NATampaApril2015

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NATURE’S INNATE WISDOM

Why We Must Listen April 2015 | Tampa Bay Edition | NATampa.com

We Fix Your Health...Naturally

301 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

Are you read y to final ly be as well & healt hy as y ou shoul d be ?

(727) 466-6789

www.lifeworkswellnesscenter.com

Earn a Bachelor’s degree in

alTErnaTivE MEdiCinE

COUrSES inClUdE:

ranked in the Top 30 Best Online Colleges TheBestSchools.org

• • • • •

The Herbal Medicine Chest Ayurvedic Medicine Herbology and Botany Traditional Chinese Medicine Introduction to Chiropractic

• • • •

Nutrition and Aging Antioxidants Naturopathy Manual Therapies: Massage, Reflexology, and Acupressure

Tampa Campus 1.844.297.1715 Sarasota Campus 1.866.907.2262 EvErgladESUnivErSiTy.EdU natural awakenings

April 2015

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Qi Revolution Accelerate Your Energy!

10th Annual

National Event

Profound Qigong & Yoga Health Training. Massive Group Energy

$149 for 4-Days of AMAZING Qigong Healing Thousands of Beautiful People Will Practice Under One Roof!

Live Stronger with Right Food, Breath, Yoga and Qi—the Essence of Life.

* * * * *

Food-Healing: According to 2015 Science, Learn Foods and Phytochemicals changing the future of medicine.

Breath Empowerment: Feels like a “Humming Engine” inside of belly. Full vibration/euphoria head to toe.

Qigong Healing Level-1, 2 and 3 : Your energy field becomes so palpable - it feels like solid matter.

Tumo Breathing: Build Warmth & Qi-Power in your Navel. Pulsation of Blood & Qi flows down arms, legs.

9-Breath Method: ULTIMATE Breathing practice. Blissful waterfall of Qi removes stress and negativity!

Real Deal Taiji Master, Jesse Tsao is joining Qi Revolution!

He teaches the “ART OF ROOTING” to be grounded firm in a stance.

He demonstrates being pushed by 10 mighty men and not budging.

Few Humans in Qigong or Tai Chi can do this. We get to learn how!

Live Music w/Amazing High Vibe Artists!

DJ Jami Deva, the Yoda of Healing Music, is mixing.

Includes evening dance & drum party of the Qi kind.

GMO Truth *Food as Medicine—Learn What Matters Most!

Learn foods that can reverse specific diseases according to science.

“I learned more on FOOD & NUTRITIONAL HEALING in 4-Days at the Qi Revolution seminar than I did in my entire time at Medical School and all other Continuing Ed classes combined!” - Claudia Gabrielle, M.D. – Salem, New Hampshire

Orlando Convention Center

June 6th-9th

June 6th & 7th is (L-1) June 8th is (L-2) June 9th is (L-3) $149 Community Outreach Event Limited Seating Available. CEU Hours. (800)-298-8970 QiRevolution.com .

Nice Hotels walking distance to convention with free parking: $57 per night!

4

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See website for details

natural awakenings

April 2015

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contents 18

10 newsbriefs 18 healthbriefs

20 8

20 globalbriefs

28 THE FOOD ARTISANS 30

24 earthdayevents NEXT DOOR 28 consciouseating 30 healingways

40

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

32 healthykids 37 inspiration

44 naturalpet

46 calendar

52 resourceguide

Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors

by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

30 SPRING GREENING

Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

32 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change

34

by Avery Mack

34 NATURE’S WISDOM

Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

37 STRONG WINDS

STRONG ROOTS

What Trees Teach Us About Life

contact us

by Dennis Merritt Jones

Publisher/Sales: Debbey Wilson, dwilson@natampa.com Phone: 727.865.9339 • Fax: 727.864.5599 Editor: Cheryl Hynes Franchise Sales: Toll Free 877—530—1377 © 2015 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. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. 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. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soy-based ink.

Tampa Bay Edition

40 EARTH DAY 2015 Hope for Our Future

by Julianne Hale

Contributing Editor: Eleanor L. Bailey

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37

www.natampa.com

42 DOGS WITH

LIBRARY CARDS

Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

42

natural awakenings

April 2015

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letterfrompublisher

N

atural Awakenings Tampa Bay has arrived along with another gorgeous April on the West Coast of Florida. As always, this month’s issue of the magazine is filled to the brim with news and views from the natural health movement, with special focus on “Nature’s Wisdom” and “Healthy Home”.

In her article (page 34), journalist Christine MacDonald presents an admirable case for adhering to the lessons, inspiration, healing and sustenance available to us through “Nature’s Wisdom.” Pointing to age-old opinion as well as the avant-garde in today’s natural health movement, MacDonald stresses the importance of integrating laws and limits nature sets into our lives as individuals and as a local and planet-wide community.

In “Earth In Peril” (page 32), writer Avery Mack examines ways children are increasingly voicing their opinions on climate change. It is encouraging to know that children today are not only educated in terms of ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change, but also importantly, they are bringing their creative ideas on change to the table.

In harmony with annual Earth Day celebrations, Tampa Bay activists once again offer a wide range of events to inspire and motivate action. (See page 40 for a listing of local activities.) There’s good reason to be upbeat about prospects for the future well-being of our planet and the blessed life upon it.

As always, open your mind and read on.

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natural awakenings

April 2015

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Evolve Center Celebrates with Free Class Day

newsbriefs LifeWorks Offers Hair Growth Laser Treatments

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ifeWorks Wellness Center is offering a solution for regrowing hair that doesn’t require surgery, chemicals, drugs or anything bad. It works via a very unique laser that stimulates the hair follicles to start working again. It’s even approved by the FDA, and works for approximately 92 percent of the people. It requires a 20-minute treatment twice a week.

LifeWorks Medical Director Dr. David Minkoff says, “We are extremely impressed with the results we have seen with the Sunetics Clinical Hair Growth Laser and delighted to be able to offer this service at LifeWorks. Many of our patients, both male and female, experience hair loss. This may be due to stress, lack of absorption of certain nutrients, a side effect of chronic illness, or an after-effect of chemotherapy. We are confident that this laser hair therapy will benefit most people with hair loss and look forward to seeing the results.”

Location: 301Turner St., Clearwater. For more information, call 727-466-6789 or visit LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com.

See ad page 2.

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n S a t u r d a y, April 25, Evolve Eastern Healing Arts & Retreat Center will be offering free classes, commemorating their 15th year in health and wellness and first year as a healing arts and wellness club. Offering scores of classes each month, there is something for almost everyone to enjoy.

The Evolve community will be honored on this day by special guest teacher Yogi Gurudev Shri Amritji. A worldrenowned yoga master, Gurudev began teaching yoga in 1960, and is today widely recognized as one of the most renowned early pioneers of yoga in America. Take advantage of this very rare opportunity to learn from a true yogi master in a small, intimate, Ashram setting.

Gurudev’s special program includes a two-hour talk followed by a Yoga Nidra class, and ends with a question and answer session. Space is limited; pre-register by no later than April 10.

Location: 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. For more information and reservations, call 727-223-8911. For complete class schedule, visit EvolveClearwater.com.

See ad page 25.

Books • Cards • Music • Free WiFi

h mucMore Than

A Bookstore…

"It's an experience."

“We inspire, ignite and invigorate the Spirit within.”

Facebook.com/UnityCampus

Sunday Services 9:30 & 11:30 am Wednesday Service 6:00 pm

460 46th Ave N, St Petersburg | (727) 527-2222 | FirstUnity.org 10

Tampa Bay Edition

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h mucMore Than

Located at 4500 4th St North in St. Pete.

Call us at (727) 52BOOKS or visit WingsBookstore.com to see

A Bookstore… how much more!

"It's an experience."

Located at 4500 4th St North in St. Pete.

Call us at (727) 52BOOKS or visit WingsBookstore.com to see

how much more!

4500 4th St N, St Petersburg | (727) 522-6657 | WingsBookstore.com

Best-Selling Author Dr. Kondrot to Speak at 2015 Chelation Conference

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est-selling author, Dr. Edward Kondrot, will be hosting and speaking at the 2015 Chelation Conference, April 17 to 19, at the Dolphin Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach. The conference will feature many chelation therapy experts with discussions as to how to utilize chelation therapy to effectively detox along with necessary lifestyle changes to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Kondrot explains, “The Florida water supply is riddled with toxins, everything from heavy metals to pesticides to harmful algae; whether you realize it or not, you’re putting countless harmful toxins into your body. These toxins can cause an endless amount of health problems and need to be dealt with immediately. Chelation therapy has been clinically proven to be the most effective method to detox. This conference will teach you everything you need to know about detoxing and preventing harmful toxins from re-entering your system.”

Dr. Kondrot has written several best-selling books and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, and on CNN, PBS and Fox News. He’s the owner of Healing the Eye and Wellness Center in Ft. Myers.

Conference Location: 4900 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. For more information and to register, call 800-430-9328 or visit Chelation2015.com. See ad page 7.

Yogi Training Begins in July at St. Petersburg Yoga – Enroll Now

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rusted for over 25 years, St. Petersburg Yoga has been an enduring beacon of authentic yoga. Recently expanded, the studio is now the largest yoga and meditation school in Florida and the only studio with all 500 Level Instructors.

Their next Yogi Training session formally begins July 11, but you can start today. Not just for experienced yogis, the program is for anyone looking to use yoga to Self-discover, and who feels that the timing is right to transform their life.

Students will embark on a transformative six-month personal journey, taught by 10 of the most experienced yogis in the area, and along the way gain Self-mastery using a broad range of yoga systems, including Therapeutic, Restorative, Power, Ashtanga, Classics, Meditation, Swing/Aerial, Nutrition/ Herbology, Yogi Life Coaching, and Yoga for the Mind. Students receive a 200 or 500 hour Yoga Alliance Certificate at program completion.

The training is flexible in curriculum, schedule, and payment, designed to help students take the program at their own pace.

Location: 2842 Dr. MLK St. N. (located above Rollin’ Oats), St. Petersburg. Space is limited. To apply and enroll, call 727-894-9642, email Info@StPetersburgYoga.com, or visit StPeteYoga.com. See ad page 16.

natural awakenings

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Laser Facial Rejuvenation

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herapeutic Laser (or Cold Laser) is an effective therapy for stimulating collagen and elastin. When the laser is shined on the skin, it dilates capillaries which allows a fresh blood supply and nutrients to the area, accelerating repair and regeneration of tissue. Additionally, laser promotes the increase of oxygen for healthy cell metabolism and speeds up the removal of cellular waste byproducts to the lymphatic system.

Unlike Cosmetic Lasers that burn and peel skin, the Therapeutic Laser does not destroy tissue—it does the opposite. It is very effective for the treatment of burns, open wounds, severe back pain and many inflammatory and other conditions accompanied by pain.

Oscar Hernandez, DOM and owner of Lumina Healing Center, explains, “This type of laser is not painful or toxic to the human body. At Lumina we use several different lasers, depending on the condition being treated—some are more effective for treating severe chronic pain/inflammation (deep penetrating) and others for facial (shallow stimulation). For those not afraid of needles, after performing laser on the face, we follow with acupuncture for even more effective treatment, $65 for both.

Location: 2903 Dr. MLK St. N., St. Pete. For more information and appointments, call 727-898-5900 or visit GoLumina.com. See ad page 8.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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Holistic Health Coach Authors eBook on Migraine Relief

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ynne Wadsworth, Board Certified Holistic Health Coach and owner of Holistic Health & Wellness, offers her clients a wide range of services, including how to change one’s lifestyle to bring about overall health and weight loss in the process. Clients learn how to incorporate practical changes into their daily routine which in turn make them feel more energized, self-confident, motivated and overall better about themselves.

One of Wadsworth’s passions is to assist migraine and chronic headache sufferers in getting relief. Having suffered from migraines herself for many years, she found solutions through holistic and natural means. Her “migraine life” was relieved by simple changes to her lifestyle and eating habits. Her recently published book, The Ultimate Migraine Handbook: An Holistic Approach to Pain Relief, is available for purchase at HolisticHealth.

LeadPages.net/ultimate-migraine-handbook-ebook.

Wadsworth, was recognized as 2014 Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women for leadership in wellness and coaching. She sees clients in person, via telephone or Skype, and will soon be incorporating free conference calling so that sessions can be recorded.

See her on Facebook for daily updates on healthy lifestyles and migraine help at Facebook.com/holistichealthandwellnessllc.

For more information and your free 30-minute healthy strategy session plan, call 813-340-1368, email LWadsworth@verizon.net or visit Holistic-HealthAndWellness.com. See ad page 47.

Aura-Soma Courses Taught

by World Renowned Dominic Yeoman

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ominic Yeoman is one of AuraSoma’s most distinguished instructors, and has spent the past 30 years sharing his deep knowledge of this powerful system with people all over the world. He will travel from England to teach two courses in Sarasota: a 6-day “Level 1 Aura-Soma Practitioner’s Course” (April 20- 25 - $700), and a 3-day “Archangels, Ascended Masters and the Tree of Life” (April 27-29 - $350).

Aura-Soma is a self-guided healing system designed to open the chakras of our subtle body. It helps us to realize our full potential by facilitating the release of negative emotional patterns that prevent us from living our best life.

The system is primarily driven by a person’s attraction to color, however each Chakra Balance Bottle incorporates a unique combination of signatures from three kingdoms: light (color); plant (herbs and flowers); and mineral (crystals). There are a total of 113 bottles to select from, and each is applied to a different location on the body depending on which chakras are calling for the most support.

Bright Life, Natural Awakenings 2015 Award Winner for Best Business of the Year, will be hosting these wonderful courses. Call 941-366-8113 or visit BrightLife-USA.com.

Pure Elements Healing

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cupuncture is a highly effective health care system and the oldest continually practiced form of medicine in the world. This gentle, non-invasive medicine practiced at Pure Elements Healing has helped millions to get well on physical, emotional and spiritual levels.

Kerry Kott is a Licensed Acupuncture Primary Care Physician and a graduate of Dragon Rises College of Oriental Medicine. She is also a licensed practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Herbal Medicine, an Advanced Food Healing Level II Instructor, certified in Pranic Psychotherapy healing and a doTERRA wellness advocate.

Kott believes that all aspects—mind, body and spirit—need to be observed and treated for complete wellness. She incorporates into her treatment protocols Pranic Healing®, a highly evolved and tested system that utilizes energy to balance, harmonize and transform the body’s energy processes by clearing the body’s aura and chakras.

Kott also considers it imperative to address digestive health as it is the root of all wellness. She specializes in returning the body to balance by healing digestion through the use of acupuncture, Pranic Healing®, food healing, herbal medicine and essential oils.

Location: 6105-A Memorial Hwy., Ste. 4, Tampa. For more information and appointments, call 813-833-2299 or visit PureElementsHealing.com.

See ad page 11.

natural awakenings

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newsbriefs

Astrology for Your Soul

Westervelt Returns to Palm Harbor to Offer Colon Hydrotherapy

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ucy Westervelt has been practicing Colon Hydrotherapy in the Central Florida area for over 14 years. She is well-known for educating her clients in leading healthier lifestyles, especially digestive health for overall well-being.

Recently having relocated to the Clearwater area, she is back by popular demand at the Palm Harbor Spa.

What truly sets Westervelt apart and helps her clients in obtaining optimal results is her incorporation of abdominal massage, reflexology, pressure points and essential oils during the colonic sessions. Additionally, her expertise and passion for her practice combined with a warm and caring personality make the colonic experience most pleasant.

Westervelt is also a Certified Natural Health Professional and a proud member of the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy, where she is certified at the instructor level for colonics.

Location: 2708 Alt. 19, Ste. 708 (Key West Plaza - corner Alt. 19 and Alderman), Palm Harbor. For more information and to book an appointment, call 727-781-8446.

See ad page 53.

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Tampa Bay Edition

www.natampa.com

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luna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer with over two decades of teaching and counseling experience. At age three, her mother began taking her to astrology classes where she grew up around pivotal astrologers such as Isabel Hickey, Francis Sakoian, Caroline Casey and Robert Hand. By the time she was 18, she was practicing as a professional.

Michaels graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, and later with a Masters of Spiritual Counseling from Andover Newton Theological School.

Her work uniquely blends astrological knowledge with her extensive study of Soul Evolution and meditation. She offers a balance of intellect and intuition emerging from her passion for astrology and her own strong personal commitment to meditation and spiritual growth.

Michaels is devoted to helping her clients increase their intuition and unveil their soul’s history. She also assists in discovering practical solutions to deep spiritual issues that have created long-standing problems. She compassionately understands each client’s soul journey, as revealed through the esoteric birth chart.

She is dedicated to unveiling their next spiritual steps that will lead to the greatest level of fulfillment and freedom.

Michaels is located in Dunedin near the downtown area.

To schedule an appointment, call 727-239-7179 or visit AlunaMichaels.com. See ad page 52.

Craniosacral Therapy Seminar Comes to Tampa Bay

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andall Gibson, M.Ed., LMT, director of Polarity Healthcare, is coming to Tampa to present a seminar entitled “Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy.” The two-day seminar expounds upon this gentle approach to healing, appropriate

for every age range—from infants to the elderly. The class teaches practical ways to release stress, pain and trauma by addressing the connective tissue that holds the body together.

The seminar has no prerequisites and is open to all. For bodyworkers, this class could change your practice and your life.

Seminar takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 2 to 3, at Southeastern College.

Cost: Early registration $250. FSMTA members receive additional $25 discount. Location: 5225 Memorial Hwy., Tampa.

For details or to register, call 330-701-8780, email Randall@ PolarityHealthcare.com or visit PolarityHealthcare.com.

See ad page 46.

Dr. Chi Back for Two Days Only

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achelle Perkins, D.O.M. of NaturalMED Therapies, will once again be hosting Dr. Tsu-Tsair Chi, 7:30 to 9:30pm, on May 7. Dr. Chi’s seminar on “Tongue and Fingernail Analysis” presents this age-old Chinese technique which is used as an indicator for many ailments. As results return much quicker than with blood, urine and hair tests, this allows for earlier identification and treatment to begin.

Dr. Chi is the leading expert in the study of Tongue and Fingernail Analysis, and to that end, he has developed a line of supplements which have been standardized by Western methods. Dr. Perkins has been personally trained and certified by Dr. Chi, and will be providing follow-up care throughout the year.

Screenings by Dr. Chi at the discounted rate of $30* will take place May 8 and 9, at NaturalMED Therapies, 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd., Ste. C, Largo. Limited spots available; call to schedule 727-541-2211. *Discounted rate available only to those who attend seminar.

Cost: Free. Location: Hampton Inn, 4050 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. For more information, visit Chi-dx.com.

See ad page 30.

NA Fun Fact: Natural Awakenings is published in more than 90 U.S. markets.

To advertise with us, call: 727.865.9339 natural awakenings

April 2015

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World Renowned Yogi Sadhguru in Tampa

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loridians get a rare opportunity to be in Sadhguru Vasudev’s presence, 2 to 4pm, April 26, in Downtown Tampa at David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts–Carol Morsani Hall.

Enlivened with engaging discourses, guided meditations and vibrant music by Sounds of Isha, this one-time event is an oasis for those thirsty for a life of exuberance and clarity.

Sadhguru is a realized yogi, mystic and internationally renowned thought leader, synonymous with raising human consciousness and fostering global harmony through individual transformation. Founder of Isha Foundation, an international, volunteer-run nonprofit, Sadhguru states, “Even if one percent of the population in the world becomes meditative, significant social changes will happen across the globe.”

A visionary humanitarian, Sadhguru has been a sought after speaker a​t ​international leadership forums, e.g. the World Economic Forum, UN and the ​UK H ​ ouse of Lords. He has been featured on CNN International, CNBC, BBC, the Huffington Post and more. His yoga programs have impacted over 7 million people, and his large scale human service projects in the areas of education, health and environment have earned him a special consultative status with the UN.

For reservations, call 813-413-1661, email Tampa@ishausa.org or visit ishausa.org/tampa. See ad page 37.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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Bloomingdale Acupuncture Becomes Acupuncture & Nutrition of Brandon

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fter 10 years of practice and hundreds of patients helped at his Bloomingdale Avenue location in Brandon, Dr. Guillermo Caceres has relocated his practice to 330 Pauls Drive, Suite 102, at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Building, and changed its name to Acupuncture & Nutrition of Brandon.

Originally from Peru, Dr. Caceres studied Western medicine in Lima, and graduated as a medical doctor/surgeon in 1990. He relocated to Miami, where he worked for years in Western medicine at South Florida hospitals. He soon found that he could better assist his patients by mastering the field of alternative medicine, and became a licensed Oriental Medical Doctor and teacher.

He relocated to Brandon in 2004 and opened his first practice.

The newest facility features a more spacious, comfortable waiting room, large parking lot, expansive office space, plus five private treatment rooms. Large conference rooms will allow Dr. Caceres to provide his monthly free health lectures as a way of giving back to the community.

Acupuncture & Nutrition of Brandon specializes in pain management, weight management, fertility and other women’s issues.

Open Monday to Friday, by appointment. Call 813-3412200 or visit AcuTampa.com.

Hypnotherapist and Psychologist Offer Hypnosis Training

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atricia V. Scott, Ph.D. and Dr. Eric L. Rosen, both Certified Master Trainers for the International Association of Counselors & Therapists, team up to teach

“The Art, Science & Practice of Hypnosis,� beginning April 24 (6 weekends-not consecutive).

Scott has over 23 years experience and is a Life Fellow with the International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association. Rosen, Ph.D., C.Ht., FPPR, with Family Psychological Services of Palm Harbor, is adjunct instructor with Argosy University-Tampa, an A.P.A. accredited clinical psychology doctoral Psy.D. program.

The training is comprehensive and experiential (no videos) and leads to international certification on July 19 for those wanting to start a hypnosis practice or add these skills to a current practice.

The Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health, American Psychological Association and others have published research supporting the use of hypnosis as an adjunct therapy for chronic pain, surgery, anxiety, allergies, cancer, depression, and lifestyle problems such as overeating and smoking.

UP Hypnosis Institute offers a variety of programs for the general public, private hypnosis sessions with UPHI Associates, certifications and continuing education in clinical and medical hypnotherapy and NLP.

Location: 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor. For more information, call 727-943-5003, 866-537-7746 or visit UPHypnosis.com.

See ad page 36.

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Natural Awakenings Earns Top Franchise Business Award

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atural Awakenings has been ranked in the best 50 in its size class among 200 companies named in the Franchise Business R e v i e w ’s 2015 Top Franchises Report.

The healthy living magazine was one of five franchise companies cited as best-in-class in the advertising and sales category. To select the top franchises across industries and performance categories, the organization surveyed more than 28,500 franchisees.

“We feel privileged that it was our franchisees’ expression of high satisfaction that earned us this award,” says Sharon Bruckman, CEO of Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. “Gaining this recognition proves that our process of providing franchisees with editorial, promotional and operational support, partnered with their enthusiastic dedication in individual markets, serves communities well. Together, we are nourishing and growing a healthy living consciousness in America.” The network now encompasses nearly 100 franchisees nationwide and in Puerto Rico.

Franchise Business Review, headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. 2015 marked its 10th annual Top Franchises Report.

For information, call Anna Romano at 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com and FranchiseBusinessReview.com.

“

Why Again?

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hy is This Happening to Me…AGAIN?! is what all of us feel at one time or another if we are open and honest. We feel this way because our unconscious habits of mind keep bringing the same types of people and events into our lives repeatedly, and will continue to do so until we change the mental patterns that attract such outcomes. What Michael is doing is offering a coherent system for change by which we can remove the self-defeating obstacles that block our way and open up to the real path that awaits us in life.

It’s a journey of clearing that each of us must take, sooner or later. Of the approaches I’ve seen on how our thoughts and habits affect what happens to us, Michael Ryce’s work is the most succinct and helpful at opening us to growth. If you’re like I was, thinking you don’t have time, pause a moment and take a tip from me: exploration into your inner beliefs and expectations through Michael’s work, right now…can shift your life forever. Thanks, Michael, for the inspiration all these years!”

---James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy and The Tenth Insight Excerpt from Introduction to Why is This Happening to Me…Again?!

For more information, contact Dr. Michael Ryce at 954205-4996 or WhyAgain.org. See ad page 43.

2000HOUR IMMERSION & CERTIFICATION

Capturing the Spirit of Yoga

Kamini Desai, Ph.D., Director of Education

Salt Springs, Florida • www.AmritYoga.org 200 CE’s with Yoga Alliance call (352) 685-3001 or email: admissions@amrityoga.org

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Tampa Bay Edition

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April 2015

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healthbriefs Local Toxins Increase Risk of Autism

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onfirming previous findings, a large study from the University of Chicago has found that autism is linked to toxic environmental exposure. The research examined data from nearly a third of the U.S. population, which showed that both autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities increased as exposure increased in region-by-region testing.

The research measured clusters of autism incidence together with exposure rates in different counties and states across the country. The areas with greater environmental toxin exposures had significantly increased autism rates. The correlation was significant among both boys and girls, but stronger among girls. Proximity to urban areas also increased autism incidence. For every 1 percent increase in urbanization, there was about a 3 percent rise in autism and intellectual disabilities. Influential toxins include pesticides, plasticizers, lead and pharmaceuticals.

Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure

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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoid-rich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants.

At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.

The Color Green Makes Exercise Feel Easier

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esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing.

The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.

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Tampa Bay Edition

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Memory Works Better Reading Real Books

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esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s AixMarseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper.

The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy.

The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D.

These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.

Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers

R

esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (nontherapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups. natural awakenings

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Vanishing Wildlife

50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report).

In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species— the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half.

Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity.

Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work.

Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”

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Corporate Do-Gooders

U.S. Recognizes Companies for Earth-Sound Policies Each year, the U.S. Department of State presents Awards for Corporate Excellence recognizing U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles worldwide as good corporate citizens. Parameters include supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labor rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency and other democratic values.

The 2014 winners, announced last December, include the EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, in Nicaragua, for fostering sustainable development by regenerating degraded pasturelands.

The company dedicates 20 percent of its plantations as natural habitat that protects biodiversity by prohibiting illegal hunting. EcoPlanet also focuses on employing persons with disabilities and empowering women through recruitment to managerial positions.

Wagner Asia Equipment, LLC, in Mongolia, a heavy equipment dealership, is recognized for its commitment to public/private partnerships with Mongolia’s local and national governments designed to protect the environment. Initiatives include planting more than 900 trees. conducting workshops for students on environment and ecology, implementing a project to build a community garden and rehabilitating a toxic waste site.

Other finalists include the Coca-Cola Company, in the Philippines; Chevron Corporation, in Burma; ContourGlobal, in Togo; General Electric, in South Africa, General Electric International, in Tunisia; GlassPoint Solar, in Oman; and the Linden Centre, in China.

For more information on finalists, visit Tinyurl.com/ACE2014Finalists.

natural awakenings

April 2015

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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.

Buzzing Buddies

Thriving Eco-Towns

Malaysian Villages Model Sustainability

photo by MIGHT

Innovations being successfully pioneered in Malaysia offer ideas for improving the world, according to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), including the construction of high-tech, self-sustaining ecological “smart” villages.

These villages are lifting incomes for scores of rural families while promoting environmental sustainability. Each 50acre community consists of about 100 affordable homes, advanced educational, training and recreational facilities and an integrated, sustainable farm system that provides villagers with food and employment that on average, triples their monthly income.

Low-cost, 1,000-square-foot homes are built in 10 days and the communal farming operations include a cascading series of fish tanks, or “aquafarms”.

Filtered fish tank wastewater irrigates trees, grain fields and high-value plants grown in “autopots”, a three-piece container with a valve that detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Free-range chickens feed on the fast-reproducing worms that process the plant compost.

This system optimizes nutrient absorption, minimizes waste and enables crops to be grown on previously non-arable land. The village’s solar-generated power is complemented by biomass energy and mini-hydro electricity. A community hall, resource center, places of worship, playgrounds and educational facilities equipped with 4G Internet service support e-learning and e-health services.

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‘Flying Doctor’ Bees Prevent Cherry Disease University of Adelaide researchers are introducing a “flying doctor” method of employing bees as preventive medicine. Project leader and bee researcher Katja Hogendoorn, Ph.D., says, “All commercial cherry growers spray during flowering to control the later development of cherry brown rot.

Instead of spraying fungicide, we’re using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the flowers, where it’s needed.” The innovative delivery works via entomovectoring.

This is a new technique for Australia, with potential application in many horticultural industries. The biological control agent contains spores of a parasitic fungus that prevents another fungus that causes the brown rot from colonizing the flower. Future applications of the small, winged medics are expected to become available for disease control in almonds, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, apples, pears and stone fruit.

Source: Adelaide.edu.au

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Osteoporosis and Calcium Toxicity

by Les Cole, MD

W

hat is osteoporosis? To be honest, this is not really an easy question, though you will hear simple answers from many practitioners: It is thinning of the bones.

It is low bone mineral density (BMD).

It is loss of calcium in the bones. It increases your risk of fracture. All of these statements may be true, but they don’t identify the cause of osteoporosis, which is the important question. Your practitioner may have told you to just take calcium or calcium and vitamin D, or may have put you on a medication to increase your bone density. These still don’t answer what causes osteoporosis.

It may come as a surprise to many, but it is not a deficiency of calcium intake.

Studies actually show that supplementation with calcium alone does not reduce the risk of fracture in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia (a milder form of decreased BMD). Research also shows that supplementing with vitamin D plus calcium does no better than supplementing with vitamin D alone.

When taken together, these two pieces

normal bone

of information mean that calcium does nothing to treat or prevent osteoporosis.

Yes, that is correct—calcium supplementation does not prevent fractures associated with osteoporosis. What does this mean? It means that calcium deficiency is not the cause and therefore calcium supplementation is not the solution. As a matter of fact, in a 2013 study of 61,433 women, those with the highest intake of calcium (including those who supplemented calcium), had an all-cause mortality rate of 2.5 times greater than the women who did not supplement calcium. So, not only does calcium supplementation not correct osteoporosis, but it increases your risk of dying by 250 percent, according to this study. Other studies also show that calcium channel blocking nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals decrease all-cause mortality. So, supplementing with calcium is actually bad for you and does nothing to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

If insufficient dietary calcium intake isn’t the cause of osteoporosis, what is?

To answer that we need to look at bone

osteoporosis

formation—what stimulates it to form and what stimulates it to reabsorb. Our bones are undergoing “remodeling” all the time. Old bone gets reabsorbed and new bone forms continuously.

Let’s first look at bone formation. Cells called osteoblasts form bone by making collagen that requires vitamin C. Collagen is a protein that is the basis of all the connective tissue in your body, including bone. Collagen is very tough and is held together by cross-linking between collagen molecules. This forms a lattice or matrix. Your osteoblasts also make osteopontin—a different kind of protein that forms powerful cross-bridges throughout the collagen matrix. Osteopontin has many negatively charged amino acids that combine with calcium which is positively charged. Osteocalcin is also produced by your osteoblasts which increases the number of positively charged calcium ions which then deposit onto your osteopontin. This is how your body forms bone. Pretty cool, right?

Bone reabsorption occurs as the result of other cells called osteoclasts producing and releasing collagenase and acid onto bone. Collagenase is an enzyme that digests (breaks down) collagen and the acid causes calcium to ionize and leach from (leave) bone.

Osteoporosis (and osteopenia) occur when there is more bone resorption than bone formation. The things that stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption prevent osteoporosis and are both the treatment and prevention. Let’s look at these: Magnesium increases bone density and decreases fracture risk, is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and decreases all-cause mortality.

Vitamin K increases quality of bone and reduces bone fracture risk, decreases all-cause mortality and helps prevent coronary artery calcification.

Vitamin C decreases bone resorption and increases bone synthesis, increases bone mineral density, decreases fracture risk, increases fracture healing, reduces inflammation and decreases all-cause mortality.

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Vitamin D along with a diet sufficient in vegetables and fruits assures adequate calcium absorption, is a key determinant of bone mineral density, is vital for immune function, and decreases all-cause mortality. Blood levels above 60 are associated with risk reduction for multiple diseases including auto-immune and cancer.

Essential fatty acids protect against bone mineral density loss, are CCBs, and decrease all-cause mortality.

Estrogen decreases osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures, decreases inflammatory cytokines, decreases coronary artery calcification and decreases allcause mortality.

Testosterone significantly decreases osteoporotic fracture risk, reduces coronary artery calcification, is a CCB, is a coronary artery dilator and decreases all-cause mortality.

good multivitamin. Inflammation and oxidative stress increase bone reabsorption so get your markers of inflammation and oxidative stress tested. Acidity (not stomach) increases bone resorption so drink water with lime or lemon juice. Additional minerals that help build bone are Boron, Manganese, Silicon and Zinc (but too much zinc can cause bone resorption—see below).

Calcium supplementation is not effective for treatment or prevention of osteoporosis and has been shown to significantly increase the risk of all-cause mortality.

Thyroid hormone is necessary for bone mass development and attaining peak bone mass. Optimal levels decrease the risk of osteoporotic fracture and allcause mortality.

Risk factors for osteoporosis. Below is a list of conditions that increase your risk of osteoporosis. If you have any of these, it is a good idea to be evaluated and to correct the underlying conditions (bring the body back into balance) as they will not only increase risk for osteoporosis, but may often lead to other chronic problems.

There are other factors that are important: eating a healthy diet rich in leafy greens, vegetables and fruits, exercising effectively, and reducing your exposure to toxins. Detoxify regularly. Take a

• Menopause/Andropause • Hyperthyroidism • Hyperparathyroidism • Vitamin, Mineral and Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency

• Inflammation • Oxidative stress • Stress – high levels of cortisol • Smoking • Alcohol abuse • Genetic predisposition • No menstrual cycle for more than 6 months • Lack of exercise • Fluoride • Excessive zinc supplementation • Excessive vitamin A supplementation • Acidifiers – soda, carbonated water, coffee, etc.

• Medications – especially antacids and proton pump inhibitors • Surgery • Multiple Disease States – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes & COPD – to name a few Dr. Les Cole practices Anti-Aging, Functional, Integrative and Preventive Medicine at St. Petersburg Health & Wellness. He is certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and American Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine. To learn more about osteoporosis prevention/treatment and other things you can do to improve your health and wellness, visit StPeteHW.com. To make an appointment, call 727-202-6807. See ad page 29.

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The Food Artisans Next Door Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors

by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko

Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.

T

he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors.

Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a commercially licensed production facility.

From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanut-free cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usually by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses.

“In a sharing economy, individuals look less to big chain stores for

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their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable.

The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods— primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.

Healthy as it Comes

“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched from her home kitchen. Besides gluten-free cookies, cakes and breads, she’s always

photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL

Delivered Year-Round

“perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix.

Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup.

So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average gluten-free recipe.”

“We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops. “We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only high-acid foods.

Quality over Quantity

In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield award-winning farmstead easier-todigest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch. “Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King.

“My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts.

When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubator, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thousands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.”

“By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program.

“We think it’s important to produce what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider. “Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.”

Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are co-authors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com.

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healingways

Spring Greening Easy Ways to Detox a House

by Lane Vail

F

or most individuals, odorous chemicals are simply unpleasant. For those that are sensitive and susceptible, however, even common chemical exposures may evoke a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) marked by multiplesystem symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, autoimmune disease, asthma, depression and food intolerance. Since the post-World War II expansion of petrochemicals, the incidence of TILT has increased dramatically, says Claudia Miller, a medical doctor, researcher and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and co-author of Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes.

“Fortunately, public awareness has also grown significantly in the last few years,” says Rick Smith, Ph.D., a Canadian environmentalist who co-authored Toxin Toxout. “Now companies and governments worldwide are moving toward making safer products.”

We can support progress by leveraging some practical tips in greening our home.

Start somewhere. Many volatile organic compounds (VOC) that in-

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clude formaldehyde and benzene are concealed in household items such as couches, chairs, particleboard furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, rugs, synthetic flooring, wallpaper and paint.

Green TV host and Fresh Living author Sara Snow implores us not to become overwhelmed, disheartened or fearful.

“Creating a healthy home is a gradual process that doesn’t require throwing all the furniture out,” she advises. Start by scrutinizing labels and choosing not to bring new toxins in.

For example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely found to be associated with reproductive toxicity and is found in many waterproofed and flexible plastics. Select PVC-free toys, shower curtain liners and mattress covers.

In the kitchen, avoid potentially carcinogenic perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) found in nonstick coatings of pots and pans. Toss the Teflon when it scratches, says Snow, and upgrade to stainless steel or cast iron. Weed out bisphenols, the DNA-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and epoxy resin can liners. Even “BPA-free” products likely contain alternative and equally harmful

substances, according to a recent study published in Chemosphere. Choose clear glass instead of plastic containers.

When remodeling, look for zeroVOC items, Miller says, plus materials free of stain-resistant sprays and flame retardants whose efficacy is questionable. Consider natural fiber rugs like jute or wool. Forest Stewardship Council-certified hardwoods or alternative flooring like cork or glass tile are safer investments in long-term well-being.

Clean green. Conventional cleaners are among the worst offenders, and even some “eco-cleaners” can be deceptively unsafe, says Smith. He recommends avoiding antibacterial products containing triclosan, which proliferates antibiotic-resistant bacteria that prolong and exacerbate illnesses, as well as phthalates, a chemical oil that carries artificial aromas and has been repeatedly linked to cancer and abnormal fetal development. “Even so-called natural fragrances are often complex petrochemicals that outgas and contaminate the air,” notes Miller.

Snow advises formulating products at home using staple pantry ingredients, including distilled white vinegar for disinfecting, baking soda for scouring, liquid castile soap for sudsing, lemon juice for degreasing and olive oil for polishing.

Freshen with fresh air. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time amid indoor air pollutants that are

Even small changes can measurably reduce your family’s daily exposure to healthdamaging chemicals. ~Rick Smith significantly more concentrated than outdoor pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports. “Most energy-efficient homes are well sealed with ventilation systems that recirculate indoor air, so opening the windows helps dilute accumulated airborne toxins,” says Miller. Snow further recommends bringing air-purifying plants into the home such as Gerbera daisies, bamboo palms and English ivy.

Vacuum and dust. Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter and dusting with a moist cloth eliminates allergens such as pet dander, mites, pollen and mold, and helps remove phthalates, flame retardants, lead and pesticides that “latch onto house dust and accumulate in dust bunnies,” says Smith.

Weed out lawn chemicals. “Organophosphate pesticides are profoundly neurotoxic,” says Miller, especially to the developing brains of children.

Instead try integrated pest management, which involves controlling pests’ food

sources and applying non-toxic deterrents. Eliminating potentially carcinogenic herbicides might mean managing more weeds, says Snow, but it’s worth it.

Eat green. “Buying produce as close to its source as possible, from a farmer or farmers’ market, provides threefold benefits,” says Snow—less wasteful packaging, reduced exposure to chemical plastics and greater concentration of health-promoting nutrients. Buy in bulk and favor glass containers or rectangular cardboard cartons.

Take tests. Radon, an invisible, odorless gas that can emanate from the ground and accumulate in homes, annually causes 21,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths, according to the U.S. EPA. Lead, a neurotoxin that may occasionally leach from home water pipes, can also hide in pre-1978 paint. Testing for both and implementing reduction or precautionary measures is simple, advises Smith. Most hardware stores stock test kits.

Take action. Join with other concerned citizens by launching a pertinent petition at Change.org; campaigning with organizations like the Environmental Working Group (ewg. org) or Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SaferChemicals.org); and supporting cleaner, greener companies with family purchases.

Lane Vail is a freelance writer and blogger at DiscoveringHomemaking.com.

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his month, Home been in the last 100 years,” We only have says climate scientist JenBox Office (HBO), in collaboration with one home. If we nifer Francis, Ph.D., of New York City’s American Rutgers University, in New Museum of Natural History, mess this one up, Jersey. “Any wisps of doubt will air the new documenwhere do we that human activities are at tary, Saving My Tomorrow. fault are now gone with the go next?

Scientists representing wind.” the museum discuss how ~Hippocrates, age 8 At Sea temperature change affects life on Planet Earth, but the “We do more damage to majority of voices are those of children. the planet than we think.”

Their words cry out for universal action ~Peri, age 9 to prevent them from inheriting what In the same 100 years, sea levels have they believe is a dying planet in desperrisen seven inches, mostly due to exate need of healing. pansion as the water warms. “We have In the Atmosphere over 2 million preserved fish in our col“We need to know the truth, because lection. We study them to see the effect adults clearly aren’t doing enough to of temperature change,” says Melanie stop this.”

Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology ~Zoe, age 12 at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom The National Oceanic and Atmospheric feeder and that’s where pollution like Administration and NASA recently anmercury lies. When the water is warm, nounced that last year was the hottest fish eat more and mercury is stored in in 135 years of recordkeeping, with their bodies.” The contaminants move rising ocean temperatures driving the up the food chain, bringing the effects global heat index. of pollution to our dinner table.

Nine of the 10 hottest years have oc- A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, curred since 2000. The odds of this taking Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboplace randomly are about 650 million to ratory UK, found that 29 percent of the 1, especially without an El Nino influoceans’ edible fish and seafood species ence, according to University of South have declined by 90 percent in the past Carolina statistician John Grego.

100 years. The international team of “The globe is warmer than it has ecologists and economists led by Boris

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Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small.

Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.

On Land

“Each species was put here for a reason.

We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally Scientists look back to look ahead.

Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’s-foot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality.

Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker

(Campephilus principalis) to the onceabundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis).

In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble.

Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.

All Are Needed

“I don’t have time to grow up before becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12 “Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable.

HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family.

See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow.

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us

by Christine MacDonald

The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman

W

hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril.

“If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E.

“Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical, mental and emotional health, develop

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intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.

Healthful Nature

As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.”

While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo).

Regular playtime outdoors helps children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, accordwww.natampa.com

ing to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care.

Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life.

Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn.

Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/ OutdoorHealthBenefits Research).

“It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.”

Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl. com/AmericanHealthTrails).

Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic.

We are, in essence, self-medicating with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.”

Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).

Innovative Nature

Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature.

Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples).

The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream.

“People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble.

We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspira-

tion” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments.

Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Cyclical Nature

These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth.

It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability—building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups.

“A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia.

The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradleto-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance.

McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods— akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life.

With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work.

“Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calming and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health.

The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.

Natural Intelligence

A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature.

natural awakenings

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At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.”

We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons.

The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change.

“‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature.

The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world.

We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us.”

Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science.

Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.

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inspiration

Strong Winds Strong Roots

What Trees Teach Us About Life

by Dennis Merritt Jones

A

great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life.

A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans.

People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over.

It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller.

Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences?

We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm?

We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow.

Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall.

Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com. natural awakenings

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Qigong Healing and Universal Oneness Interview with Jeff Primack, Founder of the Qi Revolution Conference

by Kathy Rivera Kathy Rivera Wallace: I attended your National Event in Orlando before and was blown away seeing so many different types of people practicing Qigong together. What makes learning Qigong in big groups more powerful, and what do you think has allowed you to reach such a large audience?

Jeff Primack: Where two or more are gathered, a unified Qi field exists.

Qigong breaks through people’s doubt with a tangible magnetic force. When a few thousand people practice Qigong in a convention center ballroom, the group energy from all the focused people makes the Qi far stronger than what we can achieve alone. The most spiritually profound practices are breathing exercises that deliver a type of ‘euphoric high’ from the oxygen and energy absorption.

Part of our success in sharing Qigong comes from the use of videoanimation and specialized music allow38

Tampa Bay Edition

ing people to FEEL AND CONNECT TO QI POWERFULLY, which is the most important factor. Feeling energy pulsing through your body is a clear benefit, and men are especially drawn to the tangibility of Qigong. Feeling a ‘magnetic arc of energy’ flowing overhead and pulsing through the arms is heavenly divine.

KRW: I found the Qi so life changing.

Can you outline the overall essence of Qigong for newcomers?

JP: The first goal of Qigong is to absorb EXTERNAL QI IN THE AIR we breathe and live inside of. Breathing techniques and graceful movements harness and absorb this energy directly. Your PERSONAL ENERGY IS INTERNAL QI, and this builds up quickly with practice and eventually “Overflows the Dan Tien”.

The most profound secret of Qigong is to raise energy up the spine to the pineal and pituitary glands. I’ve www.natampa.com

spent my life studying with different Qigong masters from all over the world and it’s fascinating to see, unlike professional athletes, that the oldest Qigong practitioners have the strongest abilities.

KRW: You’re currently teaching a FoodHealing class with a physician, Claudia Gabrielle, MD. How does the medical community respond to your teachings on using food to reverse specific diseases?

JP: To be honest, when I first began teaching Food-Healing in 2005, there was less interest from physicians than now. Due to more scientific studies now backing the food protocols I’ve shared the last 10 years, I have a lot more attention from doctors and have certified many in our Conquering Any Disease Food Healing system.

Dr. Claudia was deeply inspired by the Qi Revolution food component.

She grew tired of prescribing Lipitor to every patient with high cholesterol, especially when studies now show high cholesterol is not even a key indicator for risk. Since meeting us last year, she’s helped countless patients with our food protocols for heart disease and is teaching a class with me to present her latest testimonials. Both Qigong and Food Healing are beneficial to reaching our highest potential.

KRW: I’m so excited that you will be conducting the 10th Annual Qigong National Event in Orlando. I know this is your biggest event and you often bring in guest Qigong Masters with special

will be honoring us with a visit to share his rooting insights and Qigong secrets.

Another master presenter joining the National Event is veteran Acupuncturist Tom Tam. He helps cancer patients with the application of energy in acupuncture needles. Master Tom Tam has compassionately practiced his special type of energy medicine in the Boston area for 20 years and is coming to share his wisdom.

There is rumor of a third master presenter coming, so special that we cannot mention their name. Stay tuned where the light abide, there’s no place to hide, look deep inside.

See ad page 4.

“Qi Revolution” comes to Orlando Convention Center, featuring guest Qigong Masters, Jesse Tsao & Tom Tam. June 6th–9th Jeff Primack and 200 Qigong teachers will teach 4-days of Qigong for only $149!

This is the largest Qigong event in the USA. Tickets and more info, 800-298-8970 or visit QiRevolution.com.

gifts. What high level presenters have you found for us this year?

JP: This year’s line-up may surpass anything we’ve ever produced. RealDeal Tai Chi Master, Jesse Tsao, is a Qi-Angel defying the laws of force. In my opinion, he is at a very high level

of Qigong. Yoda-like skill allows him to ground firmly and remain “unmovable” even with 10 huge men pushing him back. Jesse travels worldwide teaching martial arts experts, but he will tell you his heart dwells in the internal practice of Qigong. To train with the masters is a rare gift only good karma can bring. He

Interviewer Kathy Rivera Wallace is a TV talk show host who regularly interviews leading wellness experts.

Jeff Primack is a Qigong teacher who studied with many Qi masters from all over the world and has taught 50,000+ people at live Qi Revolution conferences across the U.S. (Part 2 of this interview appears next month)

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earthdayevents

ISLAND EARTHDAYS 2015

EARTH

Honeymoon Island State Park Family event featuring guided nature walks, education, displays, artists, craftspeople, local environmental vendors, live music/entertainment, great food and beverages. $8 donation per vehicle includes free parking (up to 8 people per vehicle). FMI: islandearthdays.com.

DAY 2015

PARTY FOR THE PLANET

Hope for Our Future

Sat., April 19, 9:30am-5pm Celebrate the living Earth with a day of family fun and discovery. Learn how to make a difference in conservation by spending the day with the animals who share our planet. 9:30am-5pm. FMI: lowryparkzoo.com

by Julianne Hale ounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl.com/HopeForTheClimate).

Here are some encouraging highlights.

The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012.

Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of

Sat. April 18, 9am-5pm

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Tampa Bay Edition

Sat., April 18, 11am-6pm/Sun., April 19, 11am-5pm

tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025.

Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here.

St. Pete Earth Day Festival The city joins cities in more than 190 countries commemorating the birth of the modern environmental movement that began in 1970. Learn about eco-friendly technology, research and products that help create healthy, sustainable communities. Free admission. South Straub Park. stpeteearthday.com.

Ecofest Celebrates Earth Day Tampa Bay Sat., April 18,10am-3pm. 7525 N. Boulevard, Tampa.

Join Sierra Club in celebrating Tampa Bay individuals, organizations, and businesses dedicated to the principles of sustainability – Ecology, Equity and Economy. Admission is free. learninggate.org/ecofest.

18th ANNUAL TAMPA BAY MARATHON SWIM Sat., April 25 Open water race covering entire 24-mile length of Tampa Bay. 12 solo swimmers and 3 relay teams from across the U.S. and Canada. Start: 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Petersburg. Finish: Ben T. Davis Beach on West Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. FMI: distancematters.com.

Green Thumb Festival Sat.-Sun., April 25-26, 9am-4pm Walter Fuller Rec. Center 7891-26th Ave. N., St. Petersburg Earth friendly environmental and horticultural exhibits, vendors, programs, free “green thumb” giveaways, food court, entertainment, and more.

Free parking. FMI: stpeteparksrec.org/greenthumb.

Tampa Bay Area Great American Cleanup March-May 31, 2015 Keep America Beautiful Spring events are underway; part of this volunteer organization’s continuing earthloving activities. For further on local affiliates: Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, keeptampabaybeautiful.org/ GreatAmericanCleanup.shtml, 813-221-8733 and/or Keep Pinellas Beautiful, mykpb.com, 727-533-0402.

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42

Tampa Bay Edition

www.natampa.com

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Why is this happening to Me ... again?! at The Heritage Park Inn in Kissimmee, FL

Start with April 17 - 25 ~ 9-day:

Why is this happening to Me ... again?! or healing the Whole WomantM Then: April 25 - May 6 ~ 12-day: Why teachers’ training April 26, 27, 28 ~ 3-day: personal Code evaluation training Includes Accommodations, Workshops, Workshop Materials and awesome Gourmet Vegetarian Meals powerful, practical tools that are transforming our planet!

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photo courtesy of Jean Maclean

naturalpet

Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals

by Sandra Murphy

The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.

D

“

octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi.

“The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work.

Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the whole family can enjoy.”

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She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement.

It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.”

“An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.”

National Library Week, April 12 to 18, celebrates the program Unlimited Possiblities @ Your Library At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons.

Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall.

North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill.

“Jaylee was tutored in reading for

a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment.

It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks.

The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.”

Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The

Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester.

Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent.

Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement.

Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener.

Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.

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calendarofevents

See monthly, by the day and hour, what’s happening in the Bay area. So many educational and uplifting events to assist with personal and planetary health: enjoy seminars, lectures, workshops, book signings, beauty and nutrition events, leading edge health solutions, spiritual connections, for singles, couples and families. Printed calendar is a gratis feature exclusively for advertisers who make this magazine possible. Non-advertisers are free to use on-line calendar at natampa.com, click on submit calendar tab.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 Celebration of Light Drum Circle – 7-9pm. Join in the first Thursday of every month for the high energy of our Celebration of Light drum circle. Baaba Ray and experienced musicians will provide the beat to enliven our rhythmic spirit. Bring your drums, rattles or percussion instruments and an open heart.

Great fun for families and people of all ages. Love donation. New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600. Look for us on Meet-up & Facebook.

Full Moon/New Moon Gong Meditation – 7:158:15pm. Monthly event with Lisa Recchione, eRYT200, RYT500, scheduled close to either the new or full moon. The Gong has all the sounds and vibrations of creations within it. It cancels out thoughts and allows you to completely relax very deeply and quickly. $15. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Must prepay to guarantee space.

Walk-ins welcome depending on availability. Register, Lisa 727-595-6036, yoga4all.com/workshops.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Sacred Woman’s Luncheon Circle – 11:30am. Join us as we create a safe place to become our powerful authentic selves on our spiritual journey to speak our truth, become teachers for each other and form deeper relationships. Bring a friend & a dish. This meeting, The Miracle of You, Living a Mindful Life, will be focused on your overall wellness from your beliefs to your lifestyle choices. $10/ Energy Exchange. New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600. Look for us on Meet-up & Facebook.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Nature Walk with Taylor Walker – 10am-Noon.

Powerpoint presentation followed by a nature walk to identify beneficial species and herbs, including native edible, medicinal and sacred plants. $10/Suggested donation. Info & reservation, 813-334-7424, reikishrine@gmail.com.

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Tampa Bay Edition

Exploring The Primal Nature – 1-3pm. Join Dr. Deb Weir, PhD, LMHC as she teaches ancient wilderness survival techniques that can enhance your experience of nature when you are outdoors. Based on her book, Women in the Wilderness: Exploring The Primal Nature (2010). Leave inspired and intrigued. Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

Tree of Life Lunar Series – Saturdays, April 4-May 16. 1-3:15pm. Sharon Denton will help you become more aware of the effects of the monthly lunar phases, and how to tap into the energy to maximize effectiveness and help you plan. Bring a journal.

Lunar Yoga practice included in each session. $100; $80/Members; $30 session. Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. Info & registration, 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

Yogic Non-Attaching: The Gain in Letting Go – 1-4pm. Shawn Overcast 500-RYT. Knowingly or not, we become attached to our ideas, hopes, expectations, loved ones, our strengths...and weaknesses, our religion, politics, our material things.

During this workshop, we will: Explore some of our own attachments; discuss common misunderstandings of non-attachment; build awareness to how attachment can affect our ability to be mindful. $35/ in advance, $40/at the door. Sign up 727-894-9642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

Yoga Nidra, “Sleep of Awareness” – 3:30-4:30pm.

Join Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500 for this deep and profoundly powerful meditation having a tremendous soothing effect on the body and mind by refreshing the physical, emotional and mental bodies. $15. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Info & registration, Nancy 727-542-0116, yoga4all.com/workshops.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 Regresion a Vidas Pasas y su Poder Sanador – 1pm. Dra. Marta Alarcon, Reiki Master, Consejera Familiar, Hipnoterapista y Terapista de Luz. La

www.natampa.com

hipnosis es util en muchos aspectos y puede ayudarle a sanar heridas y traumas del pasado. RSVP 813340-3556 Marta o 813-334-7424 Maria.

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Advance Reiki Training (ART) – 10am-2pm. Reiki I and II required prior to taking this class. Info & reservation, 813-334-7424, reikishrine@gmail.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 Peripheral Neuropathy or Diabetic Neuropathy Problems? – Noon. In this seminar presented by Drs. John & Alexa Parker, DC, D.PSc, discover natural solutions that may help you, including food causes, heavy metals detox, and therapies that can restore nerve health. Free, Synergy Integrated Health, 4343 W Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Seating limited. Reservations, 813-254-5200, synergyfixme.com.

Dress Up Your Salads – 6:30pm. Debby DeGraaff, Natural Foods Chef & author, shows you how to make Brown Rice Apricot Salad with fresh Florida citrus vinaigrette; Broccoli Thai; Vegan Caesar!

Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

Close Encounters & Extra-Dimensional Experiences – 7-9pm. Have you experienced a “close encounter”, ghosts, UFOs, contact with deceased loved one, interdimensional travel, time slips, etc.?

A safe place to share your story and learn from each other, we will explore the spectrum of direct experiences with extra-dimensional phenomena and how they affect the lives of experiencers. $10/Energy Exchange. New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600. Look for us on Meet-up & Facebook.

The Art of Aligning Your Beliefs – April 7, 14, 21 & 28. 7:30-9:30pm. Step into your power and recreate your reality with Angel Coach Emily Rivera Andrews and Fire Starter Natalie Amsden Rivera.

Through practical tools and Divine Guidance you

will permanently rewire your brain for prosperity, wellbeing, relationships and self-empowerment! Release patterns, roles, and beliefs that no longer serve you and replace them with empowering thought patterns aligned with Truth and Divine Law. $25/ class; $88/series, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete. 727-522-6657, WingsBookstore.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 Vegan Sushi – 6:30pm. Brad Myers, the Vegabond Chef, shows you how to make delicious & easy vegan sushi! Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Reiki I – 10am-2pm. Info & reservations, 813-3347424, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Low Back Pain Therapy Series – 10:30am-noon OR 6-7:30pm. Nancy MacDonald ERYT500, Yoga Therapist offers this 6-week series to help you develop healthy movement, strengthening and stretching using a clinically proven program for back pain.

Nancy is the only certified teacher in the Tampa Bay area for this program from the NIH studies. If you missed the last six week series don’t miss this one.

Class limited to 10. $270/6-week series includes manual. The Lotus Pond, 6201 Lynn Rd., Tampa.

Questions ShantiVinyasa.com. Pre-registration required, yogalotuspond.com events & workshops.

Permaculture 101 – 6:30pm. Loretta Buckner, We Grow from Here, wegrowfromhere.com, will walk you through the basic concepts, the ethics & principles! Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Experience Yoga Nidra – 1-3pm. 3-5pm. Facilitated by Linn Sennott, E-RYT200, RYT500. Yoga nidra is one of the deepest and most powerful of all meditations that creates a systematic release of stress. At the conclusion of this workshop, you will be deeply, powerfully renewed. Suitable for all,

including wheelchairs. Wear unrestrictive clothing; bring notebook, pen and favorite pillow, blanket, support, etc. Teachers, learn to lead YN in part 2. Includes sample scripts and more. $25/each, $40 both.

Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

Nervous System & Essential Oils – 2-3:30pm. Facilitated by Tess Avramidis, learn how and what essential oils specifically help the nervous system. Attendees will be working on ways to achieve a healthy nervous system using easy movements along with essential oils. Tess will dive into the basics of the nervous system and how to use movement and oils to achieve a happy balanced lifestyle. Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727223-8911, Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

Healing Sound Journey with Crystal & Tibetan Singing Bowls – 3-4:30pm. Robert Austin, Sound Healer from Sarasota and special guest performer Mom Jennie (96 years young!) will immerse you in relaxation with Crystal & Tibetan singing bowls played throughout the practice. Healing vibrations of sounds are not only soothing to your ears, but also soothing to your soul. $20. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Info & registration, Robert 941822-9046, yoga4all.com/workshops.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Mindful Work / Working Mindfully – 1-4pm.

Megan Moyer 500-RYT. Yogis are interested in moving towards greater balance across all aspects of life, even work. In this workshop we’ll explore yoga’s mind/body/breath tools for helping move towards balance at work. These techniques can be done with very little time, but have potential for providing a greater sense of alignment at work and beyond. $35/in advance, $40/at door. Sign up 727894-9642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Reiki II – Info & reservations, 813-334-7424, reikishrine@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 East Meets West: Spring Cleaning BioTransformation Detox – 6pm. Whether you are looking to shed excess weight, improve energy, eliminate brain fog, or strengthen your immune system, a short detox may be just what you need! Dr. Les Cole and Bob Linde, AP will explain the benefits of gentle detoxification through diet modification and nutritional supplementation, to support optimal function and prevent/ reverse disease. We explore detoxification from two unique paradigms: western/ functional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. St. Petersburg Health and Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., 727-202-6807, StPeteHW.com.

Relief from Chronic Pain – 7pm. Learn how Acupuncture, herbs, and massage can bring you amazing relief, even if you’ve tried everything else.

New patients who attend the lecture get their first Acupuncture treatment free. Jade Tree Wellness Center, Inc., 3039 49th St N., St. Pete, 727-344-8690, JadeTreeWellness.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Chelation Therapy Conference to Detox and Save Your Life – April 17-19. 9am-5pm. With Dr. Edward Kondrot, MD, best-selling author and alternative medicine doctor. Unfortunately, modern life is riddled with toxins; they seep into your body and wreak havoc on your internal systems. This conference brings together the country’s experts on detoxing so you can learn how to become and stay healthy.

Join us and immediately improve your quality of life. Register 888-412-1770, TampaBayDetox.com.

Couples Weekend Getaway & Workshop – 7pmSun 2pm. Join Richard & Diana Daffner, authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples, for a romantic beach getaway. Bring greater joy, intimacy and passion to your relationship. Celebrate your love.

Connect with your beloved on a soul level. $695/ couple. Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota. More info, other dates & locations, brochure, 941-349-6804, IntimacyRetreats.com.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 18

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

NLP 2-Day Primer – April 18-19. 10am-6pm. No prerequisite for this fun, fast-paced, interactive class.

Patricia V. Scott, PhD, Certified Master Trainer, teaches basic NLP principles, presuppositions & techniques for immediate personal or professional use. Workbook included. Limit 10 people. $185/ Register by 4/2; $145/Members; $225/After. UP Hypnosis Institute, Palm Harbor. 727-943-5003, 866-537-7746, UPHypnosis.com.

Low Back Pain Therapy Series – 10-11:30am or 6-7:30pm. Nancy MacDonald ERYT500, Yoga Therapist offers this 6-week series to help you develop healthy movement, strengthening and stretching using a clinically proven program for back pain.

Nancy is the only certified teacher in the Tampa Bay area for this program from the NIH studies. If you missed the last six week series don’t miss this one.

Class limited to 10. $270/6-week series includes manual. Tree Frog Yoga, Pinellas Park. Questions ShantiVinyasa.com. Pre-registration required, TreeFrogYoga.net events & workshops.

Yoga: A Therapeutic Series for Tight Hips #1 – 3-4:30pm. Join Heather Overton, eRYT200, RYT500, and explore the hips which stabilize you in your daily life and store strong emotions. When the hips lock up they may prevent you from walking properly or even attending your weekly salsa class.

Open to all levels of fitness. Advanced registration required to receive a copy of the sequence to improve your home practice. $20. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. Info & registration, Heather 727-480-3004, yoga4all.com/workshops.

Reflexology Certification Program Weekend – April 18-19. This weekend is part of a 12-month, 300-hour program available for LMTs, acupuncturists and licensed health professionals with massage in their scope of practice to train to become Certified Reflexologists. Sam Belyea, program director, guides students through balancing the systems of the body using the technique of Reflexology. Each weekend includes additional topics such as business development, meditation, and self-care. $2100/Year; $175/ Weekend, The Foot Whisperer Reflexology Institute, 4810 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa, Details 813-831-9420, FootWhisperer.com/reflexology_training.

Peripheral Neuropathy or Diabetic Neuropathy Problems? – Noon. In this seminar presented by Drs. John & Alexa Parker, DC, D.PSc, discover natural solutions that may help you, including food causes, heavy metals detox, and therapies that can restore nerve health. Free, Synergy Integrated Health, 4343 W Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Seating limited. Reservations, 813-254-5200, synergyfixme.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 EARTH DAY Garden Pest Control – 11am. Taylor Walker, GreenDreams, explains ecological pest management, growing techniques, companion planting, observation and organic solutions. Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

Mid-Week Bliss – 3:15-8:15pm. Join us at Evolve for a special Ladies Only mid-week Spa afternoon!

Program includes Restorative Yoga, Essential Oils, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Guided Meditation and a Healthy

  

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Need Guidance on Life Issues, Lessons or Purpose?    

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

www.journeyswithanna.com

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www.natampa.com

Meal. $20. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23 From Fatigue to Fantastic! – 6pm. Presented by Jeanne Bangtson, DC. Free. Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center, 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo, 727-826-0838, peaksofhealth.com.

Osteoporosis & Calcium Toxicity – 6pm. As part of St. Petersburg Health and Wellness’ efforts in guiding you to optimal health and wellness, Dr. Les Cole will be sharing information we believe to be beneficial for anyone who has been taking a calcium supplement.

There is a common misconception that calcium supplementation is essential for bone health. Come get educated on the facts and find out about better options for supplements to support healthy bones and overall wellness. St. Petersburg Health and Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., 727-202-6807, StPeteHW.com.

Introduction to Light Therapy – 6-8pm. A workshop celebrating the International Year of Light, conducted by Paulette Burton, Sandra Jaramillo and Ma. Antonieta Riveros-Revello. Love donation. RSVP 813-334-7424, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Is Gluten Your Body’s Worst Enemy? – 6:30pm.

Are you overwhelmed by the thousand products that are labeled gluten-free? Can eating gluten make you sick, bloated, and tired? Could it cause brain fog, migraines or even joint pain? Join Liat Golan, RD, LD/N, Bee Well Nutrition, and learn all you need to know about gluten-free diet and if it is right for you. Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Hypnotherapy Certification Training – Comprehensive 6-weekend training (not consecutive) in the art, science & practice of hypnosis. Learn basic, advanced, medical hypnosis, regression, parts integration, Time-Line, NLP & more. Graduates certify through the International Association of Counselors & Therapists (recognized internationally). $3395; $2895/UPHI Members. Details/registration, 727943-5003, 866-537-7746, UPHypnosis@yahoo. com; UPHypnosis.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Open House – 9am-5:30pm. Free classes: 9am-1pm; Amrit Desai: 1-5:30pm. Come and celebrate our 15th year in health and wellness, and our first year as a Healing Arts and Wellness Club! Evolve is honored to have Sri Amrit Desai as a guest presenting, “The Inner Dimension of Yoga”, a powerful talk, followed

by Yoga Nidra and a question and answer period. A rare opportunity to be in the presence of a true yoga master! Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Class schedule and Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

Near Death Experiences Lecture – 10:30am-1pm.

Respected author and lecturer Frank Valentín will take you on a spiritual journey as living proof that there is life after death in ways never taught before. From his first NDE in 1979 to his most recent spiritual manifest you will learn how you will still be you, and beyond, in this unprecedented lecture. $10. Perkins Family Restaurant, 2375 Curlew Rd., Dunedin. Seats are limited. Reservations, 24/7 live call center 813-4401299, Info SearchingTruth.org/lectures.

Cooking with Padmini: Blending East and West – Saturdays, April 25-May 9.11am-1pm. This threeclass series teaches how to cook mixing Ayurveda and ancient remedies. You will learn how easy it is to uses herbs and spices to create energy and maintain good health. Each class concludes with enjoying the meal you prepared! Cooking in Tree Of Life’s Ayurveda kitchen, space is limited. Reserve your spot early! Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. Info & registration, 727-514-3051, treeoflifeyoga.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26 Sadhguru in Tampa – 2-4pm. Wisdom, Meditation, Bliss. Straz Center for Performing Arts, Carol Morsani Hall, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Pl., Tampa. Info

and Registration, 813-413-1661, Tampa@ishausa. org, ishausa.org/tampa.

MONDAY, APRIL 27 Create Your Ideal Healthy Body – 6:30-8:30pm.

Patricia V. Scott teaches Mind-Body Cohesion© to control eating, change unwanted habits into healthy ones using the power of your Unlimited Mind with Hypnosis, NLP, PRC, PNR & more. 6 Mondays: $155/by 4/15; $175/after; $125/UPHI Members.

CD, materials included. UP Hypnosis Institute, Palm Harbor. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 Self-Hypnosis Training – 6-9pm. Patricia V. Scott, Internationally Certified Master Trainer, teaches easy techniques that allow you to discover untapped potentials, talents and abilities using the power of your Unlimited Mind. $35; $25/UPHI Members.

Hypnosis CD & materials included. Registration closes 4/25. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor. 727-943-5003, UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 The Reynolds’ Kitchen – 6:30pm. Dr. Paul & Cara Reynolds, thereynoldskitchen.com explain the principles of Chinese medicine in this dairy- and gluten-free cooking class held on the last Wednesday of every month. Make seasonal meals full of color & flavor that feed all of your organs. Free. Nature’s Food Patch, 1225 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727443-6703, naturesfoodpatch.com.

form of energy that help shape your reality. Gain an understanding of the Law of Attraction. Understand how Vision Boards help you focus on what you DO desire in life. Realize the importance of releasing self-limiting beliefs. Be given time to create your own Vision Board in a supportive environment! $12.

Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete. 727-5226657, WingsBookstore.com.

PLAN AHEAD SATURDAY, MAY 2 Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy Workshop – May 2-3. Don’t be fooled by the title. If you are a bodyworker or healer, this can be the most important class you will ever take. You will refine palpation skills and learn specific techniques that could transform your practice. 12 CE hrs. $250/ Early Registration. Southeastern College, Memorial Hwy., Tampa. Details & registration, 330-701-8780, polarityhealthcare.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 3 Yoga Nidra, “Sleep of Awareness” – 3:30-4:30pm.

Nancy MacDonald ERYT500 facilitates a deep and profoundly powerful meditation having a tremendous soothing effect on the body and mind by refreshing the physical, emotional and mental bodies. It allows a systemic release of stress preparing the mind to receive the personal affirmations you develop in class. It is said that 1 hour of yoga nidra is equivalent to 4 hours sleep. Suitable for all levels of practitioners; no experience necessary. $15. yoga4all, 8836 Seminole Blvd. Info & registration, Nancy 727-542-0116, yoga4all.com/workshops.

Nature’s Anti-Aging Secrets – 7pm. Discover how to get billions of antioxidants that slow down aging without taking pills, potions or juices. Find out how to easily lose weight, reduce pain, improve digestion, boost energy & immunity, and look and feel younger naturally. Learn how a change in diet and lifestyle habits can help improve your life. Secrets presented by retired Dr. Fischer who loves to share knowledge and help others. Free. Limited seating.

Reservations required, 727-201-2192.

THURSDAY, MAY 7

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Screenings by Dr. Chi “Tongue and Fingernail Analysis” – May 8-9. 8am-5pm. Dr. Chi is the leading expert in the study of Tongue and Fingernail Analysis. $30 screenings. NaturalMED Therapies, 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd., Ste. C, Largo. Limited consultations, RSVP 727-541-2211.

Vision Boards – 7pm. Sara Sabourin is a certified healing practitioner and holds a Master’s Degree in Education. She is an expert at setting and achieving goals and will teach you how through the creation of Vision Boards. Experience how your thoughts are a

“Tongue and Fingernail Analysis” Seminar by Dr. Chi – 7:30-9:30pm. Are you wanting to live longer and prevent serious health issues? Free Seminar. ($30 screenings taking place May 8 & 9 at NaturalMED Therapies; see calendar “Screenings

by Dr. Chi”). Hampton Inn, 4050 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater. Limited space, RSVP 727-541-2211.

FRIDAY, MAY 8

Near Death Experiences Lecture

Respected author and lecturer Frank Valentín will take you on a spiritual journey as living proof that there IS life after death in ways never taught beforeÑfrom his Þrst NDE in 1979 to his most recent manifest in 2014.

RSVP ( 8 1 3 ) 4 4 0 - 1 2 9 9 w w w. S e a r c h i n g T r u t h . o r g

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ongoingevents sunday 25 Years of Teaching Meditation – 10-11am Sun; 6:30-8:30pm Weds; 6-7pm Fri. Learn three unique pre-Buddhist approaches to practicing meditation; techniques used by the earliest Yogis designed to awaken into the freedom and fullness of yourSelf.

Practice the fundamentals, avoid common pitfalls, and get guidance creating a practical, sustainable, life-changing practice. No experience needed. St. Petersburg Yoga, 2842 Dr. MLK St. N., 727-8949642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

Mindfulness Meditation and Buddhist Teaching – 10am-Noon. In the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh with Fred Eppsteiner. Mindfulness practice helps one to cultivate compassion, develop inner peace and experience joy in daily life. 6501 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, Info tampa-updates@floridamindfulness. org or visit floridamindfulness.org.

Sunday Celebration Service – 10:30amNoon. Meditation 9:15-10am; Free Reiki & Healing 10am. Join our radically loving spiritual community as we share inspiring music & empowering messages which can transform your life. NBO Center embodies, express & practices oneness with all! New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600.

monday Yoga for Cancer Survivors – Mon and Fri 11:30am.

Tues and Thurs 12:45pm. Gail Newfield instructor.

A relaxing, rich breathing and gentle movement class for survivors. Geared to those in treatment or finished with treatment. Can be individualized according to the needs of each student. $15. Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. TreeOfLifeYoga.org.

Inner Wisdom Coaching Circle – 6-8pm. Join Coach Dianne Kipp in a “telecoaching” group each month to discover your internal wisdom, while learning how to overcome your “Monkey Mind” negative self-talk. You will learn the foundations of Ontological coaching, as well experience what it is like to “be coached”. Bring your life challenges, desires, and dreams and we’ll get you on the road to your success! $30 per person per month; 3 or 6 month commitment required. Contact Coach Dianne 727-481-1646 or coach@diannekipp.com.

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Create Your Ideal Healthy Body! – 6:30-8:30pm.

Mind-Body Cohesion© System developed by Patricia V Scott combines Hypnosis, NLP, Pivotal Response Conditioning & more for weight, diet, cravings, confidence, exercise motivation. Initial 5 classes: $155 prepaid; $175 same day; $135 Members. UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, Info@ UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Soulful Kirtan Chanting Group – 7pm. The magic of this type of chanting happens through the vibrations of our own unique voice. It doesn’t matter if you have a good singing voice; in Kirtan all the voices become one. Whether you participate by chanting along, carrying the beat with your hands, or moving your body to the rhythm, all of us can feel the rising joy of this primal experience. New Beginning Oneness Center, 210 S. Pinellas Ave. (Alt 19 & Boyer), Tarpon Springs. Info 727-415-3600.

Embrace Your Infinite Potential – 7pm, 3rd Mon. Awaken yourself to a New Way of Being during this session designed to ignite and inspire your full potential. Each session will include the gift of Vibrational Alignment shared by Andi Schenbeck, aligning you with your highest potential by transmuting lifetimes of unconscious beliefs and energies that no longer serve you. 7pm, Love Offering, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St N, St Pete, WingsBookstore.com, 727-522-6657.

Free Being Meditation – 7-8pm. Practice inner being health through deep relaxation. Offering seated Yoga Nidra meditations; on the first Monday of every month we practice with recorded chanting or background music. Door opens 6:45pm to get settled, Love offering, First Unity Campus Bldg. (next to Wings Bookstore), 4500 4th St N., Rm. 400, FirstUnity.org, meetup.com/ Free-Being-Meditation-St-Petersburg-FL. Yum Yum Yoga – 7-8:15pm. Recovering from illness or injury? Stressed, overwhelmed or suffering from back pain? This therapeutic class taught by Yoga Therapist Nancy MacDonald ERYT 500 might be just what you need. Leave class feeling yummy and peaceful, with tools to support you and your journey of health. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, shantivinyasa.com.

Attention Coaches and Want-a-Be Coaches! – Join Coach Dianne Kipp, experienced, certified and mentoring coach on a monthly “coaches conversation call” to build community, exchange ideas and gain insight to solving difficult client challenges.

Details 727-481-1646, diannekipp.com.

www.natampa.com

tuesday Inspiration Radio – 7:30am. Listen to Dr Tracie J Leonhardt, DO, on 1110 AM; call in with questions on topic of the day.

Kids Mindful Yoga – 4-5pm. Also Thurs. Kids ages 5 to 9 can learn the fundamentals of Mindfulness in body, breath, mind & life through yoga. Taught by our Licensed Mental Health Councilor, Yoga Instructor, and Mom of two. Parents can relax at the same time in their own separate Restorative class. 4-5pm, St. Petersburg Yoga, 2842 Dr. MLK St. N., 727-894-9642, info@stpeteyoga.com, StPeteYoga.com.

Acupuncture Intern Clinic $25 + Cost of Herbs – 6-8pm. Students spend about an hour or two using the Chinese medicine system of evaluation to see what herbs and herbal formulas to recommend for you. They are supervised by one of our experienced acupuncture & herbal practitioners. Appointments only. St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Reiki I & II Usui System – 6-10pm. Class Certification and CEUs available for LMT, Provider #MCE 50–77, for Reiki credits. Rev Maria Antonieta Revello, Reiki, Karuna & Qigong Master. Reiki II, Thursday. RSVP 813-334-7424.

Prenatal Classes – 7:30pm. Gail Walker, facilitator.

Open to all levels of students in any trimester. Restore, rest, renew. $15, Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. TreeOfLifeYoga.org.

Back Pain? Scoliosis? – Tues & Thurs. Looking for a Yoga Therapist? Fine tune your alignment? Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500, Yoga Therapist for 7+ years is offering private sessions and small group classes.

Chair yoga for those that cannot get up and down from the floor with ease might be just what you are looking for. Nancy has many advanced certifications including chair yoga. Tree Frog Yoga, Pinellas Park, Schedule with Nancy 727-542-0116, ShantiVinyasa.com.

wednesday Reiki Share – 10am-2:30pm. Also 3rd Sat. Experience the most profound, powerful & gentle relaxation technique. It helps re-establish healthy frequencies to cells and tissues bringing back health.

Call 813-425-2596 Dr Marta Alarcon, 813-334-7424 Maria, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Inspiration Radio – 11:30am-Noon. Listen to Dr. Tracie J. Leonhardt, DO, on 1110 AM; call in with your questions on the topic of the day. Also listen daily for her metabolic health minute of the day.

Joel Chudnow Hosts Hawk Health Hour – Noon1pm. Wholistic Health Educator and Natural Lifestyle Counselor Joel Chudnow is back on the radio and web, interviewing and showcasing wholistic healthcare professionals in Tampa Bay. WMNF 88.5 HD4 and live streaming HawkRadio.com.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong Series – 4:30-6pm. Dao Yin and warm-up exercises 4:30pm. Qi Gong and Tai Chi sequences 5pm. Instructor Dr. Justin Fontanini has extensive experience and knowledge of these ancient arts. $10/Suggested. Maria 813-334-7424, Acupuncture & Natural Therapies 813-9682128, reikishrine@gmail.com.

Happy Half Hour Wednesday Group Ear Acupuncture – 5:30pm. Five tiny needles in each ear can help with stress & anxiety, and reduce cravings of all kinds. Done in a relaxing setting. $20, Attend 5 sessions get 6th free, Warm Sea Acupuncture, 531 Main St, Ste D, Safety Harbor, 727-726-1676.

Hatha Yoga, The Journey – 5:30-6:45pm. Join Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500 as she helps you understand yoga postures, demonstrated slowly to allow understanding of alignment and any props that may be needed to find comfort, balance and confidence. Become familiar with breath practices that sustain the body during the asana practice. This class is designed to deepen your understanding of the yoga postures, develop greater flexibility and awaken the mind-body connection. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd., 727-542-0116, ShantiVinyasa.com.

Herb Student Clinic $10 + Cost of Herbs – 6-8pm.

Students spend about an hour or two using the Chinese medicine system of evaluation to see what herbs and herbal formulas to recommend for you.

They are supervised by one of our experienced acupuncture & herbal practitioners. Appointments only. St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Hypnosis & NLP Master Class (Public Welcome) – 6-9pm, Last Weds. Master Class for professional development (3 CEUs). Hypnotists expand skills with scripts & practice time & others participate as practice client. $30 UPHI Associates; $35 UPHI Members; $40 General Public). UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, 866-5377746, Info@UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Guided Meditation with Gong – 7-8:15pm. Relax and let go of all struggles as you are guided by the gentle, soft voice of Charles Robinson and the healing vibrations of the gong. Each week the meditation will be different, allowing you to release tension, anxiety and stress. Bring comfortable mat, blanket(s) and pillow(s). Free. Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-2238911, Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

Medical Qi Gong: Science of Harmonizing the Mind & Body – 7pm. 2nd Weds. Through posture, breath and intention, transform your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Martin Keane, acupuncture physician, leads the group through exercises to master correct posture, improve spinal health by stabilizing the pelvis. $10. Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St. N, St. Pete, 727-522-6657, WingsBookstore.com.

Restorative/Yin Yoga – 7-8:15pm. Join Nancy MacDonald E-RYT500, Certified Restorative Yoga teacher as she guides you in the peaceful practice of restorative/ yin yoga. Postures will be held so the body can unwind and unfold naturally. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, 727-542-0116, Shantivinyasa.com.

Mindfulness Meditation & Practice – 7-8:45pm. In the spirit of Thich Nhat Hanh. Mindfulness practice helps to cultivate compassion, develop inner peace and experience joy in daily life. UU St Pete, 719 Arlington Ave N, St Petersburg, Info floridamindfulness.org.

thursday Free Beginners Yoga Class – 5:45-7pm. New to yoga or need a brief review of the basics? Join us for this class or any other one class for free. Open to all levels.

5:30-6:45pm. First class in studio (limit one) is FREE to Pinellas residents. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Info, Marty 727-392-9642, yoga4all.com.

A Course in Miracles – 7pm. A modern day expression of the demonstrations and teachings of Jesus as the path to happiness, love and joy; course focuses on letting go of thoughts and pictures in our minds that cause us to suffer. $5 Donation, First Unity, 460-46th Ave N, St Pete, 727-527-2222 x101 or FirstUnity.org.

friday Gentle Yoga – 8:30-9:45am. With Osiris; bring your mat. Reservations, Osiris 813-545-3261 or Maria 813-334-7424.

Community Acupuncture Healing Sessions – 10am-3pm. Patients sit quietly in comfortable recliners and benefit from the synergistic healing energy of a group. Payment is made anonymously, based on honor system, Suggest $20–$45, cash only, Mind Body Spirit Care, 3610 Madaca Ln, Tampa, Reservations 813-969-1311.

Glimpsing Your Soul – 6:30-8:30pm, 4th Fri. Join inspirational author and teacher Laurel Geise as she leads the group in a past life session opening energetic doorways to explore the many dimensions of you. Beginning with an energetic expansion session

and leading you deeper and deeper, she will guide you through the exploration of the eternal nature of your soul. $33, Wings Bookstore, 4500 4th St N, St. Pete, WingsBookstore.com, 727-522-6657.

Evolve and Transform Meetup – 7-9pm. Facilitated by Tess Avramidis, join a community of like-minded people discussing spirituality and awakening. Pot luck, bring a dish to pass. Free.

Evolve Holistic Health & Wellness Center, 2120 Range Rd., Clearwater. 727-223-8911, Pre-register, EvolveClearwater.com.

Couples Beach Retreat & Workshop – 7:30pm Fri-1:45pm Sun. Transform your relationship through sacred intimacy and conscious loving.

Discover Tantra. $595/couple, Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota, IntimacyRetreats.com; Dates, other locations, brochure, call 1-877-282-4244.

saturday Qi Gong: Supreme Science Qi Gong – 9-10am. Val Mirea, DOM, AP conducts guided group class through powerful and relaxing qi gong positions and techniques.

All levels, $10, St. Petersburg Health & Wellness, 222 2nd St. N., St. Pete, 727-551-0857, stpetehw.com.

Migraine and Anxiety Healing with Acupuncture – 10-11:30am, 4th Sat. How Acupuncture can effectively help migraine and anxiety sufferers using a holistic approach, presented by Dr. Guansu Wang, AP, DOM, MD in China, with 25+ total years of experience and 22 years in Bay area. 1811 N. Belcher Road, H4, Clearwater, Reservations 727-797-1161.

Reiki Share – 10am-2:30pm, 3rd Sat. Experience the powerful & gentle relaxation technique. It helps re-establish healthy frequencies to cells and tissues bringing back health. 813-765-5166 Maritza, 813-4252596 Dr Marta Alarcon, or reikishrine@gmail.com.

Prenatal Classes – 10:30am. Gail Walker facilitator.

Open to all levels of students in any trimester. Restore, rest, renew. $15, Tree of Life Yoga, 6800 Gulfport Blvd., Ste. 205, St. Petersburg. TreeOfLifeYoga.org.

Self-Hypnosis Training: Your Unlimited Mind! – 1-4pm, Last Sat. Patricia V Scott, Certified Master Trainer, teaches how to discover untapped potentials, using the power of your Unlimited Mind. $45 prepaid; $55 same day; $35 Members, includes CD/materials, UP Hypnosis Institute, 800 Tarpon Woods Blvd, Ste A-1, Palm Harbor, 727-943-5003, 866-537-7746, Info@UPHypnosis.com, map uphypnosis.com.

Free Beginners Yoga Class – 5:45-7pm. FREE to Pinellas residents. Yoga4All, 8836 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, Info, Marty 727-392-9642, yoga4all.com

Couples’ Retreats!

Led by Richard & Diana Daffner, M.A. authors of Tantric Sex for Busy Couples

Create Magic in your Relationship!

Romantic Vacation Workshops

Siesta Key

Celebrate Your Love - Rekindle Your Passion Apr17-19 May 15-17 June 5-7 June 19-21 (Father's Day Weekend, Register Early) Call for ADD’L DATES & Free Brochure: 941-349-6804 Intimac yRetreats .com

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communityresourceguide ...connecting you to the leaders in natural healthcare and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide visit www.natampa.com or call 727.865.9339.

ACUPUNCTURE Jade Tree Wellness Center Tom Elman, AP, LMT 3039 - 49th St. N, St. Petersburg (727) 344—8690 JadeTreeWellness.com

Happy, Healthy, Whole! Acupuncture, Herbs and Massage to help you feel better. We treat everything from asthma to emotional issues, from Acid Reflux to Fibromyalgia. Free Consultations! See ad page 40.

warm sea acupuncture

Jane Myers, RN, LAc, MAc, AP 531 Main St., Suite D, Safety Harbor (727) 726-1676 WarmSeaAcupuncture.com

Chris Dziubinski, DOM, AP, L. Ac 201 S. McDill Ave. (S. Tampa) 3610 Madaca Lane (N. Tampa) (813) 935-CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com

Florida Board Certified Acupuncture Physician offering acupuncture therapies for the whole family. Established, comfortable, caring and professional integrative medicine clinics in South & North Tampa. In-network with most medical insurances; accept payments from HRA, HSA and FSA.

Natural Med Therapies

Machelle Perkins, D.O.M. 7600 Bryan Dairy Rd # C, Largo, 33777 (727) 541—2211 NaturalMedTherapies.com National & state board certified with 15+ years experience in Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Cold Laser & more.

Bio-Puncture and Mesotherapy to treat pain, ADHD, anxiety, depression. Lab testing, most insurances. Free Nutritional Consultation.

Sunshine Acupuncture Center Dr. Guansu Wang, AP, DOM, MD (China) 1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite H4, Clearwater (727) 797-1161 SunshineAcupunctureCenter.com

25+ years experience practicing and teaching Acupuncture and TCM. In bay area since 1992.

Specializing in Neurological pain, migraine, Arthritis, Anxiety, Insomnia etc. Free consultation.

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Tampa Bay Edition

Acupuncture & Herbal Therapies 222 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 551—0857 AcuHerbals.com

Jane has been a registered nurse since 1977 and now specializes in Five Element Acupuncture bringing together the whole person: body mind and spirit. Herbal pharmacy on premises. See ad page 49.

alternative medicine LIFEWORKS WELLNESS CENTER

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Professional Herbalists Training Program

Dr. David Minkoff Dr. George Springer & Sue Morgan, ARNP 301 Turner Street, Clearwater (727) 466—6789 LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com Specializing in natural hormone replacement therapy: the natural, bioidentical way and other safe, natural nutritional solutions for menopause symptoms, including weight loss, acupuncture, chelation, allergy elimination, and walk-in care.

See ad inside front cover.

Peaks of Health Metabolic Medical Center Tracie Leonhardt, DO 1120 Belcher Rd. S., Ste. 2, Largo, Florida 33777 (727) 826-0838 PeaksOfHealth.com

Dr. Leonhardt is Board Certified & Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Offers a personalized program for each individual patient.

Offering: Hormone replacement therapy, weight loss, thyroid, GI issues, Diabetes, infrared sauna, IV nutrition, Anti-aging, Chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, and toxicities. See ad page 9.

The 2-year program meets one weekend each month for class and Wednesday nights for our hands-on student clinic. This program is designed to create clinical herbalists in a combination of Chinese and western herbalism.

Many open classes. Designed to meet American Herbalists Guild standards.

See ad page 33.

astrology Astrology for Your Soul

Aluna Michaels, M.A., Esoteric Astrologer Dunedin (727) 239-7179 alunamichaels.com Second-generation astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner.

Over 25 years of experience.

Insightful, unique perspective on goals and issues. “Together we will unveil your soul’s purpose.”

attorney Law Offices of Steven A. Culbreath, P.A. Steven A. Culbreath Esq. 111 - 2nd Avenue N.E., Suite 900 St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 456-6463 steve@saculbreathlaw.com ImmigrationLawTampaBay.com

Member AILA/prestigious AV-rating. Authored articles on U.S. immigration law, visa strategies, legislative / regulatory updates, demystifying government agencies, insight into government practices.

Visas, Greencards, Citizenship.

blood analysis Stewart Analysis, Ltd.

Nature always

wears the colors of the spirit. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.natampa.com

Brandi Stewart Microscopist/ Insured Wellness Counselor 15511 N.Florida Ave. Suite 2, Tampa (863) 860-6643 brandi@stewartanalysis.com StewartAnalysis.com Specializing in Live and dry layer blood evaluations utilizing applied dark field microscopic technology for health, education and nutritional improvements. Locations available throughout Florida.

chiropractic Conforti Chiropractic and Wellness

4040 Tampa Rd., (813) 818—7499 Benttree Clinic 10935 N. Dale Mabry, (813) 969—2225 Conforti’s Crossroads Chiropractic Center 1811 Healthcare Dr., Trinity (727) 376—9611 Providing affordable family plans. See ad pages 36 and 55.

colon Hydrotherapy RENEW LIFE

Bonnie Barrett 28469 US Hwy 19 N. #402, Clearwater (727) 461—7227 RenewLifeFla.com, Lic# MA14802 MM12728 18 years experience. Specializing in detoxification, digestive care, and weight loss. Services include colon hydrotherapy, lymphatic drainage, massage, Synergie cellulite treatment, infrared sauna for fat burning, and cranial-sacral release.

Lucy Westervelt

2708 Alt. 19, Ste. 708, Palm Harbor (727) 781-8446

Natural Living Chiropractic & wellness center Dr. Paula Giusto 2102 S. Mac Dill Ave., Tampa (813) 253—2565 NaturalLivingChiropractic.org

Family chiropractic care, wellness care, nutritional counseling, neuromuscular massage therapy.

Jin Shin Jyutsu & craniosacral therapy.

Lic# MA33067 MM33474

Expert in Colon Hydrotherapy, using state-of-the-art equipment combined with Abdominal Massage, Reflexology, Pressure Points and Essential Oils during session for optimal results.

Professional, warm spa setting.

counseling Willing Heart Counseling

cleaning We Are CONCIERGE!

Nancy Rosenthal, Nicki Bennett (727) 260-1883 WeAreConcierge@yahoo.com Office cleaning, house cleaning, sitting and open-ups. Day and overnight pet care. Utilizing all natural, green, biodegradable, non-toxic products, safe for your family and pets. Serving the Tampa Bay area.

coaching Dianne M. Kipp, BSN, PCC, CTT

ICF Certified Coach & Business Culture Consultant Dianne M. Kipp & Associates, LLC (727) 481-1646 coach@diannekipp.com DianneKipp.com

Wanting to achieve the best in your personal relationships, professional or business goals? Try coaching with a certified coach.

You will be amazed at the results!

Coaching Courageous Living choices & senior executives for over 8 years. Complimentary Personal Values Assessments & Intro-session available.

Kerry Knesl, LCSW 105 S. Albany Avenue, Tampa FL 33606 (813) 468-5858 Depression and bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, anxiety and stress, PTSD, relationship problems, women’s issues, grief, self-esteem issues, adolescent issues, bullying and group therapy.

dentists Beata carlson, DDS

2701 Park Dr. Suite 4, Clearwater, Fl. 33763 (727) 712—3837 NaturalAndCosmeticDentistry.com Natural, Holistic, Aesthetic Dentistry. Careful Silver filling removal. Non-metal crowns, bridges and partials. Be pampered in our Spa-like atmosphere. See ad back cover.

Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end. ~Leonard Nimoy

David F. Doering, DDS

Doering Family Dental 1201 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa (813) 933—5365 TampaDentalCare.com Cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Conservative approach to periodontal (gum) treatment. See ad page 21.

Paul T. Rodeghero DDS

Clearwater Family Dental 215 S Myrtle Ave., Clearwater (727) 442-3363 MyClearwaterFamilyDental.com Our practice is a full service family practice. We welcome patients of all ages and can handle any concern that you may present to us. See ad page 12.

Ray Behm, DDS

127 N. Garden Ave., Clearwater 33755 (727) 446—6747 BehmNaturalDentistry.com Improve your overall health with holistic dentistry! Materials are tested for compatibility with your body. We remove toxic metals, treat root canals, and strengthen teeth and gums with state-of-the-art ozone treatments.

See ad page 27.

herbalist Rose Kalajian—Herbalist

Natural Health Hut Clinic and Herb Farm (813) 991—5177 www.ImHerbalist.com Specializing in growing the herbs used in my clinic practice and in the Herbal Remedies I formulate.

Consultations are available for humans, dog, cats, and horses.

Promoting health through the use of Herbs. See ad pages 8 and 32.

hypnosis UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES HYPNOSIS, INC.

Patricia V. Scott, President (727) 943—5003, (866) 537—7746 UPHypnosis@yahoo.com, UPHypnosis.com Professional Hypnosis & NLP Certification Training, Weekly classes & Private sessions (Smoking, Weight, Stress, Sports, Habits), Clinical/Medical Hypnotherapy available w/referral. Speaking Services & Corporate Programs.

See ad page 36.

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integrative medicine St. Petersburg Health & Wellness

Les Cole, MD 222 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 202-6807 StPeteHW.com.

Board certified in Anti-Aging/ Regenerative and Integrative/ Holistic Medicine. Specializing in men’s & women’s health, bio-identical hormones, weight, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, fatigue, stress, gut health, chelation, IV vitamin C, nutrition.

See ad pages 29 and 33.

organic produce Tampa Bay Organics

Jessica Papesh (813) 949-1112 TampaBayOrganics.com hello@tampabayorganics.com Tampa Bay Organics delivers fresh, delicious 100% Certified Organic Fruits and Vegetables directly to your home or office.

Customize your delivery schedule and produce preferences to fit your lifestyle! www.TampaBayOrganics.com. See ad page 28.

Mind Body spirit Care Ron N. Shemesh, M.D. 3610 Madaca Lane, Tampa (813) 935—CARE (2273) MindBodySpiritCare.com

Integrative & holistic medicine for women & men: Natural Hormone Therapy, Anti-Aging, IV Chelation, Nutritional Vitamin Therapy, Fatigue & Stress Management, Weight Loss, Yoga, Nutritional Counseling. Affiliated with St. Joseph Hospital. Most insurance accepted.

lifestyle coaching

psychotherapy Lois A. Miller, L.C.S.W., PA

238 E. Davis Blvd. Suite 302, Tampa (813) 258-3906, Fl. Lic. swooo1738 info@mytherapywithheart.com mytherapywithheart.com Integrative and holistic psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Treating anxiety, depression, grief, relationships, trauma, transitioning and more, using EMDR, EFT, mindfulness, and other modalities. See ad page 33.

Medicine River Animal Hospital Shawna L. Green, DVM 15235 Gulf Boulevard Madeira Beach, FL 33708 (727) 299—9029 MedicineRiverAnimalHospital.com

Compassionate health care catered toward the needs of your pet offering preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, senior wellness, and more.

See ad page 44.

weight loss HCG ACCELERATED DIET

LifeWorks Wellness Center Sue Morgan, ARNP Sue Minkoff, RN 301 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 466 6789 LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com Experience this revolutionary, medically supervised weightloss program, where patients lose 14-20lbs in 24 days.

See ad inside cover.

Sarah Boughanmi, LLL, LLM, ESQ (QC.)

1-844-64-LIGHT (54448) LifeGlowOrganics.com,LifeGlowHealth.com FloridaHealthRetreat.com We help you attain a holistic and sustainable lifestyle for: health, beauty, rejuvenation, detox, and wellness. Specializing in produce/sprouts, coaching and retreats.See ad page 51.

meditation

SUZANNE P. PERSONS, Ph.D., LMHC MH#0423 / since 1982 Psychotherapy / Consultation 1700 Park Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 804—1706

EMDR Therapy for stress, trauma and change. Counseling for people with grief, loss, esteem issues; relationship communication, life assessment, direction and goals, father/daughter relationships.

Meditation on the Inner Light and Sound 1-877- MEDITATE SantMat.net

Learn how to live in alignment with the soul’s purpose and to experience greater harmony within, with others, and with the environment. Always free, never a charge.

Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart 54

Tampa Bay Edition

veterinarian animal alternatives holistic health care Dr. Anne Lampru 238 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa (813) 265—2411 AnimalAlternatives.org

Dr. Anne Lampru has practiced holistic veterinary medicine since 1983. Believing that each pet is unique, she tailors a health restoration or maintenance plan to their individual needs.

See ad page 32.

www.natampa.com

Character is like a tree

and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ~Abraham Lincoln

How much longer will you be okay with SICK CARE!?

With all of the changes in insurance, making your HEALTH CARE work for you is more important than ever.

We currently have SICK CARE, not HEALTH CARE Last year Americans spent $2.8 trillion on healthcare. That is around $8,000 per person.

So does this mean that we are all healthy and living well?

Absolutely NOT! In fact, we lead the world in heart disease, obesity, and cancer.

Astonishingly, 5 out of 6 Americans will be diagnosed with either heart disease or cancer.

If we were spending the most money in healthcare and had the healthiest people, maybe it would be worth it. But we are spending the most money AND have the unhealthiest people.

In a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, of 37 different developed countries the United States ranked 37th (dead last) in terms of overall health of the population.

SO where are we spending all of this money?

When we are sick or in pain, we go to the doctor. We get prescriptions to help cure and prevent illness and pain. What do we do when that medication has a side effect or no longer works? We go back and get more medications for the next side effect. Americans take up 5% of the world’s population, yet we consume 85% of the world’s medications. You would think that if drugs make you healthy then we would be the healthiest nation, and that is far from the truth. We had 1.1 million people die last year because of drugs and these are not street drugs like heroin or other illegal drugs. These are prescription drugs that were prescribed for the right condition, the right amount, the right time.

Prescriptions are not the only culprit, a large amount of that money is spent in nursing homes and cancer treatment centers.

We have so many sick and ailing people in our population that we are seeing more and more longterm nursing facilities. People may be living longer, but we are not living better.

The focus needs to change. We cannot be okay with a health system that has no regard for health.

It is time to take the focus off of SICK care and focus on health.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH A lot of people believe that genetics are to blame for the disease we see in our society today, but only 2-5% of degenerative illnesses are actually caused by genetics. So that leaves 95-98% of disease that is caused by lifestyle.

The foods we eat, the drinks we drink, and the habits we live are the main cause of the increase in disease.

Our offices are focused on HEALTH care.

We recognize that health is not just about what you eat and whether or not you exercise. Our offices implement maximized mind, maximized nutrition, maximized nerve supply, maximized oxygen and lean muscle. We personalize each care plan and work with our patients to establish health and wellness goals that create a healthy lifestyle that maximizes each patients’ quality of life.

We offer full health and wellness care that excludes drugs, shots, and harmful combinations or both. Our goal is to make sure our patients live the healthiest life possible.

BUT WHAT TRULY SETS US APART FROM ALL OTHER WELLNESS CLINICS It is our dedication to whole health wellness.

Our patients are not just adjusted and sent on their way. We spend time focusing on spinal CORRECTION not just spinal alignment. By providing our patients with in office and at home stretching, strengthening, and lifestyle changes, our patients are the healthiest they can possibly be without introducing toxins. It is truly about balance and focus on health.

What does CORRECTIVE CARE mean?

If your spine and Central Nervous System are “abnormal,” there is a need for corrective chiropractic care. This type of care will restore “normal” spinal position and alignment. By properly restoring normal curves to the spine and aligning the vertebrae, it will eliminate interferences allowing your body to function and heal “normally.” This optimizes your chance to live at 100% of your body’s peak performance.

A healthy spine will allow your body to express a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and other measureable norms for the spine itself.

There are four primary curves of the spine in the lateral (side) view of the spine.

These curves give the spine strength, stability, and flexibility. Any loss of integrity of these curves can affect the function of the nervous system as this is the basis of evolution. These misalignments can put further stress on several aspects of the spine including the soft tissue structures, muscles, ligaments and discs that support the spine and its normal function.

Much like braces straighten teeth, it is our aim to restore the proper alignment of your spine. Recent research allows us to now know the measurements and proper alignment of your spine. There is a normal body temperature, a normal blood pressure, and there are measureable norms for the spine. We take the necessary steps to restore the regions of abnormal alignment to normal through whole health wellness.

Obtaining the level of normal alignment allows us to cure and prevent disease that otherwise leads to a lifetime of harmful shots and pills.

Take the next step and allow your body to function at 100% of peak performance.

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$

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY PAYMENT OR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OR RESPONDING TO THE FREE, DISCOUNTED, OR REDUCED FEE, SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.

WITH 6 TAMPA BAY AREA LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU Conforti Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Inc. 4040 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, FL 34677 813.818.7499 Conforti’s Crossroads 1811 Healthcare Drive, Trinity, FL 34655 727.376.9611 Benttree Clinic 10935 N Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 813.969.2225 New Tampa Chiropractic and Injury 2312 Crestover Lane #102 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813.994.6111 Palma Ceia Chiropractic and Wellness 1502 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629 813.251.0246 St Pete Chiropractic and Injury Center 2206 4th Street North, St. Pete, FL 33704 727.822.6700

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