Columbia Edition 0916

H E A L T H Y

L I V I N G

H E A L T H Y

feel good • live simply • laugh more

MUSIC as MEDICINE

Music Soothes, Energizes and Heals Us

RELAX AND UNWIND

Restorative Yoga Poses Foster Healing

P L A N E T

FREE

FRACKING WATER Action Needed to Protect U.S. Drinking Water Supplies

Water-Wise

KITCHEN

A Few Small Steps Can Make the Difference

September 2016 | Columbia Edition | MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

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natural awakenings

September 2016

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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 RELAX AND UNWIND

22

Restorative Yoga Poses Foster Healing

by Meredith Montgomery

18 VEGAN LUNCHBOX Plant-Based Choices Provide Midday Boost

by Judith Fertig

22 MUSIC AS MEDICINE

Music Soothes, Energizes and Heals Us

by Kathleen Barnes

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.

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26 RAISING A MUSIC LOVER Kids Thrive to Rhythms of Head and Heart

by Randy Kambic

28 WATER-WISE KITCHEN A Few Small Steps Can Make the Difference

26 30

by Avery Mack

30 THE MODERN SHAMAN Ancient Practices Heal Body and Soul

by Linda Sechrist

32 INSIDE THE CHANT

WITH KRISHNA DAS Kirtan Music Transports Listeners to a Deeper Place

by Robin Fillmore

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7 communitynews 1 2 healthbriefs

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14 globalbriefs

16 fitbody

18 consciouseating

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26 healthykids

28 greenliving 30 healingways 32 wisewords

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36 calendar

37 actionalert 38 classifieds 39 directory

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natural awakenings

September 2016

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letterfrompublisher

Sailing …

“W contact us Owner/Publisher Annette Carter Briggs Writer Odell Williams Senior Editor Sara Gurgen Design & Production Kristina Parella Billy Briggs Stephen Gray-Blancett Advertising Sales Annette Carter Briggs Sustainability/ Development Consultant Aloysius Anderson To contact Natural Awakenings Columbia Edition: PO Box # 2812 Columbia, SC 29202 Phone: 803-233-3693 Cell: 803-309-2101 Fax: 877-412-4905 Email: ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com © 2016 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.

ell, it’s not far down to paradise, at least it’s not for me. And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility. Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see. Believe me.” Happy September, NA readers!

One of this month’s editorial themes is Healing Music, so I offer to you as a personal prelude the opening lyrics to one of my favorite songs, Sailing, by Christopher Cross—timeless, deeply inspirational, soul-stirring and motivational.

Oftentimes, when the issues of life and its perplexing challenges come my way, I pull out my “secret weapon” (music) to protect and defend my personal faith, hope and optimism, from which I draw fresh cups of living water and inspiration every day. Music can do that for me.

What about you? Do you feel that music is an important and strategic ally in your quest to walk in the sunlight of optimism, and as Cross phrased it, “believe” without wavering? There is no doubt that music can be powerful and impactful— the billions of consumer dollars spent each year on CDs, iTune downloads and concerts attest to that fact. Music can lift the heart to soar on wings of exhilaration to climb the highest mountains of despair. Sadly, music can also reinforce negative thoughts, encourage bad or destructive behavior or bring back painful memories and moments we wish to forget. Many of us have come to associate a song, even a good one, with memories that we wish would just “sail away.”

It’s a matter of science, too! Clinical studies have revealed that listening to music can help reduce pain and anxiety, relieve stress, and revitalize one’s psyche and mental health. It has even been used effectively in the treatment of brain injuries and seizures. A 2011 study by researchers from McGill University, in Canada, found that listening to music increases the amount of dopamine produced in the brain—a mood-enhancing chemical.

Music is soup for the soul! Friends, my challenge and mandate to you moving forward in your sailboats of life to traverse the open seas of everyday living can also be found in the chorus of Cross’ iconic song, Sailing. Let’s sing it together: “Sailing takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be. Just a dream and the wind to carry me … soon I will be free.” Live your life between these lines. I wish you well and wellness … in every way. You can and will win … believe me.

Sailing together …

Annette Briggs, Publisher

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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communitynews Exploring the Sound of Healing

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ound healing is a practice that helps restore the balance of energy to the body through the use of human voice, sounds of nature, or instruments that work to reset the calibration of body and mind through frequency resonance. From the most ancient times, sound has been used in prayer, drumming and vocalizing to restore the mind, rejuvenate the body and elevate the spiritual awareness and connectivity.

In a sound healing session, a facilitator (mau) uses tuning forks or other sound frequency or tone-producing instrument sources either directly on the body or in the immediate bio-field around the body to help establish a shift in brainwave patterns, which promotes whole brain restoration, function and general coherence. This process enhances the body’s ability to release stress while helping to bolster the body’s immune system. Today, the use of sound healing for treatment has emerged in many hospitals and cancer treatment centers, and is often an integral part of the recovery process from traumatic brain injury.

Columbia Resilience, with grant funding sourced from the Richland County Discretionary Grant, is sponsoring a free class for women experiencing chronic stress on Tuesday mornings. Please check the Calendar of Events for dates, times and details. Those interested in more information or desiring to schedule an appointment or consultation, should contact healing therapist and owner of Chi Energy Balance, Pamila Lorentz, today!

Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576. Also visit CenterForHealthIntegration.com.

See ad, page 31.

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September 2016

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communitynews

A Knead for Nurturing and Devine Chiropractic

Now Open: The Saluda Shoals Park East Extension

Host Ribbon Cutting

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evine Chiow open for play! The Irmo ropractic Chapin Recreation Comand A Knead for mission (ICRC) celebrated the Nurturing will grand opening of its newest park host a comdevelopment, Saluda Shoals munity ribbon Park’s east extension, last month. cutting on Friday, September 23, The expansion encompasses 126 acres and features a 10-court ten- from noon to 1 p.m. at 2908 Devine Street, in Columnis complex, an additional boat bia. Food and other refreshments will launch, a new entrance off St. Andrews Road, and the Palmetto Health Fields—a six-field multiuse athletic complex with a restroom and concession pavilion. These be served. In addition, those dropping in will have the opportunity to win new amenities provide much-needed space for public recreation and youth and great door prizes, free massages and adult athletics in the Irmo/St. Andrews area. coupons. Both owners—Jenny Sepul “The expansion of Saluda Shoals Park offers much-needed space to accommoveda, of a Knead for Nurturing, and date the growth and the rising needs for fields in our community for youth athletics Dr. Christy Rody, of Devine Chiropracand tournament play,” says Elizabeth B. Taylor, executive director for ICRC. “The tic—are excited about helping Midnew facilities will allow ICRC to offer additional athletic programs for youth, space lands residents find optimal health and for tournament play, and expanded access to the Saluda River for boating and wellness. Both strongly emphasize the outdoor recreational amenities.” importance of providing quality health

Additionally, ICRC expects to open a new park in Chapin off Epting Camp care administered with a caring touch.

Road next spring. The new Chapin park will include a six-field baseball complex, Location: Devine Chiropractic, 2908 eight hard tennis courts, two multiuse fields, a restroom and concession pavilion, Devine St., Columbia. For more informaand a splash pad. ICRC exists to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of the tion, call 803-497-3860. See ad, page 7. district through the development of recreation programs that9/1 promote a lifestyle of SEI-Columbia wellness through physical activities and cultural experiences for all ages. All are 540-1234-NA-NewDirection-PCMT-4x3Col welcome to come and enjoy.

Natural Awakenings

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4.75 x 3.25

For more information, call 803-772-1228 or visit icrc.net. SeePKad, page 17.

8/17

Riverbanks Zoo

Hosts Animal Enrichment Day

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With a career in

Professional Clinical Massage Therapy

Additional programs include: Medical Assisting • Pharmacy Technology Electronic Medical Billing & Coding Specialist

888.212.7728 SoutheasternInstitute.edu Main Campus: Columbia, 1420 Colonial Life Blvd. W. For information on graduation rates, student debt levels, and other disclosures, visit www.SoutheasternInstitute.edu/ConsumerInfo

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ime to go wild! Riverbanks Zoo and Garden invites everyone out on Saturday, September 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to experience wildlife in action during Riverbanks’ annual Animal Enrichment Day. A fall favorite, guests will have an opportunity to see the animals sniff, stomp, pounce and play by way of tempting treats designed to exercise each animal’s mind and body—four-footed health and wellness! Additional details can be found on the Riverbanks website and Facebook page.

Cost: Varies; see website for details.

Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia. For more information, call 803-779-8717 or visit Riverbanks.org.

Palmetto Trail Cleanup Day

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ICRC Hosts Splash and Dash Adventure Race

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he Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission will host its Splash and Dash Adventure Race on Saturday, September 10, from 8 to 10 a.m. Taking place at beautiful Saluda Shoals Park, located at 5605 Bush River Road, in Columbia, event participants will have tons of fun running, paddling and pedaling through the park in teams of two or three. A beginner-friendly but challenging race for all, it will feature the following participation categories: two- and three-person teams and coed (all male or all female).

This teamwork challenge race combines mountain biking (4 miles), trail running (2 miles) and paddling (1 mile).

All distances are approximate; the exact order, distance and route of the events are not revealed until the day of the race.

Teams must complete each section of the course together and cross the finish line as a team! Whether a veteran or a first-time adventure racer, everyone will compete on the same level playing field, enhancing the camaraderie and sportsmanship. Canoes, paddles and life jackets will be provided. All other equipment will be the responsibility of those participating. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Awards for first, second and third place finishes will be presented for each participation category.

n Saturday, September 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Palmetto Pride and Keep the Midlands Beautiful will host their Palmetto Trail Cleanup Day. Participants will assist with litter clean up at Fort Jackson Palmetto Trail Section 3. This part of the trail traverses through McCrady National Guard Center, which is on public land. The Palmetto Trail faces significant environmental danger today from litter and illegal dumpsites. From cigarette butts to bags of household garbage to hazardous waste, trash is dumped along the trail where people think no one is watching. Their deliberate destruction of the Palmetto Trail is both harmful to the environment and a negative impact on tourism and economic development.

Volunteers should meet at the McCrady National Guard/Palmetto Trail parking area, located off of Leesburg Road. All cleanup supplies will be provided. It is recommended that volunteers be at least 12 years of age.

For more information or to volunteer, call 803-758-6034 or 877-725-7733, or visit PalmettoConservation.org or PalmettoPride.org.

The Rosewood Art and Music Festival 2016

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n Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Rosewood Festival will host its Rosewood Art and Music Festival at the Rockaway Athletic Club, located at 2719 Rosewood Drive, in Columbia. A free event, the festival is designed to present a powerful balance of visual and performing arts, featuring some of the best artists in the country, including new and exciting talent for art patrons to explore.

Activities will include visual and performing arts performed on two stages, a kids’ poetry workshop, a juried art session, jugglers, puppets, magicians and much more. Nestled between two well-established and beautiful neighborhoods of Rosewood and Shandon, the event site provides a scenic venue marked by a touch of southern urban charm.

For more information, call 803-608-3057, email Contact@RosewoodFestival.com or visit RosewoodFestival.com.

Cost: $60 per 2-person team; $90 per 3-person team. Military personnel will receive a discount of $5. Include a copy of military ID card with event application to receive the discount. For more information, call 803-772-1228 or 803-731-5208, or visit icrc.net. natural awakenings

September 2016

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communitynews Elite Personal Training Hosts SASS FORCE Classes

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alling all ladies! Elite Personal Training Studio is pleased to announce that it will be offering SASS FORCE, an eight-week intense self-defense conditioning program designed exclusively for women. SASS FORCE, known nationally for the company’s self-defense expertise, developed the course to give women a greater sense of safety and security.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer women in our community a course that will empower them and give them additional confidence,” says Elite Personal Training Studio Owner Tina Wilkerson, CPT, CES. “In fact, the SASS FORCE motto is ‘Outer Peace, Inner Beast!’ which is exactly how we want women to feel.”

The course will be offered in phases, with both afternoon and evening sessions available. No prior training is required. Phase one evening classes are open and in session on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Phase one afternoon classes are scheduled on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. and in session as well. Phase two classes will begin in October. The phase two Tuesday evening classes will start on October 18 and run through December 6. The phase two Wednesday afternoon classes will start on October 19 and run through December 7. Women that desire to feel more confident, secure and ready for life’s “surprises” should call today.

Cost: $200. Location: Elite Personal Training Studio, 1186 Columbia Ave., Ste. 101, Irmo. To register for classes, visit SASSDefense.com. For more information, call Tina Wilkerson, owner of Elite Personal Training Studio, at 803-749-4279 or email her at Tina@ElitePersonalTrainingStudio.com. See ad, page 5.

Have you thought about becoming a Certified Rolfer™?

Register Now for upcoming classes in beautiful Boulder, Colorado: • June 26, 2016 • September 5, 2016 • September 26, 2016

• January 23, 2017 • May 1, 2017 • September 11, 2017

Scholarships & Financial Aid Available for those who qualify • finaid.rolf.org

303-449-5903 • info@rolf.org • www.rolf.org

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Awaken Your Energy, Awaken Your Life!

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atz Delauney-Leija and Julie Bradshaw are now hosting an Awaken Your Energy, Awaken Your Life inspirational class at 7 p.m. every fourth Wednesday of each month.

Delauney-Leija and Bradshaw teach powerful, practical tools and techniques to help align one’s energy in order to create better health, to reach established goals and to have and maintain successful relationships. This group is ideal for those that want to create a more empowering life. Many individuals find themselves avoiding interaction with difficult people, suffering from bouts of depression or worry and becoming anxious for no apparent reason. This life-changing power session can help turn such challenges into success stories. Learn ways to control and manage energy that are fun, easy and have real world application. Discover how to encourage and direct a friendly universe to support the creation of a happy, successful life. Invite angels and ascended masters to assist in transforming physical and emotional trauma. Each session involves learning a specific technique, practicing the technique in a safe environment, and receiving guidance and coaching to gain confidence and success.

Cost: $30. Location: 6 Cupola Ct., Blythewood. For more information, call Katz Delauney-Leija at 803-5306199 or visit bit.do/awakenyourenergy. Join the Awaken Your Energy, Awaken Your Life Facebook group.

See ad, page 16.

kudos

Sustainable Carolina Hosts Sustainability Showcase

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n Friday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the University of South Carolina’s Office of Sustainability will host its third annual Sustainability Showcase in the Russell House Ballroom, located on the university’s campus. Those interested in participating as presenters are encouraged to apply for entry. The popular event provides a great opportunity for students, faculty and community members alike to showcase their respective interdisciplinary projects centered thematically on sustainability. Display presentations will be set up for open viewing, allowing attendees the freedom to walk by, view the submissions and ask questions. As a note, projects do not have to be complete to gain entry—viewable research at any stage is welcome! Presenters must arrive by 10:30 a.m. to allow time for setup. Students unable to arrive by 10:30 a.m. due to scheduled classes must give advance notification.

Cost: Free. Location: USC Russell House Ballroom, 1400 Greene St., Columbia. For more information or to register, email Sustainability@SC.edu or visit SC.edu/green.

S.C. Green Step

Brandon Wilcox, Adrian Martin, Ashley Dove and James Foust.

City Wastewater Team Wins National Water Heroes Award

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School Training Sessions Open

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he S.C. Green Step School program is requiring all new teachers and mentors interested in participating in the program to attend an upcoming training session.

Returning teachers and mentors are encouraged to attend as well to share success stories and receive updates and new project ideas.

There are two open training sessions scheduled for the month of September. One will be held for Lexington County participants on Thursday, September 22, from 4 to 5 p.m., at Pleasant Hill Elementary School, located at 664 Rawl Road, in Lexington. The second training session will be hosted for Richland County participants at Conder Elementary Arts Integrated Magnet School, located at 8040 Hunt Club Road, in Columbia, on Thursday, September 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free. For more information or to register, email Jane.Hiller@sonoco.com.

At Ease Therapeutic Massage Moves to New Location

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ris Durso, LMT, owner of At Ease Therapeutic Massage, is now located at 120 Kaminer Way Parkway, in Columbia—home of About Your Health. Durso received his training as a clinical massage therapist from Midlands Technical College and offers a variety of treatment options to help his clients meet their wellness goals. He is committed to working with his clients to address their specific needs. He believes that thorough and compassionate communication is the key to creating a personalized wellness plan for recovery from chronic injuries, car accidents, stress, body discomfort, or simply to maintain good bodily and emotional health. He offers Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue, offsite and chair massage.

For the month of September, Durso is offering a special: a 50-minute Swedish massage for only $40.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Kris Durso, LMT, owner of At Ease Therapeutic Massage, at 803-599-8282.

our City of Columbia Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant staff members have received the Water Environment Federation’s 2016 Water Heroes Award for responding bravely during Columbia’s historic October 2015 flood.

Ashley Dove, James Foust, Adrian Martin and Brandon Wilcox were recognized for going beyond the call of duty during an emergency situation to protect the public.

Throughout the flooding, staff calmly managed the wastewater that was surging through the 60 million-gallonper-day rated plant. When the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control recommended staff evacuate and shut down the plant, the four placed concern for public well-being and other staff above their own safety and stayed at the plant to maintain the system.

Had the plant been evacuated and shut off, raw sewage would have poured into the river, surrounding neighborhoods and city streets and drastically impacted Columbia’s citizens. Through their actions, regulatory compliance was maintained and no sewage was spilled into the river from the plant.

Kudos to all of you for your heroic acts of selfless dedication!

natural awakenings

September 2016

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healthbriefs

Vegan Diet Benefits Kids’ Heart Health

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esearch from the Cleveland Clinic has found that a plant-based diet could be more effective than even the American Heart Association’s recommended five-food-groups diet for reducing childhood heart disease.

The research, led by Cleveland Clinic pediatrician Michael Macknin, tested 28 obese children between the ages of 9 and 18 that had high cholesterol levels.

For four weeks, 14 of the children ate the American Heart Association diet, while the other half ate a vegan, plant-based diet.

Children on the plant-based diet were found to have significantly lower weight, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol numbers, and improved mid-arm circumference, body mass index and level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

They also had lower levels of insulin and two heart disease markers, myeloperoxidase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein—all indicating improvements in their cardiovascular health.

By comparison, children on the American Heart Association diet saw significantly lower weight, waist circumference, mid-arm circumference and myeloperoxidase levels, indicating enhanced immunity, but did not exhibit the other improvements.

“As the number of obese children with [unhealthy] high cholesterol continues to grow, we need to have effective lifestyle modifications to help them reverse their risk factors for heart disease,” says Macknin. “Cardiovascular disease begins in childhood.

If we can see such significant improvements in a four-week study, imagine the potential for improving long-term health into adulthood if a whole population of children began to eat these diets regularly.”

Black Raspberries Bolster Heart Health

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esearch from Korea University Anam Hospital, in Seoul, South Korea, has found that black raspberries significantly decrease artery stiffness and increase heart-healthy endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), which assist in repairing damaged blood vessels.

The study tested 51 patients that met at least three criteria for metabolic syndrome, including waist circumference measurements, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and/or symptoms of glucose intolerance. The subjects were split into two groups; one received 750 milligrams per day of black raspberry extract for 12 weeks, while the other group received a placebo.

The researchers assessed the radial artery augmentation index, a measure for blood vessel wall stiffness, and values for this measurement decreased by 5 percent in the black raspberry group. The placebo group’s levels increased by 3 percent.

In addition, EPC counts increased in the black raspberry group by 19 microliters, versus a drop of 28 microliters in the placebo group. Black raspberries contain a number of heart-healthy compounds, including phenolic acids, resveratrol, flavonoids and tannins.

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Breast Milk Supports Preemies’ Developing Brains

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Vitamin C-Rich Produce Guards Against Cataracts

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esearch from King’s College, in London, shows that dietary vitamin C reduces the development of cataracts that interfere with vision by obscuring the lens of the eye, keeping light from striking the retina.

The researchers followed 324 pairs of female twins for 10 years.

Food questionnaires were administered to each pair to determine their intake of dietary nutrients. The researchers also examined each of the twins’ eyes for the development of cataracts. The scientists found those that consumed the most foods with vitamin C had fewer cataracts than those that ate foods with less of the vitamin.

These findings did not apply to supplemental vitamin C, helping researchers better understand the superior nature of natural vitamin C. Natural vitamin C contains multiple bioflavonoids, rutin and several co-factors, such as factors J, K and P, tyrosinase and ascorbinogen.

Senior study author and eye surgeon Dr. Chris Hammond says, “The findings could have significant impact, particularly for the aging population, by suggesting that simple dietary changes such as increased intake of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthier diet could help protect them from cataracts.”

study from the Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis, Missouri, has found that premature babies that receive at least 50 percent of their diet from breast milk in their first month have significantly better brain development than babies that consume less breast milk.

The researchers tested 77 infants born an average of 14 weeks before their full nine-month term—referred to as preterm or preemie. The brain scans of the infants were compared with how much breast milk they received while in the natal intensive care unit. Mother’s breast milk was not distinguished from breast milk provided by others.

Senior researcher, physician and child psychiatry professor Cynthia Rogers explains, “With MRI scans, we found that babies fed more breast milk had larger brain volumes. This is important because several other studies have shown a correlation between brain volume and cognitive development.”

Preterm birth has been linked with neurological and psychiatric problems later in life, and the researchers plan to continue to study the children. “We want to see whether this difference in brain size has an effect on any of these developmental milestones,” says Rogers.

MS Patients Improve with High-Tone Electrotherapy

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esearch from Poland’s Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, in Lodz, has determined that a pulsed-frequency electrotherapy treatment can significantly improve the functional abilities of multiple sclerosis patients.

The researchers tested 20 multiple sclerosis patients randomly divided into two groups. For 60 minutes, one group was given the frequency therapy and the other underwent exercise therapy. The frequency therapy group showed improvement in nine of 10 different evaluation tests of each patient.

The patented High Tone Frequency technique was developed by Dr. Hans-Ulrich May, a professor of medical engineering from Germany’s University of Karlsruhe.

natural awakenings

September 2016

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

Lying Labels

New Term Disguises High-Fructose Corn Syrup The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has resorted to creating a new label for high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) by calling it “fructose syrup” or just “fructose” because numerous scientific studies have linked it to obesity, Type 2 diabetes and autism.

HFCS is a highly processed chemical sweetener used in many processed foods, including breads, cookies, candy, condiments and soft drinks. It extends the shelf life of products and is often cheaper than sugar, the primary reasons manufacturers use it.

Standard HFCS contains from 42 to 55 percent fructose. The new term is being used when foods contain HFCS-90, which has “just” 90 percent fructose.

Identifying HFCS-90 as an ingredient bizarrely gives food makers a green light to use statements such as “Contains no high-fructose corn syrup” or “No HFCS” on the product label, thus misleading buyers.

Bart Hoebel, a psychology professor at Princeton University, reports, “When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese; every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don’t see this; they don’t all gain extra weight.”

Source: NaturalNews.com

Kinesthetic Kids New Desks Aid Learning via Movement

photo courtesy of Moving-Minds.com

Educators at Charleston County schools, in South Carolina, know that more movement and exercise makes kids better learners, even as the amount of time devoted to physical education (PE) and recess has been declining sharply in the U.S.

“If you ask anyone in education if they prefer PE or class instruction, they say instruction every time,” says David Spurlock, coordinator of health, wellness and physical education for the Charleston County school district.

“Yet, what we’re trying to show is that more movement equals better grades, behavior and bodies.”

Charles Pinckney Elementary School, in Charleston, employs Active Brains, a program that uses 15 stations through which students rotate during the class. Each station has a unique exercise component such as a mini-basketball hoop or an exercise bike, and is focused on a different academic task such as spelling or math flashcards. This is the first classroom in the U.S. equipped with only kinesthetic desks. The program has been in operation for three years and has a waiting list of students excited to try the new approach.

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Healing Recipe Cooking May Be the Future of Medicine

In 2010, chronic disease accounted for 86 percent of all healthcare spending; four years later, the cost of treating heart disease alone totaled $315.4 billion, including medication and hospital care. At the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine at Tulane University, medical students are learning cooking skills to better advise patients on regaining and maintaining their health through nutrition.

By getting them to approach healthful food preparation with ease and awareness, this next generation of doctors is striving to provide building blocks for long-term health management. “When we see healthier eating, we see more disease prevention and fewer hospital stays, which means less money spent on health care,” says Chef Leah Sarrris, program director.

Since 2012, 20 medical schools have adopted Tulane’s program, including the University of California-Los Angeles Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Illinois-Chicago and University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, in a partnership with the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts.

Students complete eight classes of three hours each, and fourth-year students can choose from seminars that focus on different clinical interests, including nutritional support for those coping with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, diabetes or pregnancy. Students also teach free public cooking classes. This integrative understanding of health care may change the way the medical system operates.

Source: Yes magazine

healthspotlight

The Amazing Benefits of Live Indoor Plants

ners. Adding them to interior spaces increases oxygen levels. Plants, like orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads, serve as great air enhancers.

Plants also emit moisture vapor, releasing roughly 97 percent of the water they take in. By placing them together, one can increase the humidity of a room, which can help to reduce respiratory distress. Studies indicate that the use of indoor plants can also decrease incidences of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs. According to researchers from Kansas State University, recovery rates of surgical patients increase when adding plants to hospital rooms. Patients in rooms with plants request less pain medication, have lower heart rates and blood pressure, experience less fatigue and anxiety, and are released from the hospital sooner than patients in rooms without plants. Additional research has revealed that the presence of plants can lead to reduced stress and anxiety, increased feelings of calm, a marked improvement in mood and increased feelings of optimism.

by Randall Isherwood

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his year, National Indoor Plant Week will be celebrated the week of September 18. And, although many individuals and homeowners do have a general sense of appreciation for the value of indoor live plants as decorative accents and aesthetic enhancers, their amazing beneficial qualities to mind, body and spirit extend far beyond just décor.

As humans, we have been surrounded by plants over the course of our entire existence. They have played an indispensible role in our health and survival, serving as a food and oxygen source, shelter, protection, and even inspiration. An indoor plant brings that same power and beauty present in the natural world from outside to inside

the home. It can add a bit of softness and calm to a room, providing the perfect backdrop for creative and purposeful thinking while “de-cluttering” the mind and spirit. Moreover, certain indoor plants, especially when planted in healthy organic soil, are not only visually stimulating but can also greatly improve indoor air quality by removing VOCs (volatile organic compounds). They do this by transporting the absorbed compounds through their root systems, where soil microorganisms can break them down. Plants remove up to 87 percent of VOC toxins from the air every 24 hours, according to NASA research. VOCs include substances like formaldehyde (present in rugs, vinyl, cigarette smoke and grocery bags) and benzene and trichloroethylene (found in man-made fibers, inks, solvents and paint).

There are other health and wellness benefits. Indoor plants also promote easier breathing. When breathing, the body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This opposite pattern of gas usage makes plants and humans natural and mutually benefiting part-

There is a perfect indoor plant for everyone. Picking one can be much like picking an indoor pet. Plants can grow in all kinds of environments, from soaking wet to arid and dry—depending on the type and personal preference. There is no doubt that a room filled with plants is a different room indeed—one not just appealing to the eye or the topic of good conversation, but one that gives life in more ways than most fully understand.

For more information about the beneficial qualities of indoor plants, call Randall Isherwood, owner of Gardener’s Outpost, at 803-252-0041 or visit GardenersOutpost. com. See ad, page 29.

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fitbody

Relax and Unwind Restorative Yoga Poses Foster Healing

by Meredith Montgomery

I

n classical yoga, teachers often sequence instruction toward reaching a pinnacle pose such as an inversion or arm balance. In restorative yoga, the peak pose is savasana—in which the practitioner fully relaxes while resting flat on their back. Leeann Carey, author of Restorative Yoga Therapy: The Yapana Way to Self-Care and Well-Being, explains, “This passive asana practice turns down the branch of the nervous system that keeps us in fight-or-flight mode and turns up the system allowing us to rest and digest. It feels like a massage for the nervous system and encourages self-inquiry, reflection and change, rather than perfection.”

The physical, mental and spiritual benefits are similar to those of active yoga, but because poses are held longer and supported by props such as bolsters, blankets, belts and blocks, “There’s no stress on the tissue and joints. Each pose gifts us with longer-lasting benefits, including more time for the mind to unwind,” advises Carey.

“Restorative yoga allows both muscles and the brain to recover from fatigue, so we are stronger, sharper and better able to act in the world afterward,” explains Roger Cole, Ph.D., a certified Iyengar yoga teacher in Del Mar, Cali-

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fornia, and a research scientist studying the physiology of relaxation, sleep and biological rhythms. He attests that it also serves as preparation for pranayama (mindful yoga breathing) and meditation, which require a clear, well-rested, focused mind.

Perfect for beginners and used by longtime practitioners to complement other yoga styles, restorative poses are designed to accurately realign and reshape the body. They also can be therapeutically tailored to support natural healing for issues related to tension, premenstrual syndrome, weak immune functioning, back pain, pregnancy and recovery for athletes. “Poses for healing may require targeted gentle stretching, but prop use will coax the body into desired positions without requiring muscular effort,” says Cole.

An early student of B.K.S. Iyengar and familiar with props, San Francisco resident and co-founder of Yoga Journal magazine Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., found herself leading her first class comprised entirely of supported poses during a power blackout at a 1980 workshop. “I didn’t want people walking around in the dark, so I improvised a restorative class and everyone loved it,” she recalls. She revisited the idea

several years later when she personally felt the need for physical, emotional and spiritual restoration.

For a year, 90 percent of her practice was supported poses, and the switch helped her so much that it inspired her first book, Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times. She’s since written more books and trained teachers in restorative yoga around the world.

As in classical yoga, a restorative sequence should be balanced with asanas (positions) from all pose classifications—backbends, twists, inversions and forward bends. It takes time for the body to comfortably settle deeply into a pose—as long as 15 minutes— therefore, a 90-minute restorative class may include only a handful of asanas.

Lasater says, “Most people don’t need more of anything from the culture in which we live. They need much more to learn to be still and at ease.”

In today’s yoga world, which seems to emphasize power and action, “Restorative yoga has become imperative to balance activity and ambition with stillness and being,” she continues.

Lasater notes that while many classes are reducing savasana to as little as three minutes, students need 20 minutes.

Carey clarifies that because this approach focuses on opening and letting go, rather than striving for the biggest stretch, “Sensation-seeking yogis may need to shift their perspective.

The biggest challenge is often quieting the mind while the body is still. When a student is uncomfortable because the mind is screaming, it helps to compare it to having tight hamstrings in an active class. We’re not chasing relaxation; just breathe, feel and watch,” she says.

“Eventually, everything will let go.”

“The more our mind rebels against relaxing, the more we need it,” observes Lasater. Students often turn to yoga as a strategy for feeling whole, and she suggests that one of the best ways to find clarity within is to listen in stillness, one savasana at a time. “It’s a gift to ourself, our family and the world,” she adds. “When we feel rested, we’re more compassionate and ready to serve the greater good.”

Yoga Props 101 Yoga props can help new students maintain alignment and reduce strain while allowing veterans to more deeply explore the intricacies of their practice. Always adjust the dimensions and placement of props to ensure comfort via soft curves in the body instead of sharp angles, especially in the spine.

Body weight must be distributed equally throughout the pose; key places to check for tension are the lower back, abdomen, neck and jaw muscles. Here are some basic tools.

Yoga mats should have a non-skid surface and not exceed three-sixteenths of an inch in thickness. They cushion the body, serve as a blanket or a base for props or can roll up into a bolster.

Blankets and towels pad hard areas and warm the body. Different ways of folding and rolling transform them into many firm and comfortable shapes with wide-ranging applications.

Blocks in various sizes and materials can be laid flat, placed on edge or stood on end. They can add height or length to the body, access core stability and provide leverage. A stack of hardback books or phone books tied together can work in a pinch.

Belts stabilize joints, support inflexible body parts and create traction and space. Typically two inches wide, soft belts with a D-ring locking system are easily adjusted; two soft, wide neckties or scarves tied together are suitable.

Avoid material that cuts into the skin.

Bolsters, typically cylindrical or rectangular cushions, provide good supports that are long-lasting, if sometimes costly. Combining folded blankets and rolled mats may be suitable alternatives.

Walls provide leverage, vertical support and a structure to rest upon. A closed door or large piece of furniture such as a bookcase or refrigerator works; a room corner simultaneously supports both sides of the body.

Chairs are versatile props for any practice and make yoga accessible to those unable to get down onto the floor.

Backless folding chairs are typically used in studios, but any sturdy chair that doesn’t roll is suitable.

Sandbags, strategically positioned, encourage overworked areas to release.

Their weight also provides resistance and stability. Homemade versions can be made by loosely filling a smooth cloth bag with coarse sand, pea gravel or rice. Retail bags of beans, rice or sugar are other options.

Eye pillows block out light during resting poses, can gently weight the forehead or hands or support the back of the neck. Typically made of silk or soft cotton, they’re filled with a mixture of flax seeds or rice and soothing herbs such as lavender, peppermint or chamomile.

Sources: Restorative Yoga Therapy, by Leeann Carey; Relax and Renew,

by Judith Hanson Lasater

Romeo &Juliet Columbia Children’s Theatre Presents

What happens when star-crossed lovers carry cell phones, use iPads and sing 1960’s love songs? This innovative 60-minute version of Shakespeare’s classic was conceived and directed by USC professor Cathy Brookshire. Presented in a modern, accessible fashion, Brookshire’s Romeo and Juliet helps audiences easily grasp the language of Shakespeare.

Thurs., Oct. 6 -Sat., Oct. 8 7:30 p.m., Saluda Shoals Park $10/Per Person

Meredith Montgomery, a registered yoga teacher, publishes Natural Awakenings of Gulf Coast Alabama/Mississippi (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).

803-772-1228 | www.icrc.net NARomeoJulietad.indd 1

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September 2016

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VEGAN LUNCHBOX Plant-Based Choices Provide Midday Boost

by Judith Fertig

W

e all have good intentions to eat more fruits and vegetables, and it’s easier if we start with just one plant-based meal a day— lunch. Natural Awakenings has enlisted the help of vegan lunchbox experts to help us all enjoy easy-to-make and colorful feasts good for home, office, school and on the road.

“Vegan food offers so much variety, especially at lunch,” says Johanna

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Sophia, of Pine Plains, New York, who recently hosted the online series The Raw Lunchbox Summit. “A vegan lunch gives an extra boost in the middle of the day for more brain power, clarity and energy.” She and her two children operate Johanna’s Raw Foods, which makes vegan fast food such as veggie burger bites and carrot crackers, available at health food stores.

Laura Theodore, the vegan chef and recording artist who presents The Jazzy Vegetarian PBS television program, lives and works in the New York City area. After a childhood dominated by bologna sandwiches for lunch, she gradually changed to vegan dishes. “I began to notice a difference when I ate mostly plants,” she says. “I could do more and think better.”

Theodore favors colorful and delicious vegan foods that travel well in a lunchbox with a cold pack, so she can take them to rehearsals or wherever else she goes. She creates her zucchini fettuccine with a vegetable slicer and loves to end a meal with something nat-

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urally sweet, like her maple-raisin-date truffles. Such experimenting in the kitchen led to her newest cookbook, Vegan-Ease: An Easy Guide to Enjoying a Plant-Based Diet.

Brandi Rollins, Ph.D., a researcher at Penn State, in State College, Pennsylvania, found that switching her lunch habits to plant-based dishes made her feel better. The author of Raw Foods on a Budget determined that one of her favorites is a quick raw vegan pizza. She first marinates ingredients for 20 minutes: three medium mushrooms, thinly sliced, with oneand-a-half tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, one tablespoon of olive oil, one minced clove of garlic and a big pinch of Italian herb seasoning. Then she spreads half of a mashed avocado on a four-by-four-inch flax cracker and tops it with the marinated mushrooms, plus chopped tomato, peppers or other favorite options. Rollins advises, “You can pack all of the components individually, and then assemble the pizza at work.”

Health Foods Chef Catherine Blake, in Maui, Hawaii, studied with renowned plant-based nutritional scientist T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. She urges her culinary students to ask, “What can I do to sparkle a little bit more tomorrow?” The author of Healthy Recipes for Friends, answers the question in her online presentation, Cooking for Brain Power, at Tinyurl.com/ChefBlakeBrainPower.

Blake’s favorite brain-power luncheon booster is a wrap with antioxidant-rich fillings, accompanied by homemade almond milk, sunflower seeds or walnuts for vitamin E and some favorite blue berries or purple grapes. She makes fresh almond milk by grinding raw almonds in a nut grinder, and then adding them plus an equal amount of filtered water to a high-speed blender. After processing and straining out the solids, the resulting nut milk is perfect for smoothies.

Changing our diets one meal at a time gives us an opportunity to see if we can feel the difference, as our vegan lunchbox experts have, while we ramp up our taste for healthier eating.

Judith Fertig writes award-winning cookbooks and foodie fiction from Overland Park, KS. Connect at JudithFertig.com.

VEGAN ONCE A DAY Pack a Plant-Based Lunch

Lots of Garlic Hummus Yields: 4 servings Accented with the tangy taste of fresh lemon juice and a bit of heat from the chili powder, this is an easy, readymade sandwich spread for a lunchbox.

1 cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp filtered or spring water, plus more as needed 5 cloves garlic, chopped 2 Tbsp sesame tahini 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ tsp chili powder, plus more for garnish ¼ tsp sea salt

Recipe by Laura Theodore, Vegan-Ease: An Easy Guide to Enjoying a PlantBased Diet

Zucchini Fettuccine with Fresh Tomato Salsa Yields: 4 servings This raw side dish is low in calories, a breeze to prepare and cool fare on

Line a small baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.

Place the dates, raisins, coconut and maple syrup in a high-performance blender and process to the consistency of soft dough. Transfer the date mixture to a medium-sized bowl.

Shave the zucchini lengthwise with a vegetable peeler to make the “noodles”.

Put them in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, basil, oil and garlic. Toss gently until thoroughly combined.

Using a cookie scoop, spoon out a heaping tablespoon of the date mixture and roll it into a ball. Continue until all the dough is in balls.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve immediately.

Put the cocoa powder in a small bowl.

Roll the truffles in the cocoa until coated and place on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Recipe by Laura Theodore, The Jazzy Vegetarian

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, truffles will keep up to three days.

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Add a bit more water if needed to achieve desired consistency.

Transfer the hummus to a decorated bowl and sprinkle the top with a pinch more chili powder to taste for a festive presentation.

Photo by David Kaplan

2 medium zucchini 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped 10 to 14 leaves fresh basil, minced 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 /8 to ¼ tsp sea salt Freshly ground pepper to taste

photo by Warren Jefferson

Photo by David Kaplan

a hot summer day. The zucchini strips look and taste a lot like fresh pasta.

Recipe by Laura Theodore, Vegan-Ease: An Easy Guide to Enjoying a PlantBased Diet

Perfect Purple Smoothie Yields: 2 servings

Maple-Raisin-Date Truffles Yields: 10 to 12 truffles These truffles make an inviting healthy dessert or snack to satisfy a sweet tooth. They’ll impress guests at any dinner party.

9 large Medjool dates, pitted 1 /8 cup raisins ¼ cup raw shredded unsweetened dried coconut 1 Tbsp maple syrup 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

Homemade almond milk is the base and cayenne powder gives it a spicy punch that intensifies the rest of the flavors. Drink one serving for lunch and chill the other for a fast and easy mid-afternoon reviver.

12 oz acai juice 6 oz almond milk 1 Tbsp soy creamer 1 cup fresh or frozen wild blueberries 1 frozen banana ½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries 1 Tbsp whole ground flaxseed meal

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details below

(blueberry variety if available; try Trader Joe’s) 1 cup coconut water ice cubes 1 Tbsp macro greens or other vegan, non-GMO greens powder ½ tsp apple cider vinegar 1 to 3 dashes cayenne powder Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

September 19th - 23rd

Store in two insulated cups and keep chilled until ready to serve.

Photo by Stephen Blancett

-Nutrition Counseling and Supplements -Ionic Footbath Detox -Custom Orthotics -Orthopedic Pillows, Lumbar Supports, etc.

About Your Health

Services & products to help you live a health-full life

Balance for Life

September Special

Swedish Massage 50 Minutes - $40

About Your Health Welcomes

Kris Durso

Owner of At Ease Therapeutic Massage

Green Smoothie 1 cup fresh leafy greens 1 cup water 1/2 cup mango 1/2 cup pineapple 1 banana Use at least one frozen fruit to chill your smoothie.

Tightly pack cup of leafy greens in a measuring cup and then put into blender.

Add water and blend together until all leafy chunks are gone.

Call Kris to make your appointment: 803-599-8282

About Your Health, Inc. 803-798-8687 aboutyourhealthsc.com 20

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Add mango, pineapple and bananas and blend until smooth.

Pour into any cup or jar.

You can substitute any fruit with another fruit.

businessspotlight

Lotus Women’s Lodge:

Simply Serenity

by Odell Williams

M

any women today face highly complex demands and seemingly impossible “to do” lists on a daily basis, both at work and at home, often leaving mothers, wives and businesswomen alike feeling the need to escape to a much-needed space to relax, rejuvenate and re-energize the mind, body and soul.

Finding that ideal place for restoration can be challenging indeed.

Fortunately, there is such a place right here in the Midlands, namely Lotus Women’s Lodge, located at 5436 Mead Court, in Columbia. It serves as a sanctuary of peace and restoration for women that wish to “find” themselves again and be re-energized. Aside from providing a place for meditation, Lotus Women’s Lodge also offers spiritual counseling and group studies on various insightful topics. Private consultations are also available by appointment.

Simple in design yet beautiful, the facility can accommodate up to five guests at a time.

There is also a large rear property meditation space for guests to connect with and enjoy nature. Adjacent to the meditation space is the Beloved Kwan Yin (Goddess of Compassion) Garden— perfect for meditation or contemplation.

All rooms are fully furnished to provide guests with all the amenities needed for their stay. As a note, the facility is currently not handicap accessible. Finding time to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul through rest and meditation is extremely important—particularly for women that “juggle” so many responsibilities. Meditation is relaxation. It is not about concentration; it’s actually about “de-concentration.” How important are relaxation and meditation?

Meditation and relaxation have been shown to lower high blood pressure and lower the levels of blood lactate, which often reduces the frequency of

anxiety attacks. It also can help to decreases tension-related pain, such as headaches, ulcers, insomnia, and muscle and joint problems. In addition, relaxation and meditation re-energize the immune system, increase levels of energy and have been shown to increase serotonin production, which positively affects mood and behavior.

Other great benefits include improved mental clarity, creativity and revived inspiration—all vital for success in today’s results-driven world.

Lotus Women’s Lodge is the perfect place to unwind and recharge for women. The facility’s administration and staff strive, with excellence and great professionalism, to make each stay for the women of Columbia, the greater Midlands and beyond, a life-changing experience marked by new life and vitality. Guests that stay for four or more days will receive a 10 percent discount off the total cost.

For more information, call 803-3065052 or visit LotusWomensLodge.com.

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Music as Medicine Music Soothes, Energizes and Heals Us

by Kathleen Barnes

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s primeval drumbeats echo across an African savannah, the rhythms circle the globe, picked up by the chants and rattles of shamans gracing Amazonian jungles and Siberian tundra. They’re repeated in Gregorian chants filling medieval cathedrals and “om” meditations sounding in Himalayan caves and yoga classes everywhere. They gently echo in the repeated tones of mothers’ lullabies, happy hummings as we go about our day and the melodies of Mozart.

Music is the soundtrack of our lives, whether we’re aware of it or not.

It exists within, uniting and guiding us, and has helped heal body and spirit since the dawn of humanity. National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists recently discovered that the universe itself has a song.

Pioneering Practitioners

From the soothing tones of a harp to the jarring screeches of a construction site, the stress-reducing or stress-producing properties of sound are familiar to us all.

“Stress is an underlying cause of the vast majority of all illnesses, and sound and music are effective in relieving stress and bringing stillness,” says Jonathan Goldman, an internationally recognized pioneer in harmonics and sound healing and director of the Sound Healers Association in Boulder, Colorado.

Through researching his many books, including The 7 Secrets of Sound Healing, Goldman is convinced of the

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profound effect sound has on the human organism. “The simple chanting of the sound ‘om,’ or ‘aum,’ in addition to instilling calmness and relaxation, causes the release of melatonin and nitric oxide. It relaxes blood vessels, releases soothing endorphins, reduces the heart rate and slows breathing,” he explains.

“Sound can change our immune function,” wrote the late Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, former director of medical oncology at New York’s Weill-Cornell Medical College for Complementary and Integrative Medicine in his book The Healing Power of Sound. “After either chanting or listening to certain forms of music, your Interleukin-1 level, an index of your immune system, goes up between 12-anda-half and 15 percent. Further, about 20 minutes after listening to meditative-type music, the immunoglobulin levels in the blood are significantly increased. Even the heart rate and blood pressure are lowered. There’s no part of your body not affected. Its effects even show up on a cellular and sub-cellular level.”

Practical Applications

Consider some of music’s scientifically validated health benefits:

Stress: Singing, whether carrying a tune or not, is a powerful way to combat stress, according to many studies. A recent joint study by German and British researchers published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience confirms that simply listening to soothing music results in significantly lower levels of the stress

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hormone cortisol. The more intense the experience is in singing or playing an instrument, the greater the stress reduction. A collaborative study by several Swedish universities showed that group singing caused participants’ heart rates to synchronize, producing relaxation effects similar to that achieved through group meditation.

Cancer: Gaynor used music to treat even advanced cancer patients for decades, considering it a “disease of disharmony.” He advocated re-harmonizing the body with sound vibrations that affect virtually every cell, especially enhancing immune function and potentially preventing cancer from spreading. Gaynor primarily used crystal bowls to produce deep relaxation and harmonize dysrhythmic cells in patients, but also confirmed the healing effects of certain vibratory tones of drumming and Tibetan metal gongs.

Several studies confirm that listening to any kind of soothing music relieves anxiety in cancer patients; a large study from Philadelphia’s Drexel University confirms that it also relieves pain, lowers blood pressure, improves breathing and minimizes nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Depression: Drumming can better counter depression than the prescription drug Prozac, according to a recent study by England’s Royal College of Music. Those that participated in a weekly drumming group experienced significantly reduced symptoms compared to a control group.

Substance Abuse: University of California, Los Angeles, scientists found that drumming was especially helpful for a group of Native Americans struggling with such issues.

Smartphone Addiction: Korean research found that music therapy is helpful in overcoming this condition.

Immune Dysfunction: The same British study of drumming’s antidepressant effects saw similar improvement in immune function, plus an anti-inflammatory response that continued for at least three months after the study period.

Neuroendocrine Disorders: Researchers at Pennsylvania’s Meadville Medical Center Mind-Body Wellness Group found that drumming effectively helped drummers (skilled and unskilled) suffering from neuroendocrine disorders such as pituitary tumors and intestinal

Nature’s Healing Sounds The calming sounds of rushing water and gentle breezes are well known; science is now confirming the therapeutic effects of singing birds. Belgian researchers confirmed that bird song helps drown out the stressful effects of traffic noise, and Korean scientists found it makes people feel less crowded. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology showed that it can even help regulate participants’ circadian rhythms, contributing to restful sleep and overall wellness. issues caused by disconnections between the endocrine gland and nervous systems. They further confirmed that group drumming reduced stress chemicals such as cortisol in the drummers.

Muscle Tension Dysphonia: Even tuneless humming sounds like “umhum” can have a measurable therapeutic effect on individuals that have lost their voices due to overuse.

Pain: When a group of British citizens suffering from chronic pain joined a choir, a Lancaster University study found they were better able to manage their condition for improved quality of life.

Just listening to harp music for 20 minutes decreased anxiety, lowered blood pressure and relieved pain in a group of U.S. heart surgery patients with short-term pain participating in a Univer-

sity of Central Florida study in Orlando.

Alzheimer’s Disease: In addition to reducing the agitation and anxiety frequently accompanying Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at Florida’s University of Miami School of Medicine found that a group of patients that participated in music therapy for four weeks experienced increased levels of the calming brain chemical melatonin.

How It Works

“Humming or singing causes longer exhalations than normal, helping to naturally eliminate toxins and acidity,” says Dr. Madan Kataria, of Mumbai, India, who has spawned 5,000 laughter clubs worldwide.

“We started experimenting with the vowel sounds and humming sound.

An early unpublished humming study I did in Denmark showed that people that hummed anything for just 10 minutes were able to reduce their systolic blood pressure by 10 to 15 points, their diastolic by four to five points and their pulse rate by 10 beats per minute.” Kataria found that people with breathing problems like asthma and emphysema experienced especially positive effects because it strengthened belly muscles used in breathing.

Kataria is also a fan of kirtan—Hindu devotional call-and-response chants often accompanied by ecstatic dancing.

“Kirtan takes away self-consciousness or nervousness and anxiety,” he says.

Dr. Eben Alexander, who recorded his near-death experience in Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, says the “indescribable” cosmic music he experienced has helped him come to understand the effects of specific sound frequencies on the brain. He now provides audio tools to help bring the brain to a higher state and help it match that higher and more conscious state. In his medical practice in Charlottesville, Virginia, he often employs music from a patient’s past to

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In Nigeria, we say that rhythm is the soul of life, because the whole universe revolves around rhythm; when we get out of rhythm, that’s when we get into trouble. ~Babatunde Olatunji, drummer and social activist help them emerge from a brain injury or coma and even “reconnect pathways in a damaged brain.”

Alexander explains that binaural beats and other sound effects combine to create “brain entrainment” and also in theory, “monotonize” it to free awareness and access realms other than the physical. “It’s magical what the right type of music can do to the brain stem to free up our consciousness,” he observes.

No Talent Needed

Experts agree that people without musical talent are able to experience the same benefits as virtuosos, based on their degree of engagement with music. Anyone can hum, and most research confirms that benefits are enhanced in creating music rather than merely listening to it.

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Group singing has become increasingly popular, especially following the hit TV show Glee. Time magazine reported in 2013 that 32.5 million American adults sang in choirs, up about 30 percent from a decade earlier.

The choice of musical genre matters. Recent data from Montreal’s McGill University shows that types of music tend to have specific effects; for example, blues slows heart rate and calms an anxious person, rock and punk can boost energy, and reggae can help control anger.

Spirit Moves

The spiritual aspects of virtually all types of music cannot be underestimated, says Michael Hove, Ph.D., a cognitive neuroscientist affiliated with

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Harvard Medical School and Fitchburg State University, in Massachusetts.

His research has primarily focused on drumming to induce altered states of consciousness that shamans from diverse cultures use to bring about physical and emotional healing. What Hove calls a “boring and super-predictable” drumbeat of 240 beats a minute induced a deep trance state within minutes in most subjects, and brain scans confirmed that it enabled them to focus intensely and block out distracting sounds within eight minutes.

This aligns with Alexander’s view that, “The sound of music is absolutely crucial in launching us into transcendental awareness. For the true, deep seeker, sound and vibration and the memory of music can serve as a powerful engine to help direct us in the spiritual realms.”

Kathleen Barnes has authored numerous natural health books, including her latest, Our Toxic World: A Survivor’s Guide. Connect at KathleenBarnes.com.

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healthykids

Raising a Music Lover

Kids Thrive to Rhythms of Head and Heart

by Randy Kambic

A

resounding chorus of research shows that the traditional three R’s of essential early education should also encompass an M for music. Playing instruments prior to and during school years can put children on a tuneful path to lifelong benefits.

Helpful Resources

A 2015 study by the National Association for Music Education (nafme.org) shows that youngsters harboring an early appreciation for music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers. The research also revealed that schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2 percent graduation rate and 93.9 percent attendance rate compared to others averaging 72.9 and 84.9 percent, respectively.

A recent study by the Children’s Music Workshop (ChildrensMusicWorkshop.com), which provides instructional programming for more than 25 Los Angeles-area public and private schools, cites a host of additional benefits. These highlight music education’s role in developing the part of the brain that processes language; improving spatial intelligence; thinking creatively; gaining empathy for people of other cultures; encouraging self-expression and teamwork through playing as a group; and achieving higher grades both in high school and on standardized tests.

Higher institutes of learning are equally involved. Boston’s Berklee College of Music (Berklee.edu) offers majors in making it as a music professional, performance music and music therapy, plus postgraduate degrees. Its annual five-

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Be open-minded enough not to label innovations in genres as junk; whatever kids are drawn to should be fine. ~Dayna Martin week summer performance program in “Beantown” furthers the skills of 1,000 U.S. and international children 12 years old and up. In addition to musical skills, “We see improvement in young people’s confidence and persona,” says Oisin McAuley, director of summer programs. “It’s a truly formative experience.”

In addition, The Berklee City Music online program serves high schools nationwide, assisted by alumni in some cities. It also awards scholarships for participation in the summer performance activities in Boston.

The nonprofit Young Americans (YoungAmericans.org) organization, launched in 1992, operates its own college of performing arts in Corona, California, that fosters artistic, intellectual and personal growth for those working toward becoming performers or arts educators. Its International Music Outreach Tours have brought workshops to K through 12th grade students in nearly all 50 American states and 15 countries in Europe and Asia.

Starting Out

“Don’t force children to play music. It’s better when they want to do it on their own. Having instruments around the house can make it easier,” suggests Dayna Martin, a life coach and author of Radical Unschooling: A Revolution Has Begun, near North Conway, New Hampshire. Learning music can also decrease math phobia, similar to the way in which children that love to cook and follow recipes learn math, she points out, because math and music are undeniably interconnected.

As part of a self-taught passion for medieval history, her 17-year-old son Devin is building a replica of a Viking-era log house on the family’s property and has made several stringed instruments steeped in the historical period using

mathematical principles. “When children apply math to further their interest in music, it makes more sense to them than when it’s some problems in a workbook, and they pick it up more readily, which instills a lifelong appreciation of mathematics as an essential tool,” she observes.

Jamie Blumenthal, a board-certified music therapist and owner of Family Music Therapy Connection: North Bay Music Therapy Services (NorthBayMusicTherapy.com), in Santa Rosa, California, works predominantly with special needs children. “Autistic children love music, and playing wind instruments like flutes and whistles helps work the muscles around the mouth, assisting with speech development,” she says.

Singing, keyboards and percussion instruments are other tools she uses. “Many parents want their child to become accustomed to social settings. Because their child loves music, they’ll often seek a group music forum,” notes Blumenthal.

Family Music Time (FamilyMusicTime.com), in Fort Myers, Florida, is one of 2,500 affiliated centers nationwide and in 40 countries that follows music CDs provided by Princeton, New Jersey-based Music Together (MusicTogether. com). Drumming and singing sessions with parents and children up to 5 years old help them gain a music appetite and early group music-making experience, according to Director LouAnne Dunfee. At her studio, local professional musicians also conduct private lessons in piano, guitar and trumpet for children ages 6 and up. Children playing instruments can mean much more than just music to our ears.

Randy Kambic is a freelance writer and editor based in Estero, FL, and regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

Instrumental Finds Here are some of the organizations that collect and provide musical instruments for youngsters.

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, MHOpus.org Hungry for Music, HungryForMusic.org Fender Music Foundation, FenderMusicFoundation.org Music for Minors Foundation, Music4Minors.org VH1 Save the Music Foundation, VH1SaveTheMusic.org

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greenliving

WATER-WISE KITCHEN A Few Small Steps Can Make the Difference

by Avery Mack

T

he United Nations warns that water use is outpacing population growth two to one. At this rate, two-thirds of the world will face water stress by 2025, meaning fewer crops and jobs and higher food prices.

“Globally, 3 million people, mostly children, die each year due to water-related issues,” says Sister Dorothy Maxwell, of the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, in New York. “Water is a precious commodity. Every drop in supply should increase awareness.”

Smarter Shopping

For significant savings, use ingredients with a lower water footprint. “Be conscientious about food purchases,” advises Gene Baur, president and co-founder of the nonprofit Farm Sanctuary, in Watkins Glen, New York, and Orland and Los Angeles, California.

“Choosing plant foods instead of animal products can make a huge difference.

Estimates show that one person switching to a vegan diet can save at least 1,000 gallons of water every day.”

Before landing on a plate, an eight-

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ounce steak will have necessitated 850 gallons of water, including growing and processing the animal’s food grain. The amount of water needed to produce a quarter-pound hamburger equals that of 30 average showers.

“Dietary choices have environmental and ethical impacts,” agrees Michael Schwarz, founder of Hudson Valley Treeline Cheese, in Kingston, New York. “The carbon and water footprints of conventional dairy products are also enormous.” His company’s vegan cheeses are basically cashews, probiotic cultures and salt.

Unlike American’s 10 million dairy cows, cashews aren’t injected with growth hormones, don’t emit methane and produce no waste runoff to pollute waterways.

Smarter Storage

The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that Americans annually discard more than 35 million tons of uneaten food that costs local governments $1.5 billion annually in clean up and landfill maintenance. Food

waste contributes to climate change through the use of huge quantities of water, fertilizer, land and fuel to process, refrigerate and transport it. Plus, it emits methane gas as it decomposes. Reducing food waste can have a far-reaching impact.

Applying simple household tips will help minimize waste: Protect all meat, poultry and fish along with dairy products like yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese from bacteria by storing them in the original packaging until used; seal any leftovers in airtight containers. Wrap hard cheese in foil or waxed paper after opening.

Keep fruits and vegetables separate and don’t wash before refrigerating to forestall mold. Activated oxygen, like that used in the small refrigerator appliance BerryBreeze, neutralizes bacteria and mold to keep stored foods fresh longer.

Smarter Cooking

Maxwell’s guidance for savvy water use includes: Don’t pre-rinse dishes. Run the dishwasher only when full. Use less soap when washing up and make sure it’s biodegradable. Water-wise experts also offer these cooking tips.

Use a single pot of water to blanch several kinds of vegetables before freezing. Start with the lightest color and end with the darkest, especially odorous veggies like asparagus or Brussels sprouts.

“Unless it’s greasy, cooking and drinking water can be reused to nourish plants,” explains Diane MacEachern, founder and publisher of BigGreenPurse.com.

“I cool egg and veggie cooking water to pour on herbs and flowers.”

As whole potatoes simmer, set a

steamer basket over them to cook other veggies and conserve water. Fewer pots mean less dishwashing, and leftover potato water adds extra flavor to homemade potato dinner rolls.

Cook shorter shapes of dry pasta in less water, first placing them in cold water and lowering the heat to a simmer once it hits a boil, also saving energy (Tinyurl.com/ColdWaterPastaMethod).

Directions for hard-boiled eggs call for enough cold water to cover before boiling, followed by the mandatory icewater bath, using goodly amounts of water and energy. Steam eggs instead; find instructions at Tinyurl.com/ BestHardCookedEggs. For a large quantity of eggs, try baking them (AltonBrown.com/baked-eggs).

Freezer jam contains more fruit, much less sugar and needs no water bath for canning jars; recipes are available online. Eat watermelon as is or in salads, compost the peel and pickle the rind using only one cup of water with minimal boiling time (Tinyurl. com/WatermelonRindPickling).

Rather than waste warm water to defrost frozen foods, simply move them overnight to the refrigerator. Composting is far more eco-wise than running a garbage disposal and sink water.

More than 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered in water, but only .007 percent—like a single drop in a five-gallon bucket—is usable for hydrating its 6.8 billion people and all plants and animals. We must be creative to protect that drop by kicking it up a notch in the kitchen.

Connect with the freelance writer via AveryMack@mindspring.com.

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September 2016

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healingways

The Modern Shaman

Ancient Practices Heal Body and Soul

by Linda Sechrist

N

o longer shrouded in mystery, the ancient spiritual practice of shamanism is attracting the interest of psychologists, registered nurses and medical doctors that study its guiding principles to use personally and benefit others. They train one-on-one and in small groups with indigenous shamans in the U.S. and around the world and enroll in programs offered by established schools such as the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and The Four Winds Society.

Both offer workshops and expeditions for participants to meet the specific shaman that teaches congruent philosophy, practices and principles.

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Since 1986, The Four Winds Society, with international headquarters in Miami, Florida, has graduated more than 10,000 practitioners. It teaches a genuine respect for the sacredness of metaphysical forces existing in all natural beings and objects and the connection between the material world and spiritual plane.

Dr. Daniel Rieders, a physician specializing in cardiac electrophysiology and interventional cardiology, completed the society’s basic curriculum in 2014. Having matriculated to advanced master classes, he uses shamanic understanding, tools and skills for personal use and in his complementary medical practices, Life Rhythm Therapies and Jain Ayurveda for Optimum Health, in Palm Coast, Florida. He notes that medical procedures and prescriptions aren’t always the answer to problems.

“I’ve studied various areas of medicine and found them devoid of tools and methods that empower patients to make changes that lead to better health. Studying shamanism means being on my own healing path of cleansing body, mind and spirit. It’s necessary for any empowered healer that aspires to inspire and generate confidence and assertiveness in others, enabling them to do what is needed to live out their life purpose,” he says.

Rieders found shamanism to be an effective complementary therapy for strengthening the body and building resilience. One of his patients was unhappy with his job, feeling it only served to support a costly family lifestyle. Upon discerning his true desire was to own a gym and teach people how to get healthy, he took action. “A heart procedure was no longer necessary. Stored anger can create heart disease, as well as cancer,” he remarks.

Seti Gershberg’s life changed dramatically while studying shamanism in the remote Peruvian Andes, where he lived with the indigenous Q’ero people for two years. Taking a break from a career in international investment banking, he set out to learn about a shaman’s relationship to energy, consciousness and the supernatural, with an eye to creating a system of universal reciprocity, balance and harmony. He was also interested in indigenous people’s views of the relationship of the physical world with self, consciousness and multi-dimensional space-time as a single interwoven idea; a continuum.

“Today, I’m an executive producer and creative director in Phoenix, Arizona, working on a video series, TV commercials and films, including two documentaries on shamanic rituals and ceremonies, as well as the Q’ero culture,” says Gershberg.

He practices the Q’ero shaman’s gift of Ayni, giving of our self first without asking for anything in return. His website, ThePathOfTheSun.com, offers a “pay what you can afford” option.

Sean Wei Mah, a Native American Cree, grew up on a reservation in Alberta, Canada, around tribal medicine men that practiced smudging, ceremony and ritual. “Smudging, by burning fine powders, considered sacred medicine, is significant to any shaman as holy medicine to cleanse the body. It’s part of Native American life and the foundation of how we communicate, give thanks to and ask for help and guidance

Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place. ~Richard L. Alaniz, A Shaman’s Tale: Path to Spirit Consciousness from the Creator. Ceremony is our church and smudging is how we purify it,” says the shaman, artist and actor known as “The Rattlemaker”.

Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, a shaman, healer, storyteller and carrier of the Qilaut (wind drum), is an elder from the Kalaaleq tribe, in Greenland. His family belongs to the traditional healers from Kalallit Nunaat. Endearingly known as Uncle, he has traveled to 67 countries to conduct ceremonies including healing circles, sacred sweat lodge purification and Melting the Ice in the Heart of Man intensives, where he teaches the spiritual significance of climate change.

He advises, “A shaman’s responsibility is to guide you on your inner path and support you in recognizing your beauty so that you can love yourself and know who you truly are. A shaman guides you to a new level of consciousness through teachings, storytelling and ceremonies, which my grandmother taught me were the key. All of this helps you rely on your own inner guidance.”

Linda Sechrist is a senior staff writer for Natural Awakenings.

Connect at ItsAllAboutWe.com.

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wisewords

and dancing and is characterized as a journey into the self that also connects us with each other.

Inside the Chant with Krishna Das

Kirtan Music Transports Listeners to a Deeper Place

by Robin Fillmore the ancient tradition of bhakti yoga, followed in 1998 by Pilgrim Heart, with a guest appearance by Sting. Since then, a steady stream of 14 albums and DVDs produced on his own label have provided the soundtrack for yoga classes everywhere; the soothing rhythmic chants performed in a deep, rich timbre complements instruction in the spiritual element of the exercise.

Das’ specialty, kirtan, updates an ancient tradition of devotional chanting as meditation accompanied by instruments. A kirtan concert invites audience members to join in the experience through chanting, clapping Photo by Payal Kumar

I

nfluential spiritual leader Ram Dass has described Krishna Das (Jeffrey Kagel) as an example of someone whose “heartsongs” open channels to God. The Grammy-nominated kirtan artist, long considered yoga’s rock star, consistently plays to sold-out crowds worldwide. The Long Island native’s journey has gone from being a member of a popular rock band to going to India, where as a student of spiritual leader Neem Karoli Baba, the trajectory of his life and music shifted and expanded.

His 1996 debut album, One Track Heart, focused on updated chants from

How would you introduce your music?

Across the country and around the world, yoga practitioners are chanting the names of God in tongues including Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi and English.

They’re taking kirtan music out of the temples and the yoga studios and into dance halls, universities, cathedrals and other unexpected places.

In the last decade, India’s traditional call-and-response form of chanting has been reinvented by modern devotional artists blending traditional kirtan with modern genres such as rock, rhythm and blues, hip-hop and electronica—breathing new life and devotion into yoga’s sacred chants.

What does kirtan mean to you?

For me, kirtan is all about the music.

The more ways I practice sustainable health, balance, love and music and immerse myself in a spiritual life, the more I realize that all issues distill down to simple facts. Everyone wants to be loved and happy, and to avoid suffering and being judged.

Looking at our lives, we start to see how we hurt ourselves and others and how what happens to us in daily life can be difficult to deal with. We recognize that we must find deep inner strength so we don’t get destroyed by the waves that come and try to toss us around.

Little by little, all of our awakening practices work to transform our life. They move us from being externally oriented and reactive to being established within and quietly responsive.

We come to have a wider view that life can effectively contain and envelop the different facets of ourselves and the world.

Why do many consider a kirtan event a transcendent experience far beyond the music?

There are two things: the music and where the music is carrying us. In this case, it’s the names of God, of divinity,

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that are real and inside us. We can call this higher sense anything we like and aim in that direction according to how we identify with it.

If we want peace in the world, then every individual needs to find peace within. We can’t create peace or happiness with anger and selfishness in our heart and mind. We can release ourselves from a limiting storyline, whatever it is, and touch a deeper place for a while. Then, when we return to our day, we are standing on slightly different ground because we have trained ourselves to let go a little bit. It’s a gradual process that takes time and effort, but it’s a joyful practice.

Do you see a shift in thinking echoing that of the 1960s that positions us to do better this time?

In the 1960s, everyone thought they were going to change the external world, but they forgot they have to change themselves, too, and little work was done inside. Today, while most people keep trying to first rearrange the outside world, more are now doing the necessary inside work, as well.

The key is to understand what’s truly possible. If we don’t understand how we can be happy and at peace in the middle of a burning fire, we won’t recognize the tools available to create that kind of light for ourselves and others.

Robin Fillmore is the publisher of the Natural Awakenings of Washington, D.C, edition.

What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.

–Ellen Glasgow

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September 2016

33

Every Day Can Be A Day Without Pain!

Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus

A

cute pain from an accident, burn or insect bite may cramp your style at the family picnic, but the kind of pain that recurs every day and every night can make us miss out on the best times of our lives. Lost opportunities like playing with our children and grandchildren, participating in sports and other healthy activities like dancing do not give you a second chance for fun. Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus relieves pain, strains and sprains while substantially reducing recovery time.

Unique Ingredients are How it Works Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus works by penetrating deep into skin and muscle tissue. Key ingredients include certified, refined emu oil, whole leaf aloe vera, MSM glucosamine and chondroitin, in a proprietary blend of essential oils, Oriental herbs, botanical extracts and complex vitamins/antioxidants.

MSM acts as an analgesic and antiinflammator y agent, inhibits muscle spasm and increases blood flow while aloe vera, the only known vegetable source of vitamin B12, Emu oil allows the other ingredients to immediately begin to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling.

Emu oil, an allnatural food byproduct that contains high levels of linoleic acid, known to relieve arthritic pain, is obtained from the fat of the flightless emu bird, and a series of processes refine, sterilize and deodorize it. But not all emu oil sold is of the quality used in Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus; some is simply rendered, using added ingredients that pollute the natural oil. As an added benefit, emu oil increases skin layer thickness by up to 56 percent, decreasing wrinkles and age spots.

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Follow the Directions For optimum relief, apply a generous amount of Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus directly onto the area of pain or discomfort, allowing it to be absorbed for two to three minutes. Don’t wipe away any that is not absorbed; massage it into the surrounding areas, and use it as often as needed— there are no side effects!

Using Natural Awakenings Topical Pain Relief Plus three times daily is ideal—depending on your level of pain—when you wake up, at mid-day or after work and just before bedtime.

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September 2016

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calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received by Sept 12 (for Oct issue) and adhere to our guidelines. To submit listings, email ColaPublisher@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

Costs $20 for 35 words each month.

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

SEPTEMBER 1, 9, 19 & 30 Discount Days at Rosewood–8am-8pm. 20% off purchase price; mention this listing. Deli sale items not included. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 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/directions: Call Frongillo at 803-743-0731 or email Mff426@gmail.com.

food medicine educator, at 770-413-9046 or visit RawTalkCoach.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Emotional Technology–Noon-2pm. 7 Mirrors of the Soul. Cost: $20. Seven Rays, 3701 N Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Stress, Hormone Health Seminar–Presented by Dr. Rachel Hall. Cost: Free. Due to limited capacity, call immediately to preregister and reserve a space.

Only those preregistered will be allowed to attend.

Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Ste D, Columbia.

Info/registration: 803-796-1702, DrRachelHall.com.

Difference Between Religion and Spirituality– Noon-2pm–w/Dr. Khozmiq. Cost: $20. Seven Rays, 3701 N Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.

TUESDAYS SEPTEMBER 13-NOVEMBER 15

SUNDAYS SEPTEMBER 4, 11, 18 & 25 Raw Talk Wellness Event–8:30pm. An innovative approach to wellness online and by phone. Info/ RSVP: Call Carla DeRosa, wellness coach and

Healing Through the Senses–10-11:15am. An innovative approach to restoring physical, mental and emotional balance through guided explorations of sound healing, aromatherapy and acupressure for emotions. Recommended for women coping with chronic stress, anxiety and post-trauma injury.

Class provided through Columbia Resilience and the Richland County Discretionary Grant for women for trauma relief. Preregistration required. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 3200 Lyles St, Columbia.

Call: Pamila Lorentz, of Chi Energy Balance, at 803-749-1576.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 The Most Important Conversation–Noon2pm–w/Dr. Khozmiq. The Only 12 Things You Need to Know. Cost: $20. Seven Rays, 3701 N Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Stress, Hormone Health Seminar–Presented by Dr. Rachel Hall. Cost: Free. Due to limited capacity, call immediately to preregister and reserve a space.

Only those preregistered will be allowed to attend.

Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Ste D, Columbia.

Info/registration: 803-796-1702, DrRachelHall.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Community Ribbon Cutting–Noon-1pm. For Devine Chiropractic and A Knead for Nurturing business partnership. Refreshments, food and prizes, plus free massages and coupons. 2908 Devine St, Columbia. Info: 803-497-3860.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 7 Desires of Every Heart–Noon-2pm–w/Dr. Khozmiq. Cost: $20. Seven Rays, 3701 N Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-404-4519.

Palmetto Trail Cleanup Day–9am-noon. Litter clean up at Fort Jackson Palmetto Trail adjacent to the McCrady National Guard Center, which is on public land. The trail faces significant environmental

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markyourcalendar Backyard Series–Whether you have a postage-stamp lawn, a balcony or a pond, create a beautiful garden landscape, and learn about adding green to your space and water-wise practices in these interactive sessions hosted by the Richland Countywide Stormwater Consortium.

Sept. 10–Container Gardening–10:30am-12:30pm.

Richland County Public Library, 5306 N Main St, Columbia.

Oct. 15–Backyard Composting–2-4pm. Ridgewood Community Center, 805 Crest St, Columbia.

Oct. 20–Vermicomposting at Home and School– 4:30-6pm. Lower Richland High School, 2615 Lower Richland Blvd, Hopkins.

Info: Call Karen Jackson at 803-865-1216 (ext 116) or email her at Karen7@Clemson.edu. or Chenille Williams at 803-576-2491 or email her at Williamsc3@rcgov.us. danger from litter and illegal dumpsites. Volunteers meet at the McCrady National Guard/Palmetto Trail parking area, located off of Leesburg Road. All cleanup supplies will be provided. Volunteers need to be at least 12 years of age. Info/volunteer: 803758-6034, 877-725-7733, PalmettoConservation. org, PalmettoPride.org.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Stress, Hormone Health Seminar–Presented by Dr. Rachel Hall. Cost: Free. Due to limited capacity, call immediately to preregister and reserve a space.

Only those preregistered will be allowed to attend.

Expect Wellness, 130 Suber Rd, Ste D, Columbia.

Info/registration: 803-796-1702, DrRachelHall.com.

MONDAY-FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26-30 Transpersonal Hypnosis Certification Course– 9am-5pm. Achieve your hypnosis certifications and memberships in two organizations with one course! Kure Beach, NC. Register/info: TranspersonalPower.com. Questions: 855-772-0459, Linda@ TranspersonalPower.com.

planahead FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 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/directions: Call Frongillo at 803-743-0731 or email Mff426@gmail.com.

Lourie Center Fall Festival and Wellness Expo–8am-1pm. A wellness expo featuring an array of senior-focused businesses, entertainment, health screenings, flu shots, a chili luncheon and more!

Free. 1650 Park Cir, Columbia. Info: 803-779-1971, LourieCenterSC.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Garner’s Sixth Annual Fall Health Fair–8am8pm. Discounts all day. Free samples, demos and raffles. Win Gift Baskets and Gift Cards, Free Sapha Alkalized Water, and more! Free. Garner’s Natural Life, 4840 Forest Dr, Columbia. Info: 803-454-7700.

ongoingevents sunday 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.

monday Columbia Resilience Integrated Health–6-8pm. 4th Monday. Energy balance modalities offered through trained practitioners for chronic stress and post-trauma relief. Recommended fee $10/session. St. Mark United Methodist Church, 3200 Lyles St, Columbia.

Info/to sign up as a practitioner: Call Pamila Lorentz, of Chi Energy Balance, at 803-749-1576.

Infant Massage Classes–4-week series on Mondays. Parents and caregivers learn how to build confidence, develop a nurturing touch, and a massage routine for their babies. Cost: $75, person; $100, couple. The Balance Institute, 1905 Sunset Blvd, Ste C, W Columbia. Info/times: Call Liana Marconyak at 803-386-7261 or visit tbiHealth.net.

designed to help practitioners connect, learn and grow their businesses. Free. 108 Netherland Dr, Irmo. Info: Call Julie Bradshaw at 803-800-9211.

anxiety and post-trauma injury. Class provided through Columbia Resilience and the Richland County Discretionary Grant for women for trauma relief. Preregistration required. Chi Energy Balance, St. Mark United Methodist Church, 3200 Lyles St, Columbia. Info/registration: Call Pamila Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

thursday

friday

First Thursdays on Main–7-9pm. Live music with Palmetto Latin Orchestra. Good Life Café, 1614 Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-726-2310.

Rosewood Sidewalk Farmers’ Market–4-7pm.

Every Friday. Meet your SC growers. Rosewood Market, 2803 Rosewood Dr, Columbia. Info: 803530-3270, RosewoodMarket.com.

Gentle Yoga & Energy Balance–10-11:15am. Easy yoga stretches and postures for calming the nervous system and accessing “stress reset” points through self-care techniques and coping with chronic stress,

actionalert Fracking Water

Action Needed to Protect U.S. Drinking Water Supplies

Biergarten at Gardener’s Outpost–5:30-7:30pm.

Every 1st Wednesday. Live entertainment and refreshments. Browse Biergarten’s unique garden gifts. Gardener’s Outpost, 709 Woodrow St, Columbia. Info: 803-252-0041, GardenersOutpost.com.

The dangerous practice of fracking (hydraulic fracturing), which combines volumes of toxic chemicals and fresh water to bore for natural gas, has spread to 21 states in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, as well as Colorado, Texas and California. A particularly intensive drilling area is the Marcellus Shale region, a 600-mile-long bedrock layer up to a mile below the Earth’s surface that includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

Citizens in these and surrounding states are sounding alarms.

The PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center is on the battle’s front lines and their efforts can serve as a blueprint and inspiration in trying to curtail fracking and protect the health and safety of people and the planet. The nonprofit has taken issue with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency draft study dated late last year that concluded fracking has no widespread impact on drinking water, demanding that the agency conduct further research. While Pennsylvania’s Department of the Environment tallied 271 cases of water contamination from fracking in 40 counties, the nonprofit Public Herald reports 2,309 overall fracking complaints for 17 of the counties, and concludes that water-related cases are repeatedly understated.

Recent research by Stanford University’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences found, “Companies are fracking directly into shallow freshwater aquifers,” according to Professor of Earth System Science Robert Jackson. “In no [other] industry would you be allowed to inject chemicals into a source of drinking-quality water.”

PennEnvironment recently galvanized more than 1,000 state health experts’ demands to Governor Tom Wolf’s administration that include establishing a registry to report impacts from fracking and other natural gas activities; instituting special training for health professionals; removing exemptions for the fracking industry from environmental laws; and requiring that all fracking operations be at least one mile from schools and healthcare facilities.

“With every day of inaction, our elected leaders continue to subject their constituents to severe and widespread health impacts,” advises PennEnvironment fracking campaign organizer Allie DiTucci.

Maryland poses another looming battleground—it currently prohibits the practice and is drafting new fracking regulations as the gas industry knocks on its door. Meanwhile, communities around the country are voting to ban fracking from their districts.

Join local environmental and conservation organizations in protesting against fracking and lobbying local and state officials to regulate and ban it.

Holistic Practitioners Networking Group–7pm.

4th Wednesday. Come join a fun, informative group

Primary sources: PennEnvironmentCenter.org, InsideClimate News

Poetry Night at Good Life Café–7-9pm. Every 3rd Monday. Magnify Magnolias Poetry & Live Music Night/Open Mic. Good Life Café, 1614 Main St, Columbia. Info: 803-726-2310.

Prenatal Massage Consultations–10am-4pm.

Every Monday in September. Free. Learn the benefits of massage during your pregnancy and how it will help prepare your body for delivery. A Knead for Nurturing, 2908 Devine St, Columbia. Info/to schedule an appointment: 803-851-4563.

tuesday doTERRA Essential Oil Class–7pm. Every 2nd Tuesday. Wellness in the workplace. Free. Chiropractic Care Center, 7245 St Andrews Rd, Columbia.

Info: Call Patty Kranendonk at 803-730-9083.

Prenatal Yoga–5:30-6:45pm–w/Channing, RYT-200.

Open to all students. Prepare the mind and body for labor and more. Cost: 1st class free, $10-$14/class packages. Expecting Well, 130 Suber Rd, Ste D, Columbia. Info: 803-661-8452, ExpectingWell.com.

wednesday Awaken Your Energy, Awaken Your Life–7pm.

2nd Wednesday. Align your energy to feel better, manage your life goals, and have better relationships. Cost: $30. 6 Cupola Ct, Blythewood. Info/ registration: 803-530-6199 or visit http://bit.do/ awakenyourenergy.

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CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

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

Additional .50 per word over 30 words. Please include billing contact information. Deadline is the 12th of the month prior.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Own a Healthy and Fun Fitness Business – Established Curves for sale, Irmo. Top fitness franchise, turnkey opportunity and low investment.

Info: Call 203-561-6353 or visit BuyCurves.com.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

per hour. Need current national certification, CPR certification and liability insurance. Email resume, along with availability, to Info@lmtcpt.com.

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 Info@ tbiHealth.net.

LMTCPT Is Hiring Contract Personal Trainers – Hiring for the am hours. Compensation, $14

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 Lorentz at 803-749-1576.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Columbia Resilience has been awarded the 2016 Richland County disbursement grant to create the Hands for Peace Women’s Trauma Clinic.

Any experienced alternative health practitioners interested in volunteering (training available for volunteers on Trauma Clinic protocols) one day a week, please contact community health chair Pamila Lorentz at the Center for Health Integration at 803-749-1576.

WANTED Compassionate, Kind Caregivers – If you have these attributes, we want you to join our team! Must drive, read, write, pass drug and alcohol testing, pass background check and have a reliable vehicle.

No phone calls please. Online application: EpicInHomeCare.com.

Massage Therapist – Breath of Salt Spa is in search of a massage therapist with a variety of disciplines.

Call for an appointment interview at 803-772-7258.

Send printed resume to Breath of Salt, 1410 Colonial Life Blvd W, Columbia, SC 29210. Email resume to BreathOfSalt@att.net.

Yoga and Meditation Teacher – Breath of Salt Spa is searching for a certified yoga instructor to teach yoga and meditation in the salt room. Call for appointment interview at 803-772-7258. Send printed resume to Breath of Salt, 1410 Colonial Life Blvd W, Columbia, SC 29210. Email resume to BreathOfSalt@att.net.

Yoga is a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness.

- Indra Devi.

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MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

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

FAMILY PRACTICE OF CHIROPRACTIC

DENTISTRY ART OF DENTISTRY

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

Dr. Gregory J. Wych, DDS 7505 St. Andrews Rd, Irmo 803-781-1600 • IrmoCosmeticDentistry.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 20.

COLLABORATIVE LAW LAW OFFICE OF SHANNON K. BURNETT

109 N Main St, Blythewood 803-786-1758 • Shannon.skblaw@gmail.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 6.

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.

AROMATHERAPY

COLON HEALTH

GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE

SPRING RAIN HYDROTHERAPY

Improve your level of stress, depression and mood with natural products from a locally owned family business. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you using aromatherapy for pain, anxiety, energy enhancement and more. We carry several brands of essential oils, including doTERRA. See ads, page 38 and back page.

All disease begins in the colon.

Constipation; slow, sluggish bowel; gas and bloating? A colonic will help to rid you of these problems. Colonics promote good digestion, help speed metabolism, help lower cholesterol, and help relieve joint pain. Linda Salyer is IACN certified and a retired nurse. Special pricing every third week of the month. See ad, page 18.

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

CHIROPRACTIC CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER INC.

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

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

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

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

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. BPAand Bis-GMA-free composites, B PA - f r e e o c c l u s a l g u a r d s , natural periodontal therapy, fluoride-alternatives for tooth remineralization, and mercury-filling removal following IAOMT standards using supplemental oxygen, special filters and amalgam separators to keep toxic metals out of our waterways.

See ad, page 23.

PALMER DISTINCTIVE DENTISTRY Dr. Joe Palmer; Dr. Daniel Knause 134 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 864-438-0903 • PalmerDMD.com

Biological Dentistry using the highest standards of biocompatible dentistry as defined by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology. One-visit crowns, laser-assisted periodontal therapy and ozone therapy; fluoride-free office. See ad, page 42.

ECO-RICH SKIN CARE PRODUCTS JUST WANNA MELT LLC

CHI ENERGY BALANCE

Pamila Lorentz, MSW, RN, LMBT 6136 Old Bush River Rd, Columbia 803-749-1576 CenterForHealthIntegration.com

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

See ad, page 3.

Misty Rawls • 803-331-0063 Info@JustWannaMelt.com JustWannaMelt.com

Feeling scattered, disconnected, achy or fatigued?

The CHI Energy Balance’s essential touch therapies help to restore, renew and revitalize the well-being experience. Services include CranioSacral Therapy, lymphatic drainage, directional healing, sound/vibrational therapies and integrative massage.

CHI also offers acupressure for emotions and Young Living therapeutic essential oils. See ad, page 31.

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

For a complete list of retail locations, visit our website.

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naturaldirectory FENG SHUI CHRISTIAN F. MERGNER, ASSOC. AIA Traditional Feng Shui Practitioner CMergner@aol.com 803-587-0893

As a Feng Shui practitioner living in Columbia and serving the Midlands area since 2010, I am trained in the “Five Element” teachings of Grand Master Raymond Lo. With more than 30 years of professional experience—including more than 15 years of research, writing, lecturing and practicing feng shui—I utilize various effective feng shui methods, including traditional and classical (compass school), the Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi) and I Ching (the King Wen Oracle System). Feng Shui has been successfully used to improve and increase wealth, wellness, optimism and synergy. Call today for a free consultation!

FUNCTIONAL & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE Drs. Lieberman, Weirs & Herbert 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 ads, pages 2 and 43.

HEALTH FOOD STORE MURRAYWOOD HEALTH FOODS

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

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

Where words fail, music speaks.

-Hans Christian Andersen.

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HOMEOPATHY WELLNESS MATTERS

Brenda M. Tobin-Flood, DVetHom, Cert CN 803-712-4522 WellnessMatters4U@yahoo.com

Brenda M. Tobin-Flood holds her degrees in veterinary homeopathy and canine nutrition from the British Institute of Homeopathy.

Brenda uses her extensive knowledge of human-grade essential oils, herbs and reiki for healing modalities, treating all types of animals, including farm and exotic. Phone consultations, home visits, barn visits, K-Kal requirements for canines, and nutritional consultations are also available. See ad, page 31.

INTEGRATED HEALING PHOENIX RISING

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

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

INTEGRATIVE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE EXPECT WELLNESS

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

Integrative/Holistic medicine consults for anyone wanting to approach their health more naturally. Dr. Rachel Hall is board certified in both family medicine and integrative holistic medicine. Together we will focus on finding the root of the problem, not just treating symptoms. Call today for a consult if you are looking to achieve balance. In-house diagnostic labs and therapies.

See ad, page 41.

MASSAGE THERAPY A KNEAD FOR NURTURING Jenny Sepulveda 2908 Devine St, Columbia 803-851-4563

Jenny Sepulveda is a licensed massage therapist with more than 14 years’ experience. She also has a degree in occupational studies from The Swedish Institute of Manhattan. Sepulveda is certified in prenatal, craniosacral, reflexology, and hot and cold stones treatment. She is dedicated to providing stress and pain relief through massage for people of all walks of life. Come and experience the relaxation massage therapy has to offer you. See ad, page 7.

MidlandsHealthyLiving.com

NATURAL & ORGANIC PRODUCTS L’ECUYER’S GOURMET

Renee L’Ecuyer 803-240-6428 • LEcuyersGourmet.com

L’Ecuyer’s Gourmet is an allnatural, ecofriendly, organic and chemical-free product company.

The company specializes in spices that are non-aerated, with no sulfates, fillers, MSG or GMOs. It also carries butters and oils that are organic, non-greasy, nut-free and vegan, along with a full line of chemical- and phosphatefree home care products. See all of L’Ecuyer’s Gourmet’s products at the Irmo Farmers’ Market, located at 7507 Eastview Dr, in Irmo, every 1st and 3rd Saturday. See ad, page 30.

ORGANIC MOLD AND PEST REMOVAL HOME RENEWAL INVESTORS LLC DJ Brown • 803-509-1980 djaredbrown@gmail.com HomeRenewalInvestors.com

Home Renewal uses the newest technology to kill indoor mold, odors and pests in about a day.

Results are guaranteed! Our oneof-a-kind process breaks down oxygen molecules and helps remedy 200 health issues. This nonchemical service saves as much as 99% less than the usual costs associated with wall demolition treatment methods.

It is utilized by hospitals, government agencies, schools, medical facilities, historic buildings, museums and hundreds of residents. Contact the indoor air quality experts of Home Renewal for at FREE evaluation. See ad, page 31.

OSTEOPATHY CENTER FOR OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE Dr. Bettina Herbert 843-572-1600 • coem.com

Dr. Bettina Herbert, M.D., has 25 years of osteopathic experience and is board certified in Physical Medicine. Treatment uses gentle manipulation primarily using cranial osteopathy to relieve pain, improve performance and promote healing. See ads, pages 2 and 43.

SOUL CONTRACT READING THE SOURCE WITHIN YOU

Julie Bradshaw 803-800-9211 • Juleseck@aol.com TheSourceWithinYou.com

Before you came into this lifetime, you agreed to meet certain people and experience particular life lessons in order to further your soul’s growth and development. Contact Julie for a Soul Contract Reading to discover what contracts (agreements) you made and how they are impacting your life today.

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

Eckankar hosts free, informal, nondogmatic spiritual discussions.

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

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 20.

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 ads, page 38 and back page.

WATER/HYDRATION INCREDIBLE WATER

Eddie and Nilah Gann 803-404-1378 • KangenDemo.com

Every functional process that takes place within the human body is dependent upon water in some way. With this foundational element correct, all other body processes function properly.

Incredible Water represents a Japanese company that has been changing lives for over 40 years. Individuals interested in alkaline, antioxidant and cellular hydration are encouraged to call. See ad, page 33.

Connect with us naturally!

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