Natural Awakenings Columbia Edition 0218

E E FR

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

RISING ABOVE

ADVERSITY How to Build Resilience

FOODS OUR HEART WILL

LOVE BE ON THE

BALL

Putting Extra Fun into Fitness

BEYOND BODY IMAGE

How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks February 2018 | Columbia Edition | MidlandsHealthyLiving.com February 2018

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Columbia Edition

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February 2018

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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.

Contents

15 FUSE MASSAGE THERAPY:

20

a Cut Above the Rest

17 10 SECRETS TO Raising Kids … Cavity-Free!

20 FOODS OUR

HEART WILL LOVE

Top 10 Heart Healthy Choices

22 RISING ABOVE ADVERSITY

28

How to Strengthen Your Resilience Muscle

26 CITY HOMESTEADING Creating Sustainable Urban Living

28 BE ON THE BALL Putting Extra Fun into Fitness

30 MEDITATION

30

THAT WORKS

Tips for Finding the Right Practice

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ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS

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EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month.

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Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month prior to publication.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 803-233-3693. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

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32 BANISHING

BODY-IMAGE BLUES How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks

34 DO-GOOD DOGS

DO ALMOST ANYTHING

Service Animals Train to Help People in Need

36 MARK ROSENFELD’S

Secrets for Successful Love Matches

DEPARTMENTS 5 eco tip 8 community

news 13 health briefs 14 global briefs 18 inspiration 20 conscious eating 26 green living 28 fit body

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30 healing ways 32 healthy kids 34 natural pet 36 wise words 39 calendar 40 classifieds 41 natural

directory

eco tip

Yes to Yarn Coprid/Shutterstock.com

Popular Needlework Crafts Go Green

Whether for function, decoration or personal gifting, the skillful hobbies of yarn arts such as knitting, quilting, weaving, stitching, sewing, crocheting and macramé are going strong. The difference these days is that doing it ecoresponsibly is enhancing the process.

“More people are making and hand-dyeing their own yarn,” says blogger Ann Budd (AnnBuddKnits.com), of Boulder, Colorado, former editor of Interweave Knits magazine and author of Knitting Green. “The results are beautiful with different color combinations, and even striping.”

Also, more yarn is American-sourced. “Shearing and dyeing are done here to cut down on the overall carbon footprint,” explains Budd, who conducts workshops for shops and clubs, plus two annual learning retreats. This year’s are in Savannah, Georgia, from April 26 to 29, and in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, from September 20 to 23.

GreenAmerica.org suggests Green Mountain Spinnery (Spinnery.com) as a U.S. source of certified organic, natural fiber yarns processed without toxic oils, chemicals or dyes; Ecobutterfly Organics (Ecobutterfly.com), for vegan-friendly, fair trade and botanically dyed organic cotton yarns and fiber, recycled glass beads, buttons and kits; and Organic Cotton Plus (OrganicCottonPlus.com), offering certified organic woven and knit fabrics, hemp and hemp-blended fabrics, threads, ribbons and vegetable-based dyes.

Interweave (Interweave.com), a craft magazine publisher, provides video and online education. Learn how to avoid potential hand and arm pain from repetitive motions with the new book Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting (ErgoIKnit.com) by San Francisco physical therapist and needlework teacher Carson Demers.

For many needlework fans, charitable volunteering keeps their fingers flying. Members of the nonprofit Mittens for Detroit (MittensForDetroit.org) make mittens, gloves, hats and lapghans for children and adults in need. Donna Davis, of Roswell, New Mexico, has knitted hats for African newborns, wool items for Eastern European orphans and scarves for American artists. Learn more at KnittingForCharity.org.

February 2018

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

COLUMBIA EDITION PUBLISHER Annette Carter Briggs

letter from publisher

11 Ounces of Power to Love and Lift …

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hat weighs 11 ounces, is only slightly larger than the

average fist, but has the power to change everything? The EDITOR Sara Gurgen DESIGN & PRODUCTION Kristina Parella answer, my dear friend, lies hidden within you and me—the heart.

Billy Briggs Pumping, on average, around 100,000 times each day, this amazing CONTRIBUTING WRITER Odell Williams physiological wonder pushes about 5 quarts of blood through the SALES & MARKETING Annette Carter Briggs human body’s blood vessels every minute—that’s a whopping 2,000 WEBSITE Kristina Parella gallons every day, spanning more than 60,000 miles, according to Billy Briggs CONTACT US PO Box # 2812 Columbia, SC 29202 Ph: 803-233-3693 • Cell: 803-309-2101 Email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 (for 12 issues) to the above address.

NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman PRESIDENT Patrick McGroder

NATIONAL EDITOR Alison Chabonais

MANAGING EDITOR Linda Sechrist NATIONAL ART DIRECTOR Stephen Blancett SR. ART/MKTG. DIRECTOR Steve Hagewood FINANCIAL MANAGER Mary Bruhn FRANCHISE DIRECTOR Anna Romano FRANCHISE SUPPORT MGR. Heather Gibbs WEBSITE COORDINATOR Rachael Oppy NATIONAL ADVERTISING Kara Scofield Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation 4933 Tamiami Trail N., Ste. 203 Naples, FL 34103 Ph: 239-434-9392 • Fax: 239-434-9513 NaturalAwakeningsMag.com

research from the Cleveland Clinic.

I find these fun heart facts truly amazing; however, most of us well know that although it weighs a mere 11 ounces and can fit in the palm of the hand, the life-changing power and potential it inherently possesses can break any scale.

The late Helen Keller—a truly inspirational woman who became blind and deaf as an infant—said it best: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart.”

Friends, this is so true, but I would like to take Keller’s thoughtful reflections a little further. Though blind, Keller could “see” the “best and most beautiful things” because her 11-ounce heart was beating, as it were, to the “life-lifting,” inspirational rhythm and power of love. However, in this day and age, as I look at what’s happening around the world, read the headlines and gaze into the eyes of so many people, my heart is heavy. Many individuals are blinded by selfishness, filled with intolerance and controlled by destructive emotions that fuel behavior to do the unspeakable.

So, how do we fix this? Well, it’s quite simple. February is love month, and our world needs more of it. Open wide the windows of greater possibilities that can maximize your 11 ounces of power and allow the light of love to lift you to the “most beautiful things,” which are hope, acceptance, unity, peace, unselfishness and compassion. If we do this together, everything will change, and the world will become a much better place.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Annette Briggs, Publisher

© 2018 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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community news Forest Acres Well Care Hosts Sip-n-Stem Drop-In

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n Saturday, February 10, from 4 to 7 p.m., Forest Acres Well Care will host its Sip-n-Stem Drop-In to introduce its newest service: BioRenew PTM Therapy—a treatment service consisting of unique combinations of growth factors, collagen and bioactive molecules that facilitate repair and regeneration of connective tissue.

While enjoying choice drinks in a great environment, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the various debilitating conditions and injuries in which BioRenew PTM Therapy, also known as stem cell therapy, has been shown to be an effective treatment option, such as degenerative disc disease, rotator cuff and labral tears, frozen shoulder and calcific tendons, facet and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and tennis elbow. Other conditions include stress fractures, tendinitis, knee and hip osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, turf toe, plantar fasciitis and more.

Compelling clinical results have revealed that this in-office, nonsurgical procedure is a viable alternative to surgery. It is also competitively priced with no downtime necessary.

Cost: Free. Location: Forest Acres Well Care, 5101 Forest Dr., Columbia. For more information, call 803-318-2811. See ad, pages 2.

Metabolic Medical Centers and Spa Adds New Team Member

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he staff of Metabolic Medical Centers and Spa, located at 3608 Landmark Drive, Suite E, in Columbia, is excited to announce the addition of Jenny Sepulveda to its professional team. Sepulveda has a degree from The Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. With more than 17 years’ experience, Sepulveda also has certifications with the American Massage Therapy Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She is also certified in prenatal, hot stones, Swedish, oncology, deep tissue, aromatherapy, and reiki level I and II. As a professional massage therapist, Sepulveda brings a tremendous skill set and knowledge base. To celebrate the occasion, first-time sessions are $25 off when mentioning the ad in this month’s magazine. Call today to schedule an appointment with Jenny!

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 803-758-5858. See ad, page 27.

KMB Hosts Adopt-AHighway Campaign in February

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n Saturday, February 3, Keep the Midlands Beautiful is hosting Adopt-AHighway campaigns covering three Midlands regions: Richland County, Lexington County and the city of Columbia. Additional volunteers are welcome to join. As an important reminder, Midlands area residents are asked to please remember to slow down in these work project areas.

For more information, call 803-733-1139 or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org.

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Celebrate National Wildlife Day

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ational Wildlife Day is an observance designed to bring awareness to the number of endangered animals nationally, as well as globally, that need to be protected. All around the world, zoos, animal sanctuaries and wildlife organizations are honored for their collective work to help preserve the planet’s animals and educate the public about conservation.

Held annually on February 22, the birthday of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, National Wildlife Day encourages citizens to stand up and fight for animals that need a voice, visit their local zoo, and donate to worthy wildlife rehabilitation sanctuaries and organizations that make a difference in the lives of our wild animal friends.

For more information, visit eeinsc.org or NationalWildlifeDay.com.

ICRC Hosts Indoor Garage Sale

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n Saturday, February 24, from 7 to 11 a.m., the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) will host a garage sale at Crooked Creek Park, located at 1098 Old Lexington Highway, in Chapin.

Doors will open to vendors at 6:30 a.m.

Residents throughout the Midlands are encouraged to clean out the garage, attic, kids’ rooms and closets, and bring those hidden treasures to Crooked Creek to sell.

Make sure to drop by and check out all of the great bargains. Anyone interested in participating as a vendor should call or stop by the park for participation details.

Vendor setup will be the day before (Friday, February 23) between 4 and 7 p.m.

Cost: Free to enter. For more information, call 803-772-1228 (ICRC main office) or 803-345-6181 (Crooked Creek Park). Also visit icrc.net. See ad, page 33.

FAWC Now Offering Chiropractic Care Specials for New Patients

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orest Acres Well Care (FAWC) is ow offering a special to new chiropractic patients. The special includes a consultation, an exam and an adjustment for ONLY $30.

Newest team member Matt Pappicco, DC, is one of 200 chiropractors in the world that specializes in tonal chiropractic adjustments.

FAWC offers full-body as well as tonal adjustments. Similar to other massage techniques, one day one may need a deep tissue massage and another day shiatsu—a form of therapeutic bodywork from Japan utilizing pressing, kneading, soothing, tapping and stretching techniques. The doctor will assess which type of adjustment is best-suited based upon the need.

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting the body’s expression of adverse tone. It works around the philosophy that the body works best when the nervous system is free of damaging interferences that trigger malfunctioning symptoms, diseases and a reduced quality of life. Chiropractic helps to restore the nervous system’s integrity and functionality—mitigating three key interferences: physical trauma, emotional stress and environmental toxins.

Location: Forest Aces Well Care, 5101 Forest Dr., Columbia. For more information, call 803-318-2811. See ad, page 2.

About Your Health Balance for Life

Special Package Deals: 4 Far Infrared Sauna Sessions or 4 Aqua-Chi footbath Sessions $65 Gift Certificates Available for All Services About Your Health, Inc. 803-798-8687

aboutyourhealthsc.com

February 2018

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Project Learning Tree Workshop

community news The 2018 Great American Cleanup

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t’s time for the Great American Cleanup!

Throughout the months of March, April and May, Keep America Beautiful, in partnership with Keep the Midlands Beautiful, is hosting the national Great American Cleanup campaign across the Midlands. The Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program, takes place every year from March 1 through May 31, and involves more than 3 million volunteers and participants comprising more than 20,000 communities across the nation.

The cleanup program is designed and tailored to the unique needs of local neighborhoods and communities throughout the state and nation. Activities will include beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning waterways, holding recycling collections, picking up litter, planting trees and flowers, and conducting educational programs and litter-free events. Keep the Midlands Beautiful will loan out gloves, vests, bags and grabbers for the cleanup efforts. Campaign organizers ask that Midlands area residents and S.C. citizens, in general, display their Palmetto Pride by volunteering for this important cause. Keep the Midlands Beautiful can help group organizers pick geographic areas of need if necessary.

For more information, call 803-733-1139, email Info@KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org, or visit KeepTheMidlandsBeautiful.org or kab.org.

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n Friday, February 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Project Learning Tree (PLT) will host its climate change workshop for secondary educators at the Congaree National Park, in Hopkins, South Carolina. PLT and the University of Florida have developed a new secondary module to help educators in the Southeast teach about climate change impacts on forest ecosystems, the role of forests in sequestering carbon, and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing climatic conditions.

In the workshop, participants will explore concepts in 14 experiential activities by using research related to the goals of PINEMAP—a regional research, education and extension program focused on Southern pine management and climate change. This workshop will equip educators to teach about the complex topic of climate change, its effects on our forests and climate change mitigation.

PLT is an environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators working with students from pre-K through high school. It uses the forest as a “window” into the natural world, helping young people gain awareness, a sense of responsibility, and knowledge of the environment. The S.C. program is sponsored by the S.C. Forestry Foundation, S.C. Department of Education, S.C. Forestry Commission, and the forest industry at large.

Cost: $20 (registration fee covering teaching guides). For more information, contact Matt Schnabel, S.C. PLT coordinator, at 803-8968892 or MSchnabel@scfc.gov. Also visit plt.org.

ICRC Hosts Daddy Daughter Date Night

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t’s a date for dads and daughters on Thursday, February 8, and Friday, February 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. Dads and grandfathers all across the Midlands are invited to bring their little princesses out to enjoy a special date night together hosted by Crooked Creek Park (February 8) and Seven Oaks Park (February 9). The evening’s festivities will include a candlelight dinner, followed by a night of fun and dancing. Attendees will receive a memory photo and a goody bag. Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance. Must register by Sunday, February 4.

Feb. 8 - Cost: Ages 4 to adult, $45 per couple; $20, additional tickets. Location: Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy., Chapin. For more information, call 803-345-6181 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 33.

Feb. 9 - Cost: Ages 3 to adult, $45 per couple; $20, additional tickets. Location: Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Ln., Columbia. For more information, call 803-772-3336 or visit icrc.net. See ad, page 33.

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community news

kudos

Saluda Shoals Foundation Hosts Shuckin’ on the Shoals Benefit

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ime to shuck ‘em! On Sunday, February 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., the Saluda Shoals Foundation will host its Shuckin’ on the Shoals annual fundraiser event at River Center at Saluda Shoals Park, located at 5605 Bush River Road, in Columbia. The foundation invites everyone out to enjoy delicious oysters, hot chili, beer, wine, and raffles and drawings for great prizes!

The Saluda Shoals Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves to support and protect Saluda Shoals Park through financial support, fostering partnerships, supportive programs, and creating community awareness of the park’s exceptional outdoor recreational activities, environmental education and cultural opportunities.

Cost: $65, foundation members; $75, nonmembers (*Note: processing fees apply for online purchases). For more information or to purchase tickets, call Dolly G. Patton at 803-2132035 or visit SaludaShoalsFoundation.org. See ad, page 33.

Jubilee! Circle Hosts Miracles Lecture and Workshop

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n Saturday, February 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jubilee! Circle is hosting a lecture and workshop on the book A Course in Miracles. Marc Breines, presenter and course student for more than 35 years, will share the wisdom he has garnered over the years of living his life according to the course material. In fact, Breines assisted in the production process of the first edition of the book. The session will also include an intriguing, in-depth discussion.

Cost: Free ($10 donation requested for session cost). Location: Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave., Columbia. For more information, call 803-569-6385 or visit JubileeCircle.com.

See ad, page 31.

KMB Gives Local Awards

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eep the Midlands Beautiful presented Green Awards to three outstanding environmental leaders in our community at a recent gala. Congratulations and kudos to all three environmental education award winners: 2017 Outstanding Educator Award Winner (pictured center): Chanda Cooper, Richland County Conservation District Education Coordinator 2017 Sustainability Leader Award Winner (pictured left): Chenille Williams, Richland County Stormwater Education Coordinator 2017 Partner/Volunteer Award Winner (pictured right): Karen Kustafic, Assistant Superintendent of Columbia Parks and Recreation

Lighthouse for Life Presents Run for Her Life 5K GLOW Run/Walk

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n Saturday, March 10, Saluda Shoals Park will host the Run for Her Life 5K GLOW Run/Walk.

Presented by Lighthouse for Life, a Columbia-based nonprofit organization that fights against sex trafficking across the nation, this event provides a great way for Midlands area residents to lend their support to a great cause. Registration is from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event, with the run/walk starting at 7 p.m. Event registration includes a T-shirt for those that register on or before February 23. In addition, awards will be given to the top finishers in each category.

This is a family-friendly event for everyone: walkers, runners and strollers alike. The mission of Lighthouse for Life is to restore victims of domestic minor sex trafficking to spiritual, physical and emotional wholeness.

Cost: $40; kids under the age of 7 are free (no registration required). Location: Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd., Columbia. For more information, call 803-730-1054 or email 5KRace@LighthouseForLife.org.

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Barclay School Goes Sustainable

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hat a great example of environmental stewardship! Students at the Barclay School at Ridgeway, a certified Green Steps program school, successfully planted starter seeds in their greenhouse in recent weeks. These seeds will later be planted in raised bed planters made from recycled Pepsi barrels.

Kudos to both students and staff members!

health briefs

Zinc Inhibits Throat Cancer

BIG BREAKFAST, LOWER BODY MASS

A study of more than 50,000 people in the Czech Republic by the Seventh-Day Adventist Loma Linda University, in California, found that those that made breakfast their largest meal of the day had lower body mass index (BMI) levels. Lunch as the largest daily meal showed the next best results. The researchers concluded that timing and frequency of meals play a role in predicting weight loss or gain. The two factors associated with higher BMI were eating more than three meals a day (snacks were counted as extra meals) and making dinner the day’s largest meal.

Moderate Exercise Guards Against Depression In Exercise and the Prevention of Depression, a study of 33,908 adults in Norway by the University of New South Wales, researchers found that one hour of exercise a week reduced depression in 12 percent of the subjects.

The purpose of the study was to address whether exercise protects against new-onset depression and anxiety and if so, the intensity and amount of exercise required. They concluded that regular leisure-time exercise of any intensity provides protection against future depression, but not anxiety. Thus, increasing the population of people exercising may provide public mental health benefits and prevent a substantial number of new cases of depression.

Research from the University of Texas at Arlington reported in The FASEB Journal, published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, has found that zinc supplements can inhibit or slow the growth of esophageal cancer cells. The research also found that zinc deficiency is common among throat cancer patients. Zinc-rich foods include spinach, flax seeds, beef, pumpkin seeds and seafood such as shrimp and oysters.

Chocolate and Olive Oil Help Heart Health Cardiologist Rossella Di Stefano, with the University of Pisa, in Italy, led a study of 26 people and determined that eating a combination of dark chocolate and olive oil improved cholesterol levels and blood pressure after 28 days. She says, “Fruits and vegetables exert their protective effects through plant polyphenols found in cocoa, olive oil and apples. We found that eating small, daily portions of dark chocolate with added natural polyphenols from extra-virgin olive oil was associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile. Our study suggests that extra virgin olive oil might be a good food additive to help preserve our ‘repairing cells’.”

February 2018

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global briefs Germany Undergoes an Energy Renaissance

Yongyut Kumsr/Shutterstock.com

xujun /Shutterstock.com

Renewable Payoff Last May, Germany’s renewable energy mix of solar, wind, hydropower and biomass generated so much power for a few hours that customers actually got paid for using electricity. The country’s renewable power sources generate 88 percent of total electricity demand, and growing wind power assets alone are expected to make the phenomenon a regular occurrence. When this happens, commercial producers either close power stations to reduce the electricity supply or pay consumers to take it off the grid.

andrea lehmkuhl/Shutterstock.com

Auto Revolution

Industry Revs Up for Electric Car Future

China, the world’s largest car market, is planning to stop production and sales of traditional energy vehicles in favor of electric vehicles (EV), and the decision has sped up competitive development by U.S. automakers. General Motors is promising to launch at least 20 new electric vehicles in the next six years. “General Motors believes the future is all-electric,” says Mark Reuss, the company’s head of product development.

The falling cost of lithium-ion batteries also brings a tipping point into view, observers say. By 2025 it’s possible that electric drivetrains will have no cost disadvantage compared with internal combustion engines.

Technology is fast resetting the outlook for what cars can do, how consumers use them and how much an EV will cost. Tesla, Ford and Japanese and European companies are also responding to what’s being called both “the age of electricity”, and “the age of personalized transportation”.

Bureaucratic Bungle st.djura/Shutterstock.com

Monsanto Still Gaming the System

Monsanto, the company that makes the controversial weed killer Roundup, is setting farmer against farmer and state against state with its newest product, dicamba. Amid claims and counterclaims over effectiveness and safety of crops and humans, the debate is shedding new light on how new agricultural products are introduced, tested and regulated. One major difference with dicamba is the gaseous vaporization it uses to treat crops, causing the poison to spread onto neighboring plants via wind. Brad Williams, a Missouri farmer, says that leaves on trees were “so deformed you couldn’t even really identify the differences between them.”

The manufacturer claims that proper usage protocols are not being followed. Some farmers agree, while others report crop damage and human health issues. One pivotal point of debate is which federal and state agencies have jurisdiction and the power to set enforceable guidelines. At stake are millions of acres that have already been sprayed, along with the future of non-GMO farms inadvertently contaminated by the dicamba sprayed on genetically modified crops that need the poison to survive.

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Sealife Sanctuary Greenpeace Lobbies to Create Huge Antarctic Preserve

The South Pole is Earth’s last uninhabited outpost, and Greenpeace seeks to establish an Antarctic sanctuary of almost three-quarters of a million square miles in the Weddell Sea adjacent to the vast continent that would protect whales, penguins and other wildlife.

The nonprofit has called for governments to show greater vision and ambition. Frida Bengtsson, head of the Greenpeace Antarctic campaign, states, “Over the next 12 months, we have an opportunity to make history: to create an Antarctic Ocean sanctuary which would be the largest protected area on Earth.”

She notes that it would also ensure healthier oceans that soak up carbon dioxide to moderate climate change.

The proposal, submitted by the European Union and promoted by the German government, will be considered in October by the governmental bodies responsible for managing the Antarctic marine environment. It follows the successful adoption of the Ross Sea sanctuary in 2016.

business spotlight

fuse Massage Therapy:

a Cut Above the Rest

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he word fuse in Japanese means to give of one’s natural abilities and talents. At fuse Massage Therapy, locally owned and operated in Columbia since 2010, you can rest at ease in the hands of each of their highly skilled and professional therapists.

Unlike many of its competitors, fuse Massage Therapy focuses on providing massage services specifically tailored to meet your needs—to relieve pain, release tension, and reduce stress.

“We continuously seek to provide excellent customer service to everyone that comes through our doors. It is our firm belief that every client should enjoy a fabulous experience every time they visit our spa. Our attention to detail and quality is second to none,” says owner and operator Andrew Touzel. This trend-setting business has found great popularity and was deemed “Columbia’s Most Therapeutic Massage” by the Spa Travel Gal—writer for CBS News, Travelocity, USA Today, LA Travel Magazine, and Spa Week. fuse Massage Therapy regularly sponsors such notable events as the Governor’s Cup Half Marathon (for seven consecutive years), the Gervais Street Bridge Dinner, the Hairy Bison Harbison Trail Race, and the University of South Carolina Dance Marathon.

“Supporting our community and sponsoring local events will remain foundational to fuse,” states Touzel.

It’s all about service. fuse Massage Therapy offers an array of choice massage services, such as its premier integrated massage, which includes focused time on the areas of your request, hot towels, and targeted stretching. Other specialties include prenatal massage,

hot stone massage and the very popular couple’s massage, which has quickly become a top choice for clients. One client raves: “Not only was I able to take my boyfriend and myself for a last-minute couple’s massage, but I was completely blown out of the water. I live in Charleston, over two hours away, and would be MORE than happy to make that drive to come back.

My boyfriend and I both had nothing but great things to say about our experience at fuse. The staff in general was excellent, and being in the industry myself, all of this speaks volumes of a great business and quality work. Thank you so much!! We will be back!!”

Upon request, your therapist can incorporate dōTERRA essential oils and Palmetto Harmony Hemp products, both of which enhance the therapeutic effect and the overall experience.

Both lines are also available for purchase in their lovely retail space.

With so much to offer, there’s no question that fuse Massage Therapy has something for anyone looking for a top-notch massage and stellar customer service. You can schedule an appointment online at fuseSpa.com or through the MindBody app.

Use the promo code HEMP20 for 20 percent off all vapes, creams and hemp oil at fuseSpa.com/shop. fuse Massage Therapy is located at 3711 Seawright Rd., in Columbia. For more information and for last-minute availability, call or text to 803-553-9171.

Find fuse Massage Therapy on Instagram and Twitter @fuseMT and at Facebook. com/fuseMassageTherapy. See ad, page 6.

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dental spotlight

10 Secrets to

Raising Kids … Cavity-Free!

by Gregory J. Wych, DDS

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ntroducing kids to new things can be fun, challenging, exciting, and even frustrating. I can still remember when I was a kid, it seemed that cavities were a given—prompting the dentist to pry, poke and drill for what seemed to be hours.

This was normal. However, things have changed. Technological advancements and modernization have made way for much safer and generally better visits to the dentist—a benefit to children today.

Individuals have become more aware of the importance of good dental hygiene, and parents now know, more than ever before, that regular dental visits are important.

Here are 10 helpful tips (secrets) to keep kids cavity-free:

1. When should dental hygiene start?

One should begin by cleaning a baby’s mouth with a clean gauze pad the first

week the child is brought home from the hospital. Although most babies don’t have any teeth until about six months of age, a daily cleaning in infancy will get the child accustomed to the process, and ensure clean and healthy gums when the teeth do come in. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should have his or her first dental visit by the age of 1.

2. By starting early, a baby is more likely to embrace good dental hygiene when teeth do arrive.

One should incorporate the use of a toothbrush and toothpaste by the time one’s child gets their first tooth.

3. A child’s first visit to the dentist should be around the age of 1. Although baby teeth eventually fall out, this is very

important for a child’s dental development. The mouth and jaw muscles form around the structural foundation of the first set of teeth.

4. If a child has a thumb-sucking habit, this must cease before permanent teeth arrive. Although sucking on a thumb or pacifier is a natural and satisfying behavior for babies, it can alter the position of developing teeth and dental arches if it continues after the emergence of permanent teeth.

5. Incorporate the latest advances in cavity prevention.

6. Refrain from giving a child a bottle filled with juice or milk at night.

7. If a child needs a nighttime bottle, it should be diluted with water; be sure to wipe the teeth with a wet cloth after the feeding.

8. For those that live in communities with no access to fluoridated water, a fluoride rinse or bottled water containing fluoride can be substituted. Individuals and parents should research the benefits and favorable statistical data on fluoride usage if concerned.

9. Studies reveal that children under the age of 7 need some assistance when brushing teeth due to the lack of dexterity. For independent-minded kids, the parent can allow the child to brush his or her teeth first. Afterward, the parent can correctly brush his or her own teeth as a teaching exercise.

10. Most importantly, children learn their behavior mostly through observation. This makes the parent’s dental hygiene habits just as important as the child’s. Parents, make sure to get regular dental checkups, and clean and floss regularly.

By incorporating these 10 secrets into a child’s dental hygiene and developmental care, great dental habits, healthy teeth and beautiful smiles are sure to follow. My philosophy is teach children to enjoy visits to the dentist; then, if dental care is needed, he or she will be unafraid, willing and ready.

For more information, call the Children’s Dental Group at 803-781-5141.

See ad, page 11.

February 2018

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inspiration

SELF-LOVE

by Charlie Chaplin

Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY. As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me.

Today I call it RESPECT. As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.

Today I call it MATURITY. As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment.

So I could be calm.

Today I call it SELF-CONFIDENCE. As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.

Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.

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Today I call it SIMPLICITY. As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health—food, people, things, situations and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.

Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF. As I began to love myself, I quit trying to always be right, and ever since, I was wrong less of the time.

Today I discovered that is MODESTY. As I began to love myself, I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.

Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it FULFILLMENT. As I began to love myself, I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.

Today I call this connection WISDOM OF THE HEART. We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others.

Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.

Today I know that is LIFE. Chaplin’s World museum, in Switzerland, opened in 2016 (ChaplinsWorld.com/en).

Igor Brisker/Shutterstock.com

A

s I began to love myself, I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.

practitioner’s profile Matt Pappicco, DC

I

have had an interest in the health and wellness field virtually all of my life. One of my earliest memories, probably around the age of 4, was attending wrestling practice with my dad. I would run around the track while he was coaching. My interest in sports and fitness expanded from there and continued through college, making it my career.

Sports provided personal experience in training, nutrition, health and even injuries. My studies in kinesiology gave me a deeper understanding of biomechanics and human movement. The combination of education and my personal background enabled me to create a successful health experience for my clients. I had the privilege of working with people of all fitness levels—from preventing injuries and improving performance for high school athletes to bringing weight and other health issues to healthy levels for clients dealing with chronic conditions.

After graduating from James Madison University in 2003 with a degree in kinesiology, I opened Advantage Training Incorporated in New Jersey. After 10 years of working with clients to better their fitness levels, it became clear that my mission was more than just helping people to establish good fitness routines and maintain proper diets. I wanted to facilitate a greater expression of their health by approaching it in a more holistic way. Through self-empowerment through knowledge, I began a new journey, which led me to become a chiropractor.

Exploring a more holistic approach to health, quantum physics and the nervous system started to become a common thread throughout my research. Reading information from people like Nikola Tesla, D.D. Palmer, Max Planck and Nassim Haramein, I knew quantum physics was an interesting playground of the future. Coincidently, chiropractic has a foundation in quantum physics since the founding principles are based on tone.

I choose chiropractic because it focuses on the nervous system, which is the first system to develop in the body. The nervous system as the main focus of affecting a person’s well-being made the most sense, since I already have trained people to do cardio, weights and to eat right. But even with all my knowledge, I missed that one should train neurology!

I specialize in a specific type of chiropractic: tonal. Tonal chiropractic embraces the paradigm of quantum physics, viewing the mind and body as one holographic entity and the nervous system as a nonlinear, non-sequentially recording medium, behaving in dynamic equilibrium and as a communication interface between the internal and external milieu, fluctuating between healing and disease. The adjustments tend to be low force, which has shown to be more facilitating and empowering to the patient. There are different types of chiropractic techniques available, similar to different types of massage. Sometimes you want deep tissue massage and sometimes shiatsu. And sometimes a Thompson or Tonal chiropractor is best suited. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the different types of chiropractic and create a specialized plan for you.

Matt Pappicco is a valuable team member of the health staff at Forest Acres Well Care, located at 5101 Forest Dr., Columbia. To learn more about him, call 803-318-2811. See ad, page 2

February 2018

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conscious eating

Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock.com

Foods Our Heart Will Love

Top 10 Heart Healthy Choices

by Judith Fertig

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“

ow do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning once penned this unforgettable line to her husband and fellow poet, Robert Browning.

Let us also count the ways to improve our loved ones’ heart health: Lower blood pressure. Modulate irregular heartbeats.

Avoid plaque build-up in arteries. Improve blood flow to the heart.

We can love our hearts with 10 superfoods that just might make perfect ingredients for a Valentine’s Day meal, starting with dark chocolate.

1

Cocoa powder. Cacao’s flavanols lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke and act as antioxidants to prevent inflammation. Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, a physician, doctor of public health and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School affiliate Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, confirms, “Between 400 and 900 milligrams (mg) a day of cocoa flavanols may favorably affect several mechanisms and pathways related to cardiovascular disease prevention.”

Not all chocolate is created equal.

Manson recommends chocolate with cocoa or cacao as the first ingredient, not sugar. She

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and her colleagues are currently conducting the Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study, a large-scale, randomized study of 18,000 U.S. men and women testing the benefits of ingesting 600 mg per day of cocoa flavanols.

2

Raspberries.

Just one-half cup of berries a day can provide plenty of phytonutrients and antioxidants for decreasing inflammation and preventing heart disease, says Wendy Bazilian, a doctor of public health and registered dietitian in San Diego, and author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients.

“Whirl them into a breakfast smoothie, add them to a green salad or combine them with dark chocolate for a tasty, heart-healthy dessert,” she advises.

3

Salmon.

Full of omega-3 fatty acids, wild-caught salmon (about two six-ounce weekly servings) helps reduce systemic inflammation and risk of developing atherosclerosis, hypertension and stroke, according to Dr. Josh Axe, of Nashville, Tennessee. Beyond prevention, omega-3s in oily fish are also

widely known to treat atherosclerosis, normalize heart rhythms and help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as significantly lower the risk of stroke.

protective HDL cholesterol, and protect the inner lining of arteries.

Pumpkin seeds. High in mag-

8

Avocados. Fresh avocados supply

9

4

nesium—about 764 mg per cup— roasted pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, top the list of heart-healthy nuts and seeds.

Magnesium is an important electrolyte that helps the heart fire on all cylinders and not skip a beat. Improvements in lipid profiles can occur with a daily intake of 365 mg, or about a half-cup, of pepitas. Enjoy roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or scatter them in a salad, bowl of chili or soup for a delicious crunch.

5

magnesium, plus they’re a good source of potassium, another electrolyte the heart needs for optimum functioning. “You probably know bananas and citrus fruits are top sources of potassium, but I like avocados because they also supply healthy fats,” says Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, a board-certified cardiologist with the HeartMD Institute, in Manchester, Connecticut.

6 7

Almonds. Sinatra recommends a handful of almonds a day to raise HDL, a form of “good” cholesterol he likens to a “lipid garbage truck” that picks up oxidized “bad” LDL in the bloodstream and carries it to the liver for processing.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.

Cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil with a high phenol content can help lower blood pressure (via about two tablespoons daily), make more efficient and

Beet Juice.

A 2015 study in the journal Hypertension found that two daily eight-ounce glasses of beet juice can help reduce high blood pressure. Beets contain a natural dietary nitrate found in previous studies to lower high blood pressure. Enjoy beet juice in smoothies, as a tart drink known as a “shrub” (beet juice with raspberry vinegar) or in soups like borscht.

Garlic. Allicin, the

sulfur compound that gives garlic its distinctive aroma, helps keep blood thin and flowing optimally, says Sinatra. The freshest chopped garlic offers the best benefits, according to a study from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

10

Pomegranate. Drinking about one cup of pomegranate juice a day for three months can improve blood flow to the heart, reports a study in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The ultimate reason of all to keep our hearts in good working order was voiced by Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

Judith Fertig writes cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS (JudithFertig.com).

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February 2018

21

RISING ABOVE

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ADVERSITY How to Strengthen Your Resilience Muscle

by April Thompson

At one time or another, an estimated 70 percent of people experience a life-altering traumatic event, and most grow stronger from surviving it, according to decades of research by leading institutions like Harvard and Yale universities and the University of Pennsylvania.

We can prepare now for life’s inevitable hurdles and setbacks by developing the skills and tools of resilience.

I

“

t’s an incredibly hopeful message: We can go through the most terrible things imaginable and still get through to a better place,” says David B. Feldman, associate professor of counseling psychology at California’s Santa Clara University and co-author with Lee Daniel Kravetz of Supersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success.

Such researchers have found that, like elastic stretched beyond its normal limits, people often don’t just bounce back to their old form, but stretch and expand in new ways. The pair conducted in-depth case studies of survivors of extreme traumatic experiences that went on to do bold things.

Just one case in point: After losing a leg in a car accident, college basketball player Casey Pieretti reinvented himself as a successful Hollywood stuntman.

According to many studies, 60 to 80 percent of people grow in some way from personal trauma, known as “post-traumatic growth”, according to Feldman. “It can be as simple as appreciating each day more. It can mean deepening relationships. It may result in a renewed sense of spirituality.

Or, it might take one’s life in a dramatically different direction,” he says.

Ila Eckhoff, a financial executive in New York City, has experienced more than her share of challenges: developing cerebral palsy as a toddler,

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enduring 12 childhood surgeries, losing her mother at age 11 and four years ago, her husband. “All of the struggles and losses brought me here, now,” says Eckhoff. “Nobody ever said life was easy. We have greater appreciation for the things that we had to struggle to achieve.”

Choosing self-directedness instead of self-pity in the face of challenges differentiates those that thrive from those that merely survive, observes Catherine Morisset, a life coach from Ottawa, Canada, who specializes in resilience. “It’s taking responsibility for life and managing the way you want to live it. We all have choices, even in the face of difficulty,” she says.

Mastering an Optimal Outlook

“Challenges don’t define you. How you respond does,” remarks Doug Hensch, an executive coach and author of Positively Re-

silient: 5½ Secrets to Beat Stress, Overcome a sense of learned helplessness that inhibits Obstacles, and Defeat Anxiety. He attests growth and happiness. “It’s important not that having a growth mindset is vital, to ‘catastrophize’ or generalize a failure and focusing on strengths without disregarding extend it to other areas of life,” says Dr. Steareas needing improvement. ven M. Southwick, a professor of psychiatry

Maintaining a balanced outlook that’s at Yale University School of Medicine who realistic, yet positive, enables individuals focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder to move on from trauma. For supersurand resilience. vivors, being pragmatic serves them far better than a false sense Make Caring Parents do a of optimism about bad Connections situations, Feldman found, disservice to their Social networks are critical saying, “They grieved lossin the face of challenges, kids when they es, but thought realistically resilience experts agree. try to remove about what to do next.”

“When we are wronged or adversity from their feel unsafe, it’s natural to

“Optimism in the best sense is focusing on withdraw when we should lives. When little the positive without dedo the opposite,” says things go wrong, nying the negative, while rather than rush to Feldman. “It’s also not the number of friends you have, focusing on what’s in your fix it, let the kids or even how much time control,” notes Hensch. figure out a solution. you spend with them, that

Martin Seligman, known as the “father of They’ll realize it’s not matters. All you need is at positive psychology”, the end of the world. least one person you can count on.” found that when people ~Doug Hensch “We are built to be take setbacks personally, connected with others. It viewing them as permanent, pervasive and personal, they develop has a significant impact in regulating stress,”

says Southwick, a co-author of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges, from West Haven, Connecticut.

Over the past two decades, Southwick and his colleagues have studied three groups that have come through harrowing events: being Vietnam War prisoners, Special Forces instructors and civilians. They found people that rebounded strongly often shared common attributes, including embracing a spiritual outlook and social network.

In 2013, Damon Redd, of Boulder, Colorado, awoke to a severe flooding event, with his home and business buried under five feet of mud and water that nearly wiped out his clothing business, Kind Design, overnight. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, to lose everything I had built. It also gave me a new perspective on what’s important. It made me aware that you can replace physical things, but you can’t replace memories. My mind was blown away by the support I received.”

Redd ended up paying forward the kindness. “We cleaned and repaired 1,500 pairs of gloves in our inventory that were damaged that day, and are donating them to search-and-rescue teams and ski patrols.

February 2018

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The more good you do, the more good other people will do,” Redd professes.

Altruism and owning a moral code is another common characteristic of resilient individuals, according to Southwick. Having a purpose is a huge indicator of whether a person will rise to the occasion. “You can endure almost anything if you have a mission, or believe what you are doing has meaning.

It gives you great strength,” he says.

In 2016, Bobbi Huffman lost her high school sweetheart and husband to suicide a few days before Valentine’s Day. As she began to process the tragedy, she saw two choices ahead: “Drop into a deep depression and give up or focus on our deep love for one another, get into therapy, and make a difference by inspiring, encouraging and helping others,” says Huffman.

She chose the latter, asking for professional help and signing up for the 16-mile Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention, in New York City. “Getting into the best shape of my life at age 50 became my

passion. As I walked through the night, I reflected on our beautiful memories as a couple. It was an amazing, healing experience,” reflects Huffman.

Forgiveness—whether for others or ourself—is another key to help us move forward, reports Feldman. “Often, people can get stuck in blame, but resentment keeps people shackled to the past. If and when a person is ready to forgive, widespread research indicates that it can lead to better health outcomes.”

Strengthening Our Resilience Muscle Experts point out that there isn’t any one perfect formula or single must-have trait for building resilience, and none we can’t develop. Learning a skill like mindfulness is an easy place to start.

“Resilient people don’t try to avoid stress, but learn how to manage and master it,” says Southwick. “Mindfulness meditation requires practice, but through it, you can learn to regulate emotions and relax

the nervous system.”

Eckhoff practices mindfulness several times a day with a one-minute gratitude meditation. “I have five things I am most grateful for. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and say them. It brings me focus, reduces stress and reminds me of how lucky I am,” she says.

Morisset suggests making incremental changes to strengthen our resilience muscles.

“Success builds success and failure builds failure, so do something you know you can accomplish and build on that,” she counsels.

Writing can also be a good coping tool, according to Hensch. “Just write about your emotions. It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself and how calming it can be.”

Good times are the best times to begin “resilience training” notes Hensch.

“I sought out a therapist once I had turned the corner after my divorce and was dating someone and my business was taking off.

It was precisely because I knew something

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RESILIENCE RESOURCES

Helpful Organizations

OptionB.org provides a supportive space online for survivors of trauma and adversity to share stories, connect with others and get help from experts.

LearningConnection.Stanford.edu/ Resilience-Project normalizes setbacks and failures as part and parcel of professional and personal growth, and provides Stanford University students and faculty a platform to swap stories and coping strategies.

Resilience.Education.UTexas.edu conveys an interactive e-learning platform developed by the University of Texas at Austin to foster a better understanding of resilience and develop related skills.

else would likely happen, and I wanted to be better prepared for it,” he recalls.

Applying positive self-talk when something blindsides us helps, as does not expecting to handle things perfectly. “There’s nothing wrong with just staying afloat when you’re in the middle of trauma or adversity. One key to happiness in life is just managing expectations. It’s okay to be anxious, sad and worried at times—in fact, it’s healthy,” says Hensch.

Hardships are just that: hard. However, with time and experience, resilient individuals come to trust their ability to get through them, large and small. “Resiliency is not about how you bounce back from a single traumatic event; it’s how you respond every day to the challenges that life presents,” Eckhoff has learned. “Repetitive use of this ‘muscle’ builds strength and enables you to do more and sometimes, the impossible.”

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

Films and Books

Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story documents the journey of chef and outdoorsman Eduardo Garcia, whose life changed irrevocably when he was jolted with 2,400 volts of electricity while hiking in Montana. Garcia lost his hand, ribs and muscle mass, but survived the injury with the help of his former partner, and became an athlete and speaker for the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Unbroken depicts the life of Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini, who survived 47 days on a raft after a near-fatal plane crash in World War II, only to be captured by the Japanese Navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. The film is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand, herself the survivor of a disabling chronic illness.

The 33 tells the true tale of 33 miners trapped inside a mine in San Jose, Chile, for more than two months, the longest such entrapment in history. All were rescued alive.

Wild is based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of her solo hike of 1,000-plus miles on the Pacific Crest Trail without any training, following the loss of her mother and marriage.

February 2018

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Ye Liew/Shutterstock.com

green living

CITY HOMESTEADING Creating Sustainable Urban Living

by Randy Kambic

H

omesteading is a broad field.

“Along with planting produce, we encourage people to compost, change how they use water, learn about biochar—a long-term soil amendment that returns carbon to the earth—and employ creative economics, including bartering and food-sharing systems,” says K. Ruby Blume, of Grants Pass, Oregon, who founded the Institute of Urban Homesteading, in Oakland, California, a decade ago (iuhOakland.com). She’s also co-author of Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living.

Blume was recently engaged to invite speakers and coordinate presentation content for the three-day online Gardening and Homesteading Skills Summit hosted by The Shift Network. Last October, 20 leading farmers, master gardeners, homesteaders and other experts shared innovative, environmentally friendly advice for providing food and adopting eco-friendly practices.

Blume, who grows fruit and vegetables and raises chickens, sheep and bees on 22 acres, plans to launch her Fantastic

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Farm Store this month, and will offer spring classes at her institute, as well as at the Rogue River Community Center, in southern Oregon. “Everyone should grow their favorite vegetable from seed; think about the animal if eating meat; and take a nature field study class. These all connect us to nature and our world,” advises Blume.

Food as Medicine David Crow, teacher, author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha and founder of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures (Floracopeia.com), is a leader in research and development of growing herbs for medicine, working from Grass Valley, California. He extols the importance of gardens of all types—backyards, schools, neighborhoods and public spaces. “They can strengthen communities, beautify life and reduce crime,” he says. In his home state, he helped launch The Learning Garden, at Venice High School, in 2001. “It’s an eye-opener for youngsters, and they take pride in ownership.” People without a garden plot can place a pot inside or on a balcony or find a

community garden.

“Medicinal plants don’t have to be a luxury of the wealthy.

You can spend a fraction of the $30 for a drug prescription in growing most of them, and then trade for others with neighbors,” says Crow. He particularly values oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender and basil.

To increase yields, home gardeners may consider daily drip irrigation—a system of tubes positioned just above the soil, with tiny holes spaced at regular intervals. It can conveniently work on a timer with an automatic shutoff during rain. Other benefits include water conservation and better soil structure by avoiding puddles from manual watering.

“Drip irrigation can be especially helpful during dry spells, which can run two to four weeks in many climates,” says Robert Kourik (RobertKourik.com), landscape consultant, horticultural researcher and author of Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and Climate, and last year’s Understanding Roots.

“It can be effective for virtually any fruit or vegetable, except water crops like rice and cranberries.”

Green Living Carol Venolia, author, speaker and architect in Santa Rosa, California, (ComeHomeToNature.com) has designed homes of straw, earth and sustainably sourced and reclaimed wood throughout the West. She consults on greening schools, healing centers, camps and eco-villages, and stresses the benefits of sunlight as in her new e-book, Get Back to Nature Without Leaving Home. She says, “Sunlight’s many wavelengths, shifting directions and intensities render biological effects that keep us functioning well. Watch how it enters your home; changes occur daily and seasonally.”

It’s easy to move furniture to align with sunshine. In warmer climates, attach plant trellises or fabric awnings outside windows to filter or direct reflected light. “Add a potted plant to a window and a picture of a natural scene on a wall. Take the time to get out into woodlands,” advises Venolia.

She commends Marc Rosenbaum, of South Mountain Company, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, as a green building leader who “brings a soulful approach, as well as engineering, data and technology efficiencies, to a project.” Along with green building goals like zero net energy, Rosenbaum strives to create homes that are healthy, comfortable, resource-efficient, durable and adaptable by the people that inhabit them.

Along with being part of the slow food movement and do-ityourself trends, Blume believes, “Homesteading gives people the feeling they are making a positive difference by making sustainable changes in their lifestyle and home.”

For summit recordings or transcripts and notices of upcoming events like the online annual Plant Medicine Telesummit in March, visit TheShiftNetwork.com.

Randy Kambic, an Estero, FL, freelance editor and writer, regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings.

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fit body

Be On the Ball Putting Extra Fun into Fitness

T

by Marlaina Donato

heir playful appearance as a beach ball look-alike makes exercise balls welcome props in home workouts, gyms and yoga studios. “They’re a fun training tool for every age, from children to maturing Baby Boomers,” says Dennis Fuchs, CEO of TheraGear, in Sumas, Washington. “Exercise balls are affordable and offer many benefits, from enhanced mobility to reduced risk of injury and increased athletic performance.”

Originally developed by Italian plastic manufacturer Aquilino Cosani in 1963 as a toy called the Gymnastik and then used by British and Swiss physical therapists to help orthopedic patients, the ball has since come a long way to serve fitness needs. Also known as Swiss, stability, balance, physio- and Pilates balls, this colorful piece of equipment can range in size from 14 to 34 inches to be appropriate for a user’s height (Tinyurl.com/RightSizeExerciseBall).

Core Strength Without Strain Stability balls are recommended by fitness trainers and chiropractors for their ability to build core strength and increase flexibility of pelvic muscles without putting unnecessary strain on the back. “The core is a series of muscles used in almost all functional movement; tailored exercises focus both on abdominal and back strength and pelvic and hip stability,” explains Linnea Pond, an exercise instructor at the Pocono Family YMCA, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Using an exercise ball also promotes full body conditioning.

“Swiss ball training connects the brain with stabilizer muscles, improving gross motor skills and upper body strength, as well,” Fuchs elaborates. “These versatile training balls help equip an individual to handle the functional demands of sports and everyday life.”

Recovery from Injury and Illness Artwork by Artist, Misty-Clare Sumerell Visit Facebook.com/MystikalMu 28

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Exercise balls are used in occupational therapy for stroke patients and others recovering from injury. “A stroke deadens part of the brain, and to regain movement in an affected arm or leg, an unaffected part of the brain must take over the lost function. The goal of the therapist is to establish new neural pathways through

repetition and visual reinforcement. We have patients do simple exercises with the ball hundreds of times so these pathways start to form,” explains Bob Schrupp, a physical therapist and founder of Therapy Network, in Winona, Minnesota.

One goal for physical and occupational therapists is to help clients perform rehabilitation exercises that also motivate them to continue exercising. While the ball is an excellent tool in clinical settings, Schrupp cautions, “After a stroke, or if you’re older or in poor health, it’s always best to check with your doctor or physical therapist to determine if stability ball exercises are appropriate.”

Pregnant Women and Senior Fitness Balance balls, when used properly, can offer a safe way for pregnant women, children and seniors to stay fit. Exercising with a ball can help older individuals increase flexibility, especially in the hips, with cardiac strengthening as a bonus.

Pregnant women can safely increase and maintain abdominal strength as the baby grows, and in doing so, care for muscles that will help them through labor. “Pregnancy can throw a woman off balance, and a growing baby puts pressure on internal organs.

Pressing the back on a stability ball against a wall offers support for squats. Sitting on a ball helps maintain good posture and pelvic mobility, and reduces low back pain,” explains Pond.

Incorporating the ball into yoga or Pilates routines prompts different muscles into action because it calls on the body’s learned ability to sense and respond to movement, termed proprioception.

Pond says, “Proprioception is challenged just from sitting on the ball; there are immediate physical adjustments made to maintain posture and stability. In yoga, the ball is another tool to increase flexibility and balance.”

PhotoMediaGroup/Shutterstock.com

School and Workplace Exercise balls are increasingly replacing traditional chairs in classrooms and offices, and teachers are reporting better grades and attention span as a result, while workers appreciate better-toned muscles and enhanced balance. Maintaining good posture by sitting on the ball also increases blood circulation throughout the body, including the brain.

Regarding the equipment’s eyecatching appearance, Schrupp sees a helpful bonus: “The ball is a big, colorful reminder to perform your exercises.”

Marlaina Donato is a freelance writer, author and multimedia artist. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

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healing ways

MEDITATION THAT WORKS

Tips for Finding the Right Practice

M

by April Thompson

ore Americans than ever before are seeking the benefits of meditation, which notably improves mental, physical and spiritual health.

Choosing from its many styles and traditions can be daunting for a new meditator, as is figuring out how to incorporate such a practice into a busy life.

Universal Appeal “Meditation is for people of all spiritual backgrounds. As a tool to develop awareness, it can enhance what you already believe and practice,” assures Diana Lang, the Los Angeles author of Opening to Meditation: A Gentle, Guided Approach and a spiritual counselor who has taught meditation for 37 years.

For Jackie Trottmann, a Christian author from St. Louis, Missouri, there is no contradiction between a meditation practice and her faith; rather, they complement one another. For her, “Prayer is like talking to God, whereas meditation is listening to God. Before I came to meditation, I had 30

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been doing all the talking.”

She came to meditation during a trying period working in sales and marketing.

“When a friend gave me a meditation CD, I popped it in after a stressful conference call and felt instantly calmed. Ten years later, meditation has gone beyond quieting the mind; it’s sunk into my heart and spirit,” says Trottmann, who went on to publish her own CDs at GuidedChristianMeditation.com.

“I came to meditation tired of habitual suffering and stress, and wanting to be happier,” says Bill Scheinman, a coach in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which he refers to as “mindfulness practice without the Buddhist jargon.”

The Oakland, California, instructor has taught mindfulness in settings ranging from corporations to prisons, drawing from a range of meditative disciplines and 23 years of intensive practice.

Begin Modestly “Millions are seeking more mindfulness through meditation, but don’t know how

to go about it,” says Sean Fargo, a Berkeley, California, meditation instructor and former Buddhist monk. “The key is to take baby steps, like going to the gym for the first time. Start by practicing a few minutes a day; just pay attention to something such as the sensations of breathing, without judgment.”

“Having taught meditation to tens of thousands of people, I would say the most common issue is that beginning meditators don’t think they’re doing it right. It’s important not to judge yourself or have loaded expectations about the experience,” notes Lang. She suggests starting wherever we are right now, adding, “Whatever book, class or teacher you first stumble upon is a clue.” But that doesn’t call for rigidly adhering to a particular type of meditation forever.

Assess Benefits “Shop around and try different things, but at some point, you will begin to discover what works for you,” advises Scheinman.

In trying to decide which meditation practice is right for us, “Go with what feels juicy,” says Fargo, who founded MindfulnessExercises.com, offering 1,500 free mindfulness meditations, worksheets and talks. “You’re more likely to do what feels alive and enlivening.”

The act of meditating can be uncomfortable, but the challenges are part of its power. Scheinman remarks. “If you establish a daily practice, eventually, you will become more clear-headed, kinder and happier. That’s how you know your practice is working—not how you feel during meditation itself.” Consistency is key. It’s not effective to only meditate when you feel good, he says.

Overview of Options Mindfulness practices go by many names, from vipassana to MBSR, and can be done sitting or walking, but all are focused on cultivating moment-to-moment awareness. “Mindfulness is about being aware: deliberately paying attention to body sensations, thoughts and emotions.

Focused attention is on the body, heart

and mind,” explains Scheinman.

Guided visualization differs from most forms of meditation in that the meditator is intentionally creating a mental image, typically one of a peaceful, beautiful place.

Typically, the goal of a guided visualization is deep relaxation and stress reduction.

Mantra meditations involve continuous repetition of a word, phrase or sound, drawing spiritual power from the sound’s vibration, as well as its meaning. Many mantras are uttered in a tradition’s native language, such as shanti, meaning peace in Sanskrit. Teachers like Lang prefer to use mantras in English that meditators can more easily grasp, such as, “Love is the way.”

Breathing meditation. Meditation experts say our ever-present breath is a sound foundation for a meditation practice, as well as an easy place to start. “Tapping into the power of our breath is vital; it cleanses our system,” says Trottmann.

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

February 2018

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healthy kids

Banishing Body-Image Blues

How Teens Can Learn to Love Their Looks

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by Amber Lanier Nagle

any young women don’t feel comfortable in their own skin.

A 21st-century global study sponsored by Unilever’s Dove brand found that 90 percent of girls from 15 to 17 years old wanted to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, especially their body weight. University of Minnesota research following adolescents for 10 years showed that about half of the female participants had dieted in the previous year, twice the number of males.

Tracy Anderson, a mother of two and fitness expert, has spent the last 18 years working with women seeking balance in their bodies. In her recent book, Total Teen: Tracy Anderson’s Guide to Health, Happiness, and Ruling Your World, she observes, “Teens are depleted from comparing themselves to the shapes of others and from scolding themselves: ‘I should be thinner, I should be able to fit in those pants, I should be in better shape.’ But looking good on the outside must start with feeling good on the inside.”

Monitor Thoughts

Eat Well

“Most teens can eat junk food all day long Lopolo/Shutterstock.com

Anderson believes we feel most happy and fulfilled

and accomplish the most when our minds are calm, clear and alert.

“If young women learn to connect with their mind, identify when their thoughts are anxious or stressed, and practice conscious breathing and meditating to regain a calm, centered state, they’ll be able to rebalance themselves for the rest of their lives,” she says. “By keeping a thought journal for a while and noticing when their thoughts have negative undertones, they can retrain their attitude.”

Live a complaint-free day once each week. Every time a negative thought pops up, expel it and focus on a positive aspect of the idea or experience. Also invest a few moments each day feeling thankful for successful aspects of life. “After a while, these exercises become habitual,” says Anderson.

“Happy, high-achieving people fill their minds with positive, uplifting thoughts, affirmations and sincere gratitude. It’s widely proven to work.”

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MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

and still wake up the next morning ready to take on the world,” Anderson says. But such an unhealthy routine “shapes eating patterns for the rest of their lives, eventually catching up with them.”

She strongly believes every young woman should routinely ask herself, “Is this real food?”

“A potato is a real food, or whole food, but instant mashed potatoes are processed. A fresh ear of corn is a whole food; corn chips are processed. If you want to feel strong and healthy and look great, eat whole foods,” says Anderson.

Also, note how the body responds to eating specific foods. Here again, a journal can help. “Jot down how a food made you feel after 15 minutes, an hour and two hours. Are you alert or sluggish? What signals are your stomach and brain sending? It’s useful information to make better ongoing food choices,” Anderson advises.

She also advocates drinking plenty of water and eating organic foods when possible, and warns teens against skipping meals or snacks when their developing bodies feel the need for fuel.

time,” says Anderson. “It’s like learning a foreign language, musical instrument or any skill. You master the basics first and build on them. With practice, you start feeling more at ease.”

In her book, Anderson offers many step-by-step, illustrated workout moves designed to daily tone arms, legs and abs, and increase strength and flexibility. Many incorporate fun dance components that work well with music.

“Regular exercise releases endorphins—the hormones that make us feel happier and better about ourselves,” she says. “For young women navigating the emotional ups and downs associated with menstrual cycles and puberty, exercise can be a lifesaver.” Whether it’s yoga, walking,

martial arts, dancing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, climbing, skiing, gymnastics or tennis, teens need to find “some kind of movement and activity to become part of their everyday life.”

A University of Wisconsin meta-analysis of 77 studies examining women’s body images suggests body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for eating disorders and a significant predictor of low self-esteem, depression and obesity. Helping young women build, strengthen or regain their positive body image and self-esteem works to empower a new generation and enables them to enjoy happier, healthier lives.

Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer in Northwest Georgia (AmberNagle.com).

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For some teens, exercise movements don’t feel comfortable or natural, which hinders them from doing healthful exercise. “I’ve found that if a young woman practices exercises for a while privately, she’ll become more comfortable and confident over

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natural pet

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Coming Next Month

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Plus: Ethnic Cuisine March articles include: Just What Are Super Spices?

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Don’t Forget Your Minerals

Do-Good Dogs Do Almost Anything

Service Animals Train to Help People in Need

by Sandra Murphy

S

ervice dogs help an aging population live full lives in spite of limitations, no matter the size, age or breed of dog.

Plus, hundreds of thousands of canines make living with disabilities both possible and more pleasant.

The Rules

To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

803-309-2101 34

Columbia Edition

“Service dogs don’t eat on duty, and should be on the floor, not put in a handbag or shopping cart,” advises Maggie Sims, project manager for the Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Center, in Colorado Springs. “If the dog disrupts business, the person can be asked to remove the animal and then return. Emotional-support dogs are not provided for by the disabilities act, because the dog does not perform a specific task.

“We get calls from people concerned about fake service dogs when owners try to bring them into places where pets generally aren’t allowed. Usually, they’re the ones that behave badly,” Sims says. Service animals

MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

are not required to wear a special vest or have documentation.

Educating the Public A motorcycle accident left Matthew Smith dependent on using a wheelchair or crutches. An administrator at Comcast Cable, in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith relies on his pit bull, Jericho, to fetch dropped items, open doors and help him maintain balance.

“Gravity is my specialty,” he jokes. “If I fall, he braces me so I can get up. Moving about stresses my shoulders, so Jericho pulls the wheelchair on days when I’m in pain.”

Although working service dogs should not be petted or approached, Smith tells Jericho, “Go say ‘Hi,’” if someone asks to approach him. “Pit bulls have an undeserved bad reputation, so I’ll take a minute to let people meet him to change that perception. When Jericho is the subject of conversation, it also takes the spotlight off of me,” he says.

Jericho was trained by Apryl Lea, a

certified assistance dog trainer for the Animal Farm Foundation’s Assistance Dog Program, in Kingston, New York. She explains, “The pit bulls I train are from shelters, and must be good with people and other animals and be comfortable in social settings that match the person’s lifestyle.”

Overcoming Obstacles

When someone brings a dog into a place of business, we can legally ask only two short questions: “Is this animal needed for a disability?” and “What tasks has the animal been trained to do in relation to the disability?”

“When a counter is too high, a service dog can pass money to the cashier. Dogs will pull a rope to open a heavy door. In the event of seizures or fainting, our dogs react based on location; at home, they find another family member, but in public, will stay with their person,” Lea says.

The muscles of a patient with Parkinson’s disease may freeze while walking. Dogs brace against a resulting fall or touch the person to help unfreeze the muscles. Tethered to an autistic child, the dog provides distraction from repetitive behaviors like flapping hands or crying, while keeping the child in a safe area. Some dogs are trained to track the child, as well, in case of escape. Likewise, dogs can give Alzheimer’s disease patients a bit of freedom without getting lost.

Sounding Alerts Hearing dogs alert their hearing-impaired person to the sound of a doorbell or ringing phone. In the car, they’ll nudge the driver with a paw if they hear a siren.

Riley the Chihuahua’s job is caring for Jennifer Wise, an aromatherapist

and owner of Enchanted Essence, in Toledo, Ohio.

Wise has a neurological disease that affects her legs and makes her prone to falls. “Riley’s trained to bark for help if I am unable to get up,” she explains. “If barking fails, he’ll grab someone’s pant leg or shoelaces and pull in my direction. He’s small, but determined.”

Michelle Renard, a stay-at-home mom in Woodstock, Georgia, relies on Mossy, a goldendoodle trained by Canine Assistants, in nearby Alpharetta, to detect high- and low-blood sugar levels.

“She’s never wrong,” says Renard.

Comfort and Joy Linda Blick, president and co-founder of Tails of Hope Foundation, in Orange County, New York, observes, “A veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder may not show outward symptoms, but have anxiety. Dogs are trained to turn on the lights, lick their person’s face or apply reassuring pressure by lying across their person’s chest to bring them out of night tremors.

“One of our veterans was so uncomfortable in public, it was difficult for him to even speak to the veterinarian about his dog’s torn knee ligament,” Blick explains.

“For the sake of the dog, he managed to discuss care, a big step for him.”

As Sims states, “True service dogs literally give people with disabilities their lives back.”

Service Dog Resources TO CONTACT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CENTERS: Ten centers serve the U.S. and calls are directed to the one closest to the caller.

Call 800-949-4232 or visit adata.org.

TO SUPPORT THE TAILS OF HOPE FOUNDATION: This nonprofit provides critical and life-saving help to veterans, first responders and search-and-rescue teams.

Operating on donations, it covers the cost of purchasing a trained dog, as well as lifetime veterinary care when necessary. TailsOfHope.org LEARN ABOUT DOGS TRAINED FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Parkinson’s disease – Davis Phinney Foundation at Tinyurl.com/HelpingPaw ForParkinsons Disabled children – 4PawsForAbility.org Alzheimer’s disease/dementia – Rover. com/canine-caregivers-dementia-alzheimers Sight-impaired – GuideDogs.org SAMPLE SERVICE-DOG VIDEOS: A pit bull-lab mix that saves a veteran having a seizure: Tinyurl.com/Dog SavesVeteran A pug that helps a veteran with post-traumatic stress: Tinyurl.com/Dog CalmsPTSD

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

February 2018

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wise words

Mark Rosenfeld’s Secrets for Successful Love Matches

by Alison James

A

ustralian author, speaker and dating coach Mark Rosenfeld knows firsthand the challenges of navigating romantic relationships.

After struggling with shyness, he took on a confidence-boosting job as an exotic dancer in 2011, working with men at both ends of the assertiveness spectrum. In this milieu, he gained a better understanding of men’s thoughts and actions related to women.

Through his career as a dancer while in his own satisfying relationship, Rosenfeld also personally communicated with about 50,000 women, many of which opened up about their own trials and tribulations with dating.

A resident of Brisbane, Rosenfeld launched the website MakeHimYours.com. au in 2014, sharing what he’s learned in order to help women stop experiencing frustrations in dating and start attracting healthy, happy relationships. He’s also participated in the conversation at The Good Men Project on what enlightened masculinity means in the 21st century.

What are the greatest misconceptions women have about men?

Both genders face significant, yet different, challenges, and so believe the other gender has it easier. Men want to feel cared for and heard. Many are terrified to approach a woman; they fear rejection or not being a good enough provider. Often, when a woman perceives that a man needs space, it’s his fears and insecurities that are keeping him from deeper intimacy.

What mistakes do women make in the courtship phase?

Women often get ahead of themselves in the dating stage, instead of taking enough time to let things unfold. I tell women 36

Columbia Edition

to slow down and date multiple men to counter that tendency. It’s also good to “widen the funnel” and date different types of men, especially if you seem to attract the so-called “wrong” type. Keep deep emotions and commitments out of the courtship phase, while you discover who someone is and if they are right for you.

Why do both genders need to nurture their feminine energy?

As a man, I can spend too much time on my masculine energy and be too logical and focused on end results. I can lose a sense of self, presence and connection with the present moment. Meditation is one entry point; I find practicing a martial art is grounding, as is spending quality time with a woman.

If an individual spends too much time in either energy, imbalance occurs; everyone has to find their own equilibrium.

What are good ways to practice self-care while seeking and sustaining a relationship?

Find activities in your day that make you feel nurtured, happy and good about your-

MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

self. Take care of your health, home and friendships. Exercise some independence.

Make your life fulfilling, so that men want to be part of your exciting days.

How can we best navigate the world of online dating and other means of meeting potential mates?

It starts with your mindset. If you think you will be on a dating site for three weeks and find a mate, don’t bother. Be prepared to engage for a minimum of six to 12 months.

Consider bad dates as reasons to laugh.

Think of it as “online introducing”. It’s up to you to quickly get past the chat stage to real communication and real dates. Online potential mates don’t have a “vibe” for you like they do in person. I suggest talking with prospects on the phone and keeping first dates short. Keep an open mind to recognize prospects you might otherwise overlook.

Online dating is a supplement, not a substitute, for meeting compatible men or women in real life. You should be tapping networks of friends, family and colleagues to make connections, as well as being open to meeting potential mates at public events.

Which signs indicate that a dating prospect wants to pursue a genuine relationship?

Emotional momentum, combined with consistency, is an important sign. Anyone can put in effort for a little while; but do they periodically disappear? No one wants someone they feel a connection with to physically or emotionally wander away, or risk the object of their affection thinking they aren’t interested. Make sure they are reciprocating the effort you put in.

Prioritizing is another sign; a person will find a way to see someone they care about. A key third sign is integration. They will want to respectfully integrate you into their world more and more, introducing you to friends, family and work colleagues.

Look for this overall pattern to continue over time. It’s vital to let people prove themselves with their actions.

Alison James is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.

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February 2018

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by February 12 (for March issue) and adhere to our guidelines.

To submit listings, email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Costs $20 for 35 words each month.

ALWAYS CALL AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING EVENTS TO AVOID LATE CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Jubilee! Circle Coffee House and Open Mic–7pm.

Dr. Roundhouse brings their blend of all things rock, R&B and soul as the feature band. Bring your instrument, songs, poems, spoken word pieces and other talent to the mic! Free, but donations accepted.

Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia.

Info/register: 803-569-6385, RevCandace@JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Awakening the Empath in You–11am-2pm. With Julie Bradshaw. Learn to identify and manage your empathetic abilities in a way that doesn’t drain your energy. Must preregister. Cost: $45 per person. Palms to Palmettos, 3357 Leaphart Rd, W Columbia. Info/register: 803-553-7010.

FEBRUARY 6, 20 & 28 Health, Hormones and Homeostasis Seminar–Presented by Dr. Rachel Hall. Free. Due to limited capacity, call to preregister and reserve a space. Only those preregistered will be allowed to attend. Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Ste D, Columbia. Info/times/registration: 803-796-1702, DrRachelHall.com.

SATURDAYS FEBRUARY 3, 10, 17 & 24 Murraywood Health Food–10am-6pm. 20% off all grocery items, excluding local honey. Murraywood Shopping Center, 7001 St Andrews Rd, Columbia.

Info: 803-732-3847.

FEBRUARY 7, 16, 22 & 28 Discount Days at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price; mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-765-1083, RosewoodMarket.com.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8-9 Daddy Daughter Date Night–6-9pm. Candlelight dinner followed by lots of dancing, a memory photo and a goody bag. Space limited; purchase tickets in advance. Cost: $45 couple. Feb 8: Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Info: 803345-6181. Feb 9: Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-772-1228, icrc.net.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10 TAIEE Class–10am-3pm. Treatment of Allergies, Illness and Emotions Energetically (TAIEE) is an easier user-friendly application of NAET. $125.

Preregistration required. 6 Cupola Ct, Blythewood.

Info: Call Katz Delauney at 803-530-6199.

SAFY Agent of Hope Information Breakfast–10noon. Learn how to become an Agent of Hope, a

SAFY (Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth) foster parent. Free. SAFY, 115 Atrium Way, Ste 110, Columbia. Info: Email Tamera Hanna at HannaT@safy.org.

Sip-n-Stem Drop-In–4-7pm. To introduce BioRenew PTM Therapy, a treatment service consisting of unique combinations of growth factors, collagen and bioactive molecules that facilitate repair and regeneration of connective tissue. Drinks provided. Free.

Forest Acres Well Care, 5101 Forest Dr, Columbia.

Info: 803-318-2811.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Pickleball Tournament–9am-2pm. Men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Age brackets determined after registration deadline. Register by Feb 14. Cost: First event, $10 per person; second event, $5 per person. Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure Ln, Columbia. Info: 803-772-1228, icrc.net.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 How to Have More Magic in Your Life–1-3pm.

With Julie Bradshaw. Learn how to create what you truly want in life while letting go of what you no longer need or want. Must register by Feb 10. Cost: $40 per person. Palms to Palmettos, 3357 Leaphart Rd, W Columbia. Info/register: 803-553-7010.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24 Reiki Level 1 Training–10am-3:30pm. Healer, Heal Thyself with Joy Connor, reiki master since 1993. Reiki is a form of healing that anyone can learn and receive from our divine source. Preregistration required. Cost: $325. Info/location/register: 803-447-6499.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 A Course in Miracles Lecture and Workshop– 9:30am-12:30pm. Facilitator Marc Breines will share the wisdom he has garnered over the years living the course and lead a discussion with participants. Free and open to the public; $10 donation suggested. Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info: JubileeCircle.com.

Crooked Creek Indoor Garage Sale–7-11am.

Drop by for some great bargains/treasures. Interested vendors call for details. Buyers are admitted free.

Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Info/registration: 803-345-1681, icrc.net.

SC Mentor/Share the Love–Noon-2pm. Pampering session and informational meeting to learn more about becoming a foster parent. Free. Space limited; must preregister by Feb 14. Info/register/location: Call SC Mentor Lakeisha Myers at 803-237-8153.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24-25

ed but not necessary. First workshop: ReTurning Home, Feb 24, 2-5pm. Second workshop: I Call MySelf _________, Feb 25, 10am-1pm. Third workshop: ReBirthing, Feb. 25, 2-5pm. Reservations must be received by Feb 16. Cost: $30 per workshop. Payments must be received by deadline date and are nonrefundable. Info/location/register: 803-553-7010.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Shuckin’ on the Shoals–4-7pm. Join us for the Saluda Shoals Foundation’s annual fundraiser and enjoy delicious oysters, hot chili, beer, wine and more. Ages: Adults. Saluda Shoals Park, 6071 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info/tickets: 803-2132035, icrc.net.

planahead FRIDAY, MARCH 2 Jubilee! Circle Coffee House and Open Mic–7pm.

A blend of all things rock, R&B and soul. Bring your instrument, songs, poems, spoken word pieces and other talent to the mic! Free, but donations accepted. Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info/register: 803-569-6385, RevCandace@ JubileeCircle.com, JubileeCircle.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 Minnesota Singer and Songwriter Peter Mayer Performs at Jubilee–7pm. Songs about interconnectedness and the human journey. Whimsical, humorous and profound, his music breaks the boundaries of “folk” and transcends to a realm beyond the everyday love song. Cost: $25. Purchase tickets at JubileeCircle.bpt.me. Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info: JubileeCircle.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6 Dental Implant Seminar–6-7pm. 5:30pm registration. Learn the benefits of dental implants; includes refreshments. Free. The Art of Dentistry/ Dr. Gregory Wych, 7505 St Andrews Rd, Irmo.

Info/registration: 803-781-1600, DentalImplantsColumbia.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 Stormwater Pond Management Conference 2018–8:30am-4pm. A forum to give the latest information, resources and tools on stormwater pond management for professionals and pond owners. Continuing education units and continuing certification hours for pesticide applicators will be awarded to those that complete the conference.

Midlands Technical College Northeast, 151 Powell Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-865-1216, ext 116.

Divine Feminine Retreat Workshop–Three-part series. Attending all three workshops is recommend-

February 2018

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ongoingevents sunday wednesday

Mats and blankets are provided. North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-414-2885.

Eckankar Discussion and Sound of Soul Event–10am. Free. Every 2nd Sunday. An esoteric approach to God realization without dogma or judgment. 7 Oaks Park Rec Center, 200 Leisure Ln, Columbia. Info: Call Steve Fischer at 803-318-1887, or visit Eck-SC.org or Meetup.com/Columbia-Spiritual-Seekers.

Grandmothers Speak–1-2:15pm. Every 2nd Sunday. Based on the book Our Love Is Our Power, by Sharon McEarlane, and the international organization at NetOfLight.org. Free. Chi Energy Balance, 3610 Landmark Dr, Columbia. Info/register: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

monday Beginners’ Yoga–5:30pm. Perfect for starting yoga. Cost: $14 drop-in, package rates available.

Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-796-1702.

Columbia Resilience Integrated Health–3:307:30pm. Every 4th Monday. Energy-balance modalities offered through trained practitioners for chronic stress and post-trauma relief. Suggested donation: $10/session. By appointment only, must pre-register. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 3200 Lyles St, Columbia. Info/appointment: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

Infertility Support Group–7-8:30pm. Every 2nd Monday. Free and confidential. Resolve: The National Infertility Association. Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St, Columbia. Info: Email Andrena King at ResolveColumbia@gmail.com.

Pathfinders Grief Support Group–2-3pm. Every 1st Monday. Facilitated by Joy Jones, of Palmetto Health Hospice. Share stories and journeys through grief, and learn coping techniques. Free and open to all. Lourie Center, 1650 Park Cir, Columbia. Info: 803-779-1971.

tuesday Green Drinks–Sustainable Midlands and Keep the Midlands Beautiful are partnering to bring you Green Drinks at Jake’s on Devine. Enjoy a drink and get together with like-minded folk and share ideas.

Call for date, time and details 803-733-1139. Jake’s Bar & Grill, 2112 Devine St, Columbia.

Healing the Body and Spirit–5:30-6:45pm. Every Tuesday. Classes are a group exploration of the body’s natural healing wisdom, using aromatherapy, voice, and deep relaxation techniques. Sponsored through the Richland County Discretionary Grant.

Donations to Columbia Resilience accepted to support the Community Integrative Trauma Clinic.

Space limited, preregistration required. Chi Energy Balance, 3610 Landmark Dr, Columbia. Info/register: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

Yoga Gives Back–6:30pm. Studies have shown that yoga has been effective in relieving anxiety, reducing stress and increasing energy. The first class is free. To attend regularly, participants are asked to give a $5 donation, volunteer at least one hour of time at a determined scheduled event or give two to five canned goods to a specified food drive.

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Columbia Edition

Intentional Healing Circle–6:30pm. Every Wednesday. Learn how to be grounded in healing energy for yourself and the world. Experience a shift in energy as Carolyn Gregory leads in meditation and healing exercises. Free. Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info: 803-569-6385, JubileeCircle.com.

thursday Beginners’ Yoga–5:30pm. Cost: $14 drop-in, package rates available. Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-796-1702.

Directional Healing Group Sessions–5:306:45pm. Every 3rd Thursday. Group healing to facilitate spiritual/emotional/physical clearing and energy balance. Suggested fee: $15 at door. Space limited, preregistration required. Chi Energy Balance, 3610 Landmark Dr, Columbia Info/register: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

Energy Balance for Life–w/Joy Connor, LMBT– 10-11:30am. This class is part of the women’s trauma-release series. Learn and practice stress-reduction techniques. Bring a mat or towel. Cost: $5.

Location to be provided with registration. Must preregister. Info: Call Joy Connor at 803-447-6499.

Yoga Gives Back–6-7pm. Studies have shown that yoga has been effective in relieving anxiety, reducing stress and increasing energy. The first class is free. To attend regularly, participants are asked to give a $5 donation, volunteer at least one hour of time at a determined scheduled event or give two to five canned goods to a specified food drive. Mats and blankets are provided. North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-414-2885.

friday Sound Healing Meditation with Crystal Bowls– Every 4th Friday. Pam Lorentz, MSW, RN, LMBT, Sound Healing Practitioner, has provided private customized sound healing sessions and community workshops. She has engaged groups with the vibrant frequencies of the singing bowls at multiple venues and conferences. One hour sound meditation. It’s recommended that participants bring a mat, pillow, blanket and water bottle. Suggested offering: $8. Time/Location: TBD. Must preregister. Info/ register: Call Lorentz, of Chi Energy Balance, at 803-749-1576.

saturday Beginners’ Yoga at Rosewood Market–9-10am.

Every Saturday with Hannah Rose. Free. Complimentary coffee. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-765-1083, RosewoodMarket.com.

Murraywood Health Foods 20% off Saturdays–10am-6pm. 20% off all grocery items, excluding local honey. Murraywood Shopping Center, 7001 St Andrews Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-732-3847.

MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

CLASSIFIEDS To place a classified listing, email content of listing to ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com or mail with payment to Natural Awakenings, P.O. Box 2812, Columbia, SC 29202. $20 for 35 words each month.

Additional .50 per word over 35 words.

Please include billing contact information.

Deadline is the 12th of the month prior.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Garner’s Natural Life – Interested in working in Natural Health? Garner’s Natural Life is always looking for qualified candidates that share the same passion we do for natural health and helping others.

Apply online at GarnersNaturalLife.com.

Natural Roots Pest Control – The Midlands eco-friendly pest control and wildlife-removal company is seeking a pest control and wildlife technician. Full-time, hourly position, no experience necessary. Interested applicants, please email NaturalRootsEco@gmail.com.

FOR PROFESSIONAL Room for Rent at About Your Health – Perfect for massage therapists, reflexologists or energy workers. $10 an hour. Call About Your Health at 803-798-8687 for more information.

Room Available for Holistic Practitioner – Available December 1. Call to schedule an appointment to see the space. Dawn of Your Wellness, 3357 Leaphart Rd, W Columbia. Call 803-553-7010.

PARENTAL SERVICES Foster Parent Opportunity! Make a difference and become a foster parent. Call LaKeisha at 803-4513984 for more information, or visit MakeADifferenceAtHome.com.

SERVICES Kombucha Workshop and Tastings – Debey Hancock, Functional Nutritionist, will come speak at your church events, businesses, schools, civic groups and support groups on the importance of gut health, healing, and prevention of chronic and acute illness/ disease and taking control of your own wellness.

Attend or host a Kombucha taste testing and learn how to make your own Kombucha. Call Hancock at 803-566-2600 or email Wellness360@usa.com.

SPACE AVAILABLE Event/Workshop Space at Jubilee! Circle – 2,200 sq. ft. available for one-time events, study groups, classes or weekly meetings. Long-term rentals available for hosting ongoing events or classes. Jubilee! Circle, 2627 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info/ tour space, contact Rev. Candace Chellew-Hodge at 803-569-6385.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Columbia Resilience 501c3 provides three community work projects to support sustainability in the Midlands. The Community Orchard, First Time Bank of Columbia, and the Integrated Health Clinic.

Participate in evolving your neighborhood into the beautiful place you want to live in. Go to our website at ColumbiaResilience.org and our Facebook page to join one of the projects. Alternative therapy practitioners interested in volunteering for the Integrated Health Clinic fundraiser should contact Pam Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

naturaldirectory Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Natural Directory, call 803-233-3693 or email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

ACUPUNCTURE THE ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC

William D. Skelton, DAc 620 Sims Ave, Columbia 803-256-1000 • SCAcupuncture.com

Bill Skelton is dedicated to helping people live happier, healthier, active lives with safe, gentle and effective techniques.

He has 38 years’ experience and trained in the Republic of China.

Call to schedule an appointment. See ad, page 5.

ANIMAL HOMEOPATH WELLNESS MATTERS

Brenda M. Tobin, DVetHom, CertCN 803-712-4522 WellnessMatters4U@yahoo.com

Brenda holds her degrees in classical homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy. She uses her extensive knowledge of homeopathy, essential oils, herbs and supplements to treat you and your pets’ acute and chronic disease naturally. Bioenergetic feedback is also available. Office visits, phone/Skype consults, and home and barn visits are available.

AROMATHERAPY GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE

4840 Forest Dr, Ste 15-A, Columbia Trenholm Plaza, in Forest Acres 803-454-7700 • GarnersNaturalLife.com

FAMILY PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Jim Minico, DC 203 Amicks Ferry Rd, Chapin 803-932-9399 • DrMinico.com PatientServices.fpc@gmail.com

It is our mission to provide the community with the highestquality chiropractic care possible.

Exceeding your expectations in a caring, modern and positive environment. Restoring the body’s natural healing process.

A holistic approach to health utilizing chiropractic, massage therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition, weight management and homeopathy. See ad, page 11.

COLLABORATIVE LAW LAW OFFICE OF SHANNON K. BURNETT

109 N Main St, Blythewood 803-786-1758 • Shannon.skblaw@gmail.com

Shannon Burnett helps families through legal issues that normally tend to tear families apart. She works in a collaborative fashion with other trained professionals to minimize the damage done to your family; it is her goal for your family to achieve a successful outcome and healthy resolution.

COLON HEALTH SPRING RAIN HYDROTHERAPY

Linda Salyer 120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste H, Columbia 803-361-2620 • LSalyer@ymail.com

Improve your level of stress, depression and mood with natural products from a locally owned family business. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you using aromatherapy for pain, anxiety, energy enhancement and more. We carry several brands of essential oils, including doTERRA. See ads, pages 23 and back page.

All disease begins in the colon.

Constipation; slow, sluggish bowel; gas and bloating? A colonic will help to rid you of these problems. Colonics promote good digestion, help speed metabolism, help lower cholesterol, and help relieve joint pain. Linda Salyer is IACN certified and a retired nurse. Saturday appointments available with an additional small convenience fee. See ad, page 11.

CHIROPRACTIC

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER INC.

Dr. Shelly Jones, DC 5209 Forest Dr, Ste C, Columbia 803-771-9990 • DrShellyJones.com

Webster Technique certified, Dr. Jones provides family chiropractic care, health information and wellness resources to support the body’s natural ability to heal, allowing one to feel better and enjoy living a more active lifestyle! Call to schedule your appointment or discuss bringing our onsite chiropractic care and health-education services to your business, school or athletic team.

CHI ENERGY BALANCE

Pamila Lorentz, MSW, RN, LMBT 3610 Landmark Dr Forest Acres • 803-749-1576 ChiEnergyBalance.com

The innate wisdom and healing potential is within you to heal patterns of chronic stress and past trauma.

Chi Energy Balance provides experienced guides to support you on your personal journey of health and freedom from pain and anxiety. Services include spiritual aromatherapy, CranioSacral Therapy, integrated massage, sound/vibrational frequencies, reiki and directional healing. Call today! See ad, page 28.

DENTISTRY ART OF DENTISTRY

Dr. Gregory J. Wych, DDS 7505 St. Andrews Rd, Irmo 803-781-1600 • IrmoCosmeticDentistry.com

Dr. Wych and his staff are committed to giving each patient the quality care and attention each desire and deserve. He believes that in dentistry, discovering the cause of the problem is the key to resolving it and to preventing its recurrence. Something he has done successfully for his patients for more than 28 years. Call today to schedule your appointment.

See ad, page 3.

CHILDREN AND ADULT DENTAL GROUP

Tonia Patterson - Regional Manager 7457 Patterson Rd, Ste 107 Columbia • 803-807-2140 candaImmediateDental.com

Wi t h a f o c u s o n d e n t a l health education, our team of professionals will help you love your smile again. From straighter teeth in just 6 to 12 months with Fastbraces technology, to implants or dentures—we can have you smiling again in no time. We also offer conscious sedation, allowing for a positive experience for little ones. Call today! See ad, page 11.

FOREST DRIVE DENTAL CARE

Dr. Joanna Silver Dover, DMD 3731 Forest Dr, Columbia 803-782-8786 • ForestDriveDental.com

Dr. Dover provides comprehensive, and compassionate dental care. BPA- and Bis-GMA-free composites, BPA-free occlusal guards, natural periodontal therapy, fluoride-alternatives for tooth remineralization, and mercuryfilling removal following IAOMT standards using supplemental oxygen, special filters and amalgam separators to keep toxic metals out of our waterways.

See ad, page 7.

ECO-RICH SKIN CARE PRODUCTS JUST WANNA MELT LLC Misty Rawls • 803-331-0063 Info@JustWannaMelt.com JustWannaMelt.com

A green skin care company that creates high-quality, non-GMO, all-natural products that are gentle to the skin and safer for the environment. Our brands include ingredients such as organic oils, butters, flowers, herbs, botanicals, local grains, beeswax and honey. Find our products at such stores as Garner’s Natural Life, Four Oaks Farm, Wingard’s Nursery, Whole Foods and more. For a complete list of retail locations, visit our website.

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EMPOWERMENT & INSPIRATION JULIE E. BRADSHAW

Inner Wisdom Guide 803-800-9211 • Juleseck@aol.com TheSourceWithinYou.com

Julie helps women release and let go of stress, overwhelming circumstances and life situations.

She helps to instill confidence, and can assist you in creating the life you truly can enjoy and be passionate about! Call Julie today!

HEALTH FOOD STORE MURRAYWOOD HEALTH FOODS

Richard Beale, Owner • 803-732-3847 7001 St. Andrews Rd, Irmo In Murraywood Shopping Centre Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm

Locally owned and proudly serving Irmo and the Midlands area for more than 25 years, Murraywood Health Foods is a health and specialty food store featuring the very best natural product brands, vitamins and minerals, herbs and homeopathic remedies. The store also carries natural and organic gluten-free foods and health and beauty products. Call today for more information or to schedule a special appointment.

HEALTH & WELLNESS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC.

120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste J, Columbia 803-798-8687 • AboutYourHealthSC.com

Our main focus is health education and health-enhancing services. One-on-one nutritional counseling, Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Reams pH testing, parasite programs, aqua-chi footbaths, far infrared sauna, weight-loss programs, and thermography. Hard-to-find natural, organic, whole food nutritional supplements, raw foods and natural household items. See ad, page 9.

FOREST ACRES WELL CARE Misty Clare-Sumerell Intuitive Life Coach 5101 Forest Dr, Columbia 803-318-2811 ForestAcresWellCare.com

Connect with us naturally!

Columbia Edition

Edie Enright, Artist 3357 Leaphart Rd, W Columbia 803-553-7010

Edie is a self-taught artist from California. Her Spirit-guided paintings are a mixture of styles and vibrant color inspired by her rich life experiences. Edie’s work speaks deeply to the inner soul.

Come visit her eclectic gallery and wellness center, which features a wide variety of one-of-a-kind gifts, beautiful art pieces, services, and great health and wellness items for the mind, body and soul. Services include massage, reiki, holistic counseling and homeopathy. See ad, page 29.

INTEGRATED HEALING PHOENIX RISING

Katz Delauney-Leija, MSW, EFT-CC, TAEE Psych-K, Health & Wellness Intuitive 803-530-6199 • Katz-PhoenixRising.com

Are you unhappy in your relationships, current job or career choice? Are you frustrated with not feeling well or being in pain? Katz can guide you to greater health and a better life by combining her traditional and intuitive skills to help you. Call Katz Delauney-Leija today to schedule an appointment.

INTEGRATIVE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE EXPECT WELLNESS

Dr. Rachel Hall 130 Suber Rd, Columbia 803-796-1702 • DrRachelHall.com ExpectWellness@sc.rr.com Find us on Facebook for great health tips.

Integrative/Holistic medicine consults for anyone wanting to approach their health more naturally. Dr. Rachel Hall is board certified in both family medicine and integrative holistic medicine.

Together we will focus on finding the root of the problem, not just treating symptoms. Call today for a consult if you are looking to achieve balance. Inhouse diagnostic labs and therapies. See ad, page 25.

KOMBUCHA LIL’ DUCK KOMBUCHA

A family-owned well care facility focusing on mind, body and beauty that includes a halotherapy salt spa. Misty can call upon your guides and angels to tap into and strengthen your own intuition.

Her readings call in the light energy of the angels and great ancient teachers, and carry messages of love and encouragement wherever you are on your path. Call Misty today to start your healing journey. See ad, page 2.

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PALMS TO PALMETTOS

Debey Hancock Soda City Market, 1500 Main St, Columbia 803-566-2600 LilDuckKombucha.com

Debey is a functional nutritionist and naturopathic and homeopathic consultant. She has created her own version of kombucha, an ancient fermented tea-based probiotic beverage produced by fermenting sweet tea with a culture of yeast and bacteria. Revered as a healing agent, kombucha is believed to provide micronutrients, probiotics and bacteria beneficial to digestion, detoxification and cleansing. It is also believed to help balance pH levels, stimulate metabolism, enhance energy levels and much more! You can find Debey on Saturdays at the Soda City Market on Main Street, in Columbia.

See ad, page 20.

MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

LIFE COACHING COHN LIFE COACHING

Debbie Cohn, MSc, ILCT 803-467-4072 Debbie@CohnLifeCoaching.com CohnLifeCoaching.com

Debbie can help you maximize your personal and professional potential by providing you with the tools and insight to reach your goals, wants, vision and desires—as you are the true expert of your own life. She specializes in many aspects of professional coaching, including relationships, personal and life challenges, grief and bereavement, midlife issues, and leadership development. Debbie is a qualified professional with extensive experience as a therapist and life coach. Call Debbie today for a FREE 30-minute consultation!

MEDICAL TOURISM COLOMBIA TRAVEL LOGISTICS (CTL) 888-599-3284, Ext 701 ColombiaTravelLogistics.com

Colombia Travel Logistics (CTL) provides outstanding aesthetic surgical experiences abroad with accredited surgeons working in state-of-the-art facilities. CTL takes care of the travel arrangements, private transportation from the airport to the hotel and clinics, bilingual translators, fourand five-star hotel lodging, medical/travel insurance and local area tours. Service regions and countries include Central America, Spain, England, Japan, Italy and the U.S. Save as much as 50 percent of the cost of equivalent procedure in the States. Call for a free consultation. See ad, page 27.

PSYCHOTHERAPY INTEGRATIVE HEALING CARE LLC Jennifer Bennett, LISW-CP 1703 Richland St, Columbia 803-254-5650, ext 202 JenniferBennett.ihc@gmail.com

Jennifer is a holistic psychotherapist who integrates traditional and nontraditional approaches to healing mind, body and spirit under her license in South Carolina as an LISWCP. In a comfortable, supportive atmosphere with a highly personalized approach, Jennifer supports you in achieving your personal potential. Call Jennifer today to schedule an appointment.

SPIRITUAL HAVE YOU HAD A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE? Contact Steve 803-318-1887 • ECK-SC.org Meetup.com/Columbia-Spiritual-Seekers

Eckankar hosts free, informal, nondogmatic spiritual discussions.

All are welcome. Topics include dreams, coincidences, past lives, God’s creative life force, and more. Call ahead. Times and dates may vary.

SPIRITUAL HEALER

health brief

GAYLORD SPIRITUAL COUNSELING Szasz-Fabian Jozsef/Shutterstock.com

5227 Two Notch Rd Columbia • 803-786-2684 ColumbiaPsychic.com

At Gaylord Spiritual Counseling, we offer many methods in dealing with everyday problems. We also offer insight and guidance for those dealing with unexplainable difficulties. See ad, page 31.

THERMOGRAPHY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC.

120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste J, Columbia 803-798-8687 • AboutYourHealthSC.com

Our main focus is health education and health-enhancing services. One-on-one nutritional counseling, Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Reams pH testing, parasite programs, aquachi footbaths, far infrared sauna, weight-loss programs, and thermography. Hard-to-find natural, organic, whole food nutritional supplements, raw foods and natural household items. See ad, page 9.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE

4840 Forest Dr, Ste 15a, Columbia Trenholm Plaza 803-454-7700 • GarnersNaturalLife.com

At Garner’s Natural Life, we offer the purest, most innovative highquality natural products. With more than 130 collective years of wellness experience! Allows us to encourage your healthy choices.

See ads, pages 23 and back page.

Love yourself.

It is important to stay positive because

beauty comes from the inside out. ~Jenn Proske

The Dangers of Mercury in Dental Fillings

M

any consumers are not aware that all silver-colored fillings, or dental amalgams, contain mercury. In fact, amalgam fillings are comprised of approximately 50 percent mercury, according to the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although banned or restricted in many other countries, these fillings are still used in the U.S. Amalgam fillings pose risks to human health, and dental mercury released into the environment can cause long-lasting damage to wildlife. Jack Kall, a Doctor of Dental Medicine and chairperson of the board of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), a global network of dentists, health professionals and scientists that has been researching dental amalgam and other dental products since 1984, explains, “Mercury is continuously emitted from dental amalgam fillings, and it is absorbed and retained in the body, particularly in the brain, kidney, liver, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.”

Unsafe amalgam removal techniques also raise health concerns. Some patients require the removal of amalgam fillings due to physical deterioration, while others have it done for cosmetic purposes (white-colored fillings match the teeth better) or because they prefer to have dental fillings that don’t contain mercury.

However, removal of amalgam fillings without proper safety measures can potentially lead to patients, dentists, staff and the environment being exposed to unsafe levels of mercury. Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique recommendations to mitigate dental mercury exposure are available at TheSmartChoice.com.

The IAOMT is based in ChampionsGate, FL. For more information, visit IAOMT.org, Tinyurl.com/IAOMT-Mercury-Facts or Tinyurl.com/IAOMT-Mercury-Report.

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MidlandsHealthyLiving.com