Natural Awakenings of the Coastal Carolinas - April 2020 by Natural Awakenings of the Coastal Carolinas

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Botanical Libations Sweeten the Spring

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Wellness for You in Your Home

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Seven years without a cold?

had colds going round and round, but not me.” Some users say it also helps with sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had a 2-day sinus headache. When her CopperZap arrived, she tried it. “I am shocked!” she said. “My head cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.” Some users say copper stops nighttime stuffiness if used just before cientists recently discovered bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had time. He hasn’t had a single cold for 7 a way to kill viruses and in years.” years since. bacteria. Copper can also stop flu if used early He asked relatives and friends to try Now thousands of people are using it it. They said it worked for them, too, so and for several days. Lab technicians to stop colds and flu. placed 25 million live flu viruses on a he patented CopperZap™ and put it on Colds start CopperZap. No viruses were found alive the market. when cold viruses soon after. Soon hundreds get in your nose. Dr. Bill Keevil led one of the teams of people had Viruses multiply confirming the discovery. He placed tried it and given fast. If you don’t millions of disease germs on copper. feedback. Nearly stop them early, “They started to die literally as soon as 100% said the they spread and copper stops colds if they touched the surface,” he said. cause misery. People have even used copper on used within 3 hours In hundreds cold sores and say it can completely after the first sign. of studies, EPA prevent outbreaks. Even up to 2 New research: Copper stops colds if used early. and university The handle is days, if they still researchers have confirmed that viruses curved and finely get the cold it is milder than usual and and bacteria die almost instantly when textured to improve they feel better. touched by copper. contact. It kills germs Users wrote things like, “It stopped That’s why ancient Greeks and picked up on fingers my cold right away,” and “Is it Egyptians used copper to purify water and hands to protect supposed to work that fast?” and heal wounds. They didn’t know you and your family. “What a wonderful thing,” wrote about microbes, but now we do. Copper even kills Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more Dr. Bill Keevil: Copper quickly kills deadly germs that Scientists say the high conductance colds for me!” cold viruses. of copper disrupts the electrical balance have become resistant Pat McAllister, 70, received one in a microbe cell and destroys the cell in for Christmas and called it “one of the to antibiotics. If you are near sick seconds. best presents ever. This little jewel really people, a moment of handling it may Tests by the EPA (Environmental keep serious infection away. It may even works.” Protection Agency) show germs die save a life. Now thousands of users have simply fast on copper. So some hospitals tried The EPA says copper still works stopped getting colds. copper for touch surfaces like faucets even when tarnished. It kills hundreds of People often use CopperZap and doorknobs. This cut the spread of preventively. Frequent flier Karen Gauci different disease germs so it can prevent MRSA and other illnesses by over half, serious or even fatal illness. used to get colds after crowded flights. and saved lives. CopperZap is made in America of Though skeptical, she tried it several The strong scientific evidence gave pure copper. It has a 90-day full money times a day on travel days for 2 months. inventor Doug Cornell an idea. When back guarantee. It is $69.95. “Sixteen flights and not a sniffle!” she he felt a cold about to start he fashioned Get $10 off each CopperZap with exclaimed. a smooth copper probe and rubbed it Businesswoman Rosaleen says when code NATA19. Go to www.CopperZap.com or call gently in his nose for 60 seconds. people are sick around her she uses “It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold CopperZap morning and night. “It saved toll-free 1-888-411-6114. Buy once, use forever. never got going.” It worked again every me last holidays,” she said. “The kids ADVERTORIAL

New device stops cold and flu

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE

Contents

MAY

Autoimmune Breakthroughs

12 PLANET RESCUE

Grassroots Strategies Combat Climate Crisis

plus: The Collagen Connection

15 50th EARTH DAY TAKES

Readers are Seeking These Providers & Services:

ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Golden Anniversary Marks Call to Action

16 HEALTHY HOME,

Enzyme Therapy Dietitians & Nutritionists Nutritional Counseling Natural/Organic Foods Natural Supplements Farmers’ Markets Health Food Stores Vitamin Shops Herbalists Skin Care ... and this is just a partial list!

HEALTHY KIDS

How to Keep Them Safe

18 Three Best Practices for a Healthy House

Wellness for You in Your Home

20 CLIMATE

WARRIORS UNITE A Call to Action

22 BRIGIT STRAWBRIDGE HOWARD

on Rediscovering Nature

JUNE

Inspired Lifestyle Travel plus: Brain Health

23 A HOME THAT HEALS Creating a Nurturing Space

26 FLOWER POWER

Botanical Libations Pack Healthy Punch

28 ACUPUNCTURE

THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

FOR ANIMALS

JULY

Beyond Factory Farming plus: Gut Health

CONNECT WITH OUR READERS

THREE-MONTH EDITORIAL CALENDAR & MARKETING PLANNER

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Needles Work Wonders on Pets

DEPARTMENTS 7 news briefs 8 health briefs 9 eco tip 10 global briefs 16 healthy kids 20 green living

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22 wise words 23 healing ways 26 conscious eating 28 natural pet 30 calendar 30 classifieds 32 resource guide

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A Life Changing

Smile

Can Be Yours! 23

State-of-the-Art Dental Technology combined with a

HOLISTIC APPROACH MERCURY-FREE FAMILY DENTISTRY Additional services include:

advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 910-833-5366 or email Publisher@NA-SENorthCarolina.com. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month. Editorial submissions Visit NA-SENorthCarolina.com for guidelines and to submit entries online. Email Editor@NA-SENorthCarolina.com with questions.Deadline for editorial: 10th of the month. calendar submissions Visit NA-SENorthCarolina.com for guidelines and to submit entries online. Email Editor@NA-SENorthCarolina.com with questions.Deadline for calendar/events: 12th of the month. regional markets Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

Southeast NC & serving GREATER Myrtle Beach Publisher Lori Beveridge

Managing Editor David Beveridge

Proofreader Randy Kambic

Design & Production Steffi K. Kern Stephen Blancett Josh Pope

Distribution Jena Skai Sales Lori Beveridge

Referral Ambassador Diane Jones

contact us P.O. Box 4753, Wilmington, NC 28406 Ph: 910-833-5366 Publisher@NA-SENorthCarolina.com NA-SENorthCarolina.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $35 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

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 Asst. Director of Ops Heather Gibbs Digital Content Director Rachael Oppy National Advertising Lisa Doyle-Mitchell

letter from publisher

want to take this time to connect with all of you as COVID-19 continues to impact all of us. The wellbeing of our staff, advertisers and all of our readers is our priority. Our magazine will continue to be distributed although knowing that some locations are not able to stay open. We are fostering relations with our local and healthy restaurant community to work together. See listing on page 27 for the complete list of restaurants and know that they will have Natural Awakenings magazines there for you, too. Though our distribution is slightly changing, we are positive with building our new relationships and know you still have full access to our digital version at NA-SENorthCarolina.com and through our social media channels. We are dedicated to actively keep everyone abreast up the local and national information regarding this virus on our website. We are all in this together and are here as your healthy resource in the Coastal Carolinas. Though there is still much uncertainty, we take love and pride in what we do every day. We thank our devoted staff, genuine advertisers and our loyal community of readers. We are all part of a big extended family. Lastly, take time for yourself, take advantage of where we live. Enjoy and try to relax with this beautiful weather that Mother Earth has given us. Appreciate the outdoors, our nature has so much to offer us, go for an extended walk or hike, try a new place, start gardening, bird watching can be fun too, get creative, but most of all, grow in this time with family, close friends and pets. To health and many blessings, Lori Beveridge, Publisher

The world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless. ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com ©2020 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any treatment. Natural Awakenings Magazine is ranked 5th Nationally in CISION’S® 2016 Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

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news briefs

Enjoy National Walking Day

he National Walking day emphasizes the importance and the health benefits of taking a walk. The observance began in 2007, and it is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of April. As part of the American Heart Association’s efforts to promote healthy living, National Walking Day came to fruition. Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Unlike some other forms of exercise, walking is free and doesn’t require any special equipment or training. Physical activity does not have to be vigorous or done for long periods in order to improve your health. A 2007 study of inactive women found that even a low level of exercise-around 75 minutes per week -improved their fitness levels significantly, when compared to a non-exercising group. Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace. You can get out and walk without worrying about the risks associated with some more vigorous forms of exercise. Walking is also a great form of physical activity for people who are overweight, elderly or who haven’t exercised in a long time. Walking for fun and fitness isn’t limited to strolling by yourself around local neighbourhood streets. There are various clubs, venues and strategies you can use to make walking an enjoyable and social part of your lifestyle. For more information about the benefits of walking, visit Health.Harvard.edu/stayinghealthy/walking-your-steps-to-health.

Healthy Kids Day at Empie Park

his year marks the ninth annual partnership with the City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation and the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina in presenting the fun-filled Healthy Kids Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 18 at Empie Park. This is a free community event that’ll offer families the opportunity to participate in active play and educational opportunities designed to improve health and wellness. Free admission and free events available at this year’s event include a one-mile fun run with the first 300 children to register receiving a free T-shirt, sports stations to test skills, face painting, bouncy horses, community booths, animal rescue groups, jump rope and hula hoop contests, Zumba, free giveaways and prizes as well as food available for purchase from local food trucks. This year’s sponsors are Wilmington Pediatric Dentistry; Dimock, Weinberg, and Cherry, DDS; Greater Wilmington Tennis Association; Tropical Smoothie; Elderberry Syrup Mama and Natural Awakenings. Location: 3405 Park Ave., Wilmington. For more information, call 910-251-9622 or visit WilmingtonHealthyKids.com. See ad, page 16.

Consider Bliss Aesthetics for a More Natural Approach

onnie Briceno’s lifelong passion has always been to help others retain health and feel their best and she realized that helping people to understand and care for their skin was truly her life’s purpose. As a result of this passion, she recently opened Bliss Aesthetics Studio at 4712 New Centre Drive, in Wilmington. Her studio offers patrons “natural skin care services and treatments using unique, naturally corrective products for all types of skin and ethnicities to treat all skin care concerns including fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, enlarged pores and much more,” comments Briceno. Bliss Aesthetics offers natural, holistic skincare, lymph drainage and reflexology massage, enzymes and peels, microdermabrasion, permanent makeup, lash extensions and waxing. For more information and to schedule an appointment call Bonnie at 910-515-7641, visit BlissAestheticsStudio.com or email Bonnie@BlissAestheticsStudio.com. See Community Resource Guide listing, page 34.

Palm Sunday April 5th

11AM - Message, Music, Communion, Community Potluck at Surfside Location

Easter Sunday April 12th

11AM - Outside under Pavilion & Tent 6173 Salem Road

Affiliated with Unity Worldwide Ministries and Daily Word Sunday Services, 11am 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29575 843-238-8516 Facebook Unity Myrtle Beach UnityMyrtleBeach@gmail.com

Saturday April 18th

Earth Day Festival: 11AM-5PM Outside at Unity Center 6173 Salem Road

Sunday April 19th

11AM- Outside under Pavilion, Guest Speaker: Amy Armstrong, JD, Eco-Lawyer with SC Environmental Law Project, 6173 Salem Road April 2020

health briefs

Grape seed extract, an antioxidant-rich supplement that is a byproduct of the wine and juice industry, significantly improves both total and LDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels, and lowers markers of inflammation, concludes a metareview of 15 randomized trials in the journal Phytotherapy Research. Researchers from Iran, Canada and Croatia concluded that the popular extract also improves fasting glucose levels, but has little effect on HbA1c or HDL cholesterol levels.

Air pollution has long been linked to lung cancer, stroke and respiratory disease, and now research has found that it can lead to osteoporosis, as well. Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health studied the bone mass and density of 3,717 people living in villages near Hyderabad, India. These were compared to fine particulate air pollution levels, which averaged more than three times the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The researchers also surveyed in-home cooking over wood, coal and other biomass sources. The results showed that exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with lower levels of bone mass, and that cooking over fires did not have that effect. “Inhalation of polluting particles could lead to bone mass loss through the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by air pollution,” says lead author Otavio T. Ranzani. 8

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Try Pine Bark to Improve Erectile Function and Cholesterol Erectile dysfunction, an early diabetic indicator, responds to treatment with pine bark extract, Slovakian researchers report. They tested 53 diabetic and non-diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction, giving half of them the extract (marketed as Pycnogenol) and the other half a placebo for three months. The pine bark extract improved erectile function by 45 percent in the diabetes group and 22 percent in the non-diabetes group. It also lowered LDL cholesterol by 21 percent and reduced blood sugar levels in the diabetes group.

Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock.com

Breathe Cleaner Air to Help Bone Health

Consume Grape Seed Extract to Improve Cholesterol and Lower Inflammation

Quang Ho/Shutterstock.com

Echinacea extract may be helpful for situation-induced anxiety, indicates a new study from Hungary’s Institute of Experimental Medicine, in Budapest. The researchers tested 64 middle-aged people that had scored high on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. They were given either 80 milligrams Echinacea angustifolia root extract or a placebo every day for seven days, followed by a three-week washout period during which no pills were taken. Those taking the echinacea started experiencing less anxiety than the placebo-takers by day seven, and scored significantly lower in “state anxiety”, marked by arousal connected to specific dangers or threats. Measures of “trait anxiety”, in which anxiety is an ongoing personal characteristic, improved slightly compared to the placebo group. Improvements were maintained even during the washout period.

Gamzova Olga/Shutterstock.com

Take Echinacea to Reduce Anxiety

eco tip

Think Outside the House JurateBuiviene/Shutterstock.com

Expanding Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning traditionally heralds a new beginning, an opportunity to take stock of hearth and home and a time of renewal regardless of the season. Clearing figurative cobwebs is as important as sweeping away real ones, and while most folks focus on giving their abode a thorough airing and scrubbing, there’s plenty to tend to outside before the heat of summer sets in. Clear out potentially dead grass and leaves and other organic matter near the sides of the house to prevent termites and other insect infestations. Collect the organic matter, add in food scraps and compost it all to benefit the garden. Composting sends the nutrients of loose ingredients into the soil as a natural fertilizer. EarthEasy.com/ grow_compost.html reports it can help divert as much as 30 percent of household waste from the garbage can. Make sure to check the top and outer walls of the house. Upraised nails in a shingled roof or deteriorated shingles or gaps where plumbing vent pipes penetrate the surface—possibly due to high winds, falling branches or ice thawing in colder climes—can produce small breaks and holes for water to seep through onto tops of ceilings. That can possibly lead to mold as summer temperatures rise and water leaks into the interior of the house. OldHouseWeb. com says collars of vent pipes should be tight, as “some older [ones] can loosen over time and even some newer rubber collars crack and leak long before the shingles fail.” Also, check the gutters to make sure they are clear of packed leaves and tree branches. Don’t forget the family car, which may need its own spring cleanup. Go green with a natural soap to remove slush and grime, and then take a close look at the toll the past year has taken. Pebbles and rocks may have been kicked onto the sides of the car, resulting in small chips and abrasions of the paint from which rust might spread. The nonprofit Car Care Council (CarCare.org) recommends covering the areas as quickly as possible and if necessary to use a little clear nail polish—nontoxic, of course—as a quick fix for minor paint damage until a proper touch-up can be scheduled. Then there’s the undercarriage. Salt particles that may have been used in treating roads and highways in icy regions may be lodged into crevices which can corrode metal and functional parts. Make sure the hose sprayer also reaches these areas. April 2020

global briefs Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.com

Coal Costs

Closing Plants Saves Lives and Crops

What a

site to see! NATURAL AWAKENINGS HAS A NEW WEBSITE

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Plastics Adios

Mexicans Return to Old Ways After Ban A new law bans popular plastic bags in the Mexican capital, and grocery stores are poised to sell reusable synthetic fiber bags. The same law will ban handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules and other single-use items by 2021. Claudia Hernández, the city’s director of environmental awareness, says, “We are finding that people are returning to baskets, to cucuruchos [cone-shaped rolls of paper].” The old ways are present in other aspects, too. Many residents still use wheeled, folding shopping baskets and some vendors still measure out bulk goods in discarded sardine cans. Grocery stores that give out plastic bags will be fined, so most will opt for reusable shopping bags made of thick plastic fiber for about 75 cents. For hygienic reasons, the law leaves the door open to using plastic bags for such items as perishable deli meats or cheese.

Hot Spots

Climate Change City Index for 2050

Temperature changes, water shortages and rising sea levels will impact some of the world’s most populous cities during the next 30 years. Apartment rental hub Nestpick. com commissioned researchers to comb through data and determine how the ongoing climate shift could impact specific cities to help people choose where to live and add to the debate about procedures that can be put in place to ensure the longevity and livability of cities. Bangkok faces the highest risk of flooding from rising sea levels and a projected temperature increase of 3° F. Nairobi may move from a temperate humid warm summer climate to a tropical-type savanna wet summer climate due to rising temperatures. The demand for water is projected to be double the supply in Melbourne. Ho Chi Minh City and Amsterdam are also very high on the list.

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SHTRAUS DMYTRO/Shutterstock.com

Between 2005 and 2016, the shutdown of coal-fired plants in the U.S. saved an estimated 26,610 lives and the equivalent of around 570 million bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat, reports a new University of California at San Diego (UCSD) study published in Nature Sustainability. The coal plants were typically decommissioned as utilities transitioned from coal to natural gas for electric power generation, thus reducing particulate matter and ozone in the lower atmosphere. “When a coal-fired unit shuts down, local pollution [including particulate matter] levels drop, mortality rates drop and crop yields of major staple crops rise,” writes study author and UCSD associate professor Jennifer Ann Burney. The newer, natural-gas and coal-fired units that have supplanted them are not entirely benign and deserve further study, she notes.

Roundup Redux

Nutty News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has clarified its standards regarding organic crop container systems such as hydroponics and aquaponics, requiring that those operations stop using synthetic chemicals not approved for organic crop production in the soil underneath, as well as in containers, for three years prior to achieving certification. The clarification arose after soil-based farmers reported that hydroponics operations were spraying the soil to clear weeds with Monsanto’s glyphosate shortly before building a greenhouse and applying for quick organic certification. The World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a Group 2A carcinogen, and it is absolutely prohibited on organic farms. The Real Organic Project, a family farmer-driven organization, is lobbying for an add-on label to USDA Certified Organic to provide more transparency on whether organic crops are grown in soil or hydroponic greenhouses.

A “green” sunscreen has been synthesized from discarded cashew-nut shells by a team of scientists from South Africa, Malawi, Tanzania and Germany, reports the European Journal of Organic Chemistry. Using xylochemistry (wood chemistry), the scientists produced new aromatic compounds that show good UVA and UVB absorbance, which can protect humans, as well as polymers and coatings, from harmful rays from the sun. The research was published in the European Journal of Organic Chemistry. UV rays can lead to sunburn, premature aging and the development of lethal melanomas in humans and animals, and are also damaging to most materials, causing the discoloration of dyes and pigments, weathering, yellowing of plastics and the loss of gloss and mechanical properties.

SOMKKU/Shutterstock.com

Organic Standards Clarified for Hydroponics

Eco-Sunscreen Made from Cashew Shells

Unsafe Sipping

Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com

Widespread Drinking Water Contamination Found

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found contamination of U.S. drinking water with manmade “forever chemicals” to be much worse than estimated. Miami, Philadelphia and New Orleans have some of the highest levels. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are resistant to breaking down in the environment and some have been linked to cancer, liver damage, low birth weight and other health problems. David Andrews, a senior scientist at EWG and co-author of the report, says, “It’s nearly impossible to avoid contaminated drinking water from these chemicals.” Sources include products like Teflon, Scotchguard and firefighting foam. Only one location in the country, Meridian, Mississippi, which has 700-foot-deep wells, had no detectable PFAS, while Seattle and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had levels below 1 part per trillion, the limit EWG recommends. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has known since at least 2001 about the problem of PFAS in drinking water, but has so far failed to set an enforceable, nationwide legal limit.

The Calla Lily Advantage Nutrition for Your Well-Being

Karen L. Dettore

Certified Nutrition Consultant - Master Level 910-262-6732

Nutrition & Wellness Holistic Nutrition Weight Management & Sports Nutrition

Karen@the callalilyadvantage.com www.thecallalilyadvantage.com April 2020

The message I try to express [through my art] is that some of our best-known wild animals might, in my lifetime, no longer be on the planet. painting by Josie Martin

~Josie Martin

PLANET RESCUE Grassroots Strategies Combat Climate Crisis by Julie Marshall

ike most kids, Azalea Morgan loves polar bears. “They’re fluffy and cute,” the 8-year-old says, and after watching a documentary on how climate change is affecting these Arctic apex predators, she badly wanted to help. Her mom, Molly Morgan, suggested she do something big, because the problem of global warming is monumental. For nearly three weeks last September, Azalea pedaled her bike alongside her mom and 9-year-old sister, Ember, setting out from their hometown of Andover, New Hampshire, en route to New York City to attend the United Nations (UN) Climate Action Summit, where Greta Thunberg and other global youth leaders marched for change. The trip was a fundraiser to put solar panels on their school and for future projects under KidsCare4PolarBears, a Facebook page that documents their ongoing efforts. 12

While not everyone has the time or inclination to ride 250 miles and camp— some of it in the rain—or as Thunberg did, sail across the Atlantic in a zero-emissions yacht, there are steps individuals can take to combat climate change on a grassroots level, experts say, because the crisis is undeniable, as seen most recently in the catastrophic bushfires across Australia. There are peaceful protests taking place worldwide scheduled throughout 2020 at FridaysForFuture.org and other organizations, but a growing number of individuals that want to do more are using their imaginations and creative endeavors, inspiring others to take unique action. Students at a school in Spain wrote and performed a play and illustrated a book to raise climate change awareness, while a teen from California used her artistic skills to raise thousands of dollars for wildlife. On March 28, people around

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the world participated in the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour by collectively turning off lights at 8:30 p.m. while holding eco-events, and others are joining in the global tree-planting campaign of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Reversing course may seem insurmountable, but individuals have a lot of power, says Dan Shepard, UN global communications officer: “The choices we make, the things we do, collectively matter and can have a huge impact on the world.”

Stepping Up for Biodiversity

“I wanted to inspire other kids,” Ember says of her bicycle trek for polar bears. “I love animals and they deserve to not die.” According to a 2019 UN Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, more than 1 million species are threatened with extinction, and one of the main reasons is climate change, say

I love to see what young people are doing, because if we collectively use our voice to amplify the facts about climate change, we can work to find solutions. ~Elan Strait experts, including Nikhil Advani, director of Climate Communities and Wildlife at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Protecting large predators is one key to enriching biodiversity, Advani says. “The top of the food chain has a significant impact on prey species and the ecosystem.” But predators are suffering because of humans that are feeling the impacts of climate change, Advani says. Long droughts have forced many Kenyan pastoralists to enter protected parks and compete with wildlife for water and grazing land, resulting in lion deaths as retaliation for killing livestock. In the Himalayas, as the Earth warms, snow leopard habitat is being encroached for pastureland. In Zimbabwe, farmers have turned to chopping down trees for wood as an alternative economic opportunity. “Everybody is stressed and competing for resources,” Advani says. “It is a very severe result of climate change.” Advani and researchers are working in tandem with local societies in 30 countries across Africa, Central America and Asia to fund novel projects under the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund. For instance, they are piloting a rainwater harvesting project to help farmers get through the dry seasons and are constructing concrete and mudbrick nests to help albatross breed better in Tasmania. These special projects are based on available levels of donations that are sometimes crowd-sourced. Raising funds for innovative projects, as well as increasing awareness of what’s happening, is an important grassroots strategy, says Elan Strait, WWF director of U.S. climate campaigns. It can be as simple as sharing updates, tagging social media influencers and instigating a rallying cry. WWF has its own program called Panda Ambassadors in which conservation activists of all ages can get tips and tools to promote specific projects they

feel most passionate about. “I love to see what young people are doing, because if we collectively use our voice to amplify the facts about climate change, we can work to find solutions,” Strait says. “And we need facts to get out there because, at least in the U.S., some people think climate change is still a controversy and are afraid to talk about it, but we should have that conversation with friends and family so we can find solutions.”

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April 2020

Youth Rising to the Challenge

Getting involved in grassroots-level strategies is empowering not only for kids, but for adults that need their resiliency and inspiration, says Janet Stringer, manager of donor relations at Polar Bears International, in Bozeman, Montana. “In my work, I hear from so many people who are feeling deep despair about the climate crisis. I draw hope from the children who write to us, sharing stories and pictures about their dreams for a future that includes polar

Getting Started Climate Action Opportunities

Fridays For Future – This is a global movement sparked by Greta Thunberg, with a map for climate strikes around the world (FridaysFor Future.org).

The United Nations – Consider

supporting several campaigns for climate change with grassroots strategies, including Climate Neutral Now, ACT Now and Good Life Goals (UN.org).

Moms Clean Air Force – Parents protecting children from climate-driven pollution, offering strategies to get kids involved (MomsCleanAirForce.org).

Earth Hour 2020 – Read about the global effort to dramatize environmental concerns that occurred on March 28 when lights were turned off for an hour around the world (EarthHour.org). Panda Ambassadors – World

Wildlife Fund engages activists of all ages with a toolkit and inspirational stories (WorldWildlife.org).

Plant a Billion Trees – Join in the

massive reforestation project by supporting the Nature Conservancy and planting trees (Nature.org).

Polar Bears International – Get involved and inspired through creative projects for polar bears (PolarBearsInternational.org).

It’s important that everyone feel they can contribute because everything does make a difference, and no action is too small. ~Catherine Macdonald bears,” says Stringer. “I think we owe it to the next generation to work as hard as we can to come together and make the necessary changes to ensure that polar bears—and all wildlife—are not a species we learn about in the pages of a book, but a wild species that we can see with our own eyes, reminding us of how special our planet is and why it deserves our respect.” One of her favorite examples comes from students at the Daina-Isard school, in Olesa de Montserrat, Spain, and their climate-driven projects with teacher Connie Darilek, who asked the Aquarium of Barcelona to help them grow plankton, an organism threatened by warming seas. “They gave us plankton and jellyfish, and it was really amazing for the students to learn the [Arctic] food chain and how serious it would be losing the polar bear on top,” Darilek says. Students recently published the book Nanuc, a story about a polar bear that they also illustrated, now in its second printing. Josie Martin, 13, of Solana Beach, California, has raised $8,700 for conservation of rhinos, elephants, pangolins, gorillas and polar bears by giving watercolor paintings to those that donate to charities through her PayPal Giving page at Chuffed.org/ project/peace-love-hope-for-rhinos. “Each year, I think I’m getting a little bit better at creating art which sends a strong message,” she says. “The message I try to express is that some of our best-known wild animals might in my lifetime no longer be on the planet. I think the difference I make through art is that I am helping to raise awareness for important animal conservation work.”

Every Action Counts

There’s no one solution to climate change, says Catherine Macdonald, TNC director of natural climate solutions for North America. “We really have to try, all of us. It’s important that everyone feel they can contribute,

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because everything does make a difference, and no action is too small.” For those that are not art-inclined, one of the best things people can do is to plant trees, Macdonald says, whether it’s replanting forests or increasing their numbers in urban areas. According to a 2018 study by TNC published in Science Advances, nature-driven land management could sequester 21 percent of America’s annual greenhouse gas pollution—the equivalent of emissions from all cars and trucks on the roads today. Planting trees emerged in the study as the most significant among 21 strategies to mitigate global warming. One good way to get started is join the TNC Plant a Billion Trees program, Macdonald says; details are at Tinyurl. com/TNCPlantABillionTrees. “Climate change is definitely a growing concern that we are facing, and as more people understand there is a problem and what the solutions are, the more influence we can have on the big decision-makers, whether that’s government or corporations that make our products,” she says. “And being aware informs voters to advance climate action.” While Josie, Ember, Azalea and the students at Daina-Isard aren’t old enough to vote, their message is strong. “I’m worried about the impact climate change will have on our future,” Josie says. “I think people should protest peacefully for the things they believe in and that more people should exercise their right to vote for leaders who care about the youth in our world and the generations to come. I also think people should try to spend a little bit of their time taking action for what they want to see changed in our world.” Julie Marshall is a Colorado-based writer and author of Making Burros Fly: Cleveland Amory, Animal Rescue Pioneer. Connect with her at FlyingBurros@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 22

LittlePerfectStock/Shutterstock.com

Climate Change Lessening Ceremony – 6:30pm. Rev. Lindsley Field will guide a Climate Lessening Ceremony to help individuals find their personal path in lessening climate change. Informational discussion following ceremony about the Guided Vision Quest Dance Ceremony scheduled for this fall on the beautiful land of Unity’s future home. This will be a non-traditional vision quest and is open to all faiths and backgrounds. Cost: Love offering. Future home of Unity Myrtle Beach Spiritual Center, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

50th EARTH DAY TAKES ON CLIMATE CHANGE Golden Anniversary Marks Call to Action

n April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans—10 percent of the nation—took to the streets and campuses to protest environmental degradation so severe that rivers were literally catching on fire. That groundswell was followed by the passage of landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, laws soon adopted by many other countries. Half a century later, as temperatures approach 70 degrees in Antarctica, catastrophic wildfires race through Australia and species die off around the world, the planet’s status seems anything but golden. On this Earth Day, the climate crisis that precipitated these events and trends take center stage: The goal is to mobilize millions, perhaps billions, of Earth’s human inhabitants to rise up in its defense. “The urgency has never been greater and the stakes have never been higher,” say the organizers of the Earth Day Network. “We are now in an environmental emergency and a climate breakdown. The world needs you—and your actions—for Earth Day 2020.”

To learn about personal actions, including step-by-step instructions on how to organize an event, consult EarthDay.org. Participants can join in a cleanup of trash from rivers, beaches, streets and forests; host a teach-in; take part in a climate strike or campus rally to show united action; join the world’s largest citizen science initiative to document declining environmental conditions and participate in social media campaigns to raise awareness. Help Southeast North Carolina & Greater Myrtle Beach celebrate victories and support future progress by participating in these local Earth Day 2020 events.

Saturday, April 25

Brookgreen Gardens Party for the Planet – 10am-4:30pm. Join us in a celebration of the Earth with music, activities, crafts, guided tours, and more. Students will meet some of our animal ambassadors who will help teach about our native animals and plants and the importance of how to act locally to make an impact globally. Family-friendly event you won’t want to miss. Included with garden admission. 1931 Brookgreen Dr, Murrells Inlet. 843-235-6000.

Saturday, April 18

Unity Myrtle Beach 2020 Earth Day Festival – 11am-5pm. Vendors, healing practitioners, plant sale, youth activities, food, music and fresh air. Porta Potties and hand washing stations available. Cost: Free admission. Unity Myrtle Beach Spiritual Center, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. For vendor information contact Maureen Goodman, 843-251-9786. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

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For a better us. April 2020

n Clean “green”. The chemicals in popular disinfectants alter children’s gut microbes and heavy use leads to higher body mass index by age 3, reports Canadian researchers; eco-friendly cleaning agents do not harm kids’ health, they found. A solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water can be used to clean counters, floors and toilets. The acetic acid in vinegar can deactivate even the flu and tuberculosis viruses, recent studies have shown.

HEALTHY HOME, HEALTHY KIDS How to Keep Them Safe

by Ronica O’Hara

healthy home for kids looks much like what’s needed for a healthy planet: clean air, clean water and clean food, all of which create a space in which our children can be well and thrive. This means taking active steps to eliminate everyday contaminants that can harm their developing organs and brains. “Children

are not mini-adults. Their bodies cannot filter out toxins and chemicals as effectively as a full-grown adult body can,” says Kimberly Button, author of The Everything Guide to a Healthy Home: All You Need to Know to Protect You and Your Family from Hidden Dangers. Here are some practical steps to take.

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n Get rid of mold. Mold, especially if it’s black, is highly toxic to children: a Polish study found it lowered IQs in children under 6. “When the mycotoxins in mold affect children’s developing nervous systems we may see fatigue, difficulty learning, and attention issues,” says naturopath Jill Crista of Janesville, Wisconsin, author of Break The Mold: 5 Tools to Conquer Mold and Take Back Your Health. She recommends mixing in a glass (not plastic) spray bottle essential oils, such as rosemary, holy basil, tea tree or eucalyptus, spraying the mold, and using a disposable cloth to wipe it off. The essential oils “not only kill mold, but neutralize the toxins,” she says. “It won’t fix mold on porous surfaces, which require professional remediation.” n Ban smoking. Children that breathe secondhand smoke are more prone to ear infections, coughs and colds, tooth decay and respiratory problems like asthma and pneumonia, and they miss more days of school, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics. Even smoke residue that clings to clothes, furniture, bedding and other surfaces can harm a child when this third-hand smoke is inhaled, absorbed or ingested.

Clean Water

n Get a water test. Because children drink more water per pound than adults, even low levels of contaminants can impact their IQ and behavior. Check with the local health department to see if it offers free test kits, buy one at a hardware store or find a local lab by calling the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Prostock-studio/ Shutterstock.com

Clean Air

healthy kids

n Purify it. Several types of water purification systems, including tap-mounted, under-sink and pitchers, are effective and affordable, ranging from $20 to $300. Seek filters certified by the National Sanitation Foundation testing agency that address contaminants identified by the water test.

Could indoor MOLD and ALLERGIES be making you SICK?

Clean Food

n Buy organic when possible. “Swapping to mostly organic foods is a good way to reduce your child’s daily toxic burden and reduce their risk of developing gut issues, autoimmune diseases, and food sensitivities and allergies,” says Caitlin Self, a licensed dietitian and functional nutritionist in Baltimore who blogs at FrugalNutrition.com. Using the list of the Dirty Dozen pesticide-laden produce compiled by the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org/ foodnews) as well as its recommended Clean 15 makes shopping organic easier. n Clean produce of pesticides. Simply rinsing produce under cold water for 30 seconds reduces pesticide residues for nine of 12 pesticides, a study by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station found. Saltwater or vinegar rinses also remove pesticides effectively, and in a recent Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study, soaking apples in one ounce of baking soda to 100 ounces of water for 15 minutes removed 80 and 96 percent of two pesticides, respectively, even under the skin of the fruit. n Stock up on healthy snacks. After-school munchies are not only natural, but healthy. “Kids’ little tummies tend to need more frequent feedings than fully formed adults to ensure they have stable blood sugar,” says Self. Rather than highly processed crackers, pudding and most granola bars, offer combos like grapes with cheese, celery with peanut butter or hummus on whole-wheat bread. “Some parents will need to rely on some more packaged snacks to get through,” says Self, who recommends trail mix, fresh fruit or crispy chickpeas. Ronica A. O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Three Best Practices for a Healthy House Wellness for You in Your Home by Caroline Blazovsky

any people visit a physician with a health complaint only to end up with a clean bill of health. Blood work, scans and treatments are provided, but you still end up feeling sick or have symptoms. It’s possible that your environment is the culprit. Public health tells us that determinants of health reach beyond the boundaries of traditional health care. Sectors such as housing and environment can be important allies in improving population health according to the U.S. Department of Health Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion. We should consider our houses (environments) as potential causes for illness and disease. Over the last decade, we have become more aware of the health effects of “sick building syndrome” and the role that our homes play in our overall health. Homes contain a plethora of problems particularly when maintenance is ignored. Mold, dander/dust mites and high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are just some of the problems we face in our dwellings. Homes have become more energy efficient with tighter building envelops from home wrapping systems, doors and windows with better insulation factors and heating/air conditioning systems with lower energy consumption. These save us on energy, but have created houses with more moisture and ventilation problems. If we are to stay healthy in our homes, there are three areas in which we need to pay close attention. By removing these sources and lowering our exposure to home toxins, we can hopefully help to improve our immune function and reduce potential sources of inflammation in the body. 18

Mold Removal

Mold, an important topic often discussed when trying to create a healthy home, can do three things to the body that make it problematic to have in the home. According to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), it produces a spore that can contain a protein that causes allergies in about 10% of the population. Secondly, molds can produce a VOC or what we call an MVOC, a chemical released from the mold similar to paint fumes that can contribute to poor indoor air quality. When you smell a musty or moldy odor, you’re smelling the MVOCs from mold. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website reports that these MVOCs produce a chemical mixture of alcohols, aldehydes, acids, ethers, esters, ketones, terpenes and thiols, and cites increasing experimental evidence that some of these VOCs have toxic properties. Thirdly, certain molds can produce a mycotoxin. The World Health Organization in its 2011 publication Mycotoxins: Children Health and the Environment defined mycotoxin as a natural by-product produced by fungi that evoke a toxic response to humans. The National Cancer Institute states exposure to aflatoxins (a type of mycotoxin) is associated with an

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increased risk of liver cancer. Mycotoxin are produced by species of fungi found in water damaged indoor environments. You often hear of certain molds referred to as “toxic mold”; this is due to their ability to produce a mycotoxin. Due to these health risks, it is important to test and remove these offenders from your home. For a DIY option, visit Examinair.com.

Clean up Dander and Dust Mites

When you hear the old adage “cleanliness is next to godliness”, you should pay attention. Cleaning your home properly is one the most important things you can do for your health. Unfortunately, removing dander (skin cell from human or pets) and dust mites is not as easy as one might think. They can easily build up, leading to allergies and inflammation. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology cites that 90 percent of allergic asthma cases are caused by dust mites. Dander is skin cells shed from our bodies. Fun fact: humans are not hypoallergenic. In fact, we shed dander. Pets often get blamed for high-dander counts which feed dust mites, but humans are to blame also. You can have an indoor air quality dander air test performed on your home to see how well you are cleaning. Check acac.org to hire a certified professional. If dander counts are high, you probably also have dust mites feeding on the dander. Both may cause allergies and inflammation in the body of those exposed and lead to poor indoor air quality and breathing issues. Removing dander can help eliminate dust mites. AllergyBuyersClub.com recommends purchasing a vacuum with a sealed body for zero particle emissions, a triple-filter with pre, HEPA and post-motor system and a dual bypass system for increased air

flow and power. Visit the website to learn how to purchase an allergy-appropriate vacuum. Additionally, washing clothes in water above 140° F will help kill dust mites, and make sure to vacuum your mattress with your HEPA vacuum every two weeks. Use a separate vacuum tool not used on floors to clean all bedding. Also, buying new hypoallergenic pillows frequently will help to keep skin cells that land in your pillow and dust mites that feed on them down to a minimum. Dust mites also feed on moisture so keeping the relative humidity in your home between 30-50% will also help to deter dust mites. A drier environment will inhibit their growth.

Reduce Chemicals or VOCs

VOCs are chemicals that can come from personal care products, carpet, furniture, paint, building products, fragrances and many other sources. They have more complex names like formaldehyde, toluene, methane, sulfur dioxide, naphthalene, perchloroethylene, ethanol, acetone and many other compounds. We lump all of them in a category called Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC). In a nutshell, when you have too many chemicals in the home, your TVOC levels become elevated. When this occurs, your air quality becomes compromised and this can affect your overall health. Individuals exposed to a high number of VOCs may suffer from numerous symptoms such as headaches, malaise, asthma, respiratory system plus more serious problems. Some VOCs are actually carcinogenic, There are several ways to reduce these chemicals in the home. First, try to ventilate the house during any construction projects and store harsh chemicals (paints, solvents, cleaners and pesticides) away from occupied spaces, ideally outside

in a shed or storage area. Chemicals from paint are often the largest contributor to total VOCs in a home. To help reduce these levels, store paint outside the home; if you must keep a can or two inside, turn it upside down and let the paint seal the lid, and then store the can inside a metal sealed bin. Remember, once you open a can of paint, it is never fully sealed and chemicals continue to leach out of the can into the air we breathe. VOCs also come from natural items. We all want to be “green”, but be careful of green wash. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean that it does not give off a VOC or chemical or can’t be harmful. Pinenes, terpenes, camphines and limonenes are all VOCs that come from “natural” sources such as Christmas trees, wood, citrus, pine and eucalyptus and others. The ideal home has indoor air quality which contains low amounts of VOCs both from natural and unnatural sources. To make the biggest impact, reduce the level of fragrances in a home. Try to purchase products without synthetic or natural fragrance, scent-free items help clean up your air. When you see the word fragrance on a bottle, the most common ingredient is Toluene-A VOC. However, there’s no way of looking at the word fragrance and knowing how many chemicals it contains. There may be as many as 600 different chemicals in a fragrance blend, which all adds to your total VOC level. Recently, organizations like U.S. Green Building and the LEED Council formulated standards and guidelines for homes to help determine acceptable TVOC levels for homes and current chemicals that should be tested. Currently, some European communities think TVOC levels should be as low as 300 nanograms per liter; if you’re purchasing fragranced products, you may reach your total VOC limit for the day before you even step out of the shower. Caroline Blazovsky is nationally recognized as America’s Healthy Home Expert. She is a home investigator and media personality promoting healthier homes throughout the U.S. She has been featured in AARP, Shape, SiriusXM, House Smarts TV, The Jenny McCarthy Show, Reader’s Digest and

many podcasts, radio and print interviews. With more than 19 years of experience, she is a council-certified Mold Remediator and Indoor Environmentalist Investigator with graduate Sustainable Design certification from Boston Architectural College. She’s also credentialed through the National Environmental Health Association as a Healthy Homes Specialist. Caroline is a board member of the ACAC, as well as a founding member and scientific contributor to the national IAQA Public Education Committee. She resides as CEO of My Healthy Home, a company specializing in indoor air quality products, consultations and services. In her spare time, she is a graduate candidate in Public Health at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Her focus is working with physicians, homeowners, other building professionals and the public to improve wellness through home environments. Consider improving wellness and consult with her on testing for contaminants in the home, reducing allergens and chemicals, improving indoor air and water quality, mold and using environmentally friendly building materials and products. For more information or for a consultation, call 866-743-8563 or visit MyHealthyHome.info or HealthyHomeExpert. com or follow at Facebook.com/myhealthy home, Twitter.com/healthyhomeexp, Instagram.com/Healthy HomeExpert or YouTube.com/channel/UCekGSWthDRgp4c_ 03MJ4cxA. See ad, page 17.

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April 2020

I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.

Protect imperiled manatees and their habitat

~Greta Thunberg 2019 World Economic Forum

Climate Warriors Unite A Call to Action

1-800-432-JOIN (5646) savethemanatee.org Photo © David Schrichte

by Sandra Yeyati

world to make their voices n November 2018, one of We are the the worst fires in Caliones we’ve been heard,” she says of the Swedish teenager whose school fornia history overtook waiting for. strike initiative—Fridays the town of Paradise and surrounding communities, ~Solemi Hernandez for Future—has become a worldwide phenomenon. killing 88 people and destroy On December 14, 2018, Villaseñor ing more than 18,000 buildings. Alexandria Villaseñor, who was visiting family 100 miles began her own Friday vigils outside the away in her hometown of Davis, experienced U.N.—sometimes alone, other times with friends she’s inspired to take action; she also the suffocating effects of the smoke: Every helped organize the 2019 Global Climate breath was difficult for the asthmatic teen Strike in New York City, attended by more who is now 14 and lives in New York City. than 300,000 people, and founded Earth The fire changed Villaseñor’s life. “I was very upset, and I wanted to understand Uprising, a nonprofit global youth movement. She’s one of 16 youngsters, along with why these fires were happening,” she says. Thunberg, that filed a legal complaint with “I started to research climate change and the U.N. demanding that France, Germany, wildfires, and began to see the scientific Brazil, Argentina and Turkey curb their connection between the two.” carbon emissions. Awakened by personal concerns and “There are so many ways that young ignited by emerging role models, activpeople can get involved,” says Villaseñor. ists of all ages are learning how to become “They can give presentations about climate effective climate warriors. Watching Greta change in their classes and communities. Thunberg speak soon after the California Go out with a sign and protest, or lobby disaster to world leaders at COP 24, the politicians. Have clear demands of what United Nations Climate Change Conferyou want your city or town to do. I’ve seen ence in Poland, empowered Villaseñor local action influence action nationally to take to the streets and protest. “Greta and internationally.” gave permission to students all around the

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Daniele COSSU/Shutterstock.com

Make Every Day Earth Day

green living

DisobeyArt/Shutterstock.com

Dianne Rhodes, 76, of Saskatoon, go after our city governments to get them Canada, began her activism in 2006 after seebehind this as fast as possible.” ing Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Solemi Hernandez, 41, a Venezuelan imTruth. “It was shocking what we were doing to migrant raising two sons in Naples, Florida, quit the environment, our home, our planet. It hit her job and took out a loan so she could dedicate me like a freight train, and I saw the urgency,” all her time to environmental activism. “Ecosysshe says. tems are about to collapse and we don’t know the Rhodes trained with Gore, enabling exact tipping point. I don’t see a healthy future herself to give up-to-date, truthful and for my kids,” she says. One month after her drascience-based slide presentations. Her talks matic decision, the Citizens Climate Lobby hired vary in subject and audience, from composther to become its southeast regional coordinator. ing instructions for a group of pre-K kids to “We’re going to create and elect new decisionin-depth climate science for business profesmakers instead of trying to change those leaders sionals. “Activism is a way of letting people that are not representing us.” know what’s happening. It’s so important to get In 2019, Hernandez attended COP 25 in that awareness, to give people hope and then Spain and saw Thunberg up close speaking to Activism is a way of to show them how they can make a difference,” thousands of cheering activists. “Greta is an letting people know she explains. inspiration, but it’s not on her shoulders to what’s happening. Rhodes recommends both grassroots solve the issues,” she says. “It’s on us to orgaand “grass-top” action, including protest nize in our communities, see what can we do ~Dianne Rhodes marches, working directly with city planners personally and not look to her to be the savior. and changing personal behavior and choices at home. She’s exWe are the ones we’ve been waiting for.” cited about a new initiative in Canada: “We’re doing town hall meetings all across the country based on the Green New Deal Sandra Yeyati is a contributor to Natural Awakenings and … where people talk about how to get a city’s carbon emissions past president of the Naples, Florida, Press Club. Connect at down—what we can do in our neighborhoods, and how we can SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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April 2020

wise words

Brigit Strawbridge Howard on Rediscovering Nature by April Thompson

ee advocate, Bees have been a wildlife gardener portal to the natural and naturalworld for me. It happens ist Brigit Strawbridge when many people get Howard was alarmed interested in a specific the moment she realspecies because everyized she knew more thing is interconnected, about the French Revoand you start to notice lution than the native the whole web of life. trees around her. Howard’s realization that she What makes had lost touch with the bees distinct natural world led her from other kinds on a journey deep into of insects? the fascinating world of Bees go out specifically honeybees, bumblebees, to collect pollen and and the often unsung nectar to feed their superpollinator solitary larvae; other insects bees, chronicled in her It’s never too late to eat pollen and are book Dancing with reconnect and find important pollinators, Bees: A Journey Back to but don’t collect it for the curiosity and awe Nature. Howard writes, speaks and campaigns that you experienced their young. They also tend to visit the same to raise awareness of the as a child. flower species again importance of native and again, which other pollinators don’t wild bees and other pollinating insects. She always do. lives in North Dorset, England, with her husband, Rob, where they love to bee-watch How has your study of bees in their backyard garden.

What first piqued your interest in bees?

Initially, apocalyptic headlines about bee decline and colony collapse with female worker bees leaving hives and not coming back alarmed me from a human food chain perspective. It happened to be around the time I realized I had completely lost touch with the natural world I so loved as a child. I started looking for bees and became completely immersed in their world; the more I watched them, the more I lost track of time and the more questions I had. I also began to more worry about the bees themselves than about their decline’s effect on us. 22

affected you personally?

I dropped out of school as a teenager. Bees are the only thing I’ve truly ever studied; I am self-taught in insect biology and ecology. I have read scientific papers that I would have never thought were for the likes of me in my quest to understand more about bees. Also, when I feel overwhelmed with life, because of my interest in bees I have something else to focus on. I can lose hours and hours walking in the woods and totally forget my problems. I have learned to tune into the tiny things, the fungi and miniscule plants I would have otherwise walked past.

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What is one of the most interesting aspects of bee behavior?

Some years ago, I remember vividly a day on my patio listening to bees with my eyes closed and seeing if I could recognize them by their buzzes. Bumblebees have a deep booming buzz, for example, and I recognized this, but suddenly it changed to a high-pitched sound like a dental drill. I opened my eyes, and it was a bumblebee going round and round the sides of a Welsh poppy, sounding really frantic and having a pollen bath. As it turns out, she was sonicating, otherwise known as buzz foraging. This is how bees pollinate tomatoes. A lot of flowers don’t give up pollen easily, but the bumblebee knows exactly what to do. It grasps the flower and continues to vibrate without moving its wings. This produces high-frequency vibrations that trigger the tomato flower to open and explodes pollen out onto the bee.

What are a few ways that we can help support bee populations?

Maintain gardens, backyards and balconies with a variety of nectar-rich plants and create habitat for bees to nest in. Plant flowers that will bloom in succession. Stop using pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, because the bees are taking that cocktail of chemicals back to the hive or nest, and collectively they are more dangerous than the sum of their parts. Also, dare to be less tidy in your garden; grow wildflowers and let flowering weeds like clover and dandelions be. Watch and see what comes. It won’t just be the bees: If we get it right for the bees, it spirals out to other species. It’s never too late to reconnect and find the curiosity and awe that you experienced as a child. It was bees that captured my attention and imagination; for someone else it may be something else, but if you make time to stop, sit and look around you, you will find the wonder in nature. April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.

healing ways

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weight gain and digestive disorders,” says Saraka. “It’s best to use colors that reflect light, especially for homes in locations where winter is long and days are short.” Disruptive clutter is another key player in eliciting discontent, especially for children that are sensitive to environmental stimulus. “A space that is cluttered can cause emotional distress, resulting in less-than-desirable behaviors,” says Saraka. “Something as simple as the lines of the furniture can feel sharp, creating anxiety. It all matters.”

Cultivating Comfort

A Home That Heals Creating a Nurturing Space

by Marlaina Donato

ome, whether a humble studio apartment or a dream house, is a critical facet of well-being, a spiritual headquarters from which good health springs. Everyone in the family, including two- and four-legged children, can benefit from an environment that feels like a sacred space. Creating nourishing corners, along with more open areas that feed the senses and a system of functional ease, can be a deep and rewarding act of self-care. “Our home is by far one of the most significant investments we’ll ever make. Our spaces are not meant to be stagnant, but to evolve through each stage of our lives,” says feng shui expert Bridget Saraka, of Saskatoon, Canada. Ali English, owner of Eldrum Interiors, in Lincolnshire, England, concurs, “We all need a safe holt to return to, that space where we can be utterly ourselves, utterly at peace.”

Like water and wind, harmony within the home should also flow. “Listening to the energies in your home and taking the time to move furniture around until you have a placement that makes your head feel calm is really important,” says English. Feng shui—the ancient Chinese system of creating harmony in personal and professional spaces—prioritizes color psychology. “More times than I can count, I’ve had clients report loss of motivation after painting their homes taupe. They’ve also reported

Bringing the Outdoors In

Incorporating organic elements can boost the vitality of any living space. “House plants are a wonderful way to bring the green world into our homes. Go for organic ones if possible, and if you’re worried you may forget to water them, consider plants like scented leaf

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Investing in harmony does not require a high price tag. “It’s important to have a mental vision of what this means, and for me, there are three major components: peace, order and beauty,” says Texas-based designer Rachel Anne Ridge, who blogs at HomeSanctuary.com.

Soul-inspiring visuals, satisfying textures and natural, delightful scents are all desirable domestic companions. A small, ambient lamp in a bathroom or a spring-colored sheer in a window can invite the benediction of light. “Step outside the room and then come back in as a guest,” suggests Ridge. “What do you notice with your newcomer’s eyes? What does the room feel like? What smells are you aware of? Do you need to move a cat litter box to another area of the house? Would an area rug soften the hard sounds of foot traffic? Pause on each of your senses and make notes.”

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April 2020

Tips from our experts Feng shui tips from Bridget Saraka:

Create daily rituals with small, manageable goals that’ll help sustain balance and harmony. Give everyone in the household daily, weekly and monthly chores to help maintain a clean, healthy, safe, beautiful and calm home. Make sure that each space has optimum lighting, that all light bulbs work and window treatments are opened daily to fill each room with natural light. Position the beds in the home to have a view of the door entering the room. This is called the “command position”, which instills a sense of control over the immediate environment.

Practical suggestions from Rachel Anne Ridge:

Start with the floor. Simply pick up and straighten the items there—shoes, books, papers, coats and that stack of items earmarked for donating that you set in the corner weeks ago. A clear walk space gives you immediate energy and a sense of order. Use a timer. Setting it for five minutes (or giving yourself just enough time

to let a teabag steep in a cup) is perfect motivation to unload a dishwasher, clear the junk mail from the counter or wipe down a sink. Reduce indoor noise pollution. Installing felt bumpers on cabinet doors and drawers is a tiny activity that yields big results. Cover the feet of kitchen chairs with pads and use fabric placemats on tables. Throw rugs can also soften sounds. Upgrading speakers for TVs and devices can improve sound quality and facilitate lower volumes.

Inspiration from Ali English:

One of my most favorite guidelines is William Morris’ adage, “Keep nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Never feel that you are “stuck” with where you’ve placed furniture and items. I move things around my home on a regular basis, only really settling when furniture has found the place where it merges most perfectly with the overall energy of a room. Begin by creating a “mood board” where you collect ideas that inspire you.

Ease and Convenience of At-Home Health Tests The public can check many health aspects at home in an easy and highly convenient way without going to a doctor’s office. LetsGetChecked, based in Dublin, Ireland, and New York City, provides comprehensive, at-home health testing along with complementary clinical services and connections with a global network of regulated laboratories, enabling users to take more active roles in their health and decision making. After obtaining a testing kit online or from a selected pharmacy, customers selfcollect a blood, saliva or urine sample with a kit-provided lancet and send it to an affiliated lab—all Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-approved and College

of American Pathologists-accredited—using a pre-paid label. Most will receive a call from the company’s nursing team with results a few days later, which are also posted in their LetsGetChecked account. Thirty separate kits—grouped in men’s, women’s and sexual health plus wellness—can check for sexually transmitted diseases; some cancers; thyroid function; vitamin, cholesterol and hormonal levels; and more. Since its founding in 2014, the company has performed more than 250,000 tests. CB Insights, a leading private com-

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Our spaces are not meant to be stagnant, but to evolve through each stage of our lives. ~Bridget Saraka pelargoniums; for example, Royal Oak. They thrive on neglect and can also provide some wonderful room fragrances,” says English. She also suggests including natural or quality faux branches and blooms in the home as ways of decorating—berries to provide splashes of rich orange, pine cones dabbed with metallic paint, or even long stems of ivy leaves twisted into garlands. Having live plants in the home also benefits physical health. “Adding a few real plants to a space can help reduce environmental toxins found in paints and manmade products, as well as electromagnetic frequencies—by-products of electronics.” Ridge concurs, “Cacti can be a charming alternative for those of us who don’t have a green thumb, but still want to enjoy a living plant indoors.” In the end, a place of sanctuary comes from a place of love. English sums it up best: “If you pour that sense of love into your home, you will, over time, find that mirrored back at you, and you’ll feel it whenever you go through your front door.” Marlaina Donato is the author of several books and a composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. pany research and analysis firm, named LetsGetChecked to its inaugural Digital Health 150 list in October. For more information or to register, visit NA-SENorthCarolina.com. Natural Awakenings readers can receive 20 percent off their order by using discount code Natural20. See ad on page 35.

Beyond the Physical Space How Internal Feng Shui Nourishes Life by Meredith Montgomery

ine Star Ki is often referred to as our personal or internal feng shui. “Just as balancing the energy in our external space affects many aspects of our life, understanding and tending to our internal energy enables us to live a fulfilled and peaceful life,” says Meryl Hyderally, a Daphne, Alabama-based feng shui design consultant and owner of fengshui831. There are nine-year and nine-month cycles of ki, or energy, that are related to solar and seasonal cycles. Understanding these cycles of energy and how they affect us, reveals an individual’s natural tendencies and characteristics which can further guide the balancing of a physical space. Hyderally says, “We’re not decorating; 9 Star Ki is a tool we use to create an environment that influences our patterns of behavior to help us become more of who we are meant to be.” When helping a client with tree energy, she explained that trees need light and space for growth. “The windows were blocked and the room was dark so we needed to brighten it, allow more natural light in and create more space. The changes transformed the room and created an environment that is supportive; it’s like putting on clothes that fit.” Because water takes on the shape of the container it is placed in, Hyderally recommends that people with water energy create structure in their homes and lives. People with fire energy can benefit from a space with muted colors and soft furniture at the end of the day so they can shine a little less intensely and avoid burn-out. “Just like you want to eat foods that support your immune system, if spaces in

your home are not created in a way that is supportive, you don’t operate as well,” Hyderally explains. While the personalized guidance of a 9 Star Ki consultation is powerful, there is some self-guided work that everyone can do. Hyderally recommends looking at the way we come and go from our homes. “This is a big indicator of how well life is flowing. You want to make sure you’re not tripping over things; you want an ease, a comfort, a flow in these spaces,” says Hyderally. A landing place—a rug just inside the door or a visual focal point—is

also very important. Identify the center of your home and know that it is the heart of the home. The space should be easy to move through and visually represent the heart of the family. When walking through other spaces, Hyderally says, “Observe yourself in your space but also observe the space within you—what are you seeing? Are the things in your home purposeful? Are you connected to it? Are you inspired by it? Does it bring you joy to look at?” It’s also helpful to look at the focal point in each room. “If your furniture is oriented towards the TV, do you want that to be the focus? Consider rearranging so that you can view the TV from all seats but it no longer feels like the focal point of the room.” The goal is to live easily and effortlessly, but because each person and each space is unique, there’s not one single solution. Hyderally says, “It’s about creating an environment that is supportive of not only where you are in your life now, but where you want to go.” For more information, visit fengshui831.com.

April 2020

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conscious eating

FLOWER POWER Botanical Libations Pack Healthy Punch by April Thompson

lowers and other budding botanical elements this spring aren’t just eye candy to dress the table; they can bless an everyday beverage with intoxicating new scents, flavors and colors. “It’s such a joy to see a beautiful flower or plant, smell it and then add it to a delightful beverage or meal. Plants have so much medicine to share, and it’s fun to play with that,” says Myra Sinnott, an aromatherapist and owner of Essential Botany, in Washington, D.C. Many beverage favorites can be given a floral twist with little effort, says Cassie Winslow, author of Floral Libations: 41 Drinks + Ingredients and founder of the blog DecoTartelette.com, in Santa Cruz, California. Winslow’s go-to drinks include lavender-infused lemonade and rose petal almond milk, which can be served hot or cold. “I also love an iced lavender café au lait. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll use fresh flower ice cubes, too.” Dried hibiscus is another favorite of Winslow’s, as even a few petals of the concentrated dark magenta flower will brighten and beautify any beverage—even a yogurt-based drink. While many botanical drink recipes call for simple sugar syrup, Winslow suggests honey with a splash of water as a

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substitute. Other drinks are naturally sweet, like jasmine tea steeped in apple cider. Sinnott likes to fuse the power of flowers with other botanical elements such as rose petals in a light raspberry drink. “I also use rosewater in a warm elixir with a base of reishi mushroom tea, goji berries, turmeric, cinnamon and ginger, cacao, pearl powder and honey. Rose is a heart-opener and vitalizes the body with the immune-boosting reishi and the other tonifying ingredients,” says Sinnott. Winslow stresses the importance of buying organic ingredients, as many flowers are sprayed with toxic pesticides—or better yet, home-grown. She suggests the tea aisle of natural food stores is a good place for procuring organic floral ingredients such as chamomile and jasmine, which often come unblended in whole form. Dried flowers are easier to source and are often more potent than fresh, she says. “Fresh is pretty, but can be more subtle in flavor.” Her rose salt recipe, which can be used to rim drinks or seasonal dishes, calls for dried roses, which have a longer shelf life and won’t clump up like fresh petals. Marie Viljoen, Brooklyn-based author of Forage, Harvest, Feast: A Wild-Inspired Cuisine, suggests using cold infusions rather

Plants have so much medicine to share, and it’s fun to play with that.

SOOTHING BOTANICAL SIPS .2 oz ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), dried .2 oz rhatavari root (Asparagus racemosus), dried ½ oz rose petals (Rosa spp), dried .4 oz rose hips (Rosa canina), dried 1 oz tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), dried

photo by Susan Bell

~Myra Sinnott than heat or boiling flowers to retain their flavors and aromas. She also recommends picking flowers early in the morning or late afternoon, when their scent peaks.

A Cup of Wildflowers While botanical ingredients can be obtained commercially, it can be more fun—and frugal—to forage for them, suggests Viljoen, founder of the blog 66SquareFeet.blogspot. com. “It’s a lot of fun to go out to collect ingredients you cannot find in the store. You can experience unique textures, flavors and perfumes, and play with wild ingredients that have been all but forgotten,” she says. Some of Viljoen’s seasonal foraged favorites include the fragrant elderflower, honeysuckle and common milkweed flower. “I like to capture milkweed’s fragrance and deep pink color in a wild soda or a sweet cordial.” For newbie foragers, drink ingredients can be sourced as easily as herbs from a window box, like the antiviral thyme, which makes for a delicious wild soda made from a handful of herbs, sweetener and water left on the countertop a few days to lightly ferment and fizz. Another spring favorite, tender young spruce tips, has a sour flavor that ferments well with strawberries and rhubarb, says Viljoen. The same recipe can also be used to make vinegar, a longer process resulting in a more enduring product with great botanical properties. “You can create a sipping vinegar, which is good to mix with seltzer or slow-cook with,” says Viljoen. Whether botanical ingredients are foraged, bought or brought in from the backyard garden to be put in a hot tea, a cocktail or a cold brew, the magic is in the making. “Flowers are endless fun to experiment with, especially when added to everyday drinks and dishes. It brings life to the kitchen,” says Winslow. April Thompson, a freelance writer in Washington, D.C., can be reached at AprilWrites.com.

For the warm rose quartz: 3-4 Rough pieces of rose quartz crystal Mix all the herbs together in a large bowl, then decant into a sealable pouch or jar, being sure to store away from direct sunlight.

Unconditional Love Here’s an Indian-inspired herbal infusion featuring classic Ayurvedic herbs that help spread unconditional love that is so needed in the world right now. It’s recommended that you serve the infusion on heated rose quartz crystals; this will continue to emanate the love. This recipe is best made in larger quantities and stored for use throughout the year or whenever you need to spread or share more love with friends and family. Yields: 3½ oz beverage .7 oz cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) ½ oz ginger root (Zingiber officinalis), dried

Cleanse the crystals, by first rinsing and gently scrubbing them under running water, then place in the sun for a few hours and whisper some love poetry to them. Place the crystals in the oven on a low heat (158 to 170° F) for 15 minutes, or until hot. Place the crystals in the teacups. For a pot for 3 to 4 people, take 6 heaping teaspoons of the blend, pour over freshly boiled water, infuse with the lid on for 5 to 6 minutes, then fine strain and serve in cups over the warm pieces of rose quartz crystal. Recipe courtesy of Michael Isted, the Herball.

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Together we are helping our communities staying healthy & connected

April 2020

ACUPUNCTURE FOR ANIMALS

Needles Work Wonders on Pets by Julie Peterson

eedles make most pet parents cringe, but those used for acupuncture don’t hurt animals, they help. They are what traditional Chinese veterinary medicine has used for thousands of years to enhance blood circulation, balance the nervous system and promote release of pain-relieving hormones in animals ranging from rabbits to horses. “It’s a holistic approach that pinpoints the issues, unlike medicines that must go through the entire body,” says C.J. Schnier,

coach for the University of Wisconsin women’s polo team. The five thoroughbreds and a quarter horse on her Verona, Wisconsin, farm have a standing appointment every three weeks with a veterinarian that performs acupuncture for their injuries, arthritis, colic and immune systems. Since the founding of the Boulder, Colorado-based International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 1974, the number of certified animal acupuncturists has grown from 80 to about 1,800, making the specialty more accessible worldwide.

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Beyond the usual four-legged friends, acupuncture helps animals such as reptiles, rabbits and livestock as a complement to Western medicine or other body work to alleviate pain and speed recovery. “All animals can have acupuncture,” says veterinarian Carol Jean Tillman, of the Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital, in Las Vegas. She uses acupuncture for dogs and cats with musculoskeletal conditions such as lameness due to injuries, arthritis and paralysis, and also finds it helpful for allergies, immune system problems and digestive issues. A 2016 review of veterinary acupuncture clinical trials published in the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine concluded that it was safe and effective in treating a wide range of medical conditions like canine hip dysplasia, pain from osteoarthritis and surgery, intervertebral disc disease, seizure disorders, vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiac and respiratory problems, and depression and anxiety.

The Many Methods

Dry needle acupuncture is what most people recognize—the use of thin, solid, metallic needles inserted into specific meridian acupoints on a body. There is also aquapuncture, that involves injection of a liquid, such as diluted vitamin B12, into an acupoint to relieve muscle pain and discomfort. Moxibustion is a technique used for joint stiffness or allergies in which a heated Chinese herbal compound is applied to or held over acupoints. Electrostimulation, sending an electrical current through pairs of in-

Monika Wisniewska/Shutterstock.com

Treating the Ark

natural pet

It’s a holistic approach that pinpoints the issues, unlike medicines that must go through the entire body. ~C.J. Schnier serted needles, takes less time and creates longer-lasting effects. “Electrostimulation is very effective for treating neurological conditions such as radial nerve paralysis, facial nerve paralysis, disc disease and any condition that requires strong stimulation,” says veterinarian Bernadette Aleksey, at the Adorable Pets Veterinary Center, in Haddam, Connecticut. She regularly treats dogs, cats and horses for arthritis, neck and back pain, as well as neurological and gastrointestinal problems. Results similar to acupuncture can be obtained without using needles. Acupressure using hands, cupping therapy using special cups or cool laser stimulation using low levels of light can stimulate hard-to-reach acupoints or work for animals that are too restless for needles. “Depending on the severity of the condition, acupuncture treatment could be recommended daily for several days, then spaced out to every week, then as-needed or once a month,” says Tillman. Precise placement of tiny needles into an ailing dog or a massive horse seems fraught with risk, but the animals only need to be gently restrained and plied with treats during the first treatment. They generally relax quietly for subsequent treatments. Even Sienna, Schnier’s typically reactive thoroughbred mare, stands still for acupuncture around a swollen eye. “She knows it’s being done to help her,” Schnier says. And her 17-year-old cat held still for tiny needles placed in the sinus areas that helped it breathe better. In a clinical setting, pets may be more apprehensive, but there are workarounds such as lasers or aquapuncture. “We provide a relaxing environment. The lighting is dimmed, we play relaxing music and treats are encouraged,” says Aleksey. Pet parents can search for a certified veterinary acupuncturist at ivas.org/vets. Julie Peterson writes about pets, health and environmental issues. Connect at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

How Does Acupuncture Work? by Lydia Sullivan

hile acupuncture points were originally identified centuries ago by practitioners in Asia according to energy (chi) meridians and channels in the body, more recent research has revealed these points correspond to areas of high vascularity, lymphatic drainage or nerve bundles. Other insertion points commonly utilized are “trigger points” which are patient-specific areas of tenderness or pain that can impinge on nerves and impair blood and lymphatic flow. When a trained veterinarian inserts very fine needles into these specific points on an animal’s body, a desired therapeutic effect is produced on the targeted disease symptoms. There are three primary effects of acupuncture point stimulation. Neuromodulation is the ability to influence nerve action, which can lead to a reduction in inflammation and relief of tingling or painful sensations from overactive nerves. Neuromodulation can also cause the release of beneficial hormones such as endorphins, and even affect the brain and spinal cord. Recent studies have demonstrated acupuncture can increase µ-opioid receptor activation providing pain relief; these same receptors are activated by opioid pain medications such as morphine. This is one reason why acupuncture is so often used in managing painful conditions. Acupuncture can also improve blood and lymphatic circulation, which allows for more efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen, as well as removal of metabolic waste products from tissues. These effects can in turn aid surrounding tissues in returning to normal function. Throughout the body, there are thin layers of connective tissue called fascia. When these fibers and layers become disorganized and/or overly thickened, they can constrict vessels and nerves leading to pain and dysfunction. When these “trigger points” are released by acupuncture, fascial fibers can reorganize, thus restoring normal blood and lymphatic flow as well as nerve function. Dr. Lydia Sullivan, DVM, CCRP, CVMA, is the owner of Ever Loved Veterinary, in Mobile, Alabama, and certified in veterinary medical acupuncture. Connect at EverLovedVeterinary.com.

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April 2020

calendar of events NOTE: Visit NA-SENorthCarolina.com for guidelines and to submit entries online. Email Editor@NA-SENorthCarolina.com with questions. Deadline for calendar/events: 12th of the month. Please call ahead to confirm event times.

Events may be cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Please call ahead to check the status of the event you plan to attend. Wednesday, April 1 National Walking Day

Thursday, April 2 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Friday, April 3 Star Guides – 6:30-8pm. With Sheri Perbeck. Receive channeled messages from the Angelic Realm and learn about the Angel’s & Fairy's that help us in our daily lives. Sheri leads us in this fun and spiritually healing evening. Cost: $35. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. Call to RSVP 910-685-2795. BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com.

Saturday, April 4 Sugar & Gluten Sensitivity Workshop – 11am-1pm. With Chris Poorten. Explore the effects of foods on our body, mind, and spirit and how gluten and sugar sensitivities develop under the guidance of wellness coach and advisor. Cost: $25. Blue Lagoon Wellness

Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. Call to RSVP 910-685-2795. BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com.

Sunday, April 5 Unity MB Sunday Service – 11am. Unity Myrtle Beach Sunday Service & Communion with inspiring message, meditation and music. Community Potluck will follow service. Cost: Love offering. Unity Myrtle Beach, 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr, Surfside Beach. 843-238-8516.

Monday, April 6 Healing Night – 7-8:30pm. Join us for a sampling of a multitude of healing modalities including Reiki and Therapeutic Touch for a profound healing experience. Open to all. Cost: Love Offering. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. Unitywil. com, 910-763-5155.

Tuesday, April 7 Healing Fire Ceremony for Waters of the Earth – 6pm. Facilitator: Rev. Lindsley Field, Shamanic Counselor, Intuitive Healer, Quantum Usui Reiki Master Teacher, and ceremonial leader conducting workshops and vision quests for personal and planetary healing and transformation. Cost: Love offering. Future home of Unity Myrtle Beach Spiritual Center, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-2388516. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

Wednesday, April 8

calendar There’s always something to do at NA-SENorthCarolina.com/Calendars

classifieds Fee for classifieds is $25 (up to 20 words) + $1 per word over 20 words. To place listing, email content to Editor@NA-SENorthCarolina.com . Deadline is the 10th of the month.

OPPORTUNITIES ADVERTISE HERE – Are you hiring, renting property/office space, selling products, offering services or in need of volunteers? Advertise your personal/business needs in Natural Awakenings classified ad section. To place an ad, email Publisher@NA-SENorthCarolina.com.

Kundalini Full Moon Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Join Adi Krishna Kaur in a combination of music and mudra key to opening the flow of Kundalini, “soul energy” as we honor the full moon. Cost: $11. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. UnityWil.com, 910-763-5155.

Thursday, April 9 Maundy Thursday Service – 7-8:30pm. Special Easter season service honoring the metaphysical experience of washing of feet and communion as modeled by the master teacher Jesus. Cost: Love Offering. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. UnityWil.com, 910-763-5155.

Friday, April 10 Ecstatic Dance – 7-8:30pm. Come together in dance to celebrate life, celebrate Spirit and celebrate each other. This free-style dance offers a 90-minute playlist of eclectic and world music inspired by Gabrielle Roth's Five Rhythms. Facilitated by Jeff Brown. Cost: $10. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. UnityWil.com, 910-763-5155.

Saturday, April 11 CBD Info-Session – Noon-1pm. Come join our free info-session and get answers to your CBD questions. Learn more about CBD; and why, how, and when to

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use it. Healing Leaves, 1015 S Kerr Av, Wilmington. 910-660-8127. HealingLeavesNC.com. Autoimmune Support Group – 1-2pm. First hour is guest speaker, second hour focuses on foods/movement to support your body especially during times of stress or a flare. Cost: Free/$9, First attendance, then per month thereafter. Call to reserve seat. Healing Leaves, 1015 S Kerr Av, Wilmington. 910-660-8127. HealingLeavesNC.com.

Sunday, April 12 Easter Unity Wilmington Services – 9 and 11am. Take a look at Easter story from a metaphysical point of view. This is an uplifting and inspiring service. Cost: Love Offering. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. UnityWil.com, 910-763-5155. Unity MB Sunday Service – 11am. Unity Myrtle Beach Sunday Service & Communion with inspiring message, meditation and music will be celebrated on Easter Sunday outside under pavilion and tent. Cost: Love offering. Future home of Unity Myrtle Beach, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

Monday, April 13 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Tuesday, April 14 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Wednesday, April 15 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Thursday, April 16 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Friday, April 17 Star Guides – 6:30-8pm. See April 3 listing. Wilmington.

save the date

Saturday, April 18 Healthy Kids Day – 9:30am-1pm. Free Community event offers families’ options to participate in active play and educational opportunities designed to improve health and wellness. Free activities include sports stations, fun run/walk, face painting, bounce houses, community booths, tons of free giveaways and prizes and more. Empie Park, 3405 Park Av, Wilmington. 910-251-9622.

Saturday, April 18 Unity Earth Day MB – 11am-5pm. Vendors, healing practitioners, plant sale, youth activities, food, music and fresh air. Porta Potties and hand washing stations available. Cost: Free admission. Unity Myrtle Beach Spiritual Center, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. For vendor information contact Maureen Goodman, 843251-9786. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

Sunday, April 19 Unity MB Sunday Service – 11am. Unity Myrtle Beach Sunday Service with guest speaker Amy Armstrong, JD, Eco-Lawyer with SC Environmental Law Project, outside under pavilion. Cost: Love offering. Future home of Unity Myrtle Beach,

6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

Monday, April 27

Monday, April 20

Tuesday, April 28

Next Gen Workshop – 6-7pm. This workshop will look at primitive reflexes and how they relate to a child's health and growth. Cost: Free. Innate Health Family Chiropractic & Wellness, 14866 US HWY 17N, Hampstead. 910-406-1200.

Tuesday, April 21 Guided Meditation – 6:30-7:30pm. Benefits of Guided Meditation: reduce stress, quiet the mind, balance the body, mind and spirit, be around “normal” like-minded people share in the wonderful group energy leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world. Cost: $15. Spiritquest Healing Center, 6649 Beach Dr SW, Ocean Isle Beach. 910444-2229. SpiritquestNC.com.

Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day Climate Change Lessening Ceremony – 6:30pm. Rev. Lindsley Field will guide a Climate Lessening Ceremony, to help individuals find their personal path in lessening climate change. Informational discussion following ceremony about the Guided Vision Quest Dance Ceremony scheduled for this fall on the beautiful land of Unity’s future home. This will be a non-traditional vision quest and is open to all faiths and backgrounds. Cost: Love Offering. Future home of Unity Myrtle Beach Spiritual Center, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516. UnityMyrtleBeach.org.

See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Wednesday, April 29

See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Thursday, April 30

Nutrition 101 – 6-7pm. This workshop will focus on nutrition and how to fuel your body. Learn about eating keto and ketobiotic. Discover how they can help to balance your insulin and hormones. Cost: Free. Innate Health Family Chiropractic & Wellness, 14866 US HWY 17N, Hampstead. 910-406-1200.

plan ahead Saturday, May 2

Thermography and Breast Health – 9:30am-noon. Join Shelly Laine of Beacon Thermography for an informative session on digital infrared thermal imaging, better known as thermography. Thermography is a non-invasive, clinical imaging procedure for detecting and monitoring various diseases and injuries by showing thermal abnormalities in the body. Contact Kara Kenan at Going Beyond the Pink 910-667-2111 to reserve your spot. Cost: Free. Going Beyond the Pink, 4018 Shipyard Blvd, STE 1A, Wilmington. 910-667-2111. BeaconThermography.com.

save the date

Thursday, April 23 See NA-SENorthCarolina.com for latest events

Friday, April 24 Unity Game Night – 6pm. 3rd Friday. Enjoy games and potluck dinner. Potluck begins 30 minutes prior game start. Unity Myrtle Beach, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516.

Tue/Wed, May 5 & 6 Aura Photography & Soul Contract Numerology Readings – 10am-7pm. With Howard Minton. Must call ahead to schedule your session with special guest reader. Cost: $60. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. 910-685-2795. BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com.

Saturday, April 25 Access Bars Class – 10am-6pm. Access Bars Certification Class taught by Aubrey Lueck. Learn a tool to create a better life for yourself. Sleep better, fix relationships, break habits and more. 537 Vorlis Ln, STE 301, Wilmington. For cost details and to reserve spot email AccessAubrey@yahoo.com or call 630-292-0216.

Sunday, April 26 Unity MB Sunday Service – 11am. See April 5 listing. Myrtle Beach.

save the date

Sat/Sun, May 9 & 10 Sharron’s Fabulous Crystal Trunk Show – 1-5pm. Browse through and connect with unique and powerful healing crystal specimens. There will be a class each morning before the Trunk Show. 10-12 noon. Visit website for update on the classes. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. 910-685-2795. BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com.

Coming Next Month MAY

The Collagen Connection plus: Autoimmune Breakthroughs women’s wellness ISSUE

ongoing events

sunday Sunday Morning Circle – 9:45-10:45am. Rev Marilynn Mattox facilitates book dialog, Healing Letters, by Myrtle Fillmore. In two years of prayer, meditation, and communing with the cells of her body, Myrtle healed her body of tuberculosis. Cost: Love offering. Unity Myrtle Beach, 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr, Surfside Beach. 843-238-8516. Heal Your Life – 7-8:30pm. 2nd Sunday. Join licensed Louise Hay Heal Your Life teacher once a month. Cost: love offering. Unity Church of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Av, Wilmington. For more information, call Terri at 910-470-2745.

monday Kundalini Yoga – 9-10:30am. Kundalini Yoga is a spiritual, physical, mental & healthy way to ignite your soul energy and connect to Truth & Love. Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan is a life-changing technology that incorporates Kriya, Mantra, Mudra, Meditation and other tenants of Yogic Philosophy. Cost: $5. Unity of Wilmington, 717 Orchard Ave, Wilmington. UnityWil.com. 910-763-5155. Eating For Well-being – 6pm. Teri Mann leads a plant-based diet discussion and ensuing weekly forum. Bring favorite recipe share with you and any questions you may have. Cost: Free admission. Tidal Creek Co-op, 5329 Oleander Dr, Wilmington. 910-470-2745. Indigo Mom’s: Community Support Group for Moma’s – 6:30-8pm. 1st Monday. With Michelle Wells of S.O.A.L Star Intuitive Arts. A support group for magical mamas and mamas of magical children. of all ages to come together in a safe space to learn, talk, share and ask questions about their awakening that is occuring all over the planet. Learn together about different tools to help parent empathic or Indigo children. Cost: $20. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. 910-685-2795. BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com.

wednesday Unity Book Group – 12:30-1:30pm. New book starts soon: Rising Strong by Brene Brown. Read, dialog, insights, community and support. Cost: Love offering. Unity Myrtle Beach, 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr, Surfside Beach. 843-238-8516.

April 2020

Community Acupuncture – 3:30pm to close. With Jeff Fox. Receive holistic healing through acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and traditional Chinese herbs - available twice a week. Cost: $25. Walk-ins welcome. Madame Meerkat's Cabinet of Curiosities, 1001 S Kerr Av, Wilmington. Healing Evening – 3rd Wednesday. 5-5:45pm Meditation, 6pm Prayer & Hands ON Healing Blessings, 6:30-7:30pm Reiki drop-in. Cost: Love Offering. Peace Chapel at Unity Myrtle Beach, 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr, Surfside Beach. 843-238-8516. Chenrezig-Amitabha Sadhana – 7:30pm. Chenrezig is the representation of compassion. This meditation involves chanting a liturgy while mentally performing a series of visualizations and finishing with mantras and an insight visualization. Cost: Free. Location: Forestbrook area of Myrtle Beach, call for information and directions. 843-655-8056.

thursday A Course in Miracles – 12:30-2pm. Cost: Love offering. Unity Myrtle Beach, 6173 Salem Rd, Myrtle Beach. 843-238-8516. A Course in Miracles – 6:30-8pm. Cost: Love offering. Unity Myrtle Beach, 1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr, Surfside Beach. 843-238-8516.

friday Psychic Readings – 11am-4:30pm. Eileen and Great Oak in the House. Drop-ins welcome. Cost: $75/$110 for 30-/60-min sessions. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. Call to schedule. 910-685-2795. Community Acupuncture – 3:30pm to close. With Jeff Fox. Receive holistic healing through acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and traditional Chinese herbs - available twice a week. Cost: $25. Walk-ins welcome. Madame Meerkat’s Cabinet of Curiosities, 1001 S Kerr Av, Wilmington.

saturday Holistic Health Practitioner Training – 3rd Saturday. Comprehensive class will empower and equip with thorough overview and all principles a Holistic Health Practitioner needs to counsel others in natural health care. Call for times, location and details. Southern Institute of Natural Health. Call or text 910-216-0100. Natural Family Basics – 2nd Saturday. Curriculum for parents, teachers and children as a local class for Brunswick Islands area. Courses encourage individuals to take responsibility of their own health. Call for times, location and details. Southern Institute of Natural Health. Call or text 910-216-0100. Psychic Readings – 10am-3:30pm. Guest Readers. Drop-ins welcome. 15-, 30-, 45- or 60-minute sessions; price varies per session length. Blue Lagoon Wellness Center, 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington. Call to schedule 910-685-2795. Thermography Scans – 10am-4pm. 1st and 3rd Sat. Mammography doesn’t see anything till it’s something..., Thermography can see something before it’s anything. Cost dependent on scan type. Beacon Thermography at Elite Chiropractic, 1319 Military Cutoff Rd, Ste LL, Wilmington. 910-8032150. BeaconThermography.com.

community resource guide Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide, visit NA-SENorthCarolina.com or call 910-833-5366.

Access Energy Services Aubrey LUECK

Access Bars Facelift & Body Process Practitioner End of Life Specialist 630-292-0216 • AccessAubrey@yahoo.com AccessAubrey.com Offering Access Bars, Facelift and Body process hands-on method promoting energies to flow, heal and repair. This energy transformation modality, links season wisdom, ancient knowledge, and highly contemporary pragmatic tools for positive change. Receiving these holistic, non-invasive treatments will leave you with a sense of peace and space; and a feeling like there are more possibilities open to you. All of life comes to me with ease, joy and glory.

ACUPUNCTURE Lumina Acu Clinic

Enhong “Ann” Yu, LAc 6781 Parker Farm Rd, Ste 130, Wilmington 910-256-3939 • Info@LuminaAcuClinic.com LuminaAcuClinic.com At our practice, we combine acupuncture with traditional Chinese herbal remedies to address a variety of our patient’s needs. Dr. Yu’s extensive training in both Chinese and Western medicine in China gives her a unique perspective that allows her to deliver the best possible care to all her patients.

ALLERGY ELIMINATION LIFELINE CHIROPRACTIC & NATURAL MEDICINE

Dr. Louis J. Buffalino, DC 1133 Military Cutoff Rd, Wilmington 910-679-4079 LifeLineChiroNC.com Got Allergies? NAET is a noninvasive, drug-free, natural choice to control reactions to food, water, pollen, grass and mold. If you have symptoms which have not responded to traditional care and don't make sense, visit NAET.com or LifeLineChiroNC.com to review our testimonials and learn more.

SE North Carolina & Serving Myrtle Beach

Your Business Directory Listing Could Be

HERE! NA-SENorthCarolina.com

Alternative Medicine The Club at CamClinic

Nan Cameron, MSN, RN, LAc 1928 S 16th St, Wilmington 910-342-0999 • CamClinic.com Located at the Cameron Clinic of Oriental Medicine, The Club increases your treatment options utilizing complementary alternative therapies. We help you design a program that meets your health and wellness goals utilizing cutting-edge technology. Let us be part of your team! See ad, page 26.

ANIMAL SERVICES GOOSE MASTERS, LLC

910-523-9668 • Info@Goose-Masters.com Goose-Masters.com Natural, humane and eco-conscious Canada goose control company offering services in Southeastern North Carolina and Northeastern South Carolina. Highly trained Border Collies that never touch or harm geese bring peace of mind to properties overrun with Canada geese by persuading and keeping the birds away.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Bio Symmetry

Dr. Chris A. Pate, MD 265 Racine Dr, Ste 102, Wilmington 910-399-6661 • BioSymmetry.com Are you experiencing any of the following: muscle loss, weight gain, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low sex drive, memory loss, mood swings, depression, anxiety, erectile dysfunction? You could have declining hormones and benefit from Bioidentical Hormone Therapy for both men and women. See ad, page 13.

chiropractic Innate Health Family Chiropractic & Wellness

Dr. Ada Aniniba, DC 14886 US Hwy 17N, Hampstead 910-406-1200 • DrAdaAniniba.com Dr. Ada Aniniba is a Max Living Doctor at Innate Health Family Chiropractic and Wellness. She focuses on five essentials of health: maximizing the mind, chiropractic, nutrition, lean muscle and minimizing toxins. Innate Health is a familycentric practice open to patients of all ages. Corrective and wellness care programs provide a primary source of wellness, nutritional support, immunity and allergy support, education, inspiration and fitness. See ad, page 29.

Farm Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Rd, Leland 910-253-5964 SheltonHerbFarm.com

Specializing in growing a large variety of culinary herbs, and grow seasonal vegetable plants, heirloom and native plants; butterfly and bee plants. Open year-round with seasonal varieties. Provide fresh-cut herbs, edible flowers and microgreens to local restaurants, caterers and home use. Also participate in local farmers’ markets, garden shows and special events. Farm tours, workshops and classes available. See ad, page 11.

HEALTH EDUCATION SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF NATURAL HEALTH

Brunswick Islands of NC 910-216-0100 SouthernInstituteofNaturalHealth.com We educate and empower students to higher knowledge concerning natural health and healing. Offering a variety of local classes and online courses to support living, sharing and teaching a natural, healthy lifestyle.

HOLISTIC DENTIST Wilmington Holistic Dentistry Dr. Jessica Shireman, DMD AIOMT 6200 Oleander Drive, Wilmington 910-777-4020 WilmingtonHolisticDentistry.com

Dr. Shireman is excited to bring holistic dentistry to Wilmington. She and her family recently relocated from Raleigh where she had a holistic practice for 5 years. S h e h o l d s b o t h S M A RT certification and is accredited by the IAOMT in safe-mercury removal and has a unique, patient-based approach to dentistry. See ad, page 5.

HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST The Calla Lily Advantage Karen L. Dettore 910-262-6732 Karen@TheCallaLilyAdvantage.com TheCallaLilyAdvantage.com

As a master-level certified Nutrition Consultant, Karen offers several services including nutritional well-being, holistic nutrition, healthy cooking/meal planning, weight management, and sports nutrition. Eat better, feel better, and have more energy; all in a fun and rewarding environment with a healthier and happier lifestyle goal for you. See ad, page 11.

HOME SEXUAL HEALTH TESTING Lets Get Checked

HEALTHY LIVING

HEALTHY PLANET

910-833-5366 NA-SENorthCarolina.com Save 20% Code: Natural 20 Convenient at-home STD testing with online results in a matter of days. Accurate and reliable, private and confidential, discreet packaging along with a dedicated medical support team available 24/7 to call and explain your results and provide treatment options. See ads, pages 24 and 35.

Hypnotherapy Inner Gold Counseling & Hypnosis

Novella Hall Serving Greater Wilmington area 910-398-4724 • Novellac@BellSouth.net Novella Hall has been treating through hypnosis for attachment trauma, past life regression, future life progression, pain management to restore vital and healthy functioning, plus habit change, as well as providing Akashic readings for over 15 years. Both private and group sessions including over telephone and via Skype. International Board of Certified Hypnosis Trainer.

JEWELRY Origami Owl

609-915-2033 JewelrybyLAJ.OrigamiOwl.com Tell your story through customizable jewelry. Origami Owl is a leading custom jewelry company known for telling stories through our signature Living Lockets, personalized Charms, Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings.

Metaphysical Shop Madame Meerkat’s Cabinet of Curiosities 1001 S Kerr Ave, Wilmington MadameMeerkat.net

A community metaphysical shop supplying crystals, tarot, incense, and local art in a welcoming atmosphere complete with coffee bar, energy healers, intuitive readers, and workshops to help you learn and grow. Facebook/Instagram: @ madamemeerkat. See ad, page 29.

Call

910-833-5366 to join us next month.

2020 EDITORIAL CALENDAR

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES ISSUE

JAN

Age-Defying Habits Plus: Healthy Immune System

FEB

Cardiovascular Health Plus: Regenerative Medicine

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION ISSUE

MAR

Thriving on a Plant-Based Diet Plus: CBD

APR

Grassroots Climate Crisis Strategies Plus: Healthy Home

WOMEN’S WELLNESS ISSUE

MAY

Autoimmune Breakthroughs Plus: Protein & Collagen Connection

JUN

Inspired Lifestyle Travel Plus: Brain Health

THE FOOD CONNECTION ISSUE

JUL

Beyond Factory Farming Plus: Gut Health

AUG

Biological Dentistry Plus: Environmental Education

SELF-EMPOWERMENT ISSUE

SEP

Emotional Well-Being Plus: Adaptive Yoga

OCT

Stress Management Plus: Joint Health

THE DIABETES CHALLENGE ISSUE

NOV

Personalized Diabetes Strategies Plus: Skin Care

DEC

Creating Community & Connection Plus: Spending Locally

April 2020

NATURAL AESTHETICS Bliss Aesthetics Studio

Bonnie Briceno 4712 New Centre Drive, Wilmington 910-515-7641 BlissAestheticsStudio.com All natural skin care services and treatments using unique, naturally corrective products for all types of skin and ethnicities to treat all skin care concerns; including fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, enlarged pores acne and more! Permanent makeup and lash extensions also available. Mention Natural Awakenings for discount.

Natural Services Life Elixir Wellness Tea 970-903-5311 LifeElixirTea.com Glenn@CaptainGlennsTeas.com

Captain Glenn's Life Elixir Tea is a “Wellness Tea” that, when used regularly, promotes good health and well-being. While providing an excellent herbal supplement to fight colds and flu, Life Wellness Elixir Tea has demonstrated the ability to foster changes in the body that can aid digestion, infections, headaches and even symptoms of anxiety. Grandmother says, “It’s Good for What Ails You!” See ad, back cover.

Willing Beauty

609-915-2033 WillingBeauty.com/LAJ You don't have to choose between safe & effective skincare! We are a skin-loving beauty brand with heart, created to inspire your life, celebrate your beauty. We believe in simple, safer, better-for-you formulas that harness the power of nature, deliver proven results, and are fun to use. Our products are free of parabens, sulfates, DEA, phthalates, mineral oils, chemical sunscreens and synthetic fragrances. Never tested on animals. Rewards program available. See ad, page 9.

NEUROSCULPTING Sharon Meny, CNSF

910-899-3124 BloomgrowBlossomYoga.com Neurosculpting® is a 5-step meditation process that aids in releasing the grip of old patterns and training the brain to create new and more supportive patterns, habits and behaviors. Classes offered online and one-on-one inperson sessions, as well as corporate and private sessions. Currently accepting new clients. Mention Natural Awakenings for discount.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY UNITY MYRTLE BEACH

1270 Surfside Industrial Park Dr Surfside Beach 843-238-8516 • UnityMyrtleBeach.org Our uplifting mission of prayer, service and education enriches and transforms lives. We are a spiritual community of individuals dedicated to knowing Self and knowing God, and doing our part in supporting the emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of children, individuals and families on the Grand Strand. See ad, page 7.

UNITY of WILMINGTON With the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation causing uncertainty for citizens worldwide, Natural Awakenings is more committed than ever in supporting your health and well-being. For the latest updates on local events and information, visit us online at:

NA-SENorthCarolina.com @NAsenorthcarolina

717 Orchard Ave, Wilmington 910-763-5155 • UnityWil.com A positive path for spiritual living committed to expanding consciousness and inspiring transformation, Unity teaches a culturally Christian and spiritually unlimited way of life. Unity is an open-minded, accepting community emphasizing practical, everyday application of spiritual principles for more abundant and meaningful living. Check Facebook and Meetup for events. See ad, page 21.

@naturalsenc

SE North Carolina & Serving Myrtle Beach

NA-SENorthCarolina.com

Thermography Beacon Thermography, inc. Shelly Laine 910-803-2150 BeaconThermography.com

Thermography is a state-of-the-art, radiation-free diagnostic tool which creates a digital map of your body, illustrating heat patterns that may detect some condition or abnormality using a scanning-type infrared camera that measures your body’s surface temperature. Thermography aids in the detection and monitoring of many types of diseases and physical injury. Multiple scanning locations throughout the Wilmington area. See ad, page 21.

THYROID HEALTH Lets Get Checked

910-833-5366 NA-SENorthCarolina.com Save 20% Code: Natural 20 Lets Get Checked home thyroid test will provide a broad picture of how your thyroid is performing with online test results in 2-5 days. Biomarkers covered: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Thyroxine (FT4), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3), Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGAB)*, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO/TPEX)*. Note: presence of TGAB or TPEX antibodies can indicate thyroid damage which can include autoimmune disorders. See ads, pages 24 and 35.

wellness center Blue Lagoon Wellness Center Pat and Jo Zachry 1202 Floral Pkwy, Wilmington 910-685-2795 BlueLagoonWellnessCenter.com

Besides being one of Wi l m i n g t o n ' s L a rg e s t Emporium Rock Shops with all your Metaphysical needs, we offer Energy Work, Chakra Balancing, Reiki, Crystal Therapy, Massage, CranioSacral therapy, Hypnotherapy, and Psychic Readings. Many classes. Check Meetup and Natural Awakenings online for listings. See ad, page 28.

PURELIFE WELLNESS CENTER

Victoria RP Chavez, Owner/Manufacturer 317 N Front St, Wilmington 910-343-1374 MiracleSkinRelief.com Creating wellness paradigms for mind, body and soul. Offering vitamins, herbs, minerals, specialty formulas, handmade herbal remedies, fresh organic juices, smoothies and salads, local products and honey, over 100 varieties of teas, spices and herbs; and also wellness therapies including reiki, cognitive behavior therapy, ear candling, hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming. See ad, page 9.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN HEALTH WITH AN AT-HOME TEST. Convenient, confidential and accurate health testing for women and men with online results in a matter of days. Catered with you in mind, our wellness tests include fertility & hormone, thyroid, cancer screening, general wellness, sexual health and more.

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20% OFF EVERYTHING Use Code NATURAL20 at cart. This ad contains affiliate codes to products. Natural Awakenings may receive a commission for purchases made through these codes.

Captain Glenn’s Newsletter Grandmother says, “It’s Good For What Ails You!” The coronavirus (COVID-19) has everyone sitting up in their seats. The coronavirus is new and different from flu and other viruses, so medical experts are still discovering its characteristics and the best way to treat it. What has been established is that COVID-19 spreads more rapidly than the flu and can be ten times more lethal. It is already among the worst Pandemics in history. Since a vaccine or cure is not yet available, doctors are suggesting rest, eating right, and plenty of fluids to let our own immune systems fight off the virus. To assist in this fight, Captain Glenn’s Certified Hieronymus Life Elixir Tea is a Natural, proven immune system booster. When first developed in the early 2000’s in Colorado, college students and other users reported a much faster recovery from colds and flu, with some doctors calling the Elixir Tea “Flu Buster”! This getting back to nature may be the answer. In simpler times, many folks relied on blending a variety of herbs, fruits and spices to create a tea that had marvelous healing properties. These “elixir” teas were the foundation of holistic, natural remedies for

coughs, colds, fever, indigestion and a myriad of other ailments. Introduce yourself to Captain Glenn’s Certified Hieronymus ® Life Elixir We l l n e s s Te a . Only one teaspoon makes a satisfying cup of tea. Served hot or cold over ice, this remarkable tea can aid in the betterment of a number of health issues and restore a sense of calm, focus and wellbeing.

“What’s in it?”

Many ask that question and we are happy to share. Yerba-Mate leaves, Peppermint Leaves, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, and Clove Buds. These ingredients, portioned correctly, work synergistically to enhance the healing powers of each. It’s not just using premium natural organic ingredients, but also balanc-

ing the perfect amount of each ingredient to create the optimal effect. Nutrients and phytochemicals in these herbs & spices include beta-carotene, lecithin, amino acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C and E. Our Life Elixir Wellness Tea’s exclusive formula cleanses and detoxifies, and can aid digestion, infections, and even symptoms of anxiety. It helps you feel better and get well sooner. Captain Glenn feels called to make his Elixir Teas available nationwide. Captain Glenn’s final thoughts: “Enough is enough of the abuse, pain and stress that people go through— most of that suffering is not necessary. All I want to do is help people wake up to the healing power of Mother Earth.” It has become his life’s mission to help others by guiding them to become more aware of what they put into their bodies and how they can recover naturally.

“I have found that Captain Glenn’s Wellness team (I’m the one who suggested that he should call it ‘Elixir of Life’) has benefited several of my patients and clients. Typical of the effects is that one patient who stated it makes me feel more centered.” —Dr. David Sigurslid, M.D.

To enjoy Captain Glenn’s Life Elixir TeaTM, visit www.lifeelixirtea.com or call 970-903-5311. advertorial

Sold at

1015 S. Kerr Ave Unit “C” Wilmington

Natural Awakenings of the Coastal Carolinas - April 2020

Articles inside

ACUPUNCTURE

BRIGIT STRAWBRIDGE