omaha or Lincoln or Kansas City or Des Moines.”

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

GROW Your Business Contact us for special ad rates.

713-927-6540

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

15

conscious eating

Indoor Edible Gardening Grow Veggies, Sprouts and Microgreens Year-Round

by April Thompson

T

here’s no need to wait until the last frost date to sow a kitchen garden. Impatient gardeners or those without outdoor space can grow almost anything indoors with a little light and creativity.

“You can start many edible plants from seed on a sunny windowsill, even in late winter.

You’ll be surprised how quickly everything germinates this time of year,” says Zia Allaway, the British author of Indoor Edible Garden: Creative Ways to Grow Herbs, Fruits, and Vegetables in Your Home.

Herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are among the many foods that can be easily grown from seed indoors, according to Allaway. Many fruiting plants that are not self-pollinating, such as cucumbers, need a boost from hand pollination if growing them indoors.

Allaway adds, “When growing any plants on a windowsill, rotate them periodically so they grow evenly, as they will turn toward the light.”

While crops like garlic, beets and carrots won’t reach maturity indoors, they can still be grown inside for their tasty, nutritious leaves. To grow garlic shoots, for example, remove the papery outer case and submerge the flat end of a garlic bulb in a container of water, leaving the top exposed to air. Within a few weeks, garlicky-flavored shoots will sprout up that can be harvested and used like chives, advises Allaway.

To maximize space, she suggests growing plants vertically, perhaps by hanging bushy herbs or trailing plants in a window basket. She has also used interior walls to erect a trellis for vining plants like cucumbers, wiring it up with screw eyes.

16

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

Mini-Greens, Major Nutrients

Many health-conscious gardeners are drawn

to sprouts and microgreens for their nutritional benefits, as they contain as much as 40 times the nutrients as their full-grown counterparts. Sprouts can easily be grown with or without soil, and are eaten before the first tiny cotyledon leaves emerge, whereas microgreens are harvested later, often just before or after the first true leaves, the second pair, pop up.

“Sprouted greens grown at home are the freshest food you’ll ever eat. Being able to grow your own salads is also a lot of fun in the winter, to see the wonderful colors growing on your shelf,” says Peter Burke, the Calais, Vermont, author of Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening: How to Grow Nutrient-Dense, Soil-Sprouted Greens in Less Than 10 Days.

Burke’s tried and true method is to plant a

small amount of seed every day from a mix of sunflower, peas, radish, buckwheat and brassicas like broccoli or kohlrabi, providing a steady supply of his family’s daily dose of greens. While some gardeners grow sprouts or microgreens directly on paper towels or coconut coir, Burke prefers using a store-bought, germination soil mix, spread up to two inches deep in reusable trays, watered once a day and grown without artificial light.

Many seeds commonly found in the home pantry can be turned into sprouts and shoots, says Lina Wallentinson, the Swedish author of Sprouts, Shoots and Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Kitchen. “Mustard seeds from the spice shelf, whole lentils in all colors, chickpeas and yellow peas can all be easily grown for sprouts and shoots without any special equipment,” she says.

Seeds can be put into wide-mouthed jars, soaked overnight, and then drained and rinsed two to three times a day. Germination of seeds into sprouts, from mung beans to quinoa, can typically take less than 24 hours with this method.

Sprouts and microgreens make great toppers for salads, soups, sandwiches or smoothies, and they can also be cooked.

“Newly sprouted mung and lentil seeds with a short ‘tail’ are perfect to flash-fry and season with soy, chili and a little sesame oil as an alternative to rice or pasta,” says Wallentinson. “Sprouts are also nice to bake with. Like seeds and nuts, they give a good little chew in all kind of breads.”

Whether growing sprouts, microgreens or full-sized plants, Allaway advises home gardeners to make drainage holes at the bottom of the containers to avoid overwatering. “It’s better to underwater than overwater a plant, because once it starts to rot, it’s game over. There is also research showing that a little stress from occasional underwatering can trigger the plant to produce more phytochemicals, which are nutritionally beneficial,” she says.

Connect with Washington, D.C., freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.

APRIL Coming Next Month

Climate Change Health Impacts

Plus: Healthy Home

Tasty, Sprout-inspired Recipes Noodle Soup with Coconut, Sprouts and Shoots This soup is a favorite in our home. Simple to make, it’s warming thanks to just the right amount of bite from the chili.

Yield: 4 servings 1 8¾ oz pack of noodles 1 Tbsp canola oil 1 carrot 2 tsp red curry paste Canola oil, for frying 1 13½ oz can coconut milk 1 tsp tomato purée 2 Tbsp fish sauce (or Japanese soy sauce) 1 vegetable stock cube 1 tsp sugar 1¼ cups water 2 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice 1 red bell pepper About 7 oz mung bean sprouts Pea and radish shoots, for garnish Prepare the noodles according to the instructions on the package. Drain off the water, and mix the noodles with the oil.

Peel and thinly slice the carrot. In a saucepan, cook the curry paste and carrot in some oil for about 1 minute.

Add in the coconut milk, tomato purée, fish sauce, stock cube, sugar and water, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add in the lime juice.

Halve, seed and julienne the bell pepper; add it to the soup. Divide the noodles between the bowls, add the soup and sprinkle with sprouts and shoots.

Garden Year-Round With Hydroshack Nutrients & Additives Grow Mediums & Containers Grow Tents & Lighting 713-292-1921 hydroshack.com Open 7 Days a Week 1138 W 20th Street Houston, TX 77008 NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

17

Green Smoothie Bowl Here’s a recipe that contains both sprouts and shoots. The buckwheat provides a little extra satiety. Top the bowl with some poppy seeds, grated coconut, nuts and berries.

Yield: 2 bowls Approx. 1¼ cup mild, tender shoots such as broccoli, chia, pea or sunflower 2 frozen bananas 3½ oz frozen mango, diced 2 Tbsp buckwheat sprouts 6¾ oz mild plain yogurt (3 percent) or coconut or almond milk Hemp hearts, poppy seeds, grated coconut, nuts and frozen red and/or black currants, for topping Blend shoots, bananas, mango, sprouted buckwheat and yogurt until smooth using a countertop or immersion blender.

Pour into bowls and top with hemp hearts, poppy seeds, nuts, coconut and berries.

Sprouted Hummus Every Middle Eastern family has their own recipe for hummus.

Naturally, there has to be a sprouted version of it, too. With a jar of hummus in the refrigerator, I can always cobble together some kind of dish for lunch or dinner.

Yield: about 6.75 fluid oz (nearly 1 cup) 7 oz sprouted chickpeas (or yellow peas) 1 garlic clove 2 Tbsp tahini 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ tsp sambal oelek ½ tsp cumin ½ tsp salt 4 Tbsp olive oil Put the sprouted peas in a small saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the peas for 10 minutes. Pour off the water.

Peel and finely chop the garlic. Mix the peas in a food processor or with an immersion blender, along with the garlic, tahini, lemon juice, sambal oelek, cumin, salt and oil. Dilute with some water if the hummus seems too thick.

Option: Turmeric adds a nice yellow color to hummus. But sample the hummus as you add it in—some enjoy the taste of turmeric, others less so. Start with ½ teaspoon per recipe.

Recipes excerpted from Sprouts, Shoots & Microgreens: Tiny Plants to Grow and Eat in Your Home Kitchen, by Lina Wallentinson. Photography by Lennart Weibull.

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

18

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

fit body

ON A ROLL

Foam Rollers Ease Pain and Workout Recovery

by Marlaina Donato

F

oam rolling—rolling parts of the body

on top of a lightweight foam cylinder— targets trigger points or painful knots in muscles and is a valuable tool for reducing chronic pain and enhancing workout recovery. From sciatica to pelvic floor dysfunction, there is a foam roller for almost every condition, including low- to high-density, heated and textured types for massage-like benefits.

Research during the past several years shows that using foam rollers before or after exercise quells fatigue, improves joint mobility, lowers risk of injury and eases muscle soreness. Its effectiveness is attributed to the activation of the central nervous system resulting in better circulation and reduced inflammation.

“Foam rollers are used to relieve tension in the fascia (connective tissue), ‘roll’ out sore muscles and provide a soothing, self-controlled, soft-tissue massage,” says Amber Kivett, owner of Kivett Kinetic Solutions, in Monrovia, Indiana. “They can also be used for proprioception, balance, flexibility, core stability training and most importantly, natural pain relief.”

Freeing the Body Fascia, the body’s all-pervasive connective tissue, tightens like an invisible net from injury and other stresses and can adhere to the underlying muscles, creating pain and restriction. “Foam rolling has the power to change and realign the 12 fascial lines responsible for human movement and support,” says Kivett. “Those same fascial lines also sense and transmit pain and emotion far greater than any nerve or muscle and respond well to foam rolling. There’s an emotional and spiritual release in the body when fascia is compressed and released. That response facilitates a structural change to human alignment and an immediate change in pain levels for all types and causes of pain.”

Foam rollers offer an opportunity for self-care, according to Los Angeles fitness trainer Ashley Borden. “Foam rolling is one of the best ways to troubleshoot your own body, keep it healthy and mobile. Using an inexpensive tool like a foam roller not only feels good, but it also connects you to your body. Foam rolling the entire body encourages circulation and an immediate feeling of

relief afterwards. My clients who don’t like to work out are usually surprised how good they feel post-rollout and feel encouraged to do more.” She cites research that shows that a dynamic warm-up, paired with the use of foam rollers before and after workouts, amplifies recovery and aids in the repair of muscular micro-tears.

For Rafal Augustynowicz, founder of TeamRAF Fitness, in Kent, England, it’s about counteracting lifestyle stresses. “The foam roller is a beautiful and great tool, especially in the 21st century, when we sit too many hours. It is a great tool to get our mobility and our posture back to normal.”

Recovery, Joint Pain and Sciatica Gently rolling targeted muscles below and above specific joints can help to resolve certain types of pain, including in the knee.

“Many times, when a person has pain in the knee, it’s more than likely they have tight muscles elsewhere—calves, inner thighs, hip flexors or glutes—and the pain shows up in the knee,” says Augustynowicz. “Foam rolling and using a massage

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

19

ball have saved me many times when I had a lot of problems with my back, neck, hip and a dislocated shoulder.”

The practice can help ease sciatica, a sometimes-excruciating condition. “Most cases of sciatic pain are caused by tight muscles deep in the buttocks, including the piriformis muscle,” says Kivett. “The sciatic nerve travels through the piriformis, so if it’s tight, it will cause a sensation similar to that of sciatica nerve pain. A foam roller can be used along the back, throughout the buttocks and the legs to relieve tension, soften tissues and calm the nervous system for instant pain relief.”

Kivett, who was introduced to foam rollers during intensive physical therapy after a life-altering accident, found them to be a way to recover from severe fibromyalgia pain. “My nerves were hypersensitive from the injuries, and I used foam rolling to reboot the ‘software’ in my brain, which allowed me to engage in recovering.”

Foam rolling is an all-around boon, Borden highlights. “The immediate relief, the muscle definition, the decrease in cellulite, all of these are added benefits.”

MORE ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

what to know before a roll

Amber Kivett: Ideally, it’s best to perform foam rolling right after a light warm-up for five to 10 minutes to increase circulation to the muscles and decrease tension and stiffness. If there is extra time, do a quick three to five minutes of foam rolling after a workout, but preferably after you’ve done your cool-down or some walking. You don’t have to foam-roll the entire body post-workout; just do a quick “scan” of areas that are more sensitive or painful.

For those with high levels of pain, fibromyalgia, MS, autoimmune conditions or an acute injury, I would recommend buying a low-density, soft, foam roller or [one] that vibrates, because soft and/or vibrating foam rollers are gentle to fragile areas.

Ashley Borden: Foam rolling is a valuable tool for the senior

population to improve overall body tightness and circulation. Assistance is needed if you have a hard time getting up and down. I would also suggest a non-slip yoga mat and using the softest foam roller first to gauge the pressure. If you feel like you have to hold your breath when you are foam rolling, the surface is too hard.

Rafal Augustynowicz: Never use foam rollers on bones, Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

joints, the spine or armpits; only on the muscle/flesh. Be informed to avoid arteries, etc. If it hurts too much, it’s probably not right. Watch tutorials or go to a professional.

BUILD YOUR BEACH BODY NOW !

PERSONAL TRAINING AT ITS BEST

GROW Your Business

JoeyDiego Nobile

Contact us for special ad rates.

713-927-6540

20

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

WEIGHT LOSS HEALTH FITNESS COMPETITION Call me today!

917-402-8664

Meditation for Transformation Online self-paced meditation courses

by Claire Villarreal, PhD. focusing on bringing your practice into daily life.

Start with the Free Mini-Course Essential Tools for Meditation ClaireVillarreal.com

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

21

healthy kids

Getting Pregnant Lifestyle Strategies to Boost Fertility

by Ronica O’Hara

More than 7 million American women face one of life’s deepest heartbreaks: They want a newborn in their arms, but their bodies are not cooperating. Happily, the growing use of natural approaches like healthier diets, supplements and acupuncture is changing that outcome for many.

W

hen Rebecca Fett was told at age 26 that she had “incredibly low odds” of being able to conceive with her own eggs, she used her biochemistry and genetics training to plunge into research on egg quality and fertility.

By taking targeted supplements, upgrading her diet and detoxing her house of harmful chemicals, the result was not only two healthy baby boys, but a book entitled It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IV. It sells at the fast clip of about 600 copies a week, showing that even amidst the traumas of the pandemic, couples fervently want to bear children. Some doula groups on the East Coast report a 30 percent rise in early 2021 births, and sperm banks are running so low that sperm from a handsome new donor posted online can be bought out within hours, reports The New York Times. “There is nothing more hopeful than the creation of a new life,” says Randine Lewis, who used acupuncture and Chinese herbs to enable a hard-won pregnancy and then wrote The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and Having Healthy Babies.

Egg Matters

A healthy pregnancy depends on a healthy egg. Chromosomal abnormalities severely hamper fertilization and account for more than half of first-trimester miscarriages. Yet, contrary to common belief, egg quality is not determined solely by a woman’s age:

22

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

it can be highly influenced by her lifestyle choices and nutrients in the three-month window before an egg is fertilized, Fett advises. Based on the latest research, she offers the following recommendations for women trying to conceive naturally or through such means as in vitro fertilization (IVF): Detox the diet. To manage critically important blood sugar and insulin levels, eat low-glycemic, nutrient-rich foods and avoid sugar, caffeine and alcohol. An organic, largely plant- and fish-based Mediterranean diet boosts fertility. Dutch researchers found that women following this diet before an IVF cycle had a 40 percent higher chance of becoming pregnant.

Supplement correctly. Take a prenatal vitamin, vitamins C and E, ubiquinol and melatonin. For women with diagnosed low ovarian reserve, consider carefully dosed DHEA. Detox the house. The Bisphenol A (BPA) in many household items and the phthalates in most scented products are endocrine disrupters that increase the risk of infertility and miscarriages, numerous studies show.

Exchange plastic storage containers and water bottles for glass or stainless steel ones. Steer clear of fast food and processed food. Buy milk, oil, drinks and condiments in glass bottles rather than plastic ones. In the bathroom, toss hairspray, perfume and nail polish, and be wary of scented skin care products, air fresheners and detergents. Use non-toxic cleaning products.

An Eastern Perspective

Taking a different tack, “Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not focus on forcing maximum egg production,” says Lewis. “We improve the quality and receptivity of the entire body, mind and spirit, and the reproductive physiology responds.”

TCM involves identifying imbalances in the body that are creating obstacles to pregnancy and then using acupuncture, herbs and diet to restore full health. Diagnosis is typically done by an acupuncturist or Chinese medicine doctor. (To find one locally, Lewis suggests asking pointedly, “How many cases of infertility have you been successful in resolving?”)

According to Lewis, self-diagnosis can also work. For example, sore breasts and irritability during ovulation can signify liver qi stagnation, and can be relieved by massaging certain acupressure points, taking black cohosh and meditating or doing yoga. General TCM strategies include: Acupuncture: Regular treatments “can stimulate the body’s hormonal system to do what it is supposed to: secrete the right hormones at the right time in a woman’s cycle,” says Lewis. Self-administered acupressure also works.

Diet: Choose organic foods and hormone-free meats, and eat veggies cooked rather than raw. Nix caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

Supplements: Besides a high-potency, multivitamin-mineral complex, such nutrients as bee pollen, blue-green algae, wheatgrass, vitamin B6, CoQ10 and folic acid are often useful.

Herbs: Specific herbal concoctions and powders can target imbalances and deficiencies at key points in the menstrual cycle.

GROW Your Business Contact us for special ad rates.

713-927-6540

Stress-busters: Qigong breathing lowers stress, and nightly warm foot soaks increase blood flow to the pelvic organs.

“As we live more harmoniously, our fertility improves,” says Lewis. “It is vastly wise and responds to how we live, think, act and relate.”

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

Guys and Infertility Although researchers have long focused on female infertility, studies now show that for 40 percent of infertile couples, the problem lies in male sperm that is too sparse, slow, damaged or misshapen. Many of the strategies that improve egg quality also improve sperm quality, researchers are learning. This includes a healthier diet with more antioxidants, supplements that include a multivitamin and ubiquinol, detoxing the home and workplace of chemicals, cutting out smoking and lowering or stopping alcohol use. Other strategies include: n Acupuncture to improve the concentration, volume and motility of sperm. n Tossing lubricants with ingredients like petroleum, propylene glycol, glycerin, parabens, silicone and Nonoxynol-9 that hamper sperm movement and viability. n Keeping cell phones out of side pockets. A Cleveland Clinic study found that pocketing cellphones more than four hours daily reduces sperm count, motility and viability. n Wearing boxer shorts instead of briefs and forgoing hot tubs to keep testes temperatures low for sperm production.

Local Practitioners DR. FISHER ROAD 2 WELLNESS Dr. LaTronica Fisher, DNP, ANP, GNP, RN 4544 Post Oak Place Drive, Suite #254 Houston, TX 77027 DrFisherRoad2Wellness.com 713 520-8188 HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC & MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY CENTER Dr. Gracie G. Chukwu, ND, CTN 6401 Southwest Freeway, Suite 250 Houston, TX 77074 HoustonHolisticHealthClinic.com 713-781-999 KATY ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL CARE Tasneem M. Raja, LAc. DAOM and Jesse Gilliam, LAc, MSc 1822 Snake River Road, Suite E Katy, TX 77449 KatyAcupuncture.com 281-789-8970

n Exercising just enough. Studies show that men who exercise regularly, but not too extremely, have higher testosterone levels and better semen quality.

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

23

plant-based wellness

Hemp-Derived Cannabidiol A Primer on the Latest Research

by Sandra Yeyati

E

ver since the Farm Bill of 2018 legalized the commercial production of hemp, U.S. sales of cannabidiol (CBD) have exploded onto the scene with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of vendors popping up around the country. CBD, a cannabinoid, is abundant in the hemp flower. “By law, hemp is defined as a variety of cannabis plant that has less than 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid that induces a high,” says Shannon Livingston, a cannabis consultant for Florida Gulf Coast University, in Fort Myers.

Proven Benefits of CBD: “The enthusiasm for CBD is soaring above the actual scientific evidence,” says Peter Grinspoon, M.D., a leading medical cannabis expert and primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.

“What’s known is that it helps with childhood epilepsy, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a CBD drug for that. It is believed, and there’s good animal data and some human data to suggest, that CBD helps with chronic pain, insomnia and anxiety.”

Anxiety Under Study: A clinical trial examining a high-CBD, low-THC (the psychoactive component) sublingual custom formulation for patients with moderate to severe anxiety is being conducted by Staci Gruber, Ph.D., director of Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery at McLean Hospital, in Belmont, Massachusetts, and associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “In the open label phase of this study, we’ve seen a rather dramatic and precipitous drop in symptoms of anxiety and depression after four weeks of treatment. We’ll see if this holds in the double-blind phase, which is underway now,” she explains.

Entourage Effect: Gruber notes that this customized formulation is a full-spectrum, whole-plant formula, saying, “You often seem to get a bigger bang for the buck using a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum (whole plant minus THC) product, rather than just a single extracted compound.”

The process she’s describing is called the entourage effect—an assumption that all elements of the cannabis plant, working together, are most effective. “I believe there’s a significant role for terpenoids, flavonoids and other cannabinoid constituents of the plant, in addition to the big two (THC and CBD), and I have a grant to look at that very question,” she says.

24

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

How to Start CBD: Experts agree that the best approach is to start low and go slow.

“With experimentation, the patient will know what works for them,” Grinspoon says. “When CBD doesn’t work with my patients, the next step is to add a little bit of medical cannabis; it often takes a very little dose to help them with their sleep or their chronic pain.” Medical marijuana has been legalized in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

Route of Administration: “When you smoke or vape, it’s an almost immediate onset, which is helpful for breakthrough pain, nausea and anything you want to treat immediately, but the effect is very short-lived,” Livingston explains.

“For chronic pain, you might take a capsule or the patch that will last six to eight hours. If you want to fall asleep, a sublingual will work.

For a skin condition, you might rub an oil on your skin. It’s really about the time of onset, how long you need it to last and what you’re treating.”

Ensuring Quality Control: “Choose CBD providers that are certified for good manufacturing practices; conduct batch-specific, third-party testing on all of their products; and provide certificates of analysis directly from those labs. These tests can detect the presence of heavy metals, bacterial or microbial life, mycotoxins and pesticides, and also provide cannabinoid potency and terpene profiles,” says Grace Kaucic, senior communications and content manager at Bluebird Botanicals, a CBD company in Louisville, Colorado.

Our Built-In Cannabinoids: In the mid-1990s, researchers discovered the endocannabinoid system of receptors and neurotransmitters throughout the body, which uses cannabinoids that our own bodies produce. “This system is believed to control homeostasis, the body’s ability to regulate itself and maintain normal functioning,” Grinspoon says, adding that he believes this system will become central to medicine over the next few years as more research is conducted.

Research is Ongoing: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for cannabis science,” Gruber says.

“There’s every reason to be optimistic about the potential of harnessing and exploiting the benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids in ways that may still surprise us, but to be cautiously optimistic. It is not a panacea. It will never be one-size-fits-all.”

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

High CBD Hemp-Flower & CBD Products!

Hydroshack

Experience true legal Hemp Flower from our open sample jars.

713-292-1921 hydroshack.com Open 7 Days a Week 1138 W 20th Street Houston, TX 77008

PLANT-BASED WELLNESS RESOURCES Smoke Envy/Better Days CBD

2425 Yale Street, #2, Houston, TX 77008 852-744-9944 better-days-wellness-shop.business.site 20% OFF any on 1 Item

Hydroshack Hydroponics

1138 W 20th Street, Houston, TX 77008 Open 7 days a week 713-292-1921 Organic Soils, Nutrients, Coco, Foxfarm, & CBD. Hydroshack.com

Kreat Day Botanicals

1907 W Gray, Suite 6, Houston, TX 77019 713-369-0946 Jvastola@KreatDayBotanicals.com Instagram @Kreat.Day.Botanicals

A Moveable Feast

9341 Katy Fwy, Echo Lane Center, Houston, TX 77024 713-365-0368 amoveablefeast.com

Green Seed Vegan

4320 Almeda Rd., Houston, tx 77004 713.487.8346 greenseed.com

Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine

1320 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018 832-831-9951 govindashou.com

Houston Sauce Company

3400 S Wayside Dr., Houston, TX 77087 832-649-8286 houstonsauceco.com

Have a Kreat Day! Enjoy Kreat Day Botanicals Today kratom / teas / superfoods Find us on Instagram @Kreat.Day.Botanicals Place Orders 24/7 713-369-0946 or Jvastola@KreatDayBotanicals.com NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

25

wise words

Jeff Tkach on Regenerative Healthcare

by Patricia Trenchak

F

or over 70 years, Rodale Institute—a pioneer of the organic food movement—has championed the concept of farming without herbicides and pesticides by funding and supporting scientific studies and education. Now entering his fifth year with Rodale Institute, Chief Impact Officer Jeff Tkach is committed to upholding the legacy of the Institute’s founder, J.I. Rodale, who believed that healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy people. According to Tkach, farmers and healthcare professionals need to embrace a prevention-based approach to human and environmental health, and Rodale Institute is here to bridge the gap between these two industries by unlocking the transformational power of regenerative healthcare.

How did your personal journey lead you to explore regenerative healthcare?

In 2016, I experienced a tremendous health

collapse in my own life. I went through six conventional medical doctors and $50,000 in medical bills. I had been a high-performing businessperson up until that point, and found myself on medical leave, bedridden and unable to work. I sought out a doctor who practiced something called functional medicine, which focuses on finding the root of whatever caused the breakdown in health.

26

march 2021

food healed me.

After numerous tests, it was discovered that I had chronic Lyme disease. The doctor explained that there was nothing he could prescribe that was going to instantly make me better. Through my work with him, I had to look at my body as a whole system and came to realize that food is medicine. Ultimately, alternative modalities like acupuncture and IV [intravenous] therapy, as well as

What is regenerative healthcare?

It is a system in which farming and healthcare work together focused on a prevention-based approach to human and environmental health. Instead of using toxic chemicals to farm, regenerative healthcare aims to prevent disease through an organic, plant-based, whole-foods diet. Regenerative healthcare begins on farms that work in harmony with nature. At Rodale Institute, we see ourselves as a human health organization, not an agricultural organization. We use agriculture as a tool to promote human health. Our goal is to build the first brick and mortar facility in the world, called the Regenerative Health Institute, that will connect medical doctors and farmers. The facility will be a 333-acre certified organic farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, that will provide innovative research on the links between

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

farming and human health. We’re going to be doing scientific research that demonstrates the link between soil health and the health of people, and we’re going to educate and train tomorrow’s doctors to become more literate in agriculture and to understand how they can use food as medicine.

How can we harness the power of regenerative organic farming to foster good health?

The current mode of farming is systemically broken, and farmers need to move in a healthier direction. The science is showing that elements in pesticides and herbicides are known carcinogens that are wreaking havoc on our immune systems. They are ubiquitous in our air and drinking water.

Farmers are no longer able to control where those chemicals land. They’re leaching into our groundwater, killing the life in the soil and causing major soil erosion. Ultimately, they’re causing imbalances in nature of mass proportion.

How can you convince people to adopt organic and consider food as medicine?

We need to encourage people to get to know a farmer. There are incredible regenerative organic farmers in our own communities that oftentimes don’t have access to mainstream markets. During the pandemic, we saw a major increase in sales directly from farms to consumers. When the supply chains in the grocery stores broke down, we turned to farmers. That’s profound. As a result of the pandemic, 22 million new gardens were planted in the United States, according to the National Gardening Association. We need to keep that going. It’s very exciting to be a part of this movement as people around the world come to understand the importance of food as medicine. I truly believe that regenerative healthcare is the key to healing our planet.

For more information, visit RodaleInstitute.org.

Patricia Trenchak writes for KnoWEwell, a Regenerative Whole Health Community platform and a collaborative partner of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. See ad on page 12

CELEBRATING 27 years in THE business of

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

27

calendar of events March 2021 SUNDAY MARCH 21st

Spring 2021 Interfaith Environmental Stewardship Event 1:30-4:30 pm We will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve, giving the park a spring cleaning by weeding, removing brush & other tasks. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels and appropriate precautions to prevent spread of the Coronavirus will be taken. Meet at The Gathering Place, 5310 S. Willow Dr. to sign in. Metro bus line 7 stops nearby, and line 49 is not far. Tools/supplies will be provided.

Please register for planning purposes on www. eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs. lrc@gmail.com for more information.

SUNDAY MARCH 28th

A Healthy Planet is a Prerequisite for Healthy People. 6 p.m. central, online. Join Hyun-Min Hwang, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental & Interdisciplinary Sciences at Texas Southern University, as he discusses the links between people’s health, and the health of our planet. Please register for this talk on www. eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs. lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

plan ahead TUESDAY MAY 4th

2021 Houston’s Heroes Award Luncheon 11:30 am The Annual Houston’s Heroes Award Luncheon honors individuals and organizations who have given exemplary services to make Houston a safer place to live, work, learn and play. Royal Sonesta Houston 2222 West Loop South Houston, TX 77027 For ticket purchases or more information please visit https://crime-stoppers.org/get-involved/2021CSLuncheon.

tuesday Core Focused Yoga 6:30-7:30 pm Strengthen your body, relax your mind and find your center with this dynamic flow yoga sequence with John Tran. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney St.Houston, TX 77010. discoverygreen.com

wednesday YIN With Lin 9:30 am Yin yoga targets the deep connective tissues: fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It’s slow and meditative, facilitating the space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow. com 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/ People of Earth. 7:00 pm. Hosted by Jacquelyn Battise. A program created to provide Native American and non-Native people with timely news and information about culture, news and realities.

KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org

thursday APRIL

Coming Next Month

Healthy Home Plus: Climate Change Health Impacts

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.

friday Brith Shalom 6:15 pm Shabbat Online https:// www.brithshalom.org

28

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION

saturday Integrative Hatha Yoga 9:30amTherapeutic and flowing asana practice focusing on heart and hip openers, twists, postural alignment, the energetic subtlebodies and meditation.Lin offers the wisdom of many traditions to address each student’s goals, whether beginner or advanced. RSVP Required. 713.858.8595 Lin Weiss - Certified Yoga Therapist linweiss@conscioushealingnow.com

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 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/ YogaMass® Online 5-6:30 pm. In YogaMass, we remember and embody the promise of Jesus, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” YogaMass® is a unique worship experience engaging and integrating all of our dimensions -- physical, psychological, emotional, mental, energetic, social, and spiritual. It reconnects us, through sacred ritual and practices, to the divine presence among us, within us, and in the sacred meal that we share as we seek to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. Donations accepted. Via Zoom.

Go to yogamass.com to register.

Whole Mother. 7:30 pm. Hosted by Pat Jones.

A show that discusses the political and practical aspects of being a mother today.

KPFC: Community Radio 90.1 FM. kpft.org

healthy living guide ACUPUNCTURE 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

URBAN COLONICS

COACHING BLISSFUL QUESTS

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

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 on page 8

See ad page 5

Positive change starts now!

832-628-4113 blissfulquests.com

COLONICS

MARILYN K. JONES, DDS

HEAL THYSELF HOLISTIC SPA 8020 Hammerly Blvd.

Houston, TX 77055 832-258-8959 Facebook.com/iamhths

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.

Serving the Spring Branch community and Greater Houston for over 19 years. If you are experiencing digestive issues, problems regulating the bowels, problems with mobility or just want to detox your system, she invites you to call and set up an appointment.

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

See ad on page 21

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.

See ad on pages 6 & 8

Barbara Ellis, Retired RN 5042 Briscoe St. Houston, TX.77033 713-738-8199 urbancolonics.com

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE ERIN THOLE, CNHP ErinThole.com Thole.erin@gmail.com 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-fits-all 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 6

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

HAIR DESIGN VENUS HAIR DESIGN

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!

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!

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

29

HOLISTIC HEALTH PRIMARY CARE HOUSTON HOLISTIC HEALTH CLINIC & 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

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.

30

march 2021

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!

MEDITATION

METAPHYSICAL SHOP 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.

Claire Villarreal: Meditation Instruction for Transformation clairevillarreal.com

Online meditation classes to help you bring your practice into your daily life. Whether you are an experienced meditator or just beginning to meditate, Claire Villarreal, PhD offers online classes to help you make a lifesytyle of Coming Home to Your Mind. The free mini-course is available on her website and the full course During this time of added stress when in-person meditation communities are closed, take advantage of this opportunity to receive timeless teaching and practice in the comfort of your home.

See ad on page 21

APRIL

Coming Next Month Healthy Home Plus: Climate Change Health Impacts

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

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

REFLEXOLOGY PRESSURE POINTS REFLEXOLOGY

JOEY DIEGO, PERSONAL TRAINER

Mobile Reflexology Service 713-826-6709

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!

Take a holistic step toward better health with reflexology. By applying pressure to specific pressure points on the feet and hands, the flow of chi through the meridians of the body can be balanced and minor pain and stiffness relieved. B. Johnson has 22 years’ experience in reflexology and reflexology education, and she will come to you at your home or business. Call her TODAY and ask about the Natural Awakenings Discount.

See ad page 20

PAIN RELIEF AUNT ALBERTA’S REMEDY

SELF-HEALING

Homeopathic Pain Relief Cream 973-715-9097 info@AlbertasPainRelief.com albertaspainrelief.com

Ching Chi Institute

Need Relief from Arthritis? Try Aunt Alberta’s Remedy to ease muscular aches andjoint pain. Her Remedy is a homeopathic pain relief cream that penetrates deep into the skin and muscle tissues. Get beneficial relief from sciatica, fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuralgia, gout, and more. All-natural ingredients! Do you want to feel a real difference from the nagging aches of arthritis? Feel less pain & have more range of motion? Use Aunt Alberta’s Pain Relief Cream!

Get relief today! Great buy, get a 4oz jar for $15!

See website for other options. See what people say about Aunt Alberta’s Remedy and Purchase Now on our website. albertaspainrelief.com.

See ad page 11

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 CHING how to use your body’s CHI own chi energy to decrease your chance of becoming ill, increase your chance of recovINSTITUTE ering more quickly from illness, prevent a minor 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.

Coming Next Month APRIL

Climate Change Health Impacts Plus: Healthy Home

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

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 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.

THERMOGRAPHY Thermal Imaging Services

24550 Kingsland Blvd.

Katy, TX 77494 713-621-4406 info@thermalimagingtexas.com thermalimagingtexas.com Thermography views what cannot be seen by the naked eye using a high definition infrared camera. It senses temperature patterns and changes which provide information for evaluation.

Offering Full Body, Health with abdominal and Breast Study at our Katy location as well as limited dates in our satellite offices. Visit us online at thermalimagingtexas.com or phone us at 713-621-4406 See ad on page 11

NaturalAwakenings-Houston.com

31

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 Available Online and Amsterdam Coffee & Houston Area Smoke Envy locations

Honey Hills TX

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

march 2021

HOUSTON METRO EDITION