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Nature’s Healing Ways
Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us
Homegrown Organic Made Easy 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden
Martial Arts as Meditation They Teach Calm, Presence, Discipline
April 2015 | Columbia Edition | MidlandsHealthyLiving.com
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natural awakenings
April 2015
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contents 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.
16 HOME-GROWN
ORGANIC MADE EASY 10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden by Barbara Pleasant
20 THE FOOD ARTISANS NEXT DOOR
Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors
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by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko
22 NATURE’S WISDOM Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us
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by Christine MacDonald
26 STRONG WINDS
STRONG ROOTS What Trees Teach Us About Life
by Dennis Merritt Jones
28 DOGS WITH
LIBRARY CARDS
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Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy
30 HEALING JOURNEYS
Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks by Randy Kambic
32 EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack
34 MASTERING THE FORCE The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons by Eric Stevens
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7 communitynews 13 healthbriefs 14 globalbriefs 15 greenspotlight 16 greenliving 18 earthdayevents 14 19 natural
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spotlight 20 consciouseating 26 inspiration 27 healthspotlight 28 naturalpet 30 wisewords 36 directory 40 calendar 18 42 classifieds
advertising & submissions how to advertise To advertise with Natural Awakenings please contact us at 803-233-3693 or email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month. Editorial submissions Email articles, news items and ideas to ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. calendar submissions Submit Calendar Events at MidlandsHealthyLiving.com or email to ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. 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 239530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.
natural awakenings
April 2015
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Bouncing Back!
A contact us Owner/Publisher Annette Carter Briggs Writers MaryJo Briggs Odell Williams Sustainability/ Development Consultant Aloysius Anderson Senior Editor Sara Gurgen Design & Production Kristina Parella Billy Briggs Stephen Gray-Blancett Advertising Sales Annette Carter Briggs To contact Natural Awakenings Columbia Edition: PO Box # 2812 Columbia, SC 29202 Phone: 803-233-3693 Cell: 803-309-2101 Fax: 877-412-4905 ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are available by sending $24 (for 12 issues) to the above address. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.
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Columbia Edition
re we there yet? Brrr…Old Man Winter has certainly worn out his welcome, like the weird family member (we ALL have one, or two) that always comes too early to family functions and get-togethers and seems to never know when to leave, even after everyone else has. April has arrived, and not a moment too soon. Interestingly enough, as I was leaving my home to start my impossible to-do list one day not long ago, the weather was bitterly cold, the temperature just above 20 degrees. I quickly proceeded to my car and noticed a little tree that I had planted in my yard years ago to my immediate right. Oh my goodness … it was a sad sight witnessing this skinny, seemingly depressed (as if human), even ugly “runt” of a tree. I thought, “This tree is toast,” or shall I say “firewood.” I truly believed that this little one—that at one time had been full of potential, vigor and hopeful expectation—had seen its last days. The tough winter season had dealt this little tree a series of frigid “death blows.” How unfortunate. I had to move on, but I continued to ponder these thoughts for a while. How strange … I have passed this tree many times and never seemed to notice it before, even on its best days. I felt somehow responsible as I continued to pass it by each day thinking, “I will give you the proper funeral soon when the weather improves.” Then, sometime later, leaving my home, something caught my eye. Curious … I looked closer, and there in front of me stood this little, skinny tree with new buds everywhere. Wow … I must say that I was shocked. In my mind, this tree had no hope at all. Today, it stands there, almost as if looking at me when I pass by saying (as if trees could talk), “Annette … life is about bouncing back!” This is so true. In the month of April, we see evidence of the important principle of “bouncing back” all around us. Squirrels, birds, and even little trees reemerge from the toughest of transitions and circumstances to start a new chapter in life—a new season. They got it … do we? My little tree that I had written off into the obituary column was anchored to something much larger and capable—the soil that it had been planted in. It was filled with inner life and a massive support system—the Earth. The Earth and this little tree have a complex relationship too deep for me to comprehend, but, thankfully, if we pay attention, it’s on full display for us to learn from. Bouncing back is a life principle that we must master if we are to navigate the seasons. Has anyone written you off after one glance, passing judgment based upon what “looks” to be reality, not understanding that you are tied to something much bigger and stronger, filled with inner strength escaping the human eye? Prove all the doubters wrong. Bounce back into life and living, like my little tree; and in honor of Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, show a little love for all the trees surrounding us that often go unnoticed. Plant a tree, maybe even a little ugly one; it is absolutely vital to your (our) existence. Finding my bounce,
Annette Briggs, Publisher The monthly publication and distribution of this wonderful magazine and its great content and resource material is made possible by our family of advertisers, represented from cover to cover. Please support them with your business.
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communitynews Columbia’s First Salt Spa
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reath of Salt, a Himalayan salt spa, opened its doors last year in Columbia. Salt therapy is not exactly new; in fact, it has been studied and used in many European hospitals for years to treat various physical and respiratory ailments. In the U.S., many wellness centers are currently incorporating salt therapy into their treatment practices. Owner of Breath of Salt Brenda Streett was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, asthma and COPD, all of which were complicated by allergies and chronic sinusitis. Streett used three inhalers, steroid treatments, cough syrups, allergy pills and an oxygen tank. After just one visit and treatment at a salt spa in Asheville, N.C., Streett was able to take her first deep breath for the first time in eight years. She continued to go to the salt spa and improve. Now, she no longer uses inhalers, takes antibiotics or carries an oxygen tank around. “I knew that if I wanted to continue to feel better, I had to open a salt spa here in Columbia,” states Streett. Salt spa treatments have also been known to be effective in treating cystic fibrosis, acne, eczema, psoriasis and stress. Location: Breath of Salt: 1410 Colonial Life Blvd. W., Ste. 250, Columbia. For more information about the benefits of Himalayan salt, to learn more about Brenda Streett’s story or to schedule an appointment, call 803-772-SALT (7258).
natural awakenings
April 2015
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communitynews Indie Grits Film Festival
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he Nickelodeon Theatre, of Columbia, will host the ninth annual Indie Grits Film Festival from Wednesday, April 15, through Sunday, April 19. This much-anticipated arts extravaganza, presented by South Carolina’s oldest art-house cinema, will feature five full days of innovative projects and unique entertainment from all around the state of South Carolina and Southeast region. Festival activities will include DIY short films; experimental, animated and student films; music; great food; and other cutting-edge artistic performances. Tech enthusiasts can also enjoy gaming opportunities at Indie Bits with indie games placed in various venues along Main Street downtown. Indie Grits has twice been named one of MovieMaker magazine’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World. Cost (festival passes): $75, Nickelodeon members; $100, nonmembers. Location: The Nickelodeon Theatre: 1607 Main St., Columbia, and other designated areas along downtown Main Street (visit website for site map). For more information, call Seth Gadsden (co-director) at 803-254-8234, email Seth@IndieGrits.com or visit IndieGrits.com.
Columbia’s Olympia Fest
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t’s a family affair! On Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., historic Olympia will host Olympia Fest, a family festival celebrating the rich history and unique culture of the Olympia area in Columbia. In its seventh year, the day’s activities will include a walk through history, family fun activities, arts, crafts and live music. Narrated history tours of the Olympia area and Granby Mills, narrated by local notables sharing interesting stories, will be available all day. Also featured as part of the event for those brave enough to take on the challenge will be the popular Quarry Crusher Run. Cost: Free. Location: Olympia and Granby Mills: 510 Heyward St., Columbia. For more information, call 803-237-1793, email Merritt@FivePointsColumbia.com or visit OlympiaFest.com.
Big Day Out Earth Day Celebration at Fort Jackson
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n Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fort Jackson Army Base will host its Earth Day celebration, titled Big Day Out Earth Day, at Semmes Lake Recreation area, located on the Fort Jackson Army Base. The general public is invited to come out for a fun-filled day of activities, for adults and kids alike, which will include a full triathlon; vendors; a “Recycle Regatta”; children’s activities; a free, delicious lunch; and much more. Cost: Free. Location: Semmes Lake Recreation Area on the Fort Jackson Army Base. For more information, call Mark Smyers at 803-751-8707.
Slow Food’s Sustainable Chefs Showcase at Indie Grits
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low Food, of Columbia, in partnership with the Indie Grits Festival, will host a Sustainable Chefs Showcase at the Indie Grits Festival on Sunday, April 19. Hosted at the Market Building at 711 Whaley (next to the popular 701 Whaley), from 3 to 6 p.m., the chefs’ showcase will feature tasty food selections presented by local and regional culinary talents in and around the Midlands. Slow Food’s mission is to strengthen the partnership connections between members of the local food community and providers, and also to educate people about the importance of knowing where their food is produced. Cost: $25 general public; $20 Slow Food and Nickelodeon Theatre members; $10 potluck bringers. For more information, call 803-254-8234, email Info@SlowFoodColumbia.org or visit SlowFoodColumbia.org.
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Kids’ Day of Lexington
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ather up the kids and bring them out to Virginia Hylton Park on Saturday, April 25, for Kids’ Day of Lexington. Celebrating its 15 anniversary this year, Kids’ Day was birthed by a mission and purpose to better educate families within the local community on issues of health, safety and environmental awareness while simultaneously caring for them with love, honesty and laughter. Lots of food, fun and entertainment is in store. All proceeds raised from the event will help to support the important work of Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter and the Dickerson Center for Children.
The Fourth Annual
Cost: Free. Times: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Virginia Hylton Park: 111 Maiden Ln., Lexington. For more information, call 803-356-8554 or visit LexingtonKidsDay.com.
It’s All About Herbs Festival
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oin the Lexington County Herb Bunch for the fourth annual It’s All About Herbs Festival on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scheduled activities include a plant sale with a variety of herbs and other plants, herb- and plant-related vendors and three educational seminars costing only $5 to attend. Also featured at the event will be a grilling pizza with herbs demonstration; a silent auction; a variety of foods for the entire family; and a special presentation titled Tea Time, a $15 ticketed event, featuring teas and delicacies presented by various festival members. Proceeds from the festival will help fund a scholarship for a qualified student in Lexington County pursuing an education in the field of agriculture/ horticulture; maintain a colonial herb garden on the grounds of the Lexington County Museum; and provide professional herbalists to educate the Lexington community on the many uses of herbs for cooking, growing, crafting and medicinal purposes. Cost: Free to enter; separate cost for some activities. Location: Lexington County Museum: 231 Fox St., Lexington (free parking available on Berly Street behind the Museum). For more information, call Patricia Gates at 803-530-7530 or email Patricia.Gates@oit.edu.
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April 2015
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communitynews Pawmetto Lifeline’s Bark to the Park
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ring the four-legged family members out on Saturday, April 18, for Pawmetto Lifeline’s annual Bark to the Park, a key fundraising event designed to raise proceeds to help prevent pet homelessness and pet overpopulation in the Midlands. In its sixth year, event participants will walk one mile along a designated course. At the conclusion of the walk, all are welcome to join the crowd for the event after-party celebration. Walk registration will begin at 9 a.m., with the walk starting at 10:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded as well. Location: Finlay Park: 930 Laurel St., Columbia. For more information, including event registration, call 803-465-9150 or visit BarkToThePark.com.
LMC’s Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler
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exington Medical Center will host the Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler on Saturday, April 25. Starting and ending at beautiful Finlay Park, the course will take participants through scenic downtown Columbia. Established in 2002 by women and for women, the Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler was created to draw attention to the number one killer of women—heart disease. The popular race/walk attracts women of all ages and athletic abilities from all over the state— from elite female runners to women participating in their first formal walk. All are welcome. Paired with the Heart & Sole event will be a health and wellness expo, offering blood pressure checks, health screenings and information on healthy living to help women protect themselves from this deadly disease. The course is sanctioned by USA Track & Field. Split times are provided at every mile, and water and first aid are available at three points along the course. Registration cost: Varies (see website for details). Times: Registration starts at 7 a.m.; run/walk starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. Location: Finlay Park: Corner of Assembly Street and Laurel Street. For more information, including how to register, call 803731-2100 or visit HeartAndSoleRun.com
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Invasive Species Removal
Workday at Owens Field Park
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oin the Richland County Office of Sustainability for an invasive plant species removal workday at Owens Field Park, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 18. Those volunteering will perform tasks, such as cutting down small invasive trees and shrubs to carrying debris to designated staging areas. Some tools and gloves will be made available for volunteers, but in limited quantities; therefore, the Office of Sustainability asks that those planning to attend, please plan to bring work gloves, a bag lunch, bottled drinking water and appropriate clothing. Other helpful tools requested include hand saws, loppers and clippers—no power tools please. Call ahead to confirm workday participation. Location: Owens Field Park: 1531 Jim Hamilton Blvd., Columbia. For more information, call the Richland County Office of Sustainability at 803-9296000 or visit RichlandOnline.com.
The Ultimate Challenge Mud Run
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ohRah! Do you have what it takes? Well, prove it on Saturday, April 11, starting at 8:30 a.m., by participating in the Ultimate Challenge Mud Run, hosted at Leatherneck Course, designed by a former Marine drill instructor to challenge each team mentally and physically. The 6.2 mile all-terrain course features 36 military obstacles, which include mud holes, walls and trenches. Other Mud Run course challenges include swimming, crawling, climbing and jumping. The Greater Columbia Marine Foundation, a nonprofit organization, sponsors the Mud Run annually to raise money to support Marines and their families from the Columbia area that have been wounded or killed while serving on active duty. Profits from the race are also used to support several local college scholarships named after Marines killed serving their country and local events that promote the Marine Corps in the community. Participants must be 14 years of age or older to compete, and each team must have one member that is over the age of 18. Each participant will receive a free digital download of his/her team’s finish picture. Cost: $250/team of four; $150/ team of two; special JROTC discount available. Times: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: The Leatherneck Course: 1215 Valley Ridge Rd., Gaston, S.C. For more information, call 803-4770541, email UltimateChallengeMudRun@gmail.com or visit UltimateChallengeMudRun.org.
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natural awakenings
April 2015
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communitynews Wine for Water —an Earth Day Event
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n Wednesday, April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Gills Creek, Rocky Branch and Smith Branch watershed associations will host their very popular Wine for Water Earth Day celebration to commemorate their unified vision and pledge to preserve the streams and rivers in and around the greater Midlands area. Hosted at Columbia’s Senate’s End, a unique setting along the Congaree River, the proceeds from the Wine for Water event will help support the efforts of the watershed associations, environmental nonprofits dedicated to restoring the Midlands’ watersheds through education, grassroots action, and public and private partnerships. Attendees will enjoy food from local restaurants, wines from around the world and great deals at the silent auction from local donors. Cost: $25 for members or $35 for nonmembers, with special VIP packages available. Location: 316 Senate St., Columbia. For more information, call Genevieve Taylor (program coordinator) at 803-873-0442, email Genevieve@SustainableMidlands.com or visit SustainableMidlands.org.
Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done. ~Amelia Earhart
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kudos S.C. Businesses Receive DHEC Awards
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atural Awakenings of Columbia would like to congratulate the five South Carolina businesses awarded the 2015 Smart Business Recycling and Green Hospitality Program awards. Each year, the Department of Health and Environmental Control recognizes businesses in the state that exhibit outstanding waste-reduction and recycling efforts, and this year the awards were presented to the recipients at the Green Business Boot Camp, in Columbia. Kudos to all of you! This year’s winners are Caterpillar Inc. (Newberry), Charleston Water System, the Gravatt Camp and Conference Center, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Sea Pines Resort. For more information on the winners and pictures from the event, visit SCDHEC.gov/SmartBusiness/Awards.
healthbriefs
Acupuncture Increases Quality of Life for Allergy Sufferers
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esearch from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Center suggests that acupuncture is an effective treatment for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in 2013, the study analyzed data on the costs and quality of life of 364 allergy patients that had been randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: rescue medication alone (taken when symptoms are greatest); acupuncture treatment plus rescue medication; or sham (non-therapeutic) acupuncture plus rescue medication. Patients receiving acupuncture incurred higher total treatment costs, but also gained significantly more quality of life compared with the rescue medication-only groups.
Strawberries Reduce Blood Pressure
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study published in the World Journal of Diabetes concluded that the regular consumption of a flavonoid-rich strawberry beverage reduces blood pressure in people with Type 2 diabetes. The study divided 36 subjects, all with moderately high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, into two groups—the first drank the equivalent of one serving of fresh strawberries per day made from freeze-dried berries, and the other group drank the same amount of an imitation strawberry-flavored drink over a six-week period. Blood pressure was tested at the beginning and end of the study for all participants. At the end, the group drinking the real strawberry beverage registered significantly lower diastolic blood pressure than at the outset; it was also lower than the imitation strawberry group. The average diastolic blood pressure of the group drinking real strawberries went down by 6.5 percent and the systolic dropped by 12 percent. The strawberry-flavored group’s systolic blood pressure was also reduced, but only by 3.7 percent.
The Color Green Makes Exercise Feel Easier
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esearch from the University of Essex, in England, suggests that viewing natural green images while exercising may be better than being exposed to other colors. The researchers tested 14 people doing moderate-intensity cycling while watching video footage of predominantly gray, red or green imagery. Each of the participants underwent three cycling tests—one with each of the videos— along with a battery of physiological and mood testing. The researchers found that when the subjects watched the green-colored video, they had better moods, with a lower relative perception of exertion than when they exercised while watching the red and grey videos. They also found those that exercised while watching the red video experienced greater feelings of anger during their exercise.
Memory Works Better Reading Real Books
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esearchers from Norway’s Stavanger University and France’s Aix-Marseille Université found that readers remember a story better if it’s on paper. The study tested 50 people that read the same 28-page short story. Half of the group read the paper version and the other half read the story on a Kindle e-reader. The researchers discovered that readers of the digital version could not remember details from the story or reconstruct the plot as well as the group that read the paper copy. The researchers found that the feedback of a Kindle doesn’t provide the same support for mental reconstruction of a story as a print pocket book does. “When you read on paper, you can sense with your fingers a pile of pages on the left growing, and shrinking on the right,” explains Stavanger University’s Anne Mangen, Ph.D. These findings confirm a study performed a year earlier, also led by Mangen. Seventy-two 10th-graders were given text to read either on paper or on a computer screen. The students that read the paper text versions scored significantly higher in reading comprehension testing than those reading digital versions.
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April 2015
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globalbriefs News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Vanishing Wildlife
50 Percent Gone in Under 50 years The latest World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Living Planet Report shows that the Living Planet Index (LPI), which measures more than 10,000 representative populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, has declined by 52 percent since 1970. The report is widely considered the leading science-based analysis on the health of our planet and the impact of human activity (Tinyurl.com/WWF-Living-Planet-Report). In fewer than two human generations, populations of vertebrate species—the life forms that constitute the fabric of life-sustaining ecosystems and serve as a barometer of how humans are impacting nature—have dropped by half. Nature conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand; it’s not only about preserving biodiversity and wild places, but about safeguarding the future of humanity. Living Planet Report partners include the Zoological Society of London, Global Footprint Network and Water Footprint Network. Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International, states, “We need leadership for change. Sitting on the bench waiting for someone else to make the first move, doesn’t work. Heads of state need to start thinking globally; businesses and consumers need to stop behaving as if we live in a limitless world.”
Curbside Composting
No Food Scraps Need Go to Waste People in the United States waste more than a third of all of the food they produce, but more than 180 cities and towns are beginning to realize that wasted food can be valuable; they are asking residents to separate unwanted food from the rest of their trash and put it in a curbside compost bin. The idea is to stop sending food waste to the landfill, where it generates harmful methane gas pollution, and start turning it into something useful, like compost. In 2011, Portland, Oregon, launched a curbside compost program in which residents are encouraged to put food scraps into the city’s green yard waste bin. Since then, the amount of garbage sent to the landfill has decreased by 37 percent. According to Bruce Walker, the city’s solid waste and recycling program manager, the program also reduces the environmental footprint of the trash heap. Getting people to separate their food waste, however, can be difficult. To motivate its residents to put more food waste in the compost bin, the city of Seattle, Washington, has proposed both making curbside composting mandatory and fining residents a dollar every time they put a disproportionate volume of food waste in their trash. Source: NetNebraska.org
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action. ~Mother Teresa
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greenspotlight
The Green Chaos … Solved!
by Odell Williams
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pringtime is finally emerging from the grips of cold winter freeze. Birds are starting to sing, bees are buzzing and children are coming out from winter hibernation to play. The earth is waking up as flowers and trees start to bud and bloom. Grass is starting to reach for the sky, signaling the start of mowing season. This is the time of year that “curbside appeal” becomes top priority. Many across the nation herd to home improvement stores to take care of their DIY punch lists, purchasing plants, fertilizer, pots and a wide array of other outdoor materials to “getter done.” Even so, many dreams of landscape heaven and curbside glory, sadly, end in horror stories and frustrating disappointment. Caring for lawns, gardens and flower beds is not just a perplexing challenge, it’s a science. Serious critical questions must be considered: What is the soil content? What types of plants
work best in what seasons? What are the most effective materials and products to use that are safe for treasured pets, children and others enjoying the outdoors? Some chemicals and pesticides on the market today are extremely toxic and harmful to humans and wildlife. Flowers, trees and some grass types are often negatively impacted, resulting in decline and disease. These materials can also present significant risks to water sources, lakes and streams when exposed to rain water. After 33 years experience, hard work and focused research, The Green Chaos Solved, a locally owned lawn care service, has developed a tremendously effective system called Grass Root Technology, which utilizes innovative, safe and effective blended organic-based products, like Holganix. Owner Lou Carta states, “The products and materials we use allow us to take full advantage of the soil’s natural ability to help nurture and
maintain lawns and landscapes; thus, keeping them safe and beautiful, ensuring customer satisfaction.” Carta adds: “Soil, a complex living system, requires organic matter to carry out plant support functions. Many conventional lawn-care programs neglect the soil environment, while organic-based programs recognize and understand the importance of a dynamic soil system.” The high organic content in Grass Root Technology with Holganix fuels soil organisms. Organisms and insects—such as ants, earthworms and microscopic bacteria—establish an active, nutrient-rich base for healthy lawns, thus keeping the soil in balance—a key component for a successful organic-based lawn-care program. Our system works well with integrated pest management, a process method that focuses on careful monitoring and use of the latest lawncare products. Grass Root Technology with Holganix fosters robust plant growth while dramatically reducing the amount of chemicals required to provide the homeowner with a safe, lush lawn and great landscaping results. The Green Chaos Solved is now offering an all-inclusive 12-month property maintenance program, utilizing battery-operated equipment, which is quieter and more Earth-friendly than gas-powered equipment, which produces more carbon emissions. Experience the best of all worlds. That beautiful, safe and envious lawn and garden is just a phone call away. Call Mr. Lou today to discover the right strategies to “solve” your “green chaos”. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call Lou Carta at 803569-6177. See ad, page 11.
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April 2015
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greenliving
Home-Grown Organic Made Easy
10 Time-Saving Tips for a Healthy Garden by Barbara Pleasant
Organic gardening experts share strategies for growing a great garden and having a life, too.
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he arrival of planting season has a stunning effect on veggie gardeners. We talk to our seedlings as if they were children, and don’t mind working until dark if that’s what it takes to get the fingerling potatoes in the ground. Then, complications like crabgrass and cabbageworms appear, and keeping up with all the details feels impossible. We can lighten looming chores by using these time-saving tips, which will reduce later workloads when storms and the hot summer sun threaten to squelch the magic. Mulch to reduce watering and prevent weeds. “You can cut your watering time in half by mulching crops with a three-to-four-inch layer of straw or shredded leaves,” says Niki Jabbour, award-winning author of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Groundbreaking Food Gardens: 73 Plans That Will Change the Way You Grow Your Garden. “Crops like toma-
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toes, potatoes, kale, broccoli, cucumbers and squash all benefit from a deep mulch, which reduces the need to water and also prevents weeds, saving even more time.” Grow herbs in convenient containers. Family cooks will harvest kitchen herbs every day, in all kinds of weather, so don’t waste footsteps. Grow some parsley, basil and other herbs in large containers near the kitchen door. Try promising perennials. Plant them once, and vegetables like asparagus and rhubarb come back year after year in cold winter climates like the Midwest and Northeast. Where winters are mild, artichokes or chayote (pear squash) are long-lived and productive. Many resilient herbs will return each spring, too, including sage, mints, thyme and oregano. Tarragon and marjoram make trusty perennial herbs in the Sun Belt. Stock up on organic seeds. “As a year-round vegetable gardener, I try
to come up with a list of all the seeds I’ll need for every season when I place annual seed orders,” Jabbour says. “That way, I will place fewer orders and have everything on hand at the proper planting time, saving both time and money.” Organic seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks won’t be genetically modified or treated with pesticides. Be generous with organic compost. With each planting, mix in organic compost along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Food crops grown in organically enriched soil are better able to resist challenges from pests and diseases, which simplifies summer tasks. Grow flowers to attract beneficial insects. Reducing or eliminating pesticides and increasing plantings of flowers can radically improve the balance between helpful and harmful insects in a garden. Horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-host of Pittsburgh’s The Organic Gardeners KDKA radio show and author of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, recommends starting with sweet alyssum, an easy-to-grow annual that can be tucked into the edges of beds or added to mixed containers. “The tiny blossoms of sweet alyssum are adept at supporting several species of the non-stinging parasitic wasps that help keep aphids and other common pests in check,” Walliser says. In warm climates where they are widely grown,
crape myrtles have been found to serve as nurseries for lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects. Protect plants with fabric barriers. Pest insects seeking host plants won’t find cabbage or kale if they’re hidden beneath hoops covered with fine-mesh fabric like wedding net (tulle) or garden fabric row cover. “Cover the plants the day they are transplanted into the garden,” advises Walliser. As long as the edges are securely tucked in, row covers will also protect plants from wind, hail, rabbits and deer. Hoe briefly each day. Commit 10 minutes a day to hoeing. While slicing down young weeds, hill up soil over potatoes or clean up beds ready to be replanted. Look out for small problems to correct before they become big ones.
No more misplaced tools. Time is often wasted searching for lost weeders, pruning shears and other hand tools, which are easier to keep track of when painted in bright colors or marked with colored tape. Jabbour uses a tool stash basket placed at the garden entrance. Stop to smell the flowers. Use moments saved to sit quietly, relax and soak up the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Pausing to listen to the birds or watch a honeybee work a flower is part of the earned reward of any healthy garden that can’t be measured by the pound. Barbara Pleasant, the author of numerous green thumb books, including Starter Vegetable Gardens: 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens, grows vegetables, herbs and fruits in Floyd, Virginia. Connect at BarbaraPleasant.com.
natural awakenings
April 2015
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earthdayevents
EARTH
DAY 2015
Hope for Our Future by Julianne Hale
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hen we learn about the condition of our most valuable resource—this spinning planet we call home—we may feel a sense of urgency, desperation or even defeat. Global climate change is a powerful foe, and current efforts may seem like a losing race against time. Yet, mounting evidence suggests that the global community is making progress, giving rise to the possibility that climate change may not be the insurmountable obstacle we once thought. The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) article, “We Can Do This: 10 Reasons there’s Hope for our Climate,” by Dan Upham, summarizes a speech given by EDF President Fred Krupp at the 2014 Aspen Ideas Festival (Tinyurl. com/HopeForTheClimate). Here are some encouraging highlights. The price of solar energy panels has dropped by 75 percent in the U.S. since 2008, and affordable wind energy is increasingly available. According to a study published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon dioxide emissions from energy in this country dropped by 10 percent between 2005 and 2012. In addition, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, is actively seeking ways to reduce emissions. Proof of progress is also found in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan to cut billions of tons of pollution, a goal supported by two-thirds of Americans, according to a survey conducted by Harstad Strategic Research. Aligned with this, the government is requiring that manufacturers double automobile fuel mileage by 2025. Perhaps the best argument for
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hope reflects the priorities of America’s younger generations. A recent bipartisan poll of young voters conducted by Benenson Strategy Group and GS Strategy Group suggests that 80 percent of voters under the age of 35 support the president taking action to address climate change, making it an issue that both major political parties must take seriously. It’s time to realize that mankind is making decided progress, that the majority of us do care, that what local communities accomplish has a positive effect and that the global community can take the steps needed to avert catastrophic climate change. Become a part of the solution by attending one or more of the community events listed here. 1. Great American Cleanup, April 18-25. A call to action for volunteer efforts on activities surrounding waste reduction, recycling, beautification and community greening. Info: Jacqueline@keepthemidlandsbeautiful.com, 803-733-1139. 2. Wine For Water, April 22, 6-8pm. Benefit for Gills Creek, Rocky Branch and Smith Branch Watershed associations. 316 Senate St, Columbia. $25 members, $35 nonmembers. Info: 803-873-0442. 3. Riverbanks Zoo—Party for the Planet. April 25, 9am-3pm. A closer look at ways we can make a positive impact on our environment. 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia. Info: 803-779-8717.
naturalspotlight
by Odell Williams
mental decision about burial, we are the solution.” ith people turning toThe natural In nature preserves, some burial options ward more natural and all-natural wooden caskets, shrouds, or environmentally responsible burial process include even a favorite quilt. Burial containers can be living, more people are also customized or decorated by the family. In fact, thinking about natural burial. Many is, most certainly, some families write notes or include flowers times, an individual or family’s burial or drawn pictures on the casket. Some families and funeral choices reflect honored values and a very effective choose the more rustic look of a pine box, with beliefs. The important thing to remember is that others opting for a more traditional style. All of there are many options available. People spend and honorable these items can be purchased at a funeral home, time discussing, researching and comparing items online or at a local retail store, such as Angels for purchases, such as cars, and the same can be way to fulfill the Affordable Caskets, Urns and More, a locally done for funerals. Funerals and burials can cost owned, licensed funeral store on Platt Springs several thousand dollars, and decisions can be wishes of a life’s Road, in West Columbia. difficult to make at the time of death, especially Angel’s Affordable Caskets, Urns and More if not well informed of available options, injourney. specializes in urns, cremation jewelry, gifts, cluding whether or not to use a funeral director. shrouds and caskets. It is dedicated to providing More people are caring for their departed high-quality, lower-cost funeral merchandise options. The store loved ones by having home funerals or by arranging for natural can deliver to any funeral home in the Southeast. All funeral burials. For some families, the use of a funeral home will work homes are required to accept funeral merchandise from other best for them; and for others, making their own arrangements licensed stores and should not charge any additional fees. Store is a better option. Another choice is whether or not to embalm. owner Wilenda Turner provides consultations by appointment Some people are surprised to learn that the U.S. and parts of and is available to groups for free seminars covering such topics Canada are the only countries in the world where embalming as natural burials, common funeral misconceptions, custom is customary. Individuals can choose not to embalm; in fact, funeral creations, and money-saving options that honor loved in green cemeteries, embalming is not allowed. This option ones. In addition, Turner offers eco-friendly caskets made by saves money and prevents embalming chemicals from enterlocal artisans and craftsmen for natural funerals. ing the soil. In addition, a vault—the outer burial container Turner is passionate and committed to serving and helpfor the casket that most traditional cemeteries require—is ing families deal with life’s most difficult circumstances. Her not allowed in nature preserves, which also saves money. ultimate goal is to provide excellent, customized family care South Carolina is on the leading edge of natural cemeterby helping families make informed final decisions while saving ies/preserves. Business locations include Dust to Dust Green money (sometimes thousands of dollars) throughout the process Burial and Nature Preserve, in Swansea; Greenhaven Preserve, by securing high-quality caskets and merchandise at lower pricin Eastover; and Ramsey Creek Preserve, in Westminster. These es. The natural burial process is, most certainly, a very effective preserves save land and provide a spiritually meaningful and and honorable way to fulfill the wishes of a life’s journey. natural setting at, often, lower alternative cost options. Michael Bishop at Dust to Dust Green Burial and Nature Preserve states, “Whether looking to save money or making a better environ- For more information, Call Wilenda Turner at 803-608-8005. natural awakenings
April 2015
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The Food Artisans Next Door Homemade Delicacies, Direct from Our Neighbors by Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko
Neighbors in most states can now legally buy fresh breads, cookies and preserves from local food artisans.
T
he locavore movement of eating locally produced foods continues to expand, thanks to 42 states passing cottage food laws that permit community members to make certain foods at home to sell to neighbors. Some enterprises use a contract packer to deliver on a scale not possible domestically, or even operate from a commercially licensed production facility. From sauerkraut and distinctive jams and organic jellies to gluten- or peanut-free cakes and regional artisanal breads, some of the most flavorful products are being produced with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors or other laboratory ingredients. Nearly all are made in small batches, and usually by the owner. Many source local ingredients or serve special dietary needs largely underserved or ignored by larger food businesses. “In a sharing economy, individ-
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uals look less to big chain stores for their food needs and more to each other, making fresher, tastier and often healthier foods more accessible,” explains Janelle Orsi, co-founder of the Oakland, California, Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), citing its Policies for Shareable Cities report partnered with the nonprofit Shareable. The Specialty Food Association reports that sales of specialty foods— primarily at grocery retailers, but also cottage operators via farmers’ markets and direct orders when allowed by their state—grew 22 percent from 2010 to 2012, topping $85 billion.
Healthy as it Comes
“All of our products are made by hand and in small batches daily,” says Ruth Wardein, co-owner, with Andrew Amick, of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, in Naples, Florida, which she launched
photo courtesy of Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery, Naples, FL
consciouseating
from her home kitchen. Besides gluten-free cookies, cakes and breads, she’s always “perfecting” her Paleo cookies, brownies and pancake mix. Paleo recipes contain no grains, dairy, yeast or refined sugars, explains Wardein. “They require nut and seed flours, coconut oil and natural sugars like honey or maple syrup. So they are naturally higher in protein and fiber and lower in carbs than the average gluten-free recipe.” “We’re experimenting with the community supported agriculture model with local fruit,” says Erin Schneider. She and her husband, Rob McClure, operate Hilltop Community Farm, in LaValle, Wisconsin, which produces value-added products with organically grown crops. “We have salsas, pickles and jams. Our black currant and honey jam is sold before it’s made. Rob’s garlic dills have their own following.” Wisconsin’s cottage food law restricts sales to only high-acid foods.
tor, or community, kitchens nationwide. “We did farmers’ markets for three years and went from seven customers to thousands,” says Wardein, who now rents a commercial kitchen space. “Returning customers are the momentum that has pushed us forward.” “By growing food in and around our own neighborhoods and cities, we decrease our dependence on an oftentimes unjust and ecologically destructive global food system and build stronger, more connected and resilient communities,” affirms Yassi Eskandari-Qajar, director of SELC’s City Policies program. “We think it’s important to produce
what grows well on our soil and then sell it, so that ecology drives economics, rather than vice versa,” says Schneider. “Random things prosper in our area, like paprika peppers, elderberries, hardy kiwi, garlic, pears and currants. It’s our job as ecologically-minded farmers to show how delicious these foods can be.” Lisa Kivirist and John Ivanko are co-authors of the new book Homemade for Sale, a guide for launching a food business from a home kitchen, plus ECOpreneuring, Farmstead Chef and Rural Renaissance. Learn more at HomemadeForSale.com.
Quality over Quantity
In Royal Oaks, California, Garden Variety Cheese owner, cheesemaker and shepherd Rebecca King feeds her 100 milking ewes organically raised, irrigated pasture grass and brewer’s grain to yield award-winning farmstead easier-to-digest sheep cheeses from her Monkeyflower Ranch. “Many first-time customers like my story as a small producer and want to buy direct from the farm. They keep buying because of the taste,” says King. “My marinara and pizza sauces are made in small batches by hand in a home kitchen, enabling us to hot pack them to retain the ingredients’ natural favors,” says Liz James, owner of The Happy Tomato, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her sauces are also low in sodium and contain no sugar, saturated fat or gluten. James’ production is facilitated by Virginia’s home food processor license, which lets her work from home and sell wholesale. Whole Foods Market is among her major retail accounts. When home-based cottage food businesses are spurred into expansion to keep up with demand, a situation sometimes complicated by state limits on sales volume, many opt for renting space in the growing number of incubanatural awakenings
April 2015
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Nature’s Wisdom Its Lessons Inspire, Heal and Sustain Us by Christine MacDonald
The environment is not separate from ourselves; we are inside it and it is inside us; we make it and it makes us. ~ Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, Amazon shaman
W
hile the idea that we humans stand apart from—or even above—nature is a prevailing theme in much of modern civilization, naturalists and other clever souls throughout the ages have observed that the opposite is true: We are part of, depend on and evolve with nature— and we ignore this vital connection at our peril. “If one way is better than another, that you may be sure is nature’s way,” admonished the Greek philosopher Aristotle, in the third century B.C.E. “Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms the judgment of nature,” Roman politician and philosopher Cicero ruminated two centuries later. Nobel Prize-winning physicist and philosopher Albert Einstein remarked, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Today, more of us are looking to nature for ways to improve physical,
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mental and emotional health, develop intelligence, innovate, overhaul how we build homes and neighborhoods, and raise our children.
Healthful Nature
As Henry David Thoreau wrote in his classic 1854 book Walden, “We need the tonic of wildness.” While we know firsthand how walking in the woods can elevate mood, scientists have documented that a regular dose of nature has other far-reaching benefits. It can lower stress hormone levels, blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol; help heal neurological problems; hasten fuller recovery from surgery and heart attacks; increase cancer-fighting white blood cells; and generally aid overall health (Health Promotion International research report; also Nippon Medical School study, Tokyo). Regular playtime outdoors helps
MidlandsHealthyLiving.com
children cope with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders, according to research published in Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Exposure to nature can help adults escape from today’s wired lives; reinvigorate, be fitter and less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as reported in studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a University of Washington research summary. It can also unlock understanding of the spiritual essence of life. Hours regularly spent by youth outdoors stimulate imagination and creativity and enhance cognitive development, helping them learn. Nature also helps youngsters develop social awareness, helping them better navigate human relations (Tinyurl.com/OutdoorHealthBenefits Research). “It’s strange and kind of sad that we are so removed from nature that we actually have to ask why nature is good for us,” says Dr. Eva Selhub, a lecturer at Harvard Medical School, author of the new book Your Health Destiny, and co-author of Your Brain on Nature. “The fact is our brains and bodies are wired in concert with nature.” Recognition of nature’s positive effects has grown so much in recent years that physicians increasingly write their patients “prescriptions” to go hiking in the woods, counting on the healthy exercise and exposure to sunlight, nature and soothing views to address health problems stemming from poor diets and sedentary lifestyles. Healthcare clinics and hospitals in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, Indianapolis, Albuquerque, New Mexico, California’s Bay Area and elsewhere have launched Prescription Trails programs aimed at objectives from preventing obesity in children to healthful activities for retirees (Tinyurl.com/AmericanHealthTrails). Bestselling author Richard Louv calls the positive nature effect “vitamin N” in The Nature Principle. He contends: “Many of us, without having a name for it, are using the nature tonic. We are, in essence, self-medicating
with an inexpensive and unusually convenient drug substitute.” Such ideas are commonly accepted in many cultures. The Japanese believe in the restorative power of shinrin-yoku, which could be translated as “forest medicine” or “forest bathing”. Indigenous peoples like the Brazilian tribe led by Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, fighting to preserve their land and way of life in the Amazon, profess to be at one with the innate riches of sustainable rainforests (SurvivalInternational.org/parks).
Innovative Nature
Scientists, inventors and other innovators are increasingly inspired by nature. Biomimicry, part social movement and part burgeoning industry, looks to how Earth’s natural systems work and solve problems. University of Utah researchers, inspired by the durable homes built by sandcastle worms, are creating a synthetic glue that one day could help repair fractured bones. Architectural components manufacturer Panelite makes energy-efficient insulated glass by mimicking the hexagonal structure that bees use in honeycombs. (Find other precedents at Tinyurl.com/ BiomimicryCaseExamples). The inspiration for biomimicry comes from many places, says Dayna Baumeister, Ph.D. co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8, a Missoula, Montana, company working with other companies and universities to propel biomimicry into the mainstream. “People are recognizing that they’ve been disconnected to the natural world,” she says. “We also realize that [as a species] we are in trouble. We don’t have all the answers, but we can look to other species for inspiration” for clearing pollutants from our bodies and environments. Plants and fungi are now commonly used to clean up old industrial sites that resemble nature’s way of removing pollutants from water and soil. A University of California, Berkeley, meta-study confirms that farmers currently using organic farming methods and solar power achieve roughly the same crop yields as conventional techniques with far less dependence on fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse natural awakenings
April 2015
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Man is everywhere a disturbing agent. Wherever he plants his foot, the harmonies of nature are turned to discord. The proportions and accommodations that ensured the stability of existing arrangements are overthrown. Of all organic beings, man alone is to be regarded as essentially a destructive power. ~George Perkins Marsh, Man and Nature (1864) gases and petrochemical pesticide and fertilizer pollution.
Cyclical Nature
These breakthrough technologies emulate the way nature uses the building blocks of life in an endless cycle of birth, reproduction, decay and rebirth. It’s part of a broad rethinking of the principles behind sustainability— building, manufacturing and living in greater harmony with natural systems, perhaps eventually eliminating landfills, air and water pollution, and toxic site cleanups. “A toxin is a material in the wrong place,” says architect William McDonough, of Charlottesville, Virginia. The only individual recipient of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, he is co-author of Cradle-to-Cradle, a groundbreaking book that calls for re-envisioning even the nastiest waste, and The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability—Designing for Abundance. McDonough imagines a world where waste becomes raw material for new buildings, furniture and other goods—akin to how a forest reuses every deceased tree and animal to nourish the ecosystem and spawn new life. With 80 percent of U.S. residents currently living in urban areas, architects, builders and municipal planners are likewise pivoting toward nature, prompted by the scientific evidence of the many ways that human health and general well-being rely upon it. While this contact is preferably the kind of “stopping by woods” that inspired New England poet Robert Frost, even a walk in a city park will work. “Urban nature, when provided as parks and walkways and incorporated into building design, provides calm-
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ing and inspiring environments and encourages learning, inquisitiveness and alertness,” reports the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, in Green Cities: Good Health. The American Planning Association stresses the importance of integrating green space into urban neighborhoods. Not only does so-called “metro nature” improve air and water quality and reduce urban heat island effects, urban wilds such as Pittsburgh’s Nine Mile Run and Charlotte, North Carolina’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway also restore natural connections in densely populated city centers.
Natural Intelligence
A growing number of scientists say that research about our place in nature has sparked fresh thinking about our role and devastated quaint notions about our species’ superiority. “Single-celled slime molds solve mazes. Brainless plants make correct decisions and bees with brains the size of pinheads handle abstract concepts,” points out Anthropologist Jeremy Narby, author of the groundbreaking book Intelligence in Nature. At a national conference of Bioneers, an organization based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco that gathers nature-minded social and scientific innovators, Narby said: “We are nearly identical to many animals. Many behaviors once thought to be exclusively human are shared by other species. The zone of the specifically human, as determined by science, has been shrinking.” We haven’t lost the ability to tap that primal animal inside, even if most of us are more likely to “venture into the forest” by watching a movie or playing video games. We may feel cut off from our instincts, but studies show
Scientific studies show that a regular dose of nature has far-reaching health benefits. More doctors now write “nature” prescriptions for their patients. time in the woods can do wonders to restore the keenness of our senses to connect with the subtle changes in natural habitat, the movements of other species and the changing seasons. The rise of human civilizations may have taken “survival of the fittest” in new directions, often decidedly tamer ones, but experts ranging from scientific researchers to lifestyle analysts say humankind is still hardwired by our more primitive past. Despite the ingenious ways we’ve devised to exploit other life forms, capitalize on Earth’s resources and protect ourselves from nature’s sometimes terrifying power, our fate remains linked to natural laws and limits, from nurturing our body’s immune system to resolving planet-sized problems like climate change. “‘Nature’ is our natural environment,” according to Selhub. We don’t have to move to the country to reconnect, she says. “Even spending 20 minutes a day outside has an effect.” Houseplants, nature photos and aromatherapy Earth scents can also help indoor environments better reflect our own nature. The wealth of research and common sense wisdom is aptly summed up by celebrated author Wendell Berry in The Long-Legged House. “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it’ll be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” Christine MacDonald is a freelance journalist in Washington, D.C., whose specialties include health and science. Visit ChristineMacDonald.info.
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natural awakenings
April 2015
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inspiration
Strong Winds Strong Roots
What Trees Teach Us About Life by Dennis Merritt Jones
A
great experiment in the desert called the biodome created a living environment for human, plant and animal life. A huge glass dome was constructed to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits and vegetables, as well as humans. People lived in the biodome, for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller. Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences? We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When they do, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm? We can learn a great deal from nature’s wisdom at work if we are open to the lesson. Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow. Such experiences develop our character and deepen our spiritual roots. When we grow deep, we too, stand tall. Dennis Merritt Jones, D.D., is the author of Your Re-Defining Moments, The Art of Uncertainty and The Art of Being, the source of this essay. He has contributed to the human potential movement and field of spirituality as a minister, teacher, coach and lecturer for 30 years. Learn more at DennisMerrittJones.com.
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healthspotlight
Vitamin D
and Immune Function by William J. Weirs, M.D.
O
ver 3,200 studies concerning vitamin D have been published over the last 10 years alone. The interesting thing is that vitamin D is not even a vitamin but rather a hormone with many important functions. Ty Vincent, M.D., discussing vitamin D and immune function, was one of many excellent lecturers at the recent annual American Academy of Environmental Medicine Conference. Some important points are summarized here. It is well accepted among medical experts that being deficient in vitamin D increases our risk of certain cancers, hypertension, allergies, asthma, osteoporosis and many autoimmune conditions. Deficiency is usually defined as a serum level below 30 ng/ mL. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is not at all uncommon. Vitamin D is known to be very important for proper tissue integrity and an important regulator of barrier function. It also increases the production and regulation of T regulatory white blood cells, which play a critical role in directing the immune response away from certain antigens. Thereby, vitamin D regulates “tolerance” within the immune system function and is critical for protection against allergy and autoimmune conditions. Vitamin D also regulates the production of cathelicidin and defensin—two proteins that play an important role in the immune system response against bacteria, fungi and viruses. Vitamin D is critical to keeping the immune system on the right track. So how much vitamin D do we need to take? The answer depends on a few things and points out one of the principles of environmental medicine—the concept of biochemical individuality. In other words, we are all genetically unique.
SUN
Ideally, we would each get just the right amount of sun exposure to generate vitamin D while not too much to increase the risk of skin cancer. In perfect conditions, it is estimated that between 10 to 15 minutes of direct sun exposure on unprotected skin over 35 percent of body surface produces around 20,000 IU of vitamin D. Even more fascinating is the fact that there is a mechanism that prevents our body from making too much vitamin D with sun exposure. We make the amount needed, then it “shuts off.” This mechanism depends on genetics, location on the globe, the time of year and amount of exposure.
SUPPLEMENTS
Many of us may need to resort to supplementation. The recommended dosage is the amount required to get our serum D3 level between 50 to 80 ng/mL. In some cases, it is recommended shooting for a higher number of around 100 ng/ mL, but for general health benefits most studies suggest levels around 50 to 70 ng/mL are optimal. The only way to know how much is required is through a standard vitamin D level blood test. The general recommendation for everyone living in the U.S. is to supplement with an amount of vitamin D3 to maintain serum levels between 50 to 80 ng/mL through fall, winter and spring. Most adults do best with a 5,000 IU daily dose. However, there are patients that only need 2,000 IU daily to achieve optimal levels and other patients that need more than 15,000 IU daily just to stay in normal serum range. That is why it is always recommended that adults supplement with a dose they are comfortable with for a month or two, then have their level checked. It only takes a few measurements to figure out an individual’s required dose. William J. Weirs, M.D., FAAEM, is a physician at the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine. For more information on vitamin D testing and immune function, visit online at COEM.com or call 843-572-1600. See ad, page 2.
DIET
An important source of vitamin D is through certain foods, especially fish and dairy. One website (WHFoods.org) lists the following important sources of vitamin D: salmon, sardines, tuna, cow milk, eggs, and even shiitake mushrooms. Clinical experience has shown that most people do not meet their vitamin D requirement with diet. However, diet should be taken into consideration when trying to estimate an appropriate vitamin D supplementation dose. natural awakenings
April 2015
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photo courtesy of Jean Maclean
naturalpet
Dogs with Library Cards Kids Love Reading to Animals by Sandra Murphy
The goal of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ), launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1999 as part of Intermountain Therapy Animals, is to improve children’s literacy skills with the mentoring help of certified therapy teams. Its reach has spread through library programs across the U.S. and Canada and internationally, with other therapy groups following suit.
D
“
octors told the parents of an 11-year-old autistic son that he would never read… so quit trying to teach him,” says Suzanne Vening, an organic farmer in Jackson, Mississippi. “The doctor didn’t count on Adam, my Australian shepherd.” Abused and abandoned before being adopted by Vening, she had trained him for therapy work. Vening knew nothing about autistic or learning-disabled children, but she knew Adam could work miracles. The boy made eye contact with Adam during his library visit and read a few words. His parents were overjoyed as his reading continued to improve. “It’s hard to include children with special needs in many family activities,” Vening says. “A library is a place the
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National Library Week, April 12 to 18, celebrates the program Unlimited Possiblities @ Your Library whole family can enjoy.” She advises, “Designate a safe corner where a child can escape if feeling overwhelmed. After entering the room, handlers should sit on the floor with the dog lying beside them. A standing dog can cause too much excitement. It’s important to trust that your therapy dog will know how to approach a child that’s afraid, has tremors or can’t sit up or sit still.” “An animal’s heartbeat seems to call to kids,” observes Rachael Barrera, a children’s librarian at Brook Hollow Public Library, in San Antonio, Texas. “Dogs have come here once a week for more than a year. Now older kids that are comfortable with the reading program are showing younger ones how to choose a book.” At California’s Benicia Public Library, kids read to Honey, a friendly brown dog, on Wednesday afternoons. Sheila Jordan, managing editor and owner of Booklandia, founded in Bend, Oregon, says her 8-year-old, Chase, found it difficult to concentrate because of ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). “The Tales and Tails program was a big help. All summer, we went every week and chose books he said the dog would love.” Jordan’s reward was a more focused child; Chase’s reward was a dog of his own last fall. North Carolina’s Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers 14,000 free programs a year throughout its 20 locations, including Paws to Read. Librarian Cathy Cartledge, reading program coordinator for the Morrison Regional branch, shares this story from Jaylee’s mom, Jill.
“Jaylee was tutored in reading for a year. After she also began reading to Zoey, a great Pyrenees, or Hunter, a golden retriever, I saw improvement in fluency, confidence and enjoyment. It worked miracles compared with the hours and money spent for tutoring,” her mom remarks. The Mount Prospect Library, near Chicago, has an age requirement for its Tales to Tails program. “Rachael, 8, will hardly put a book down now,” says her mom, Nicole Sasanuma, a senior associate with Business Communications & Advocacy, in Northbrook, Illinois. “Her sister, Emi, 6, is anxious for her next birthday so she ‘can read to doggies,’ too.” Reading programs aren’t limited to libraries or schools. Jean Maclean, of Lompoc, California, trains her two dogs in agility and rally skills. For a change of pace, they visit the Chumash Learning Center, in Santa Ynez, once a month. The Chumash people value education from both its elders and teachers outside the tribe. Maclean relates that Donny, age 11, was afraid of dogs until he met hers, after which his teachers saw his reading improve three levels in one semester. Animals help kids relax and become teachers to the dogs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have found that reading skills for kids that read to dogs during a 10-week literacy program improved by 12 percent. Children in the same program that didn’t do the same showed no improvement. Dogs and other pets prove that reading out loud doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes is a good book and a good listener. Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.
natural awakenings
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wisewords
Healing Journeys
Paul Stutzman Finds Universal Truths on His Treks by Randy Kambic
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aul Stutzman was a successful executive with a family restaurant chain and a happy father and husband married for more than 30 years when his wife, Mary, passed away from breast cancer in 2006. Questioning his faith as to why this happened, Stutzman quit his job to hike the 2,168mile Appalachian Trail (AT), advising everyone he encountered, “Don’t take spouses and families for granted.” His book, Hiking Through, recounts this extreme adventure and relates his subsequent thoughts about grief, healing and life. Stutzman chronicled his second journey, a 5,000-mile-plus cross-country trek, in Biking Across America. This time, he perceived a “noble, yet humble America that still exists and inspires.” More recently, the author has turned to fiction with The Wanderers and Wandering Home, both enriched with reflections upon the values of his Amish Mennonite upbringing and marriage.
What kept you going?
BEST SUMMER EVER! Friendship
Early on, I realized how soothing nature was to my grieving soul. Still, there
Accomplishment Belonging
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were times it would have been easy to abandon my journeys and head for the safety of home. The desire to discover if my life held any meaning after such a great loss kept me moving forward. I kept telling myself on both journeys, “If my wife can fight cancer for four years, I can overcome any obstacle I encounter.” I was determined to write about what I was being taught by nature. I also believed books written by and about someone seeking solace via an incomplete pilgrimage would be cheating the reader.
What do such journeys teach about nature and our response to experiencing it? I find comfort in nature. I believe the beautiful streams and waterfalls, the grand views from mountaintops and the wildlife were all created for our enjoyment. When we absorb this beauty and wonderment, the stresses in life slowly melt away. Granted, not everyone will be able to do what I did; however, a stroll through a local park, along a beach or in a flower garden can have similar effects.
Did these extended physical endeavors make mental demands that catalyzed unexpected self-growth? Treks like these into the unknown are physically demanding. With time and effort, one’s body gets into shape for extended hiking and biking. The mental hurdle must be crossed next. You’ll miss home and loved ones. Loneliness will set in. This is where you discover who the real you is. Are you tenacious enough to push through the desire to abandon the pilgrimage or will you succumb to the allure of comfort and safety? On my journeys, I had to make difficult choices. There is a saying that applies to folks planning to hike the AT end-to-end through 14 states: “If hiking the entire Appalachian Trail isn’t the most important thing in your life, you won’t accomplish it.” My daughter gave birth to my grandson while I was hiking. Although she asked that I come home for the event, I declined. I kept on hiking because I knew I wouldn’t return to the trail if I went home. I’d spent my lifetime trying to do the right things for my three children, but now had to do what was right for me.
What did you learn about Americans along the way? I discovered that most Americans are kind, law-abiding citizens. Most are still willing to help a stranger in need. Unfortunately, I feel we focus too much time and energy on the minority of malcontents.
How have these experiences informed your creative process? America is a great country. The beauty I’ve witnessed from a bicycle seat and on two feet hiking the mountains is a continual source of inspiration. Many folks are unable to do what I do. My ongoing desire is to describe the images imprinted in my mind in such a way that others can feel as if they are there walking with me. For more information, visit PaulStutzman.com. Randy Kambic is an Estero, FL, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Natural Awakenings. natural awakenings
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EARTH IN PERIL Children Confront Climate Change by Avery Mack
We only have one home. If we mess this one up, where do we go next? ~Hippocrates, age 8 driving the global heat index. Nine of the 10 hottest years have occurred since 2000. The odds of this taking place randomly are about 650 million to 1, especially without an El Nino influence, according to University of South Carolina statistician John Grego. “The globe is warmer than it has been in the last 100 years,” says climate scientist Jennifer Francis, Ph.D., of Rutgers University, in New Jersey. “Any wisps of doubt that human activities are at fault are now gone with the wind.” “We do more damage to the planet than we think.” ~Peri, age 9
At Sea
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his month, Home Box Office (HBO), in collaboration with New York City’s American Museum of Natural History, will air the new documentary, Saving My Tomorrow. Scientists representing the museum discuss how temperature change affects life on Planet Earth, but the majority of voices are those of children. Their words cry out for universal action to prevent them from inheriting what they believe is a dying planet in desperate need of healing.
“We need to know the truth, because adults clearly aren’t doing enough to stop this.” ~Zoe, age 12
In the Atmosphere
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA recently announced that last year was the hottest in 135 years of recordkeeping, with rising ocean temperatures
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In the same 100 years, sea levels have risen seven inches, mostly due to expansion as the water warms. “We have over 2 million preserved fish in our collection. We study them to see the effect of temperature change,” says Melanie Stiassny, Ph.D., curator of ichthyology at the museum. “The mummichog fish is less than an inch long. It’s a bottom feeder and that’s where pollution like mercury lies. When the water is warm, fish eat more and mercury is stored in their bodies.” The contaminants move up the food chain, bringing the effects of pollution to our dinner table. A 2006 study by Nicola Beaumont, Ph.D., with the Plymouth Marine Laboratory UK, found that 29 percent of the oceans’ edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90 percent in the past 100 years. The international team of ecologists and economists led by Boris Worm, Ph.D., of Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, predict total saltwater fish extinction by 2048 due to overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change. Rising ocean acidity due to absorption of increasing carbon dioxide and other emissions from burning fossil fuels impacts creatures large and small, like dissolving the shell of the tiny sea butterfly, a vital link in the ocean’s food chain. Americans currently consume 4.5 billion pounds of seafood each year.
“Each species was put here for a reason. We are the caretakers.” ~a youth at a climate rally
On Land
Scientists look back to look ahead. Henry David Thoreau fell in love with the wilderness around Concord, Massachusetts, 160 years ago. From his renowned journals, scientists know when flowers like the pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule), bird’sfoot violets (Viola pedata) or golden ragworts (Packera aurea) used to bloom. Today, with temperatures six degrees Fahrenheit warmer than in Thoreau’s time, these species now bloom two weeks earlier. The Canada lily (Lilium canadense), plentiful before, is now rare, unable to adapt to the new reality. Paul Sweet, collections manager of the museum’s ornithology department, studies “skins” (stuffed birds). He says, “The skins show us how birds lived years ago.” In just the past 100 years, bird species that have gone extinct range from the ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) to the once-abundant passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and Carolina parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). In Colorado, 70 percent of the lodgepole pines have been lost, with pines in other states also in trouble. Pine beetles feed on the pines. Historically, winter brings death to both the beetles and weakened trees, which fall to feed a renewed forest. Due to warmer temperatures, the beetles are living longer and migrating to higher altitudes to kill more trees. Forest fires follow the dry timber line.
All Are Needed
Children are more informed now than ever before. Schools offer classes on ecology, the environment, global warming and climate change. Disasters are instant news, constantly streaming through digital media. Kids are aware that they need adults to work with them to keep Earth habitable. “I don’t have time to grow up before becoming an activist.” ~Ta’Kaiya, age 12 “Get your parents involved.” ~Teakahla, age 11 HBO will air all four parts of Saving My Tomorrow starting Apr. 22. Check local listings—and watch as a family. See Tinyurl.com/SavingMyTomorrow.
Forward Good Change Today 4 Reuse more, buy less. Less trash equals less pollution. 4 Bike or walk, instead of driving. Don’t use the car at least one day a week. Less use of fossil fuels equals less drilling, fracking and oil spills. 4 Substitute a planet-healing activity for the usual after school program. Replace lawns with native plants, which need less water and no mowing. Email manufacturers to urge them to use less packaging and plastic, auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars, grocery stores to carry more locally sourced foods and ban plastic bags, and government agencies to improve pollution control measures. 4 When eating meat, make sure the animals were humanely and locally raised, not factory farmed. 4 For fish, factory farmed is preferred when farmers are vetted by watchdog agencies for being devoid of disease, pollution and heavy metals; clean fish are especially rare among international providers. Learn more at Tinyurl.com/ SustainableFishFarming. 4 Support wildlife. Help hatchling sea turtles make their way to the sea. Predators and man are the biggest threats—only one in 1,000 hatchlings reach adulthood. Plant milkweed to feed monarch butterflies. Use natural insect repellants like basil or marigolds instead of killer sprays. 4 Speak out and speak up. Search c2es.org/science-impacts/basics/kids for event ideas and resources.
You might be the one to change the world. ~Max, age 9
Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@ mindspring.com.
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fitbody
MASTERING THE FORCE
The Martial Arts Hold Deep Inner Lessons by Eric Stevens
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ew words are as oddly coupled as martial and arts. The first means “relating to war and soldiers,” while the second means “something that is created with imagination and skill, and is beautiful or expresses important ideas or feelings.” All martial arts represent a paradox of push and pull, yin and yang, external and internal. Their practice represents the blending of our physical lives in harmony with our emotional makeup, allowing our external activity to mirror our internal being. Seldom is the fusion of body, mind and spirit easily achieved with one activity,
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but martial arts are an exception, because they focus equally on internal and external well-being. Here are five key life lessons that martial arts can teach us. Learn how to breathe. True connection with our breath permeates an artist’s realm. A vocalist must reach deep within the diaphragm to sing proficiently and a dancer must learn to time their breath while performing. A martial artist learns to control breath with stillness and speed, like juxtaposing yoga with intense contact sports. Breathing properly makes the practitioner a better martial artist and a healthier one. According to a study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, hypertensive qigong program participants were able to both lower their blood pressure after 10 weeks and increase their oxygen uptake by 20 percent. Avoid conflict by developing character. While it may seem counterintuitive that learning how to fight could avoid conflict, it’s an essential part of martial arts. The philosopher Lao Tzu said the best fighter is never angry. The martial arts are primarily about discipline, heightened awareness and honing an ability to face our own internal conflicts. Several studies
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corroborate that practicing martial arts produces positive behavioral changes. For instance, according to a study published in the Journal of Adolescence, participating students in the martial arts were characterized as being less impulsive and less aggressive. Connect the external (body movement) with the internal (energy movement). The energetic force that catalyzes expressive kicks, punches, blocks and other outward forms is as essential as the movements themselves. In Chinese martial arts, that force is referred to as qi, the life energy that intrinsically unites body, mind and spirit. Be both an artist and athlete. Artistry and athleticism need not be divergent forces. The martial artist combines the grace of a creator and skill of a warrior, and watching a martial arts competition can be as riveting as watching a ballet or sports event. Most of us may not be talented artists or natural athletes, yet all students can learn how to integrate both worlds by blending physicality with stillness and expression through action. Let go of ego, find mental clarity and access the present moment. Jirōkichi Yamada, a master of Japanese kenjutsu, said, “The way of the sword and the way of Zen are identical, for they have the same purpose; that of killing the ego.” The focus of all true martial arts is the process, not the outcome. Whatever the style of execution, preparatory practice and meditative application, they all require the discipline of being purely present. Gaining such clarity requires grappling more with ego than with opponents; the real battle of a martial artist is waged within. Bruce Lee, the film star who revolutionized Western awareness of martial arts and founded jeet kune do, realized that martial arts’ transcendent philosophy gives us many lessons to draw upon. He suggested, “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” Eric Stevens has been a fitness professional and martial arts coach for 15 years. He writes about related topics from Denver, Colorado. Connect at EricChristopherStevens@gmail.com.
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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.
ACCOUNTING Christina A. Boswell, CPA, LLC Quick Books Pro Advisor CBoswell@CABCPASC.com 803-233-9303 • CABCPASC.com
Christina A. Boswell has more than 25 years accounting and bookkeeping experience. Boswell is a member of the SCACPA (SC Association of CPAs) and the AICPA (American Institute for CPAs). Her customized services include general ledger review and adjustments, bank reconciliations, light payroll services, quarterly/ annual payroll tax filings (including preparation of W-2s and 1099s), monthly tax filings and more.
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 23.
AROMATHERAPY GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE
4840 Forest Dr, Ste 15-A, Columbia Trenholm Plaza, in Forest Acres 803-454-7700 • GarnersNaturalLife.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 ad, back page.
BUSINESS COACH/LIFE COACH MATRX COACHING
Suzanne Riley Whyte 803-760-6403 • info@MatrxCoaching.com MatrxCoaching.com
Are you struggling to achieve your professional or personal goals? Success in business and success in life go hand in hand. Locally owned Matrx Coaching is uniquely qualified to enhance your inner strengths and incorporate them into your business and personal life. Customized training, tools and instruction. Call to schedule a free consultation. See ad, page 24.
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CHIROPRACTIC CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER INC.
Dr. Shelly Jones, DC Chiropractic Wellness Center Inc. 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.
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.
OLD MILL CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Eric Nazarenko, DC 711 East Main St, Ste L-2, Lexington 803-808-0711 • Eric@OldMillChiro.com OldMillChiro.com
True health is about wellness, vitality and correcting the cause of symptoms. Old Mill Chiropractic’s goal is to create a happier and healthier community through safe, natural and effective care. Taking the time to listen, we custom-tailor an individualized care plan to achieve your specific goals and needs. We want you to have a wonderful and healthy life. See ad, page 23.
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. See ad, page 31.
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COLON HEALTH SPRING RAIN HYDROTHERAPY
Linda Salyer 120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste H, Columbia 803-361-2620 • LSalyer@ymail.com
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. Special pricing every third week of the month. See ad, page 14.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY CENTER FOR HEALTH INTEGRATION
Pamila Lorentz, MSW, RN, LMBT 6136 Old Bush River Rd, Columbia 803-749-1576 • CenterForHealthIntegration.com
Feeling scattered, disconnected, achy, or fatigued? CHI’s essential touch therapies help to restore, renew and revitalize the wellbeing experience. Services include: Craniosacral therapy, lymphatic drainage, directional healing, sound/vibrational therapies and integrative massage. CHI also offers therapy and young living therapeutic essential oils. See ad, page 33.
DENTIST FOREST DRIVE DENTAL CARE
Dr. Joanna Silver Dover, DMD 5101 Forest Dr, Ste A, 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 12.
The 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 4.
ESSENTIAL OILS doTERRA-CPTG® Essential Oils William Richardson 109 Coots Way, Irmo • 803-665-2943 WRichardson.doterra@gmail.com
Dedicated to sharing, teaching and educating others in the uses and common applications of doTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils. William offers Aromatouch Therapy, extensive knowledge of Reflexology, biological surveys and is available for personal consultations and classes. Call for consultation. See ad, page 15.
ENVIRONMENTAL & FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
Dr. Weirs Lieberman • Dr. Herbert Lieberman 843-572-1600 • COEM.com
Preventative and Personalized Health Care w/more than 75 years of combined medical practice. Board-Certified Environmental, Functional and Integrative Medicine. We get to the root cause of your illness. Allergy Testing. Autoimmune Diseases. Women’s Health. See ad, page 2.
FENG SHUI EASTERN DESIGN AND HOME STAGING LLC
Ivy Ellerby, AFDP, ASP, IAHSP PO Box 84421, Lexington 803-470-4567 • DesignAndHomeStaging.com EasternDesignAndHomeStaging@gmail.com
Ivy Ellerby is a certified Advanced Feng Shui Design Professional with a background in clinical and experimental psychology. She specializes in health and wellness improvement by using proven Feng Shui methods to create a balance of energy flow throughout the home, office or other occupied dwelling. Ellerby is also a nationally accredited home stager. Call today to schedule a consultation! See ad, page 38.
Green Lawn Care THE GREEN CHAOS SOLVED John Childs • Louis Carta 803-569-6177 TheGreenChaosSolved.com
We care for our customers, their lawns and pets while caring for the environment naturally, utilizing organic products, along with all-electric equipment, which is quieter and more earth friendly than gas-powered equipment. Other services include soil testing; weed, disease and insect control; and much more. Call today for a consult. See ad, page 11.
HEALTH/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHING
HEALTH & WELLNESS TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE
KATHY COOPER
Sylvia Saunders Stevens C.O.P.E. Certified Health Coach 803-917-3226 • SylviaS4Health@gmail.com
Certified Holistic Health Coach 803-546-4464 • KathyJCooper.com KathyCooper02@gmail.com
Kathy Cooper is passionate about helping women live a healthy, balanced life. Each health coaching program is personalized to help improve your mind, body and spirit. Kathy offers individual and group health coaching programs, as well as health and nutrition workshops and cooking classes. See ad, page 29.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE
NJ Miler, C.O.P.E. Certified Health Coach 803-750-9695 • GaryNJ4health@gmail.com
Back to Essentials LLC (Complete Health and Wellness Center) Dr. W. Claire Wages DC 1024 Wildewood Center Dr, Ste B Columbia • 803-736-8633 BackToEssentialsllc.com
Our office is a unique Chiropractic office designed to take care of the total body, mind and spirit! We aim to provide the highest quality of care and education, so that you can live life to its optimum and appreciate your body as a unique organism designed to heal itself.
This innovative weight-loss program allows you to eat every two to three hours while losing weight quickly and safely in partnership with a FREE personal health coach from the comfort of your own home. No pills, shots or stimulants are used—just food. Also, this physicianled program has no registration fees, meeting fees, or long-term contracts. See ad, page 10.
Hypnotherapy BLOOM HYPNOSIS CENTER
Elizabeth Leaphart, MEd, NCC 1024 Wildewood Centre Dr, Ste A, Columbia • 803-282-9888 Elizabeth@BloomSC.com BloomSC.com
BEYOND FITNESS WELLNESS SOLUTIONS LLC
Gary and Jennifer Mangum Independent Wellness Consultants & Personal Trainers 803-470-6632 LifeByDesign@BeyondFitnessWellness Solutions.com
We cannot train ourselves out of bad diets. Gary and Jennifer offer a life-changing, super-nutrition program and exercise regimen. Beyond Fitness helps individuals save time by effective coaching through the confusion of it all. Call to get started with a free consultation. See ad, page 17.
Columbia’s Hypnofertility® and Hypnobirth® practice for women, specializing in one of the safest and most effective natural fertility techniques available. Elizabeth offers a peaceful, healing retreat to support your natural or medically assisted conception, pregnancy, birth and afterbirth. These powerful sessions open the connection between what the mind and heart desire and what the body manifests, and empower you with skills for a lifetime. Free in-office consultation. See ad, page 16.
INTEGRATED HEALING
GROWING HEALTHY WITH NEOLIFE Lee & Susan Adams, Nutritional Consultants NeoLifeClub.com/GroHealthy 803-781-4690 • GroHealthy@gmail.com
Looking to lose weight and learn how to keep it off? Want increased energy to do all of the fun activities in life? You can achieve optimal health with the personal guidance from a certified health coach that has been in your shoes. Call Sylvia to get started on creating the best “Rest of Your Life!” See ad, page 10
PHOENIX RISING
Since 1958, families all around the world have counted on NeoLife to provide whole food nutritional products that are based in nature and backed by science. Our core products are essential to creating a foundation for health and wellness. Based on cellular nutrition, these products are aimed at getting your cells healthy and feeding them with key nutrients. See ad, page 7.
Katz Delauney-Leija, MSW, EFT-CC, Psych-K Advanced, Health & Wellness Intuitive, CRA Certified 803-530-6199 • KDelauney@sc.rr.com
Katz integrates her therapy skills, insight, intuition and spiritual guidance to identify emotional issues blocking self-healing. She incorporates her medical intuitive skills with Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA) to identify preclinical health issues impeding holistic wellness physically and emotionally.
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naturaldirectory 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. In-house diagnostic labs and therapies. See ad, page 25.
INTUITIVE READINGS THE SOURCE WITHIN YOU
Rev. Julie E. Bradshaw 803-800-9211 • TheSourceWithinYou.com
Julie Bradshaw specializes in helping people to receive guidance from their Higher Self as well as their guides and angels. She offers spiritual counseling and can assist you with relationship, financial, career and health-related matters.
NATURAL SKIN-CARE PRODUCTS MASSAGE
Leslie A. Boland, LMT
120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste G, Columbia • 803-528-2119 HarmoniousHealing@gmail.com
Leslie’s 10 years’ experience includes Reiki, reflexology, touch for health, crystal therapy and much more. Her integration and use of modalities through unique and personalized-care techniques allow you to understand and interpret the messages that your body communicates, helping to promote balance between the body, mind and spirit. $10 off first visit.
NATURAL PET FOOD WOOF BAKERY
ALL-NATURAL DOG FOODS Janet Clamp • 803-240-4195 Janet.Clamp@gmail.com
Dogs get many of the same illnesses that humans do. If your dog gets urinary tract infections or bladder infections, one of the best ways to treat them is to give a vitamin C capsule twice a day for two/three weeks; then once a day as a preventative method. To determine what milligram, approximately 250 mg for smaller dogs and 500 mg for larger dogs.
OUR LOCAL CATCH
Sustainable Seafood from the Southeast offering fish, shrimp, shellfish & smoked fish. Rosewood Market –Thurs. & Fri., 1 – 6 p.m. Sign up for our E-newsletter at OurLocalCatch.com
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JUST WANNA MELT LLC Misty Rawls • 803-331-0063 Info@JustWannaMelt.com JustWannaMelt.com
A green skin-care company that creates high-quality, all-natural products that are gentle on the skin and the environment. Our ingredients include organic oils, butters, herbs, botanicals, local grains, beeswax and honey. Visit our website for a complete list of retail locations.
Oxygen Therapy
STUDIO O2
801 Gervais St, Downtown Vista Oxygen/Massage/Natural Beauty Services 803-667-9606 • Info@SO2Spa.com
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a natural non-invasive way of giving your body what it needs to recharge and heal faster. Oxygen can aid in faster recovery from injury, migraines, chronic pain and overall detoxification. Call to schedule a consultation to learn how oxygen treatments can help you to live your very best. Re-charge your life! See ad, page 31.
SPIRITUAL SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUP
Contact Steve 803-318-1887 • ECK-SC.org Meetup.com/Columbia-Spiritual-Seekers
Eckankar hosts open discussions (meetups), worship services and more at no charge. All are welcome. Topics include understanding past lives, dreams, coincidences, God’s creative life force, and more. Call ahead: time and date may vary.
STRESS MANAGEMENT YOUR HEALTHY DIVORCE
Coulter Roberson, CDFA 803-261-3537 Facebook.com/YourHealthyDivorce
Follow me on Facebook for tips, strategies and general information to help manage and reduce stress and its affect on the body, mind and spirit during and after your divorce. We have partnered with multiple companies to assist and help guide individuals through uncertain times.
THERMOGRAPHY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH INC.
120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste J, Columbia 803-798-8687 • AboutYourHealthSC.com
About Your Health Inc.’s main focus is health education and health-enhancing services. Including 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 25.
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! We are proud to say that our knowledge allows us to encourage choices that will positively impact the heath and future of our community and environment. See ad, back page.
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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by April 12 (for May issue) and adhere to our guidelines. To submit listings, visit MidlandsHealthyLiving.com. $20 for 30 words each month. ALWAYS CALL AHEAD BEFORE ATTENDING EVENTS TO AVOID LATE CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Dances of Universal Peace–7-9pm–w/Marguerite Frongillo. The dances lift our spirits and open us to awareness of the divine in each other. Free; donations accepted. Near Midtown Mall in Forest Acres, Columbia. Info and directions: Call Frongillo at 803-743-0731 or email her at Mff426@gmail.com.
doTERRA Essential Oils Business Training– 11am-1pm. Free class. Capital City Chiropractic, 1221 Bower Pkwy, Columbia. Info: Call William Richardson at 803-665-2943.
JCC Kite Festival–1:30-4:30pm. Free entry with nonperishable food item donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank & Jewish Family Service. Free kites for the first 50 kids, a food truck rodeo, face-painting, free beverages, contests and prizes. Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-787-2023, JCCColumbia.org, Facebook: JCC Kite Festival.
Basil Days Discount at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price, mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7 Going into the Vortex–7-8:30pm. The Teachings of Abraham, by Victoria Keeton. Donations welcome. 7 Rays Bookstore, 3701 N Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.
THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Basil Days Discount at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price, mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Language of Flowers–3-4:30pm–w/Sonya White. Lesson: The Victorian Language of Flowers. Learn the meaning of the various types of flowers. $25 donation to benefit the JCC/Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation. Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, 306 Flora Dr, Columbia. Info: RSVP Debby at 803-787-2023, ext. 202.
MONDAY, APRIL 20 Growing Healthy Class–6:45-8:45pm. Cellular health—getting to the core of energy, endurance and rapid recovery for longer life and life-long health. Cost: $10. Info and to register: 803-781-4690.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21 Living in the Vortex–7-8:30pm. The Teachings of Abraham, by Victoria Keeton. Donations welcome. 7 Rays Bookstore, 3701 Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.
Intro to doTERRA Essential Oils–7pm. Free class. Capital City Chiropractic, 1221 Bower Pkwy, Columbia. Info: Call William Richardson at 803-665-2943.
Basil Days Discount at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price, mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Craft Show at Harbison Rec Center-8am-2pm. Talented local artisans, crafters and small business owners. Thirty vendors will be present. Free. Harbison Rec Center, 106 Hillpine Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-781-2281.
Natural Solutions with doTERRA Essential Oils–7pm. Free class. Capital City Chiropractic, 1221 Bower Pkwy, Columbia. Info: Call William Richardson at 803-665-2943.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12 Beyond Fitness Nutrition Program–3-5pm. Personal trainers Gary and Jennifer Mangum will discuss how to use The Best Nutrition Program with exercise for optimal change. Cost: Free. Hampton Inn, 601 Columbia Ave, Lexington. Info: 803-470-6632.
MONDAY, APRIL 13 Kangen Health & Hydration Presentation–6pm. Is what you’re drinking making you sick? Come learn about the benefits of restructured water. The Pentecostals of Columbia, 6911 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-404-1378, KangenGann.com.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 Basil Days Discount at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price, mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
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MONDAY, APRIL 27 Kangen Health & Hydration Presentation–6pm. Is what you’re drinking making you sick? Come learn about the benefits of restructured water. The Pentecostals of Columbia, 6911 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-404-1378, KangenGann.com. Basil Days Discount at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price, mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
plan ahead FRIDAY, MAY 1 Dances of Universal Peace–7-9pm–w/Marguerite Frongillo. The dances lift our spirits and open us to awareness of the divine in each other. Free; donations accepted. Near Midtown Mall in Forest Acres, Columbia. Info and directions: Call Frongillo at 803-743-0731 or email her at Mff426@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, MAY 21 Growing Healthy Class–6:45-8:45pm. Digestion, the whole journey—excellent nutrition and real health start in the gut. Cost: $10. Info and to register: 803-781-4690.
ongoingevents sunday
monday
Eckankar Spiritual Discussions and Community HU–10am. Free. Every 2nd Sunday. An esoteric approach to God realization without dogma or judgment. 7 Oaks 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.
Gentle Hatha Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Delores Pluto. $8 drop-in, $40 for 6-class pass. Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-606-9974, DPluto@Bellsouth.net.
YogaFit© Basic Stretch & Flow–2pm–w/Jane Mergle. Every Sunday for 6 weeks. The YogaFit© program begins with hatha yoga, a classic yoga style. Cost $10 per class or $50 for 6 classes. The Balance Institute, 1905 Sunset Blvd, Ste C, W Columbia. Info: Call Mergle at 803-360-2361 or visit TheBalanceInstitute.com.
MidlandsHealthyLiving.com
Wellness Opportunity Meeting–6:30-7:30pm. 1st & 3rd Mondays. Attendees will learn how to take control of their personal health. Our simple proven products are changing lives now. Free. 3924 Forest Dr, Ste 1, Columbia. To register, call Coulter at 803790-2674, or Kristina at 803-553-9326.
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tuesday
wednesday
Discover the World of Essential Oils–6:30pm–w/ Sonia Mendez. Free class. Every 2nd Tuesday. Lexington Spinal Care, 524 Columbia Ave, Lexington. Info: Call Mendez at 803-556-5483, email her at Sonia@SoniaMendez.com or visit SoniaMendez.com.
Biergarten at Gardener’s Outpost–5:30-7:30pm. Every 1st Wednesday of the month. Live entertainment and refreshments. Browse Biergarten’s unique garden gifts. Gardener’s Outpost, 709 Woodrow St, Columbia. Info: 803-252-0041, GardenersOutpost.com.
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation–6:30-8pm–w/ Anahata Musick. Life-changing yoga exercise, breathing, meditation, mantra. Cost $96/8 classes. Frontier Movement, 2730 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info: 803-765-2159, YogaAndWellness.com.
Stretch and Relax Hatha Yoga–4:30-5:30pm–w/ Anahata Musick. Need help with pain management and mobility? Unwind with breathing, transcendent stretch and gentle waves of the gong sound. Cost $15 drop-in. Frontier Movement, 2730 Millwood Ave, Columbia. Info: 803-7652159, YogaAndWellness.com.
New Patient Community Acupuncture–11am-2pm–w/Noemi Wilson, licensed acupuncturist. 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Cost: $10 initial paperwork fee plus $20-$40 sliding scale for treatment. New patients schedule by calling 803-732-6635. Info: IrmoChiropractic.com, click on the “Acupuncture” tab. Clinic located inside of Irmo Family Chiropractic, 1032-A Kinley Rd, Irmo. Prenatal Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Channing, RYT200. Open to all students. Prepare the mind and body for labor and more. Cost: 1st class free, $10-$14/ class packages. Expecting Well, 514-A Gervais St, Columbia. Info: 803-661-8452, ExpectingWell.com. Seidokan Aikido of SC–6:30-8:30pm on Tuesdays & Thursdays and 9-11am on Saturdays. Cost: Monthly $40/adult; $30/students; $20/children. The Balance Institute, 1905 Sunset Blvd, Ste C, W Columbia. Info: TheBalanceInstitute.com. Toning for Sound Health–10-11:30am. Dress comfortably for easy floor work and bring a yoga mat or towel. $15/class or $70/7 classes. Center for Health Integration, 6136 Old Bush River Rd, Columbia. To register and for info, call Pamila Lorentz at 803-7491576 or visit DirectionalHealing.com.
Character is like a tree
and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ~Abraham Lincoln
Multi-Level Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Robin Pawlina, RN, CYI. She has taught yoga for more than 20 years and creates an environment that allows the student to manage stress with a relaxed and supportive style. Cost: $15/class, $66/6-wk session. About Your Health, 120 Kaminer Way Pkwy, Ste J, Columbia. Info/register: Call Pawlina at 803-926-0895.
thursday Dimensional Dowsing–7:30-9pm–w/Katz Delauney-Leija, MSW. Every Thursday. Learn new energetic skills to apply in your life on a daily basis. Cost: $20. 6 Cupola Ct, Blythewood. Info: 803-5306199, Katz-PhoenixRising.com. doTERRA Essential Oils Class–6pm. Learn about doTERRA essential oils. Free class. Old Mill Chiropractic, 711 East Main St, Ste L2, Lexington. Info: Call Andrea Nazarenko at 803-808-0711 or visit OldMillChiro.com. Group Directional Healing–6-7pm. Every 1st Thursday. A systematic, multidimensional approach to healing the physical and inner bodies through vibration. Must preregister to confirm; space is limited. $15 fee. Center for Health Integration, 6136 Old Bush River Rd, Columbia. To register and for info, call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576 or visit DirectionalHealing.com Gentle Hatha Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Delores Pluto. $8 drop-in, $40 for 6-class pass. Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd, Columbia. Info: 803-606-9974, DPluto@Bellsouth.net. Prenatal Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Rachel Hall, MD, RYT-200. Open to all students. Prepare mind and body for labor and more. Cost: 1st class free, $10-$14/ class packages. Expecting Well, 514-A Gervais St, Columbia. Info: 803-661-8452, ExpectingWell.com. Rosewood Sidewalk Farmers’ Market–4-7pm. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday. Meet your SC growers. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.
saturday Prenatal Yoga–w/Rachel Hall, MD, RYT-200. Prepare mind and body for labor, delivery and welcoming new life. Open to all students. Time varies each week. Cost: 1st class free, $10-$14/class packages. Expecting Well, 514-A Gervais St, Columbia. Info: 803-661-8452, ExpectingWell.com. Tai Chi/Qigong–10:30-11:45am–w/Suzanne Riley Whyte. Open to all; no training necessary. Experience peace through relaxed movement. $10, Lexington Leisure Center, 108 Park Rd, Lexington. Info: 803-760-6403, MatrxCoaching.com.
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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 30 words each month. Additional .50 per word over 30 words. Please include billing contact information. Deadline is the 12th of the month prior. Business Opportunity Spread your wings – Add a Rejuvenation Studio to your existing beauty, fitness, or health/wellness business. Bring in new customers, gain revenue from several sources, and your customers will love it. For more information, call 864-569-8631. Do you know at least three people looking to lose weight? If so, you can create extra income with SBC.Visit a246175.sbcPower.com or call Patricia Johnson at 803-556-7584.
Career Opportunity Columbia Natural Awakenings is seeking a qualified and experienced advertising account specialist to join its Columbia team. Good financial opportunity with incentives and bonuses available. If you are a self-motivated, energetic, independent thinker with great people skills, call today to schedule an interview: 803-233-3693. The Balance Institute is looking for pt/ft practitioners. We’re looking for self-starters, team members, contributors to client health and able to do community service. Email resume to TheBalanceInst@aol.com.
HAIR SALON Locs, twists, naturals and braids, starting at $20. Call Alexis, 803-354-3477.
Room 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.
SERVICES Integrative Health Clinic – Experience multiple modalities at your church or community organization. Call Pamila, 803-749-1576.
Spa Treatment Facials, body wraps, waxing and spray tans. Ciao Bella Spa, 10509 Two Notch Rd, Pontiac, SC. Call Laura at 803-414-4146.
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